Our Leadership Team
Our distinguished faculty and staff at Istituto Marangoni Miami bring a wealth of industry experience to the forefront of our educational approach. Composed of seasoned professionals and experts in the fields of fashion and design, our team is uniquely positioned to impart real-world insights, trends, and industry nuances to our students.
Their extensive backgrounds encompass a spectrum of roles within the global fashion and design landscape, ensuring that our students benefit from practical knowledge and valuable connections established in our fashion school principles. This commitment to blending academic rigor with industry expertise creates an enriching learning environment, preparing our students for success in the ever-evolving and competitive world of fashion and design.
ISTITUTO MARANGONI
Hakan Baykam
Hakan Baykam is a versatile entrepreneur with a multifaceted career spanning fashion, design, education, and renewable energies. His journey is marked by innovation, sustainability advocacy, acute intuition, and a profound passion for fashion cultivated over the years.
Hakan’s diverse background, rooted in Turkish tradition, took a transformative turn when he moved to Italy at a young age. This early exposure to adapting to a new country, embracing diversity, and overcoming challenges shaped his character and instilled in him a desire to bridge different worlds and cultures—an evident theme in many of his projects and achievements. His Italian heritage deeply informs his vision, blending the rich artistic and fashion traditions of Italy with modern, global perspectives.
Having graduated from Venice University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Masters in Communications and Marketing, Hakan embarked on a successful career in the late Nineties. His roles in various key positions within prominent global fashion brands showcased his versatility and business acumen.
In Miami, he has seamlessly integrated his passion for sustainability and innovation into the fashion education landscape, infusing the school’s curriculum with a strong emphasis on Sustainable Fashion, since opening in 2018. “Miami is one of the world’s most exciting and culturally enriched cities. I see the potential it has to become a fashion hub where talented individuals are prepared to establish great careers and companies. Miami has led the way in architecture and art, quickly becoming a major player in global culture. Over the next decade, I believe the Miami-style scene will be significantly influenced by powerful, influential people, including graduates from our School, and will continue to grow. This is the place to be.
Senior Leadership
Introducing the vibrant senior leadership team at Istituto Marangoni Miami, a group of accomplished professionals driving innovation and excellence in education. With diverse backgrounds and extensive expertise in fashion, business, and academia, these leaders collectively shape the institute’s vision and contribute to the success of its students.
Roger Hosn, Vice President of Campus Operations
Roger Hosn, a seasoned educator with 25 years of higher education expertise, has held leadership roles across a diverse portfolio of Colleges and Universities, including President and Regional Vice President. After graduating from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and sociology, he earned his master’s degree in educational psychology from Wayne State University.
Roger’s career took a pivotal turn when, during his rounds at the University Psychiatric Center in downtown Detroit, he was invited to become an adjunct professor at Baker College. This began his transition from the classroom to higher education administration, leading to progressive roles. From the Metro Detroit area to Southern California and now in Miami, Roger has contributed his expertise to traditional colleges, health-based colleges, and Fashion & Design colleges.
Roger leveraged his eight years of experience in Fashion, Art, and Design leadership in his most recent role at Istituto Marangoni Miami. Recognizing the importance of creativity, a positive attitude, and professionalism in the fashion world, he emphasized the value of updating and reinventing educational programs at Istituto Marangoni Miami to stay cutting-edge and aligned with international market needs. Excited about the future success of graduates, Roger looks forward to witnessing their accomplishments and realizing their vision and goals.
Michael Allen Johnson,
Vice President of Academics
Michael Johnson, an esteemed educator with over two decades of experience in public and private four-year colleges and universities, embarked on his higher education journey in admissions and recruitment at Northern Arizona University, his alma mater. There, he earned two Master of Education degrees in Educational Leadership and Human Relations/Counseling and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology.
Throughout his impressive career, Michael has held multiple academic leadership positions across various aspects of postsecondary education. His recent role involved serving in an international academic leadership position at an American-style university in Kuwait. Notably, he achieved initial programmatic accreditation for multiple academic programs and played a key role in institutional re-accreditation for several previous institutions.
