Six FIU Business alumni have been recognized among the 2020 South Florida Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 Award winners.
The annual award recognizes outstanding professionals under the age of 40 based in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties for their leadership, success in business and contributions to their communities. Hundreds of nominations are received annually for the award, which spotlights some of the region’s most entrepreneurial and influential young leaders.
FIU Business alumni winners include Johnny De La Espriella (MBA ’14 BBA ’09), regional vice presidentat RKW Residential; Richard A. Lavina (MAcc ’14), co-founder and CEO of Taxfyle; Jessica Mobassaleh (MBA ‘2019), vice president of human resources at Elegant Beauty Supplies; Claudia Prado (MBA ’19, BBA ’17), director of corporate social responsibility at Univision Communications; Rayner Urdaneta (BBA ’05), CEO of Monat Global; and Fred Zutel (BBA ’09), head of corporate risk and broking – Florida at Willis Towers Watson.
FIU Business was the Presenting Sponsor for the 2020 awards, so Joanne Li, the college’s dean had the opportunity to make remarks at a virtual awards celebration on August 14.
She urged the honorees to “step forward with a strong vision and an entrepreneurial spirit.”
“The paths you walk now are unlike any we have experienced,” Li said. “Each of you have had to deal with enormous challenges in your personal and professional lives. I maintain great hope for the future, and you are the reason why.”
