OUR FOUNDER

Dwanita L. Woodward, MIBA is by passion and purpose, an educator, coach, mentor, and social entrepreneur.  She has more than ten years of experience working in the field of education.   She envisioned a cultural leadership program designed to empower young women through mentorship, leadership development, and cultural immersion experiences and that vision led to the inception of Leading With Love.  She completed her Bachelor’s Degree of Science at Howard University in 2004 and obtained her Master’s of International Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University in 2009. 

Her business acumen, extensive experience in the classroom, and distinct leadership style contributed to her success as a nonprofit director.  Her focus as a director was bridging the opportunity gap by developing and designing supplemental curriculum which enhanced her scholars’ academic growth as well as ensured that they remained on a positive trajectory towards college and post-secondary opportunities.  

In 2019, she was selected as an awardee of the Mandela Washington Fellowship Reciprocal Exchange Program, which gave her an opportunity to travel to Tanzania to assist in efforts to improve sanitation conditions in the remote regions of Kigoma by providing supplies and education.  She assisted in the procurement and distribution of SATO plates to households and provided workshops to primary school students and teachers to encourage participation in Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) clubs throughout the school. Giving the young girls in her program experiences like these is her organization's vision and mission.  These young girls deserve the world, so let them see it!  

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Dwanita L. Woodward, MIBA

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OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Karen O’Neil
Cisneros - Chief of Staff


Karen joined Cisneros in New York City in 2011 as Chief of Staff, in 2015 she moved to Miami to continue in her role as Chief of Staff where she is responsible for the management of the office of the CEO. 

Karen joined UBS as Head of Key Clients based in NY from 2006-2011. In this role, she was responsible for leading and building a new division within UBS Wealth Management managing assets for the banks Ultra High Net Worth clients, building relationships and liaising with all corporate business units to bring all the resources of the firm to clients. Karen rejoined The Citigroup Private Bank in January 2001 as Managing Director leading the Global Internet Marketing and Strategy Group.  In April 2002, Karen was appointed Head of Sales and Marketing for Citigroup’s Latin American Private Bank responsible for GMM sales for the New York and Geneva Investment Centers.
 
Prior to joining Citigroup, from 1998 to 2000, Karen was Vice President in Morgan Stanley’s Private Wealth Management Division where she spearheaded the building of the Mexico/Central America high net worth business, and was also responsible for building and overseeing client assets from Europe, Asia and the U. S.  From 1992 to 1998, Karen was Vice President in JP Morgan’s Private Banking Division where she served as Country Head for the Mexico/Central America and Canadian team.  She was responsible for $2+ billion in client assets while managing teams covering high net worth clients in New York and Geneva. 
 
Prior to J.P. Morgan, from 1990 to 1992, Karen was Senior Relationship Manager at Credit Suisse in their Private Banking Division.  Located in New York, she covered Latin American ultra high net worth individuals and focused on investment management and capital markets products.  Prior to Credit Suisse, from 1985 to 1990, Karen was a banker in the Caribbean, Central and South American (CCSA) Institutional Division of Citibank. Karen moved to the Citibank Private Bank in 1989 where she was a banker responsible for managing high net worth clients in Argentina, Colombia and Ecuador.
 
Karen has a B.A. in Political Science and Romance Languages from Manhattanville College.  
 
Karen serves a founding board member of Leading with Love and is a board member of the Cymaron Foundation and Music Theatre Group. Karen recently joined the board of I’m a Girl I’m Important. Past Board and non-profit organization affiliations: Catholic Big Sisters, Freedom Institute, American Cancer Society, Learning thru Art (Guggenheim Museum), and The Modern Art Museum (MOMA).

Karen lives in Miami with her husband and 2 of her 5 children. ​

I’Tita Finch
Miami-Dade County Public Schools - Assistant Principal 
Director of Operations - DIBIA Dream 
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​I'Tita-Nefartari Finch is a dedicated educator, administrator, director, and social entrepreneur. She has been serving our youth and communities as an accomplished Educational Leader with more than 15 years of experience in public education and non-profit educational settings. She has a proven track record of designing and implementing effective school improvement strategic plans, enrichment education, job-embedded professional development and facilitation, and organizational management, with a deep understanding of the non-profit landscape.  Her experience in developing and managing wrap-around educational programming and services for students and families has extended far beyond her local community of Miami-Dade County.
 
I’Tita began her career in education fifteen years ago as a 10th grade English Language Arts teacher. She has since gone on to become an Administrator with M-DCPS. She provides innovative leadership, creative and engaging professional development, assisting educators in implementing inventive instructional strategies in their daily instruction. As a 21st Century leader she helps usher educators to a place of researched based high-yield instructional practice. Throughout her career she has co-founded service clubs for minority students, which focus on academic and personal achievement.
 
In 2014 she began her work with DIBIA Dream, Inc. where she serves as the Director of Programming. I’Tita has developed meaningful academic enrichment curricula, which focuses on financial literacy, health and wellness, STEAM education, leadership and mentorship. Her work with DIBIA Dream revealed a void of leadership development, and undeveloped leadership skills in today’s youth. This inspired her to co-found ACT Nation, Inc. a youth and leadership development agency comprised of trailblazers, who have been galvanized by their commitment to activating the next generation of progressive leaders.

Dr. Rose Alexander
Miami-Dade County Public Schools - Teacher 
Rose:
Dr. Rose Cid Alexander is a professional learner. She is an educator for over thirty years working with youth in and out the classroom. For over twenty-five years, she has worked in a voluntary capacity with the Florida Education Fund as an official at the FEF Summit which hosts students throughout the state of Florida for Black History and Culture Brain Bowl competitions. While working on undergraduate degrees, she worked in the Pre-College Department of Florida International University to assist underserved students of the community make seamless transitions from high school to college. As a Leading With Love board member, she continues to lead, teach, and learn in her interaction with youth of every background.