Michael is an experienced professional and an award-winning speaker and presenter, particularly in areas such as Student Retention, Student Engagement, First-Year Success Programs, and New Student Transition Programs. Certified as a Microsoft Office Specialist and Title IX Investigator and Administrator, he has undergone extensive training in education management, covering curriculum development, accreditation, adult education, leadership development, admissions, recruitment and retention, and diversity training.
Eva Hughes, Executive Vice President & Advisory Board Chair
Eva is a seasoned business expert boasting over 25 years of professional experience. Currently serving as the Executive Vice President and Chair of the Advisory Board at Istituto Marangoni Miami, she brings a wealth of expertise to the institution’s strategic initiatives. In this role, she leverages her extensive background in business development and executive coaching to drive innovation and excellence. At Istituto Marangoni Miami, Eva’s involvement dates to the inception of The Miami School of Fashion and Design, where she played a pivotal role as a founding member of the Advisory Board. She spearheaded the development of the Fashion Business Entrepreneurship and Leadership Executive Program in Spanish at the school, demonstrating her commitment to fostering talent and innovation in the industry.
Prior to her current role, Eva held the position of CEO of Condé Nast Mexico and Latin America and was the Founding Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Mexico and Latin America for almost two decades. Her impact extends to the global stage as a seasoned public speaker, having graced renowned platforms such as the World Economic Forum, Ted, BID (The Inter-American Development Bank), and Connect Americas. She has inspired over 150,000 individuals in the last 6 years with her empowering messages on career advancement, entrepreneurship, resilience, and leadership. Renowned as one of the main business leaders and key figures in the fashion industry in Latin America, Eva spearheads an Executive Coaching Program (ECP) tailored to empower companies and executives across diverse sectors to reach their full potential. Through personalized executive coaching and consulting services, she aids organizations in enhancing team performance and productivity and business objectives, pinpointing growth opportunities, strategies, and overall performance, and refining individual skill sets.
Moreover, Eva offers tailored programs on personal branding to bolster professional Development. Dedicated to furthering causes she believes in, Eva serves on the boards of Sachamama, Latin American Fashion Summit, and Cleverfunds. Her contributions extend to various philanthropic endeavors and community engagements. Additionally, she hosts the podcast, Eva Talks, where she engages with influential figures across art, education, fashion, leadership, and philanthropy. She resides in Coconut Grove, Florida.
Juliene Alvarado,
Director of Admissions & Marketing
Juliene Alvarado brings over fifteen years of expertise in international recruitment and admissions, with a strong reputation for relationship-building and strategic planning. As the Director of Admissions and Marketing at Istituto Marangoni Miami, she leads a dynamic team focused on streamlining admissions processes, driving enrollment growth, crafting impactful marketing campaigns, and attracting top-tier talent. Juliene’s approach is centered on creating a student-centric experience, ensuring that each step of the admissions journey aligns with the institution’s commitment to excellence.
Her career includes pivotal roles at Lynn University, Florida International University, and Nova Southeastern University, where she consistently achieved significant enrollment growth and operational efficiency.
Juliene holds a Master of International Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing with a Minor in International Business. Her academic journey is enriched by international study experiences in Florence, Italy, and Dubai, UAE, further solidifying her global perspective and expertise.
Sara Fortezza, Director of Student Affairs
Sara Fortezza is an accomplished professional with a decade of experience in the higher education industry. Her professional journey has spanned internationally, providing her with a deep understanding of the diverse needs and challenges facing students in today’s globalized world. With over 15 years of international experience, living and working across Italy, Spain, the USA, China, and Hong Kong, Sara brings a wealth of cross-cultural knowledge and insight to her role. This upbringing has taken her to diverse settings, each presenting unique growth opportunities, paving her path to the higher-education industry.
Sara’s passion for languages led her to achieve a bachelor’s degree in foreign languages and cultures, a testament to her dedication to understanding and connecting with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. As a multilingual professional, she further enriched her academic pursuits during her time in China, fostering invaluable experiences that have significantly shaped her professional endeavors.
Currently serving as Director of Student Affairs at Istituto Marangoni Miami, Sara is committed to providing comprehensive support services that empower students to succeed academically, professionally, and personally. Her focus on career services ensures students can access the resources and guidance needed to navigate their career paths successfully. Sara strives to foster inclusive and supportive environments in her role, advocating for initiatives that enhance the overall student experience.
