Hard Hats & High Heels – 11th Annual Cocktail Reception & Silent Auction

Benefiting Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami

11th Annual Hard Hats & High Heels Host Committee

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami’s 11th Annual Hard Hats & High Heels Cocktail Reception & Silent Auction brought together Miami’s business, philanthropic, and community leaders for an inspiring evening dedicated to expanding affordable homeownership opportunities for women-led families.

Hosted on June 4, 2026, at the Rusty Pelican in Key Biscayne, guests enjoyed signature cocktails, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, music, interactive experiences, and both silent and live auctions while celebrating the impact of Habitat’s mission throughout Miami. This year’s enhanced silent auction featured a curated collection of exclusive experiences, travel packages, and one-of-a-kind items that added to the excitement of the evening. The event was led by the Hard Hats & High Heels Host Committee, chaired by Lydia Sacasa, with Lourdes Rey-Wilson serving as Co-Chair, Yesenia Moreno as Sponsorship Chair, and Erbi Blanco-True and Yvonne Debesa serving as Chairs Emeritus. Their leadership continues to shape one of Miami’s most anticipated philanthropic gatherings.

Among the most meaningful moments of the evening was the presence of Miami Habitat homeowners and future homeowners, including families whose homes have been made possible through this very event, along with others still on their journey toward homeownership. Together, they came to celebrate, support, and share in the impact of the mission.

Miami Habitat homeowner Karla Romero also shared her personal story, reflecting on her path to stability, dignity, and the life-changing opportunity of homeownership. Her words deeply resonated with guests and brought the mission to life in a powerful way. through a video, generously produced pro bono by M Network.

The evening welcomed more than 300 guests and surpassed its fundraising goal, reflecting the continued generosity and commitment of sponsors, donors, and partners who make this work possible across Miami.

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 2026 Sponsors & Underwriters

Safe Haven Sponsors

Amerant Bank | Banesco USA | CBT Technology Institute | FirstBank | PiBank | William and Lynda Steere Foundation

Toast to Home Underwriting Wines & Bar

First State Bank

Raise the Roof Sponsors

Banyan Street Capital| Berger Singerman LLP First Horizon Helm Bank USA| International Finance Bank Target| Think Hospitality

Backyard Treasures Underwriting

Silent Auction

Sunstate Bank

Picture Perfect Underwriting Photo Booth & Event Photographer

Bradesco

Brew & Build Underwriting Coffee Bar

Florida Lemark Corporation

Sweet Home Underwriting Dessert Tables

Grove Bank & Trust

Movie Night Underwriting Audio/Visual Element

New Edge Associates

Terrace Time Underwriting Terrace Space

Ocean Bank

Social Spotlight Underwriting Social Miami Media Coverage

Seacoast Bank

Digital Doorway Underwriting Social Media Sweepstake

US Century Bank

House Beats Underwriting DJ & Music

International Center for Financial Training

Open the Door Sponsors

Azar Design Co. | BankUnited| Buckner, Shifrin, Etter, Dugan & Bradfute PA| City National Bank of Florida| Decorini| JLL| Jorda Mechanical Contractors| Kaufman Rossin| MAT Concessionaire | The Miami Tunnel| Moss & Associates| Pacific National Bank| Regions Bank| Runbrook| The Miami Foundation| Valley National Bank

Miami Habitat Homeowners with Mario Artecona – Miami Habitat CEO; and Lydia Sacasa – HH&HH 2026 Host Committee Chair
Miami Habitat homeowner Karla Romero with Miami Habitat CEO Mario Artecona
Miami Habitat homeowner Karla Romero with Miami Habitat CEO Mario Artecona
Lydia Sacasa, HH&HH 2026 Host Committee Chair
Lydia Sacasa, HH&HH 2026 Host Committee Chair
Guests browse curated silent auction items during the evening’s reception
Angelica Chavarria, Tatiana Perez, Vanessa Irvin, Charmaine Lindsey, Ivonne Iriarte, Mariana Bellorin, Lorena Joya, Jacqueline Soares, of Helm Bank USA
Toni Sanchez, Annelise Ferrer, Allison McCreary, Jacqueline Cruz-Bustillo
Maria Peuriot and Miguel Palacios of PiBank
Bella Mendez and Jordan Kettinger of New Edge Associates
Bella Mendez and Jordan Kettinger of New Edge Associates
Liane Sippin, Amanda Cabrera, and Lauren Sippin-Garrido
Tonya Habour, Maureen Ruggiero, Sabine Scholtz, Ann Hart
Tonya Habour, Maureen Ruggiero, Sabine Scholtz, Ann Hart
Michelle Artiles, Katherine Amador, Danielle Bereznay of Berger Singerman LLP
Michelle Artiles, Katherine Amador, Danielle Bereznay of Berger Singerman LLP
Carlos Jara, Yesenia Moreno, HH&HH Host Committee Sponsorship Chair, Norman Isaza, Yuli Simon, Lissette Reyes, David Rowland, Connie Laguna, and Juan del Busto
Lissa Denis, Host Committee Member, and Daniel Denis of Runbrook
Lissa Denis, Host Committee Member, and Daniel Denis of Runbrook
Mairelys Perez-Sanchez, Arlene Molina, and Hard Hats & High Heels Chair Emeritus Yvonne Debesa and Erbi Blanco-True
Guests pause to capture memories at the evening’s photo booth
Melania Caruso, Lupe Diaz, Karla Martinez, Yvonne Debesa, Genesis Narvaez, Sara Rodriguez, Monica Koblinski, and Yesenia Collazo of Sunstate Bank
Nicole Hernandez, Mercy Medina, Oscar Moraga, Elizabeth Moraga, Elizabeth Quintero, Susy Cisneros
Lydia Sacasa and Erbi Blanco-True
Lydia Sacasa and Erbi Blanco-True
Montserrat Fuste, Albert Zuniga, -, Erbi Blanco-True, Juan Carlos Hernandez, Kathy Perozo, and Victor Uranga