Our
Leadership Team

Natalija Dedic Stojanovic is a pioneering entrepreneur with a profound impact on the swimwear industry. As the visionary behind PARAISO Miami Swim Week, Natalija has transformed swimwear events from traditional formats into exclusive, curated, and interactive experiences. This innovative approach is garnering over 14 billion media impressions, establishing the event as a premier platform for brand awareness and exposure across swimwear, resort wear, beauty, and lifestyle sectors. With over 15 years of diverse experience in fashion event management, marketing communications, and strategic partnerships, Natalija’s foresight and creativity continue to shape the industry's future. Her forward-thinking vision was instrumental in creating Swimwear Icons Hall of Fame.

Shawn Vardi is the CEO of Think Hospitality, South Florida’s largest and fastest-growing hospitality management company for independently owned hotels and restaurants. A visionary leader with a strong academic foundation, Shawn graduated magna cum laude from Northeastern University, where his commitment to excellence first took root. At Think Hospitality, he brings a unique dual perspective—representing ownership interests while relentlessly driving profitability. His strategic insight and innovative approach have positioned the company at the forefront of the industry, leading to sustainable growth and transformative change. Over the past decade, Shawn has worked closely with the Paraiso team, leveraging his expertise in hospitality to enhance the impact of Paraiso Swim Fashion Week on the city of Miami. He is an advocate for the role Miami Swim Week has played in elevating the Miami swim fashion space, by seamlessly integrating fashion, lifestyle, and high-end hospitality. Through his leadership and dedication, Shawn continues to shape the future of hospitality while leaving a lasting mark on Miami’s cultural and event landscape.

Alle Fister is the Principal and Founder of Bollare Communications - a full service marketing & pr firm. With a particular LOVE for swimwear (personally and professionally) Alle and her team have worked with the best of beach with client partners (past & present) including Acacia, Beach Bunny, Camilla, FAE, Gooseberry, Havaianas, Hurley, L Space, O'Neill, Mikoh, Roxy, She Made Me, Tori Praver, Quiksilver, TRIANGL, VitaminA, ViX, Volcom. Each year Bollare hosts a 'Hub' for influencers and editors during Paraiso Swim Week that has been featured on Glamour, Harpers Bazaar, InStyle, BIKINI.com, etc. Alle's honored to be a part of the Swimwear Icons Hall of Fame and dive on in, celebrating our incredible industry. 

Bridget Halanski represents hundreds of models based all over the world, working for one of the fastest growing global modeling agency networks, Select Model Management. Select has eight offices worldwide and Bridget is the CCO of the 4 US offices—overseeing the model bookers in Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago and Atlanta. Bridget’s focus at the company is identifying emerging market trends, developing sales strategies, scouting new talent, presenting new business opportunities, acquiring new clients, and maintaining and building long-term relationships with existing key brands.  She leads the digital and social media marketing for the agency and represents Select at key industry events. Bridget has been in the industry for 20 years, and started as head of the Runway Division booking fashion shows and live events all over the country. Some of her most memorable shows were from Paraiso Miami Swim Week booking models like Izabel Goulart, Georgia Gibbs, Priscilla Ricart and Evan Bjerke.

She and her husband Dr. Alex Jovanovich reside in Miami Beach with their toddler daughter and cat. Pastimes include boating, catching the sunrise on the beach, biking on the boardwalk…a true Floridian and swimwear consumer! 

Alexandra Waryn is the CFO/COO at Lagardère Labs and a Board Member of Lagardère North America. With over a decade of expertise in Finance and Operations, she has led several acquisitions and integrations in the Sports and Entertainment industries, driving strategic financial growth and optimizing business processes. Before her current role, Alexandra held leadership positions at Lagardère Sports, overseeing global financial operations, M&A, and ERP system implementations. She holds a Master’s degree in Finance from Audencia Business School and has been volunteering in Africa and Asia, focusing on education and poverty alleviation programs.