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Jenacyn Nicholson
Fierce & Fit - CEO 
Jenacyn has been a lifelong athlete and a fitness enthusiast participating in sports such as track and field, soccer, yoga, snowboarding, and martial arts; including competing in the Olympic Trials for tae kwon do.  After 16 years in corporate marketing, she changed careers, became a NASM certified personal trainer, and turned her passion into her profession.  Her goal is to help clients build good habits, both nutritional and physical, to create sustainable lifestyle changes.

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Natali Robert
Natifoto LLC - President 
Natali:

Natali Robert is a Miami-based photographer, having achieved a Masters of Fine Art from the Savannah College of Art and Design.  Having fallen in love with photography early in her childhood, she was fascinated with the ability to capture moments and create memories.  Presently inspired by human experiences and emotions, yoga, and a love for nature, she finds immense gratitude that her life has allowed her to follow her passions and support her family doing what she loves.  Throughout the years, guided by the love of details and organization, she grew her businesses to also include organization of spaces and bookkeeping. 
How Do You Lead With Love? She hopes that through her love of beauty and balance, whether visual, spatial, financial and, or, spiritual, she leaves behind some positivity and light.
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Christian Hernandez
Leading With Love, Inc - Director of Communication 
DIBIA Dream, Inc - Director of Staffing
Christian:

Christian Hernandez was born and raised in The Magic City; his Cuban background is fitting in his stomping grounds. Christian is a proud graduate of Florida International University with his Bachelors in Communications. As an award-winning vocalist, dancer/choreographer, actor/director, he is highly active in the Performing Arts community and that is his greatest passion. 
As a Director of Communications for the revolutionizing organization, Leading With Love, A Program Manager for Dibia DREAM, and a fellow Rotarian for The Rotary Club of Coconut Grove, he is a full-on humanitarian advocating for causes such as education, female empowerment, arts, equal human rights and community engagement. He also loves working on passion projects through real-estate, helping people find their new place to call home in the 305. Through his production company, you can find him teaching dance classes throughout Miami, choreographing quinceñeras, weddings, dance competition routines, and more! In his daily life, he can frequently be found traveling, staying fit, living as healthy and organically as possible, enjoying happy hour, and spending quality time with friends and family making memories. Christian’s mission is to preserve and spark the magic in Miami culture, allowing people to truly grasp this city’s essence through the work he continues to do. He aspires to make an impact with each interaction, project, and relationship he cultivates.

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Mirba Rivera (2019 - 2023)
Founding Board Member (2019 - 2023)
MY Oficina Legal - Attorney
In my field of work, I Lead With Love by showing empathy. Whenever a person seeks legal counsel it’s because they face a controversy that they can’t fully understand. It is my personal philosophy to speak to my clients in simple everyday terms. I believe information is power. This always helps to calm their nerves and assist with managing their expectations. It also helps builds trusts and improves my relationship with my clients. 
At home, I teach my two teenage daughters to always be honest, to be accountable for their actions or omissions, to demonstrate their work ethic by always finishing what they started, and to stand up for themselves and for others. We need to empower the new generations with tools not only to become successful but also to help others succeed. That’s how I teach my daughters to lead, with empathy and with love.” ​​

Renee Sterling
Founding Board Member (2019 - 2025)
Wells Fargo - EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) Regulatory Controller
Renee:
Renee is the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) Regulatory Controller at Wells Fargo. She is based in London, England.  Prior to joining Wells Fargo; she spent 12 years at Goldman Sachs in Regulatory Reporting. She graduated from the University of Florida’s Fisher School of Accounting with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Accounting. She is a certified public accountant.  She is passionate about mental health and diversity, equity and inclusion.  For fun she loves to read; travel and quality time with family and friends.  She co-hosts a podcast, Race2Rise.

Dr. Yvette Holmes
Founding Board Member - (2019 - 2025)
University of Miami - Adjunct Professor 
Bethune Cookman University - Adjunct Professor
AMARA Woman - CEO
Dr. Yvette Maureen (Holmes) is a business professional
and passionate entrepreneur who has distinguished
herself as an innovative scholar, accomplished
professor, insightful business advisor, prolific author,
engaging host, and dedicated community leader. Her
vision, wisdom, and energy have propelled her career to
prominence in the business world.

Dr. Yvette is dedicated to facilitating the growth and evolution of business leader
consciousness and has presented an expansive body of work on the topic. Aside
from her profound impact in academia, Dr. Yvette is a highly sought-after strategy
consultant to business and thought leaders. She offers development and
consultative services to entrepreneurs in search of critical solutions to their
organizational challenges. As a professor and philanthropist, her numerous roles
have led to experience in consulting for high profile clients. Recently appointed
as the Vice President of Operations & Strategic Planning for Black Women PhDs,
she provides strategic vision to assist the organization in meeting its goals.
The ”Queen of Versatility” is the author of BYOB8: An 8-Day Crash Course on
Business Education, an invaluable resource for professionals in search of support
for their entrepreneurship or executive leadership journeys. The scholar is also the
author of The Prayer Life Devotional, which are books of guided prayers to support
men and women in their prayer journeys and relationships.
When not serving students, leaders and the community, Dr. Yvette is especially
recognized for helping women level up their lifestyle. As a wellness advocate and
visionary of The AMARA Woman brand, Dr. Yvette creates specialized content
which is uniquely designed and well suited for the woman on her journey to
improve total-body wellness through health and happiness, social connection,
and a sense of purpose.

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