Leading The Way
As the Director of Finance & Strategic Initiatives for the Mexican American Council (MAC), Jose F. Gonzalez is dedicated to providing educational programming to underserved youth in South Miami-Dade. As a first-generation college graduate, entrepreneur and U.S. Navy veteran, he’s passionate about ensuring that the next generation of change-makers have the support and opportunities they need to succeed. “I firmly believe that if serving others is beneath you, leading them is beyond you,” he says. “If we have the ability to do great things for others, no matter how small, I believe we have a moral obligation to do those things.” He credits the lessons he learned during his MS in Leadership from Miami Herbert with his philosophy of effective leadership. “It takes a village to succeed,” he says. “Leadership is about creating value, fostering growth, and leaving a lasting impact that extends beyond yourself.”
Forever Forward
Throughout his life, Sharma Love Ross, Jr., says he always knew that the odds were stacked against him from birth. “No matter how far I climb the ladder of success, if I ever fall, I know the lowest I can land is where I started, and I’ve already overcome that,” he says. Each challenge he’s faced has shaped him into a more resourceful and determined entrepreneur, constantly striving for growth and success. While studying Finance & Business Technology at Miami Herbert, he made important life-long connections with fellow students, professors and industry professionals. “Don’t ever be afraid to strike up a conversation — you may be speaking with someone who changes your life forever,” he says. Today, he owns and operates a successful transportation and logistics company that moves freight all over the U.S. “I wake up every day knowing that I get to control my destiny,” he says.
Winning Edge
From qualifying for the Olympics, competing in World Championships and earning medals at the Pan American Games and several Open tournaments, Taekwondo champion and Miami Herbert alum Aliyah Shipman is no stranger to success. “Balancing academics with athletic competition has made me highly focused, goal-oriented and efficient,” she says. “This mindset pushes me to continuously learn, improve and lead with dedication and perseverance.” As a Project Administrative Assistant, Data Analyst & Software Implementation Specialist for Good Air Inc., she enourages young professionals is to embrace continuous learning, stay adaptable, and always welcome challenges. “Growth comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone — whether it’s increasing responsibilities, learning new skills, or overcoming setbacks,” she says. “Focus on continuous progress because every step forward contributes to long-term success.”
Bright Horizons
Currently developing DAPHMASTERRR: The Company, Daphneé Lavassas is building a platform that empowers athletes, champions fair legal & business practices, and drives groundbreaking social change. Rooted in her journey as an elite athlete, future attorney, and entrepreneur, her company will seamlessly bridge the worlds of sports, law, entertainment and business — protecting athletes’ rights, cultivating ethical brands, and, most importantly, inspiring the next generation of leaders. Currently a Masters Candidate in International Business at Miami Herbert, she understands the importance of the experience she is gaining on campus. “Miami Herbert is more than a business school — it’s an international launchpad where ambition meets action, where leaders are shaped through real-world challenges, and where innovation drives meaningful change,” she says. “A business degree isn’t just a credential — it’s a foundation for leadership. More than just professional growth, it’s about using business as a force for good and elevating others while driving progress.”
