Laura Bruney
Founder
As President and CEO of the Arts & Business Council of Miami for the past 35 years, Laura Bruney has helped strengthen the cultural community through leadership and board development programs, audience development and marketing initiatives, volunteer programs for the arts and networking and community events. She is responsible for the day-to-day operations and management of Council staff, policy and programs. Ms. Bruney works closely with the governing board to develop and implement the Council’s strategic plan, interfaces with the cultural community on behalf of the Council, and is the Council’s chief spokesperson.
Renee Pesci
Executive Director
Renee is driven by innovation, creativity, & collaboration. As Executive Director, she will work with our leadership team to plan, direct and implement operations and activities in support of our goals and mission. She will spearhead all our fundraising initiatives to help us achieve philanthropic objectives. She values connecting with people and cultivating connections that create empowered partnerships.
Heaven Jones
Outreach Manager
Heaven is a graduate of Florida A & M University. Driven by communication, knowledge, and community her career trajectory started with internships and work experience while in college.
As part of REACH THC, Tallahassee’s hub for empowering creators and entrepreneurs, she managed a portfolio ranging from student entrepreneurs to government associations in the tech and business industries. She strategically coordinated marketing campaigns that attracted large audiences for successful in-person and virtual events. In addition to producing events, she helped create solid student-to-program relations, which later assisted in developing her online podcast.
She was hired for several impressive internships, including with Universal Studios, that gave her the opportunity to practice branding, building awareness, and project management. Her work with the nonprofit Children campaign provided her with leadership skills and experience in changing complex social problems through media advocacy in public education, and community activism.
Heaven is best known for her passion for collaboration and creativity. She values connecting with people and cultivating partnerships that create long-lasting, meaningful relationships. She is enthusiastic about equal opportunity and access to the arts for all and the professional development of creatives. She has developed a strong talent for building social presence and community ecosystems.
At the Arts & Business Council Heaven will spearhead logistics and outreach for our Partners Program and will be the point person for connecting with our valued collaborators. She is enthusiastic to help us amplify our mission and provide support to our arts marketing partners, artists and arts professionals. In addition, you will see her at our Creative Happy Hours and popular networking events.
In her free time, Heaven can be found near the water, enjoying live jazz, or spending time with her family. Since returning to Miami, she has made it her mission to enjoy all the simple pleasures in life.
Connect with Heaven at heaven@artsbizmiami.org
Rezia Hayes
Digital Marketing Manager
Rezia is not your average Digital Marketing Manager; she’s a multifaceted creative force with a deep-rooted love for the arts and an unquenchable thirst for innovation. With a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology from the illustrious Howard University, Rezia brings a unique blend of analytical acumen and artistic sensibility to her role. It’s this fusion of artistry and data-driven insights that fuels her excitement as she embarks on her role as a Digital Marketing Manager with the Arts and Business Council.
Rezia’s mission is clear: to elevate the Arts and Business Council’s brand to new heights. With a
keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, she’s on a quest to boost brand awareness and
fortify brand identity. Her vision transcends conventional marketing; it’s about creating experiences that resonate,
inspire, and leave a lasting impression.
Michelle Solomon
Artburst Editor
As the editor-in-chief and arts and theater writer/critic for Artburstmiami.com, Michelle F.
Solomon oversees arts journalist freelance writers as the assignment and content editor
as well as writing arts features.
Michelle began her career as a theater critic and arts writer after graduation from
Emerson College, Boston, where she received a bachelor’s degree in theater
performance and mass communication. She was quickly promoted from theater critic to
Arts Editor at Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Times Leader and was recruited by the Scranton (Pa.)
Times to be its Arts and Lifestyle Editor, the Albany (NY) Times Union as Executive Arts
Editor and the Detroit Free Press as Assistant Features Editor/Arts Editor.
In the mid 2000s, NBC affiliate WDIV in Detroit hired Michelle as its Managing Editor of
New Technology to oversee its Digital News and as an on-air entertainment reporter.
She moved to Miami to be Executive Producer of New Media at WPLG-TV, Miami,
where she also developed and reported the original true crime podcast, The Florida
Files.
She is the editor of miamiartzine.com and managing editor for the Broward County Arts
Journalism Alliance (BAJA).
Michelle received her mastes degree from SUNY at Albany/Empire State College.
In the fall, Michelle will join the faculty of Nova Southeastern University as assistant
professor for Broadcast News in the college of communications, media and arts.
Recipient of 2024 Society of Professional Journalists award/ArtsBeat reporting, Finalist
for Rabkin Foundation Prize 2023. Carbonell Awards and Silver Palm Awards judge.
