Lissette Mendez discovered reading at an early age and has worked tirelessly to share that gift with others ever since, one strategic chapter at a time.

Key Biscayner Malena Assign offers a presentation of reality in her art that will make you examine and challenge your own perspectives on life itself.

Meet the people who are shaping the future of the communities they live in while inspiring everyone they meet along the way. Though their stories are all different and their backgrounds, histories, hopes and dreams vary, the one thing each has in common is a passion for what they do and their ability to see past themselves for the benefit of others. In the following pages, you’ll meet this issue’s Key Players and get a brief glimpse into their lives. If you happen to run into one of them during your daily routine, take a moment to salute them. They’ve earned it.

For Chris Molho, GM of Village Of Merrick Park, working with all kinds of people from all parts of the world in the various facets of the business world and community to benefit local kids is not just a passion, it’s a way of life.

Rebecca Garcia of WaxMee Salon & Spa has enjoyed helping people feel better about themselves through beauty treatments ever since she was a little girl.

With Citizens For A Better South Florida, Gloria Antia has been working hard to preserve our local environment one step at a time.

Meet the professionals who are ensuring the real estate market remains booming in Key Biscayne and beyond. From unforgettable showings to the humble mantras they live by, their stories will give you a unique glimpse into their hectic lives and might even inspire you to find a new home or two.

We scoured Key Biscayne to find couples who take the power of two to a whole new level. Their total devotion to one another is both inspirational and beautiful, and their responses to our questions will make you laugh, cry and fall in love all over again.

For Jessica Cerda-Antomarchi, working with American Heart Association throughout the community has been one of the most rewarding experiences of her life — and one that has benefitted countless people suffering from heart-related illnesses around the world.

After 20 years and what seemed like endless rejections, Anabelle Valenzuela-Alarcon is finally realizing a dream with the publication of her first book The Day An Angel Ran Into My Room.

Erika Contreras of Soccer For Peace has a goal to make the world a better place, one soccer ball at a time, thanks to her efforts in Miami and abroad benefitting noble causes.

Capturing the moment of the exertion of power or force is James Woodley’s specialty. Showcasing this talent to the world is his passion.

Award-winning Designer Karim Rashid shares his insights into the creation of MyBrickell, one of the area’s most highly-anticipated new developments next to Brickell CityCentre and steps from Mary Brickell Village.

We teamed up with Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables to find a few Key Biscayners who love their luxury rides so much they wanted to share a few of their driving experiences with the world.

During matches, Ana Ivanovic, one of the top-ranked tennis players in the world, usually has a song playing in her head. At this year’s Sony Open Tennis in Key Biscayne, one wonders if Eye Of The Tiger might be playing on her personal soundtrack.

Meet the people who are shaping the future of the communities they live in while inspiring everyone they meet along the way. Though their stories are all different and their backgrounds, histories, hopes and dreams vary, the one thing each has in common is a passion for what they do and their ability to see past themselves for the benefit of others. In the following pages, you’ll meet this issue’s Key Players and get a brief glimpse into their lives. If you happen to run into one of them during your daily routine, take a moment to salute them. They’ve earned it.

Ani Nunez of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation Of America is on a mission to inspire others to get involved in the cause and help as many people as possible suffering from the diseases.

These Key Biscayne moms are on a mission filled with pure love and total devotion to ensure that their kids lead the happiest lives possible and that all their dreams are come true no matter what their aspirations.

For Michelle Costa, helping those suffering from autism and autism-related disabilities is a life’s mission she strives each day to educated people about through her work with locally-based CARD.

Using an insurance policy as collateral with a bank and having the bank pay the insurance premiums via a loan has long existed in the property and casualty business. Fortunately, Premium Finance Group brings the concept to the life insurance market with the finesse, attention to detail and expert personal attention that has come to define the family company since its inception.

Diana Contreras a.k.a Didi-Rok isn’t worried about following in the trends that came before her, she’s carving her way through Miami’s art scene, all the while campaigning for the social change we desperately need.

Anna De Ferran’s quickly budding musical career is a testament that hard work, dedication and natural talent will make even the harshest critics sing along.

Need your nails done? Hair looking a bit rough? Skin dull? Don’t fret. The masters of aesthetic beauty we’ve gathered from some of the area’s top salons & spas are sure to keep you looking your best all year round.

For the health & wellness gurus you’re about to meet, working out is an artform — one that requires the perfect mix of intensity, dedication and sweat. If you’re willing to put in the effort, the physical fitness strides you’ll achieve are endless.

Meet the professionals of perfection making sure that every mirror glance you take is one to remember. After all, there’s nothing like being beautiful inside and out.

Constance Collins of Lotus House never expected to be running a shelter to help women and children when she began her career, but her inability to see people in need and leave the call unanswered changed all that.

From reader-submitted and Facebook nominations to the selections of an independent panel of beauty experts and our editorial board picks, we hope you agree that this year’s finalists all represent want makes the residents of Key Biscayne truly beautiful — from the inside out.

Margie Castro is good with a blade, but even better with a bar spoon, and she’s willing to show you what it takes to be a cut above the rest.

For Lainie Hansen, necessity has been the mother of invention, but she’s turned that challenge into a life-changing experience for others.

A 3rd-Generation clothier, Sebastien Scemla spent years crafting the perfect men’s shirt. The result? The Sebastien James Collection — handmade in Barcelona and based in The Design District.

Like Neo-Dadaist Ushio Shinohara knocks out canvases with ink-soaked boxing gloves, Erin Barylski creates larger-than-life artwork using only her body.

Meet the people who are shaping the future of the communities they live in while inspiring everyone they meet along the way. Though their stories are all different and their backgrounds, histories, hopes and dreams vary, the one thing each has in common is a passion for what they do and their ability to see past themselves for the benefit of others. In the following pages, you’ll meet this issue’s Key Players and get a brief glimpse into their lives. If you happen to run into one of them during your daily routine, take a moment to salute them. They’ve earned it.

Meet a few professionals who are ready to help you create the home of your dreams with stunning ideas that are sure to turn any space in your home into a functional showpiece that will make you the envy of the entire neighborhood.

Andre Siegel believes in business with compassion. As the Senior Marketing Manager at Sabadell United Bank, he communicates this message through the creation of advertising campaigns, and is the liaison between the institution’s brand and its customers.

Blues legend Keb’Mo has 3 Grammys under his belt, has penned the Mike & Molly theme song and toured The Sunshine State with Zac Brown Band. What more could he ask for? Well, Cuban comfort food for one.

Meet a few of the key players around town working to make sure that this year’s Art Week festivities entice, entertain and evolve tastes in the arts live never before. From anchors Art Basel, Art Miami and Design Miami to relative newcomers Miami River Art Fair and PINTA as well as impressive showcases at The Margulies Collection @ The Warehouse and PAMM, the respective visions of the art aficionados you’re about to meet are changing the landscape of our cultural scene in more ways than you could imagine.

Dan & Karthryn Mikesell are contributing as much as they can to help evolve the art world locally and abroad thanks to their vision for The Fountainhead Residency and all the inspiration it brings.

Julia Price’s combination of raw ability and Spartan discipline propelled her from the gymnasium to the springboard as part of UM’s competitive Dive Team, all while keeping a firm grip on her first love: music.

As the Audi Brand Specialist at The Collection, Luciano Ros develops relationships and sells dream cars to clients who come back to say “hello,” have an espresso and get new cars year after year.

Oceana Key Biscayne and Oceana Bal Harbour allow Eduardo Costantini to create masterpieces that elevate the community and improve the world around us by exposing art in public places.