Norman Wedderburn
Category Philanthropists
Company Make-A-Wish
Foundation of Southern
Florida
Industry Philanthropy
What Makes Him Haute: A philanthropic leader in high society, Wedderburn’s annual InterContinental Miami Make-AWish Ball generates more dollars and headlines each consecutive year with its “who’s who” guest list of affluent South Florida VIPs. In 2009, the 15th annual ball raised $1 million to support the foundation’s mission of granting wishes to terminally ill children.
Robert Wennett and Mario Cader-Frech
Category Originators
Company 1111 Lincoln/MTV Latin America
Industry Development/Marketing
What Makes Them Haute: Wennett has spent 25 years conceiving and developing landmark structures in urban environments across the country. 1111 Lincoln Road, an experiential parking garage structure chock full of high-end dining and retail establishments, is a Herzog & de Meuron-designed building that has changed the face and dynamic of Miami Beach’s famed Lincoln Road. Mario, the Vice President Public Affairs & Corporate Social Responsibility for MTV Networks Latin America has done wonders to create awareness not only for the MTV brand but for the charitable organizations he aligns himself with. The two are well-known art collectors and currently live in one of the coveted residential units located inside the 1111 building.
Matthew Whitman-Lazenby
Category Entrepreneurs
Company Bal Harbour
Shops
Industry Retail Development
What Makes Him Haute: Matthew Whitman-Lazenby is operating partner of the Bal Harbour Shops, next to Stanley Whitman and Randy Whitman, and represents both the third generation and the company’s future. Prior to working at the Bal Harbour Shops he worked for a New York real estate broker and Detroit-based real estate developer. He is now working to expand the famous Shops.
Pharrell Williams
Category Entertainers
Company The Neptunes/I am Other
Industry Music
What Makes Him Haute: The music scene isn’t Grammy award-winning artist Pharrell’s only interest; he keeps busy with other projects like a furniture collaboration with Domeau & Pérès. In addition to his band, N*E*R*D, the style-set Williams is also making waves for emerging artists with his new record label I am Other, which showcases up and coming talents like Cris Cab, the local Miami prodigy that is slowly taking the music world by storm. What could be considered Pharrell’s greatest achievement occurred just this year, when the mogul was asked to curate the music for the 84th annual Academy Awards alongside Hans Zimmer.
Sean Wolfington
Category Entrepreneurs
Company The Wolfington Companies
Industry Technology, Real Estate, Film
What Makes Him Haute: Wolfington, chairman and CEO of The Wolfington Companies, is a serial entrepreneur with businesses in the technology, marketing and film industries. His accomplishments include being a finalist in Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the age of 34, building and selling four digital marketing companies for a combined enterprise value of 500 million dollars by the age of 40, and recently selling his company VinSolutions to Autotrader. Wolfington’s digital marketing companies have worked with 15 automotive manufacturers and over 5,000 retailers in 18 countries, marketing feature films like Bella, Narnia, Blind Side, Charlotte’s Web and the Mighty Macs and creating digital marketing strategies for Grammy Award-winning musician Shakira. Wolfington’s Charitable Foundation aids the poor and enables bright futures for children through sports and the arts. Wolfington received the Legacy Award from the National Council for Adoption in 2007, the President’s Service Award in 2008 and the Tony Bennett Exploring the Arts award this year.
Michael and Bobby Yampolsky
Category Entrepreneurs
Company East Coast Jewelry
Industry Jewelry, Timepieces
What Makes Them Haute: The father-son duo is the No. 1 retailer for Audemars Piguet and Hublot timepieces in America. Bobby made Palm Beach history by becoming the youngest storeowner on Worth Avenue at age 19. Today, their 20-plus year reputation in the industry means that East Coast Jewelry is the go-to establishment for gold and exquisite, rare timepieces. This reputation was further cemented when Bobby, along with Morten Nielsen, founded SCI Innovations, the company behind the Ulysse Nardin Chairman luxury hybrid smart phone.
Engin Yesil
Category Entrepreneurs
Company Core Development Holdings Corp.
Industry Real Estate
What Makes Him Haute: He is a diversified entrepreneur to his core. After making his fortune by innovating the eyewear industry through a contact company now known as 1.800.CONTACTS, Turkish tycoon Yesil launched Iprepay, a pioneer company that delivers store value products such as prepaid wireless airtime, calling cards, bill payment, and more. He founded Core Development in 1996, and his Turkish real estate company, Yesil Insaat, is developing a grand-scale project near Istanbul and is also involved in Trump Istanbul. He has been chairman and director of SK Realty Ventures since 2007, and he also became president of Wilson Mining Corporation in 2008.
Alan and Ruth Zelcer
Category Entrepreneurs
Company Isaco International
Industry Apparel
What Makes Them Haute: Alan is President and CEO of Isaco International Corp, a leading designer, distributor and licensee of a broad line of high quality men’s underwear, hosiery, sleepwear and ties. Ruth is Vice President of Merchandising of the company. It manufactures for major retailers and branded labels such as Perry Ellis. In addition to their own band, Papi, which has earned had lofty levels of success, the couple recently launched two new brands, Undertech and Feel It. Alan and Ruth Zelcer live in Bal Harbour, Florida with their three children.
