Alumni honored as South Florida leaders of today and tomorrow

Four FIU alumni are among Legacy magazine’s 2011 South Florida 40 Under 40 Leaders of Today and Tomorrow. Ricardo Chin ’97, Jouvens Jean ’08, Jay Wray ’98 and Raquel Wright MA ’08 will be among an elite group of leaders honored at the Legacy magazine luncheon on June 24.

The honorees were first nominated by their peers and then chosen by a selection committee comprised of past 40 Under 40 alumni. This year’s group is diverse as they are impressive.

Ricardo Chin, 36, is the assistant vice president and manager of JGB Bank, Biscayne Branch. He was born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and in 1993, he emigrated to Miami to pursue an education in banking. He graduated from FIU with a bachelor’s in finance 1997. Soon after, he began his career as a teller, steadily progressing into management. Chin brings a personal element to banking as he develops relationships with his patrons and within the community. He recognizes the value of his clients’ individual financial decisions and strives to assist them in achieving their fiscal goals.

Jouvens Jean, 30, is the executive chef of SAWA Restaurant in Coral Gables. He started his career at a local Italian restaurant from 1997-1999. In 1999, he landed a job at Baleen Restaurant where he served under esteemed chef Robin Hass. In 2001 he moved to the Hyatt Regency Miami. Three years later, he joined the Conrad Miami Brickell as executive sous chef. In 2009, he was tapped by the W South Beach where he worked as the executive sous chef. Last year, Jean opened SAWA Restaurant as executive chef/partner. He graduated from FIU with a bachelor’s in hospitality management in 2008.

Jay Wray, 36, is the president & CEO of LYFE Management Group, a consulting and management firm. Wray became an educator and an administrator for the fourth largest school district and gained the experience to deal with people of different ages, background and nationalities. He was named Rookie Teacher of the Year in 1999 and  served on the Florida Speakers Bureau. His gift to inspire and motivate people drove him to produce and host a talk show, LYFE TV. Wray loves family and, most of all, his children. His passion is using his gifts to further charitable causes.

Raquel Wright, 29, is the assistant director for Career Development & Management at FIU. Wright earned a master’s in higher education administration at FIU and completed a master’s internship at Harvard University. She provides strategic leadership in career development and leadership initiatives with faculty, staff and students. In 2005, Raquel won Miss Jamaica Universe and was appointed national spokesperson for HIV/AIDS awareness. working closely with UNICEF and other global organizations. Her legacy is one which incorporates philanthropy, success and the empowerment of women.

Legacy will be published on June 20 and will be distributed in the Business Monday section of The Miami Herald. More than 150,000 copies will be circulated throughout South Florida. Legacy is a news/business publication serving South Florida’s black professional community with articles and information on business, careers, politics, lifestyle, culture and social commentary.

The other honorees include:

Lia Ames, 26, general manager Club Play, Miami Beach

Matthew Beatty, 27, communications director for Sonshine Communications

Kelli Blake, 32, education programs coordinator for Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Leontyne Brown, 35, founder & CEO of salt513

Trishauna Clarke, 23, model, actress and singer

Najee A. Coverson, 24, project manager for the Carlisle Development Group

Blythe Edwards, 33, senior vice president with the Gencom Group

Fabiola Fleuranvil, 29, entrepreneur and marketing strategist

Nicole Gates, 37, promotions director for 101.5 LITE FM

James Green, 37, director of the Palm Beach County Community Action Program

Michael Hall, 32, managing partner and co-founder of MediumFour LLC

Cheryl Haywood, 37, educator

Andre Hepkins, 37, reporter and anchor for WSVN, Miami

Delilah Johnson, 29, clothing designer

Dr. Margaretta L. Kearson, 38, clinical pharmacy manager, Memorial Regional Hospital

Michelle Madison, 30, creator and co-host of The A.M. Show, TeleAmerica Broadcasting Network

Harold Eugene Mathis, Jr., 38, vice mayor of the Village of El Portal Florida

Kelliann M. McDonald, 27, marketing and public relations manager for Terranova

Ionnie McNeill, 22, Howard University student also known as “The Baby Billionaire”

Skye McSweeney, 29, major account manager for CopySource Inc.

Kevin V. Michael, 25, co-founder and managing partner of Invizio

Rochelle Mukiza-Gapere, 30, attorney advisor with the federal government and co-owner of Social Esquire

Miguel Murphy, 29, assistant supervisor of admissions and registration at Miami-Dade College, North Campus

Saliha Nelson, 38, vice president of URGENT Inc.

April Patterson, D. D. S., 29, dentist

Henry Petithomme, 36, CEO & founder of the Youth Power Movement

Max Pierre, 36, CEO of Gorillas Lifestyle Marketing

Danika Russell, 21, student, and president of the Florida Caribbean Students Association

Eurica Sadler, 37, chief financial officer, Molina Healthcare of Florida

Grasford Smith, 29, attorney with Richman Greer

LeToya Stairs, 27, integrated marketing specialist

Damien Thomas, 37, founding partner of Wasserman & Thomas, P.A.

Tarah Timothee, 35, owner of LoveJonesMaternity.com

Daniell ‘Danni’ Washington, 24, co-founder the Big Blue & You Foundation

Ghenete Wright Muir, 38, attorney and community leader