Cristina Angee

STUDENT PRESENTER

Cristina Angée is a graduate student in Global Strategic Communications on the Creative Track at FIU CARTA. Her specialization is in copywriting, where she infuses her love of language and storytelling to the communications field. She is also the founder and editorial director of WHIMZY Magazine, a creative publication featuring photography, writing, and design.

Burnie Burnard

Owner/Creative Director at Sun&Sons

Alex “Burnie” Burnard is a graphic designer, creative director and brand strategist whose professional preoccupation, or more accurately, mild obsession, is with the strange mechanics by which certain ideas, when expressed through design, narrative, or product, stop behaving like marketing and begin behaving like a cultural "thing". After fifteen years at Crispin Porter + Bogusky - where he invented the anarchic mythology of the AND 1 Mixtape, helped launch Coke Zero and MINI, and dropped bodybags on the doorstep of Philip Morris in the name Truth - he co-founded the creative studio Sun&Sons. Based in Miami, their work ranges from spirit and restaurant launches to peculiar cultural experiments, all guided by a working theory that brands, when built correctly, function less like advertisements and more like small pieces of folklore that people voluntarily pass around.

Jason Cohen

Associate Creative Director (freelance)

Chicago born, Miami based ACD Writer with 10+ years experience at shops like Highdive, The Community, VML, and DDB on a wide range of fun clients.

PAUL DEMONTPELLIER

Senior Creative at Lenovo

Paul DeMontpellier is a MAD/FIU alum who got his start working for Crispin Porter+Bogusky. He’s worked on brands such as FIFA, F1, Fruit of the Loom, Heinz, Domino’s and Jose Cuervo. Paul’s currently a creative at Lenovo’s in-house agency where he’s helped them go from a small upstart, to one of the most award winning in-house agencies in the world. Paul DeMontpellier loves talking about himself in the third person so much, that Paul DeMontpellier, Paul DeMontpellier.

Felipe Dornelas

Group Creative Director at VML Miami

Felipe is a Group Creative Director at VML Miami. He leads the Wendy’s account and works with some of the biggest brands in the VML network. In Brazil, he worked at top agencies including McCann, Publicis, and Havas, creating major campaigns for clients such as MasterCard, Chevrolet, and Hyundai, among others.

Mariam Elias

Professor at Istituto Marangoni Miami

Mariam is an educator, designer, and writer. In the last five years, she has served in various academic institutions locally and internationally, such as Miami Dade College, Florida International University, Istituto Marangoni Miami, Miami International University of Art and Design in Miami, and Coventry University in Cairo, Egypt. She has taught in graduate programs such as the MA in Design & Media Management and MFA in Visual Arts. She has also covered courses in disciplines such as Advertising, Graphic Design, and Interior Design.

Jesus Franco

ACD (Copy) at Monks

I'm a multicultural and bilingual copywriter with 10+ years of global experience in Venezuela, Chile, and now the US. My dyslexia has been a creative asset, helping me see the world my way and develop a good eye for detail. Also, I like to write and disfruto escribir.

Arlyn Garcia

Copywriter at Zubi

Creative Copywriter from the Dominican Republic. She’s fascinated by ideas with purpose and thrives on making work her play. Arlyn has worked with the automotive, retail, fashion and beverage industry, sharing her creative vision for local and international brands.

Max Gaudelli

Senior Copywriter at The Community

Born and raised in Mexico City, Max Gaudelli found his way into writing through some truly cringey Tumblr blogs about music and culture before he started writing for publications like VICE and Pitchfork. Since then, he’s worked across agencies and continents like Ogilvy Tokyo or Dentsu New York, leading campaigns from first idea to award-winning work. He cares deeply about the work, the opposite of nonchalant. His goal is to make advertising that feels less like advertising and more like something people actually want to watch

Rapha Iturri

Group Copy Supervisor at Ogilvy Health NYC

Group Copy Supervisor at Ogilvy Health translating complex science into simple ideas.

Roberto Lopez

Associate Creative Director at Zubi Advertising (WPP)

Roberto is a Spaniard Associate Creative Director currently working in U.S. He has +15 years of professional experience in the European, Latino, and Hispanic market in the U.S. Some of the agencies where he has worked at are Contrapunto BBDO Madrid, DDB Madrid, JWT Madrid, McCann Lima, The Vidal Partnership NY, AKQA NY, and Zubi Miami.
During his career path, he has won more than 150 awards in the most important advertising festivals around the world such as Cannes Lions, D&AD, One Show, CLIO, New York Festival, London International Awards, Webby Awards, El Sol, El Ojo de Iberoamerica, FIAP, as well as in local creative circles. His work has also been published by Lürzer’s Archive, One Show, Spanish Creative Club, and McGraw-Hill editorial. Moreover, he has represented U.S. as a jury member at Mad Stars, WINA, World Independent Advertising Awards, Luum, Le Book, and PHNX by AdForum.
He believes in creative ideas, in building emotional connections between brands and people, in advertising that doesn't look like advertising, in working hard, and in the importance of integration, starting with their teams.

