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Prestigious Women Awards Honorees: Lois Marino

Lois Marino serves as the Director of Marketing for Hoffman’s Chocolates, a subsidiary of BBX Capital Company. In this role, Ms. Marino is responsible for the day to day marketing operations of the Hoffman’s Chocolates brand which currently includes seven stores in South Florida. She oversees all branding, advertising, promotions, and product development and merchandising for the gourmet chocolatier.

In addition to her position at Hoffman’s Chocolates, Ms. Marino currently also serves as Executive Director of the BBX Capital Foundation. Established in 1994, the Foundation has awarded millions of dollars to charitable organizations throughout the state of Florida. The BBX Capital Foundation focuses on three key areas: the arts, education and human services.

Ms. Marino previously served as the Assistant Vice President, Manager of the Office of “WOW!” for BankAtlantic. In 2003, a curriculum that she created while at BankAtlantic for financial literacy for elementary schools was approved by the Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach County school boards. With this certification in hand, Ms. Marino spearheaded BankAtlantic’s Kid Power Program which provided South Florida’s children educational information about banking and money management.

Ms. Marino is passionate about giving back to the community and currently serves as a board member for Junior Achievement of South Florida and the Boys and Girls Club. She was recognized by the Boys and Girls Club as one of 100 Outstanding Women of Broward County. Ms. Marino is a graduate of Leadership Broward Class XXXII.

Favorite quote: “If you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life.” — Confucius

Fun fact: I have two grandchildren: a 10 year old granddaughter and a 5 year old grandson.

How do you unwind after a long day of work? Meditation and a glass of Vino.

What challenges have you faced in your career, and how did you overcome them? Sometimes we are own worst enemy: growing up in a traditional, old-fashion Italian family, I was taught that a women’s role was singularly simple: get married, cook well, have children and stay home to raise them and support your husband and family. This can result in a lack of self-confidence and eroded self-worth. Fortunately, I was blessed with some wonderful mentors early in my career who helped me to overcome these barriers to success.

What has been the most monumental moment of your career thus far? When I assumed the role of the Executive Director of the BBX Capital Foundation. In that moment all the hard work and sacrifices transformed into the new reality of new responsibility.

Who are your role models? Marcia Barry Smith, Director of Government Relations & Advocacy at Habitat Broward and Anita and Artie Romanelli—my parents

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten? One of my mentors told me, “Chances are you know more than 90% of the people attending this. Walk in, own the room, and be confident, but authentic.

What advice would you give a young woman at the start of her career? Work hard, but never sacrifice your family and your happiness! Don’t make money your priority. Trust your instinct. Always remember your heritage.

How does being a woman has impacted your career? Being a woman in the male-dominated world of Banking, was an almost insurmountable obstacle. Tenacity, working smarter and finding newer and more innovative solutions to age-old problems proved to be the catalyst for recognition and promotion.

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Drew Limsky

Drew Limsky

Editor-in-Chief

BIOGRAPHY

Drew Limsky joined Lifestyle Media Group in August 2020 as Editor-in-Chief of South Florida Business & Wealth. His first issue of SFBW, October 2020, heralded a reimagined structure, with new content categories and a slew of fresh visual themes. “As sort of a cross between Forbes and Robb Report, with a dash of GQ and Vogue,” Limsky says, “SFBW reflects South Florida’s increasingly sophisticated and dynamic business and cultural landscape.”

Limsky, an avid traveler, swimmer and film buff who holds a law degree and Ph.D. from New York University, likes to say, “I’m a doctor, but I can’t operate—except on your brand.” He wrote his dissertation on the nonfiction work of Joan Didion. Prior to that, Limsky received his B.A. in English, summa cum laude, from Emory University and earned his M.A. in literature at American University in connection with a Masters Scholar Award fellowship.

Limsky came to SFBW at the apex of a storied career in journalism and publishing that includes six previous lead editorial roles, including for some of the world’s best-known brands. He served as global editor-in-chief of Lexus magazine, founding editor-in-chief of custom lifestyle magazines for Cadillac and Holland America Line, and was the founding editor-in-chief of Modern Luxury Interiors South Florida. He also was the executive editor for B2B magazines for Acura and Honda Financial Services, and he served as travel editor for Conde Nast. Magazines under Limsky’s editorship have garnered more than 75 industry awards.

He has also written for many of the country’s top newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, Boston Globe, USA Today, Worth, Robb Report, Afar, Time Out New York, National Geographic Traveler, Men’s Journal, Ritz-Carlton, Elite Traveler, Florida Design, Metropolis and Architectural Digest Mexico. His other clients have included Four Seasons, Acqualina Resort & Residences, Yahoo!, American Airlines, Wynn, Douglas Elliman and Corcoran. As an adjunct assistant professor, Limsky has taught journalism, film and creative writing at the City University of New York, Pace University, American University and other colleges.