The Hard Hats & High Heels Host Committee of 2025 was led by a powerhouse group of women, including Lydia Sacasa as Chair, Lourdes Rey-Wilson as Co-Chair, Yesenia Moreno as Sponsorship Chair, Erbi Blanco-True as Chair Emeritus, and Yvonne Debesa as Chair Emeritus. This dynamic committee organized a spectacular 10th anniversary celebration on Thursday, June 5th, 2025, at the beautiful Rusty Pelican in Key Biscayne.

Our 10th Annual Hard Hats & High Heels Cocktail Reception & Silent Auction marked a milestone moment for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami. The event gathered an incredible mix of Miami’s professional, philanthropic, and social leaders; all driven by a shared commitment to expanding access to affordable homeownership for single mothers in our community. With a full decade of impact behind us, this year’s event celebrated both the mission and the remarkable women who are building their futures through it.

Guests enjoyed signature open bars, savory hors d’oeuvres, a lively 360 photo booth, gourmet coffee bar, sweet treats, and music that kept the dance floor moving. A lively silent auction brought added excitement. But the most powerful moment of the night came during a video spotlight featuring Marilet Torres, one of the nine women whose home was sponsored through this initiative. Her story of resilience, fighting cancer, raising children, and facing rising costs of rent, left no heart untouched. Her message reminded us all why safe, stable housing is foundational to family strength. The evening also welcomed back homeowners like Shercola Watson, Karla Romero, Mitchalener Semper, and more, who shared in the joy of ten years of impact.

Thanks to the incredible support of our sponsors, underwriters, and donors, the 2025 event welcomed over 300 guests and raised almost $215,000 to continue building homes, and hope, for women-led families in Miami-Dade. If you’re interested in joining our Hard Hats & High Heels Host Committee or supporting our cause through Team Builds, Sponsor Builds, Underwriting, or Donation Opportunities, please reach out to our Chief Development Officer, Maureen Ruggiero at maureen.ruggiero@miamihabitat.org.

HH&HH 2025 Sponsors & Underwriters

Providing Shelter Sponsors

Banesco USA, Berger Singerman LLP, CBT Technology Institute, FirstBank, International Finance Bank

Dream Kitchen Sponsors

First Horizon, The M Network

Raise the Roof Sponsors

Banyan Street Capital Target, The Miami Foundation, Think Hospitality Group

Our Own Back Yard Underwriting Silent Auction

Sunstate Bank

Making Memories Underwriting our Photo Booth, 360 Photo Feature, & Event Photographer

Intercredit Bank

Driving Home Underwriting our Valet Service

Helm Bank USA

Out on the Terrace Underwriting our Terrace Space

US Century Bank

Family Meals Underwriting our Coffee Bar

Florida Lemark Corp

Time for Dessert Underwriting our Dessert Tables

Holland & Knight

Extra, Extra, Read all about our New Home Underwriting our Social Miami Media Coverage

Bradesco Bank

Movie Night Underwriting our evening’s Audio/Visual Element

New Edge Associates

Like, Share, Build Underwriting our Social Media Sweepstake

The Cushman School

Let Your Love Open the Door Sponsors

Bank of America, BankUnited, BB Americas, Blanca Commercial Real Estate, City National Bank, Diageo, Grove Bank & Trust, JLL, Jorda, Mechanical Contractors, Inc., Lemartec Corporation, Miami Tunnels, OceanBank, Regions Bank, RunBrook, Seacoast Bank, South Florida PBS, SouthState, Terrabank, The Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition, Inc The Miami Institute for Women’s Health

We Are Family Underwriting our evening’s DJ & Music

International Center for Financial Training