During her previous tenure as Director of Campus Operations, Sara showcased her commitment to excellence in higher education administration. Leading critical licensing and accreditation processes, she ensured compliance with regulatory standards while fostering a vibrant campus community and optimizing procedures to enhance efficiency across departments. Through her diverse background and commitment to student development, Sara Fortezza remains dedicated to making a difference in the higher education industry.
DEANS AND PROGRAM
LEADERS
Discover the dedicated team of Deans and program leaders at Istituto Marangoni Miami, where their diverse expertise fuels excellence in fashion education. Together, they shape a dynamic learning environment.
Mario Braghieri,
Dean of Fashion
Mario Braghieri has been involved in fashion production for over thirty years. At a young age, his parents owned a manufacturing company that created high-quality samples and prototypes for countless well-known brands in Italy. He attended Istituto Marangoni with the desire to leave his mark in the fashion market as a pattern maker. Upon graduating, he developed samples and worked in fashion production for the Nadini Group, an Italian designer label manufacturer based in Modena-Italy, including designer houses such as Gianfranco Ferrè and Fendi.
Subsequently, he worked as a fashion production consultant and started his career at Marangoni as an assistant teacher. Mario has always pursued his career with determination and focused on deepening his knowledge and skills in garment construction and pattern making. He has worked for renowned fashion names such as Emporio Armani, Maska, Cerruti, Mariella Burani, and Karl Lagerfeld. For the past 27 years, Mario has been a major player in guiding Istituto Marangoni through its international growth by providing his technical knowledge, industry expertise, and finesse in garment making.
Dr. Thelma Lazo-Flores, Dean of Interior Design
Dr. Thelma Lazo-Flores received her Ph.D. in Design Science and Planning from Chiba University with a Japanese Ministry of Education scholarship grant. Her research includes refereed international presentations, published book chapters, encyclopedia entries in the US, UK, Finland, Italy, India, and Japan, and peer-reviewed journal articles covering areas of design for sustainability, pedagogical structures, spatial design studies, applied theory and practice, and socio-cultural issues affecting design.
She has been an educator at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels for interior architecture, landscape architecture, furniture design, product and interface design, visual communications, industrial design, and studio art programs in the US, Singapore, Japan, and the Philippines. Before academia, she covered luxury residential design, commercial offices, hospitality spaces, trade shows, and military buildings worldwide for over ten years, putting her at over 30 years of experience in education and the design industry.
Nathalie Tessier, Fashion Business Program Leader
Nathalie Tessier studied fashion design in Paris but soon discovered that her passion and talent lay in the business aspects of fashion. After graduating, she joined the internationally renowned brand Celio as a director responsible for designing and managing international market collections. Her leadership and innovation contributed to the successful growth and expansion of the company from a Paris-based men’s clothing store to a multinational enterprise.
Tessier’s signature Celio project was the creation of Dooble, a new contemporary menswear brand she developed and implemented using an innovative marketing and operational strategy featuring a new store concept prototype. As Director of Celio Sport, she delivered a branding, image, and marketing campaign to launch a new and very successful concept in sports apparel. At Sud Express, a ready-to-wear apparel line for active women, she was responsible for marketing, purchasing, production services, and staffing 80 boutique stores. She has taught undergraduate and graduate-level courses and delivered workshops for over 16 years in various institutions, including Istituto Marangoni.
Amy Berkowitz,
Fashion Program Leader Events & Competitions
Amy Berkowitz grew up in the fashion industry and created her own private label company, Artgear. The brand was launched in Los Angeles, and the collection was brought to the East Coast. The ready-to-wear collection was distributed worldwide and worn by many celebrities, creating a licensed private label program for major department stores across the United States.
In 1994, Amy received her Master of Art in Teaching at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pa., and has taught for the last 25 years at both the secondary and university level art/ design and textile fashion design. She received her BFA from the California Institute of the Arts in 1978 and soon after began working in the Film & Television industry, working on special effects for Marks and Marks on the 1st Star Wars film. In addition to film work, Amy worked at Duck Soup Productions’ graphics department for California Raisins, Froot Loops, and Levi Strauss TV animated commercials.