MIAMI – November 6, 2006  – The Miami Chapter of the Organization of Women in International Trade (WIT-Miami) honored the winners of its sixth annual INTERNATIONAL BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS at an elegant luncheon event on Thursday, November 2, 2006 at The Colonnade Hotel in Coral Gables.

Honorees included Diane Sanchez, Vice President of Telefonica in the category of Large Company, Mercedes La Porta, Owner of Mercedes Electric Supply in the category of Small & Medium-sized Company, and Margaret Cullen, Trade Commissioner for the Canadian Consulate in Miami in the category of Representing Companies in the Services category.  These accomplished proffesionals were recognized for the role they play in enhancing international trade and business through their professional, and/or community activities and/or who have mentored other women in Florida’s community.

“Each of the winners made a significant contribution both towards promoting Miami as a center for trade and towards inspiring other women in the business community”, said Donna Hrinak, director of corporate and legal affairs for Kraft Latin America and a judge for the awards.

The event was attended by members of the International and South Florida business communities many of which are also members of WIT-Miami. 

“I was very impressed because I know women who are participants in this organization are really professionals,” said Diane Sanchez, VP of Telefonica and winner in the Large Business Category, “They’re accomplished in their own right, and I thought it was really neat to be recognized by a group of women that I respect.”

Dr. Susan Kaufman Purcell, the Director of the Center for Hemispheric Policy at the University of Miami served as keynote speaker and received the first WIT-Miami Ambassador Award for her work in promoting Miami as an international business center.

 Finalists for the International Business Woman of the Year awards are chosen from many candidates who submitted applications or for whom applications were submitted.  A panel of independent judges reviews the submissions and votes for the winners in each category. 

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