A new magazine is launching in South Florida, putting the spotlight on women making a real impact in the community.
“Leading Ladies Magazine” is officially making waves across the region, celebrating the stories, impact and influence of local women who are making a difference.
“They’re serving our community, present mothers or wives, single people, active in community and giving back,” said Jessica Cristobal, the founder of Leading Ladies League.
Cristobal, the wife of University of Miami head football coach Mario Cristobal, is also familiar with the world of luxury publications.
She previously served as president of Brickell and Key Biscayne Magazine and as publisher of a mega yachting magazine. Now, the philanthropist is returning to the industry with a new mission.
“I really wanted to showcase the women in my life that are doing amazing things -- philanthropy, business, inventors, authors,” she said.
In 2009, Cristobal founded the Leading Ladies League, a social organization that partners with nonprofits to support women and children in need. The group brings influential women together with a shared goal -- giving back.
“And I just thought it would be so cool to bring a magazine to market to showcase these women in South Florida.”
All the while, Cristobal balances her role as a mother of two and a supportive wife.
“It’s kind of a perfect marriage,” she said. “I like to say Mario takes care of the guys, he’s a coach -- very present father -- pours into young men all day long, so I like to showcase the ladies -- gather women and then we come together. I can bring both worlds together easily.”
She says that support goes both ways.
“He’s always there cheering for me and I’m always cheering for him, so we really support each other with what we’re doing. So I want to see him win and he wants to see me win.”
Whether it’s at home, on the field with Miami’s beloved Hurricanes, or now as the driving force behind an empowering publication, Cristobal is all in.
When asked what she wants readers to take away, her answer is simple.
“This is an aspirational magazine and I want the reader to walk away thinking wow, if she can do that -- I can too.”
For now, Leading Ladies Magazine is a quarterly publication, but there are already talks of expanding to six issues a year as more stories emerge.
The long-term plan is to grow beyond South Florida and bring the concept to other areas as well.
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