“Be A Voice, Take A Stand” Gala
Benefiting Voices for Children


Nelson Hincapie, Commissioner Carlos Gimenez and Stephen Owens
Nelson F. Hincapie, President & CEO of Voices For Children Foundation, announced to the guests, “Steve Owens, President of Swire Properties, and Jorge Gonzalez, Area Vice President and General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Miami, committed to continuing supporting Voices For Children, and challenged the corporate leaders in the room to follow their lead and commit to support Voices For Children. We couldn’t have asked for a better confirmation of their unwavering support to Voices For Children.” Staying true to its commitment, Jorge Gonzalez spontaneously announced the hotel would cover the cost for the evening’s dinner, drinks and valet for the more than 400 guests in attendance.

Yolanda Berkowitz, Nicole McGillis-Morejon and Shannon Hori
Dinner was enhanced by a special performance of one of the Miami City Ballet’s biggest hits and audience favorites, “Nine Sinatra Songs,” choreographed by Twyla Tharp, set to popular Fank Sinatra music and featuring costumes by famed fashion designer Oscar de la Renta.
A number of notable community leaders were in attendance, including Her Royal Highness Princess Thi-Nga of Vietnam; Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany to Florida, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands Eva Alexandra Countess Kendeffy; State Senator Rene Garcia; County Commissioners Carlos Gimenez and Sally Heyman; City of Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado; Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina; Honorable Judge Cindy Lederman; world-renowned artist Romero Britto; luxury footwear designer Donald J. Pliner and wife Lisa; Big 105.9’s “Paul and Young Ron Show” host Paul Castronovo; Telemotions Production owner, producer and host Maria Elvira Salazar, and others.

Stephen Owens, Eva Alexandra Countess Kendeffy, S.A.R Princess Thi-Nga and Jorge Gonzalez
Sponsors included Southern Wine & Spirits of South Florida; Cathay Pacific Airways; Jeff and Yolanda Berkowitz; Dior; Florida Power & Light; Greenberg Traurig, LLP; Miami Dolphins Foundation; Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson, P.A.; and Waste Services of Florida, Inc.
Chairman Hans Mueller, Stephen Owens and Jorge Gonzalez and Nelson Hincapie
Donald Pliner and Romero Britto
Mercedes Cisneros and Mayor Tomas Regalado City of Miami
Maria Elvira Salazar and Judge Cindy Lederman
Freddy and Chandra Balsera
Raysa and Mayor Julio Robaina
Vince Castro and Deborah Nunez
Nelson Hincapie and Lisa Pliner
Hans Mueller
Jeff & Yolanda Berkowitz
Maria Elvira Salazar, Rudy & Lydia Touzet
Javier Morejon, Nicole Mcgillis, Yolanda Berkowitz
Jolie & Michael Berkowitz, Annie Veder
Jeanette Uribe and Maria Carreras
Senator Rene Garcia and Ana Garcia
S.A.R Princess Thi-Nga and Nelson Hincapie
Valerie Riles and Terry Morris