Nicole Mestres

Managing Director, Talent Organizational Development and Talent Acquisition / Global People Partner at VML (PRESENTER)

Nicole leads with a focus on people, growth, and transformation. Her role bridges the worlds of talent, organizational effectiveness, and employee experience—bringing these disciplines together through the integration of AI and human-centered design thinking.
Under her leadership, the Centers of Excellence in Talent & Organizational Effectiveness, Talent Acquisition, and Employee Experience have become more closely connected, collaborating seamlessly with Operational Transformation, Commercial, and client teams to drive impactful change.
Nicole also serves as the Global People Partner for all talent supporting the Coca-Cola business, shaping and executing strategies that strengthen culture, accelerate growth, and enhance the employee experience across global markets.
Nicole thrives in fast-paced and innovative environments and is passionate about empowering people to reach their full potential. She also volunteers and mentors with organizations that support women and children experiencing homelessness and aspiring Hispanic professionals across Miami.

Daniel Minaker

GLOBAL ECD at ISLA REPUBLICA

Dany is the Global Executive Creative Director at Isla República, leading global creative work and business development across markets. In 2024, he also served as Chief Creative Officer of VML Miami.
Previously, he was LATAM Chief Creative Officer and Global Executive Creative Director at Wunderman Thompson, leading global work for The Coca-Cola Company within WPP Open X.
Throughout his career, Dany has created award-winning work for brands including Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Unilever, Disney and Nestlé, earning more than 100 awards at Cannes Lions, D&AD, Clio and The One Show. He has been recognized among The Drum’s Most Awarded Creative CCOs and regularly serves as a jury member and speaker at international festivals.

Maikel Mirabal

Graphic & UX/UI Designer at Whestone Holdings

I’m Maikel Mirabal, a Senior Graphic & UX/UI Designer with experience blending the art of graphic design with a strategic focus on user experience in technology and e-commerce.
I started my journey in the creative space as a graphic designer, where I honed my skills in visual communication, branding, and creative storytelling. Over time, I transitioned into the UX/UI field, where I merged creativity with functionality to craft intuitive user experiences.
Follows an approach that is rooted in the belief that design should not only look great but also work seamlessly, solving real user problems while making their journey enjoyable. Able to combine creativity with practical design principles, ensuring the result is both visually striking and user centric. Collaboration drives my process. Working closely with cross-functional teams in Agile environments, to refine designs that meet both user needs and business objectives. Recognized for crafting seamless mobile interfaces and optimizing web experiences, with a focus on delivering designs that engage users and achieve measurable results.

Camille Morgan

Senior Copywriter at VML

I'm an Argentine-Californian copywriter working at VML Miami as a Senior Copywriter along with my incredible dupla, Isabela Hayashi de Sena. I work mainly on Wendy's along with Avocados from Mexico and FLIC, crafting copy and creative ideas at both a local and national level. My previous experience includes working at Grey, VML Buenos Aires and Monks, where I collaborated with amazing international talent on campaigns for Netflix, Haleon, Dove, and Best Buy.

Luka Nonato

STUDENT PRESENTER

I’m a Brazilian marketing strategist focused on digital storytelling and community building. I’m currently completing my Master’s at FIU while working with international brands on strategy and social media through my agency, Nonato Media, and as part of the Founders Agency team, supporting brands like Spotify, Lofted Drinks, and WLNYC.

Silvia Pease

Creative Director at Studio 1231- Associate Teaching Professor at FIU

Founding Creative Director of Pease Design, Carregal Pease, and Studio 1231, Silvia Pease is a multidisciplinary creative whose practice spans multimedia design, installations, drawing, photography, branding, and community-based collaborations. She brings decades of experience building influential brands and leading creative teams to deliver bold, high-impact work across diverse cultural, editorial, and corporate contexts. Her portfolio includes collaborations with Selecciones Reader’s Digest, Guggenheim Partners, Pinta Art Fair, McDonald’s Foundation, American Express Latinoamérica, Lufthansa Cargo, Varta Batteries, Miami History Museum, DORCAM Museum, Broadway Productions, Isaac Daniels, Tierra Luz, and Toro Sports, among many others. Dr. Pease is an AIGA award-winning designer, theorist, and educator at Florida International University. She is a former Director of Education on the AIGA Miami Executive Board, and her work has been recognized by Print Magazine, AIGA, Graphis, How books, and other leading design publications.

Albena Petrus

President at OneClubMia|Lecturer at FIU (PRESENTER)

Albena is an enthusiastic creative director with a strong design background and a producer's soul. Fueled by a passion for global cultures, she has a knack for innovative ideas and strategic clarity. Having transitioned from the agency world to the classroom, her unique perspective is informed by global experiences in her multicultural upbringing and degrees from Havana, NYC, and Barcelona (in progress). Petrus is deeply involved in the local creative community and actively leads as president of The One Club for Creativity - Miami chapter. She has been organizing portfolio reviews since 2010.

