Karim Masri, Nicola Siervo and Rony Seikaly
Category Entrepreneurs
Company KNR Food Concept
Industry Restaurants & Nightlife
What Makes Them Haute: This trio are partners in KNR Food Concepts, which is behind Quattro Gastronomia Italiana and Sosta. They lent their know-how to Joia, Hotel Astor, Mynt, and Mokai. They operate the food, beverage and nightlife establishments at the W South Beach— The Dutch, WET and WALL. Seikaly also played for the Miami Heat. Quadrant Investment Group, of which Seikaly is CEO, has created and managed three separate funds with $128 million in investor equity and $350 million in real estate.
Alina and Anthony Shriver
Category Power Couples
Company Best Buddies International
Industry Philanthropy
What Makes Them Haute: In 1989, Anthony Kennedy Shriver founded Best Buddies International. It has since grown to have some 1,500 chapters around the world and 700,000 people are positively impacted by Best Buddies every year, a number that is set to grow in 2010 thanks to an international expansion effort led by Anthony. Alina is the Vice President of art and merchandise for the organization. She also runs Shriver Art, an art consulting and marketing business that is responsible for the 35-foot Britto sculpture that was unveiled at the 5th Street entrance to Miami Beach.
Michael and Nicki Simkins
Category Power Couple
Company Lion Associates/Leon J.
Simkins Charitable Foundation
Industry Real Estate/Philanthropy
What Makes Them Haute: Michael is President of Lion Associates, a Miami based company, which includes Simkins Industries, Westfield Financial real estate and Lion Financial. Nicole’s family owns Charles Kaufman Enterprises, an 80-yearold diamond company located indowntown Miami. Michael and Nicole are continuing the families’ philanthropic interests with the Leon J. Simkins Charitable Foundation, as well with diabetes research and work with Jackson Memorial Hospital, Women of Tomorrow, Miami Beach JCC and the Love and Hope Ball. The Miami Beach residents have two children, Jaden age 5 and Eli age 3.
Don & Jeff Soffer
Category Originators
Company Turnberry &
Associates
Industry Real Estate/
Hospitality
What Makes Them Haute: Don opened his first shopping mall with his father when he was 24 years old. He then came down to South Florida and purchased almost 1,000 acres of marshland in northern Dade County in 1967, filled the area, and created what is today Aventura. His son Jeff followed in his footsteps into real estate and hospitality with the $500 million makeover of his world-renowned Fontainebleau Miami Beach.
Timbaland
Category Entertainers
Company Mosley Music
Group
Industry Music
What Makes Him Haute: Timbaland is the Grammy award-winning artist and producer behind hits for artists like Jodeci, Aaliyah, Ginuwine, Ludacris, Destiny’s Child, Snoop Dogg and Jay-Z. He released his second solo album in 2007 titled Timbaland Presents Shock Value, featuring Justin Timberlake, Nelly Furtado, Nina Simone, OneRepublic and Elton John. Timbaland recently worked with Justin Bieber on his new album Believe.
Donald Trump
Category Originators
Company The Trump Organization
Industry Real Estate
What Makes Him Haute: Trump purchased Palm Beach’s magnificent Mar-A-Lago estate in 1985 and used it as his home before turning it into one of the most exclusive private clubs. It is the last remaining Palm Beach estate that is almost identical to the day it was built, albeit with modern comforts and upgrades, which led it to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to his various properties in South Florida, including one in Hollywood, two in Sunny Isles and the Trump International Golf Club in Palm Beach, Trump also recently purchased the Doral Golf Resort and Spa for $150 million.
Mayi de la Vega
Category Entrepreneurs
Company ONE Sotheby’s International
Realty
Industry Real Estate
What Makes Her Haute: After founding ONE Sotheby’s International Realty, Mayi de la Vega expanded the company with four office locations in the South Florida area and 200 full-time agents. Specializing in luxury properties, Mayi utilized her relationships derived from formerly working in the aerospace industry and has formed partnerships with the Sotheby’s brand in Brazil, Mexico, Russia and Peru. Mayi is an active member of the community, sitting on the Advisory Board to the Dean of College at Florida International University and working as a committee member of the University’s College of Medicine.
Dwyane Wade
Category Athletes/Power Couple
Company Miami Heat
Industry Basketball
What Makes Him Haute: The Chicago native came to Miami in 2003 when he was selected fifth overall in the NBA draft. He has been a force for the Heat ever since, earning a spot on the All-Rookie Team his first season. He went on to lead the team to its first NBA World Championship in 2006 and got crowned MVP, and then led Team USA to a gold medal in the Olympics. Today, Wade continues to wow the crowds with his athletic prowess. Equally impressive off the court, he has earned respect for his strong community involvement helping at-risk youths through his Wade’s World Foundation.
Susie and Walid Wahab
Category Entrepreneur
Company Wahab Construction
Industry Construction Management
What Makes Them Haute: Walid Wahab founded Wahab Construction in 1992. He earned degrees in Civil and Architectural Engineering from the University of Miami and a Masters in Business Administration in Logistics, Operations and Materials Management from the School of Government at George Washington University. He supports organizations such as the Art Basel Miami Beach and The National Tropical Botanical Garden wWalid Wahab is Venezuelan-born and is fluent in English, Spanish and Arabic. Susie and Walid Wahab live in Miami with their two sons.
Gary and Dana Shear
Category Power Couple
Company Shear Construction
and Development
Industry Real Estate
Development
What Makes Them Haute: Gary Shear founded Shear Construction and Development in 1984, and the company has since gained a stellar reputation in South Florida’s real estate realm. His projects include such pristine properties as Cocoplum, Tahiti Beach, Gables Estates, Journey’s End and Old Cutler Bay. Currently, the pair are focusing their attention on the restoration of South Beach’s Art Deco building. The couple are also actively involved in Miami’s social and philanthropic circuits.
