A panelist conversation on the state of diversity in today’s workforce and the legal and corporate changes influencing how organizations move forward.

Light pastries and coffee will be served.

HOST AND MODERATOR:

Amaury Genao, Community, Citizenship & Sustainability Manager - Turner Construction

With over fifteen years of professional experience, Amaury specialize in advancing initiatives that foster inclusivity, sustainability, and community empowerment. At Turner Construction, he leads strategic programs that align with the organization's goals, including developing diversity-focused procurement strategies, implementing community engagement efforts, and promoting sustainable construction practices. His roles involve collaborating across departments to create actionable plans that drive meaningful impact, ensuring alignment with both business objectives and industry standards. Leveraging expertise in organizational development, LEED consulting, and written communication, Amaury strives to build collaborative environments that empower individuals and teams. A strong advocate for mentorship and equity, he works to bridge the gap between organizational goals and community needs. His mission is to create lasting value by promoting environments where sustainable practices and diversity thrive, contributing to a more inclusive and impactful future.

PANEL:

SPECIAL GUEST
Senator Barbara Sharief, District 35

Barbara Sharief (Democratic Party) is a member of the Florida State Senate, representing District 35. She assumed office on November 5, 2024. Her current term ends on November 7, 2028.

Sharief (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Florida State Senate to represent District 35. She won in the general election on November 5, 2024. 

Barbara Sharief was born in Miami Beach, Florida. Sharief graduated from the Jackson Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1992. She earned an associate degree in nursing from Miami-Dade Community College in 1994, a bachelor's degree in nursing from Florida International University in 1996, a graduate degree in nursing from Florida International University in 2000, and a Doctor of Nursing from Wilkes University in 2017. Her career experience includes working as a nurse practitioner. Sharief opened a homecare service business in 2001. She served as president of the Florida Association of Counties.

David A. Delaine, PhD, Associate Professor, Graduate Program Director
Florida International University 

Dr. David A. Delaine is an Associate Professor within the School of Universal Computing, Construction & Engineering Education (SUCCEED) in the College of Engineering & Computing at Florida International University. After seven years at The Ohio State University’s Department of Engineering Education, he will extend FIU’s expertise through his Inclusive Community-based Learning (iCBL) Lab that advances knowledge on the ways in which community-based learning (service-learning, outreach, volunteerism) in engineering can impact local communities, students, and other participating stakeholders through reciprocal partnership. As an NSF CAREER award recipient, Dr. Delaine’s research develops evidence-based approaches within CBL contexts that can support the formation of reflexive engineering professionals while promoting broadening participation outcomes in engineering. Dr. Delaine has obtained a bachelor’s in electrical engineering from Northeastern University, a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Drexel University, and served as a Postdoctoral Fulbright Scholar at the Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo.

Shellie Ransom-Jackson, Owner and Managing Member - Benchmark Construction Consulting & Management LLC

Ms. Shellie Ransom-Jackson is the Owner and Managing Member of Benchmark Construction Consulting & Management LLC, a certified African-American Woman-Owned global consulting firm specializing in Federal, State, and Local development construction processes. Her company provides a wide range of services nationally specializing in construction regulatory consulting to include permit expediting, peer plan review, building department and construction management staff augmentation. Ms. Ransom-Jackson is an expert in the application of construction regulations and techniques. She has over 25 years’ experience as a Certified General Contractor and the distinct honor of being the first African-American woman Certified Building Official in the State of Florida. Ms. Ransom-Jackson holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration and additional licensure as a Building Code Administrator, Plans Examiner, and Inspector. Ms. Ransom-Jackson utilizes her practical construction knowledge enhanced by over 20 years of public administration experience to assist clients navigating the bureaucracy associated with development. Ms. Ransom-Jackson and her staff work closely with Architects, Contractors, Owners, and Governmental entities as an effective conduit between the private and public sector. Ms. Ransom-Jackson serves the most vulnerable in her community by serving on the Salvation Army Advisory Board. She serves the business community on the Miami-Dade County Small-Business Advisory Board- Construction and Construction Trades Qualifying ‘A’ Board. Ms. Ransom-Jackson is a devoted mother and grandmother.

Deirdre Nero, Founder - NERO Immigration Law

Deirdre Nero is the founder of NERO Immigration Law, a boutique law firm she established in 2009 after several years of practicing at large law firms. With over 22 years of experience, Deirdre has successfully guided hundreds of clients from around the world through the complexities of U.S. immigration law.
Originally from New Jersey, Deirdre has called Florida home for the past 25 years. She earned her Bachelor’s degree Magna Cum Laude from Florida State University and graduated with honors from the University of Miami School of Law.

Deirdre’s practice focuses on business immigration, including employment-based immigrant and nonimmigrant visas, compliance counseling for employers, family-based immigration, naturalization, and visas for students and visitors. She and her team serve clients across the U.S. and globally, providing services in both English and Spanish.

Recognized for her excellence and integrity, Deirdre has held an AV® Preeminent™ Rating since 2014. She has been named to Florida Trend’s Legal Elite in 2019 and 2021, and in 2024 was honored as the Circle of Excellence Winner in Immigration Law by the Miami-Dade County Bar Association.

Beyond her legal work, Deirdre is a dedicated advocate for the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, a certified Spinning® instructor at the University of Miami, and an avid traveler alongside her husband, Eric.

Enit Medina, PE, Founder and President -  EMEC, LLC

Enit Medina, PE is the Founder and President of EMEC, LLC, a South Florida-based civil engineering firm. With nearly two decades of experience in transportation design and project management, she has built her career leading the delivery of complex infrastructure projects across Florida.

Enit has played a key role in major projects including the Golden Glades Interchange, Turnpike Spur, I-395/I-95 Express Lanes, and Sawgrass Expressway Widening. Her work focuses on managing active construction environments—coordinating across disciplines, working closely with agencies and contractors, and keeping projects moving under tight schedules and evolving conditions.

In her role at EMEC, she oversees project delivery and team development across the firm, with a focus on execution, accountability, and consistency in project performance.

She currently serves as President-Elect of the Florida Engineering Society (FES) Miami Chapter and is a recipient of the Florida Engineering Society’s Young Engineer of the Year award.

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