“Over the past 25 years, my journey in hospitality has taken me through almost every role imaginable. I’ve worked the relentless shifts, navigated the high-stakes chaos, and celebrated the unforgettable moments of magic that happen when a room simply clicks. Ours is an industry built on selfless dedication, working the long days, late nights, weekends, and holidays, showing up with energy and intention so that you can gather, relax, and celebrate life’s milestones. Today, I’m focused on empowering individuals to be intentional about service, and strengthening our community's connections.” - DD

Miami Shores Friendly Villagers
Executive Board Advisor | Former Second Recording Secretary

The Miami Shores Friendly Villagers Club was founded in 1975 by ladies who wanted to extend a welcome hand to new citizens. They promoted their friendliness over the years by organizing fundraising events to help local charities. They are unique in their meeting guidelines. Networking is encouraged and members are given the opportunity to promote different causes and events that are of interest to them. Monthly luncheons are held, open to all, in a beautiful setting at the Miami Shores Country Club, with interesting speakers and new local business owners.

To strengthen and support the community, the club hosts two signature annual events: a Fashion Show fundraiser to raise critical funds, and the Annual Heroes Luncheon, where the organization proudly awards grants to local nonprofits and scholarships to students from area public schools.

Our vision is to build a tightly-knit, inclusive community where everyone feels welcomed and valued. Through our efforts in networking, charitable initiatives, and fostering a culture of friendship and integrity, we aspire to make our community stronger.

"Being a part of the Friendly Villagers has completely raised the bar for what it means to belong. It’s shown us how powerful a community can be when showing up for each other and leading through service isn't just a project, but a genuine way of life."

- DD

GLEAM Network
Mentor
As an Ambassador of GLEAM, I actively raise awareness of GLEAM's mission. I have partnered with other Networks in the Industry through in-person conferences and social media to enhance our footprint, while providing mentorship & leadership development to mentees for various cohorts throughout the years.

Former Advisory Board Member | Program Development Team Lead & Network Partnership Liaison
While on the Advisory Board & Program Development Team, I provided strategic guidance to improve and enhance program development and partnership relations. Actively sourcing and recruiting new mentees, mentors, alliance partners and sponsors for the Network.

GLEAM Network is a non-profit, volunteer-based Global leadership enhancement & mentorship network whose mission is to provide mentorship and leadership development to hospitality, restaurant, and foodservice professionals.
www.gleamnetwork.net

Read my article on why transparency matters when
developing talent @ GLEAM’s CEO Corner Article

WOTVS Foundation
Scholarship Foundation Committee | Member
As an active Committee member and champion for DE&I, I support, advise, and provide guidance and industry knowledge to improve and enhance foundation awareness. Annually, we are instrumental in the judging process for over 200 scholarship applications, globally.

WOTVS is an all-encompassing global membership organization, dedicated to pushing the wine, beer, spirits, food, and hospitality industries towards a more diverse, equitable and inclusive era that supports business development & innovation. The Foundation 501(c)(3) is the charitable arm of WOTVS which provides scholarships for the purpose of helping women advance their careers in the food, wine, spirit, beer and hospitality industries through education, leadership, and professional development. ⭐ "This is where our GRACE meets our GRIT and our POISE meets our POWER. Together, we can stay connected, sustain and prosper as an industry."

www.womenofthevine.com

Pace Center for Girls
WE (Women’s Engagement) Team
Former member of the WE Team, we provide guidance, support & empowerment throughout the year for various events at Pace Center, Miami.

Pace provides girls and young women an opportunity for a better future through education, counseling, training, and advocacy. At Pace, we envision a world where all girls and young women are safe, have economic security and an opportunity to use their voice in shaping their future.

www.pacecenter.org

Out & About In The Community

Deeply proud to be the mile marker 25 sponsor for the 2026 Sackets Harbor Marathon
The DD Hospitality & Events Team at the 2026 Sackets Harbor Marathon
Miami Shores Friendly Villagers Executive Board & Members preparing for our Annual Fashion Show
July 2025 - I am honored to have become one of the newest Board Members of The Greater Miami Shores Chamber of Commerce Board. Doing what I love in the community I love!
Mile Marker 25 Sponsor for the Sackets Harbor Marathon, 2026
SAVE LGBT Event on February 15th, 2025 in Miami Shores.
The Miami Shores Friendly Villagers Executive Board, at our Annual Heroes luncheon on June 3rd 2025.
Humbled to be appointed to the Miami Shores Friendly Villagers Executive Board!
At the Miami Shores Friendly Villagers Annual Heroes Luncheon on June 3rd 2025. Dr. Alison Thompson, Founder of Third Wave Volunteers was one of our grant recipients.
Humbled as a Network Partner, to be connecting Catalyst Kitchens with mentorship services through GLEAM network. Here, sharing my personal & professional journey and about the importance of Leadership Development & Mentorship at the CK SE Regional Summit in Sunrise, FL.
Summer Vibes, Sips & Tips! Featured in Miami Shores Living Magazine, August 2025.
Our Summer Sangria Recipe Featured in Miami Shores Living Magazine, July 2024.
Juneteenth Pride Celebration at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, June 14th 2024
Miami Shores Big Gay Brunch, Celebrating Love, Community & Equality.
Celebrating at the Miami Shores Pride Brunch with some of the best in our Community!
Pride with a Mission: “the inaugural event 2 years ago, Shores Pride has donated nearly $30,000 to local LGBTQIA+ charities, with profits going to scholarships for local students through Safe Schools South Florida and Point Foundation.”
The Miami Shores Friendly Villagers 2024 Fashion Show was a huge success. Thank you to all of our sponsor partners and everyone in the community who came out to support us!
DD Hospitality & Events featured in the Miami Shores Egret, Member Spotlight December 2024.
With Photographer Femke Tewari at her book signing of Miami Women, a coffee-table book honoring the beauty and diversity of Miami.
Proud to be a table host for the 2024 Annual Miami Shores Big Gay Brunch.
Honoring Pace Center for Girls Miami as one of our recipients at the Miami Shores Friendly Villagers Annual Heros Luncheon.
Friends who are family, Celebrating Pride Month and a night of diversity at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden
Virtual Guest Lecture for Hospitality Academy’s Instagram Live Session (July 27, 2023)
“A Shore Thing” A SAVE LGBT Event February 15th 2025.
Catalyst Kitchens SE Regional Summit 2024 at Arc Broward & Arc Culinary in Sunrise, FL
Collaborating with Justin Smith, Executive Director & Dina Altieri, Director of Education & Training at Catalyst Kitchens. SE Regional Summit, 2024
PwC’s Experience Center in Chicago, sharing my personal & professional career journey with leaders from a global organization
Virtual Guest Lecture for Hospitality Academy, April 2023
GLEAM Team at the CHART Resource Gallery for the #104 Hospitality Training conference, Orlando 2023.
GLEAM & CHART (Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers) Alliance Partnership at the #104 Hospitality Training conference, Orlando 2023. Sheri Miska and I celebrating our raffle winner, who won a free six month mentorship.