A woman of many firsts, Elaine Miceli-Vasquez is a media, events and philanthropy legend who shines a light on South Florida’s best and brightest year after year.

An iconic powerhouse who pioneered Broward’s first cable television company (now Comcast Communications) and owns Broward’s first bilingual newspaper, El Heraldo de Broward, Elaine Miceli-Vasquez is a seasoned public relations and marketing executive who created one of the first multicultural communications agencies in 1992, Latin Power, Inc., and a special events company, We Do Events, that has produced more than 50 annual events, including the Hispanic Women of Distinction charity luncheon celebrating 25 years and drawing up to 1,000 guests each year.

In addition to being a lifetime contributor to many causes, she and her late husband, Erwin M. Vasquez, M.D., established the Erwin & Elaine Vasquez Family Foundation with the Community Foundation of Broward to focus on senior issues and quality of life programs in the community. She continues her tireless fundraising efforts to provide the only free healthcare facility for the immigrant poor and underserved communities via the Light Of The World Clinic.  

The recipient of numerous awards throughout her career including Trailblazer of the Year, Leadership Broward’s Leader of the Year, Woman of Distinction for March of Dimes, Spirit of Lincolnhonoree, Humanitarian of the Year for Broward Homebound, Lifetime Achievement for Women In Communications, and Woman of the Year for American Cancer Society, she is invested as Lady Commander of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchure of Jerusalem with a Papal Order from Pope John Paul for her charity work. “Never, never give up,” she says. “There’s always a way to reach your goals. Dig deep into your soul and make it happen!”; HispanicWomenOfDistinction.com.

Words Sable Marenne   |    Photos Al Evans