Benji Shaw

Creative Director at Praytell

Benji is a Miami-based copywriter and creative director with a decade of experience ideating buzzworthy, press-generating campaigns and crafting witty and engaging copy. His work has been featured in numerous publications, gone viral on social media, and received industry recognition, including an award for best PR campaign of the year.

Rhea Shukla

Visual Experience Designer at Advantage Marketing

Rhea is an Indian visual experience designer based in the United States whose practice sits at the intersection of research, data visualization, and visual storytelling. A Master’s graduate from Savannah College of Art and Design, she transforms complex information into compelling human experiences through systems driven design thinking. Her internationally recognized work has received multiple design distinctions and has been featured across publications, reflecting a strong commitment to clarity, narrative, and innovation. Working full time in the U.S. creative industry, Rhea brings a global perspective shaped by cross cultural experiences and an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving. Passionate about mentorship and creative dialogue, she believes the future of design lies in bridging research with emotion to create work that not only communicates but truly connects.

Widerson Souza da Silva

Deputy Chief Creative Officer at Digitas Health

Wid is a Brazilian creative leader who currently serves as EVP, Deputy Chief Creative Officer at Digitas Health. With over two decades of experience in advertising, Wid began his career at agencies such as Publicis, VML, and DDB, where he honed his skills in the consumer sector. During these formative years, he played a pivotal role in campaigns for global brands like Citibank, Heineken, Procter & Gamble, Nestlé, Colgate-Palmolive, Mercedes-Benz, UNICEF, Cartoon Network, Sony Entertainment Television, Bridgestone-Firestone, among others, guiding these brands through diverse markets and challenges.
Wid's transition to healthcare began with a move to Area 23, where he seamlessly applied his deep consumer insights to the specialized and regulated world of healthcare advertising. This shift unlocked new creative avenues, enabling him to bring fresh perspectives to the healthcare space for brands like Boehringer Ingelheim, Pfizer, AbbVie, Bayer, GlaxoSmithKline, and Bristol Myers Squibb.
Throughout his career, Wid has garnered accolades from awards such as the Cannes Lions, Clio Awards, D&AD, The One Show, and the London International Awards, solidifying his reputation in the industry.
At Digitas Health, Wid leads dynamic teams, crafting campaigns that resonate with both healthcare professionals and consumers, skillfully navigating the intricate landscape of healthcare communication.

Martin Stuart

Group Creative Director at VML

I’m a Group Creative Director based in Miami, focused on building culturally relevant work that makes brands matter. Currently at VML Miami, I lead Wendy’s and push ideas that start conversations. Previously, I was at República Havas working on brands like Sanofi, Hyundai, and A.L.M.A. Alzheimer’s, and at The Community in Miami and New York leading global brands including Volkswagen, Samsung, Netflix, and Verizon. Earlier, I was Creative Director at Grey Argentina, where we were named Agency of the Year twice. Over 14+ years, my work has been recognized at Cannes, Clio, Effies, and El Ojo.

Bill Wosar

Creative Director at 6th Borough Agency

Bill is a conceptual Creative Director (AD) working in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and NYC having a broad range of Regional, National and International client experience. Conceptualizing, designing and producing strategic, integrated advertising campaigns across all media channels — Brand Story, Television, Print, Outdoor, Experiential Marketing, Interactive / Digital Content, Mobile and Social Media Strategy. Bill’s work has been profiled in Advertising Age, ADWEEK, BRANDWEEK, Creativity, Lurzer’s Archive, The Miami Herald, The New York Times, SHOOT Magazine, USA TODAY, Visual Arts Journal, and The Wall Street Journal. He has worked with both agencies and directly with brands, including Prudential, Citibank, Domino’s Pizza, Florida Division of Tourism, Madison Square Garden, The Miami Heat, NY Daily News, and the New York Rangers. A conceptual storyteller, he builds emotional bonds between brands and their target audiences by aligning insight and strategy to design and innovation. He has had a measurable impact on the agencies, the brands and the start-ups with which he has been a creative accelerator by producing experiences that bring powerful, disruptive ideas to life regardless of media, platform, or technology while exceeding client expectations. Bill received his BFA in Graphic Design and Advertising / Media Arts from the School of Visual Arts, NYC. He has also taught Creative Development and Ideation at the Miami Ad School — the world’s leading creative program for marketing, communications, and digital innovation.

Felipe Zola

Senior Art Director at MAD

I’m a Brazilian Art Director/Multidisciplinary Designer. With over 10 years as a creative, I’ve worked for brands like Verizon, Total Wireless, Red Bull, Santander, Lolavie, Dove, and many others.