About us
Maribel Alvarez, Founder and President, Altima International, Inc.
In 2000, Maribel Alvarez founded Altima, a Private Relations© and concierge firm catering to wealthy and powerful individuals across the globe. Her work at the United Nations and education at Duke, Georgetown, and Switzerland’s Le Rosey led to the forging of strong relationships. Altima emerged as a leader in luxury brand, real estate and event management marketing and public relations. Related Group of Florida, Emilio Pucci, Graff Jewelers, Salvatore Ferragamo, Frederic Fekkai, Vilebrequin, International Polo Club, Institut Le Rosey, Black River Caviar, Harry Winston, Bice Restaurants, Le Bilboquet and the Royal Bank of Canada are among the brands that have benefited from Altima’s network and sales.
Maribel’s entrepreneurial and creative spirit flourished as founder, publisher and executive editor of quarterly luxury magazine 95 East. This success inspired the launch of Altima Preferred newsletter, a subscription based platform offering affinity marketing opportunities targeting the affluent.
Contact : maribel@altimapalmbeach.com
Carolina Buia, Principal/Media Relations
Buia has 20 years in multi-media, from Yahoo to NBC, Telemundo to TIME, Billboard to Modern Luxury Palm Beach. A former journalist, today Buia teams up exclusively with Altima to ensure a strong, multi-faceted experience for clients. She has secured media coverage in major international, national and local outlets. Buia has received and been nominated for ASME (American Society of Magazine Editors) awards and is also the author of an award winning cookbook (HarperCollins).
As the former host of MAKE HOME A HAVEN, one of the most watched shows on Yahoo, Buia featured celebrity homes around the world. She also served as a spokesperson for Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate for 5 years, shooting segments all over the country.
Buia has made appearances on The View, The Today Show, Food Network, NY Times and others. Buia specializes in real estate, food, interiors, and lifestyle storytelling. She is also a contributing lifestyle writer for Palm Beach’s Modern Luxury Magazine and has written covers for many other Florida and national magazines. A graduate of Duke University, Buia is sought for her uncanny ability to spin a yarn and architect a story.
Contact: Carolina@AltimaPalmBeach.com
Alexis Posada Testrake, Brand Director
Alexis brings decades of luxury marketing, merchandising and retail experience to Altima’s clientele. She also spearheads Altima Caviar’s marketing initiatives building strategic partnerships among likeminded brands and serves as Creative Director for the Altima Scoop and its social media platforms.
Educated at Palm Beach Day School and Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland, Alexis pursued a degree in marketing at George Washington University before launching her career as a junior account executive at Altima Palm Beach. Three years later, she traded palms for skis and went to work for the global fashion line, Theory.
Alexis has also worked for corporate icons like Ralph Lauren Corporation and Kate Spade & Co. In 2010, she returned to Palm Beach and founded VENUE, the first pop up store to hit Palm Beach, showcasing a revolving cast of fashion and jewelry designers. She was then hired as the manager of Juicy Couture on Worth Avenue, where she led the highest conversion rate in the country.
Today, Alexis has returned to her roots. When she’s not guiding the fashion narrative for Altima’s blog, she’s spearheading marketing efforts for Altima Caviar
Contact: Alexis@altimapalmbeach.com
Deise Golden, Corporate Events / FP&A Director
Deise (pronounced Daisy) has 18 years of experience in organizing corporate events and cost management, with a focus on meticulous planning, vendor negotiation, time management and customer service. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and an MBA in Finance and International Trade. Throughout her career, Deise navigated through different industries such as oil & gas, energy and ophthalmic/eyecare/eyewear industry; working for Fortune 500 companies, she led best practice teams and negotiated multimillion dollar contracts.
As a former Executive Director, she initiated a strategy to drive growth and increase market share securing the company’s position at Vision Monday’s Top 50 U.S. Optical Retailers in 2022 and moved up two positions in 2023. She is driven by a passion for numbers and for building relationships.
Brazilian born and raised, Deise spent her adult life in the US. She speaks English, Spanish and Portuguese fluently.
When she is not working, you will find her cheering and attending sporting events and learning about different cultures while traveling.
Contact: Deise@AltimaPalmBeach.com
Cirrafina Biele, Digital Marketing/Social Media Director
Cirrafina Biele brings a wealth of experience in social media management, content creation, and luxury marketing to Altima Palm Beach. With a strong background in managing digital platforms for brands, Cirrafina has a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the luxury market.
Educated at the University of Miami with a degree in Public Relations, Cirrafina honed her marketing skills through hands-on experience, including roles at the Formula One Miami Grand Prix, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, and IHC Agency. These diverse experiences allowed her to develop a strategic approach to influencer marketing, social media strategy, and brand building.
At Altima Palm Beach, Cirrafina is focused on elevating the brand’s social media presence, curating content that resonates with travel enthusiasts, foodies, and those who appreciate refined luxury. She ensures that Altima Palm Beach’s social media platforms not only exude sophistication but also serve as the go-to source for the latest happenings in Palm Beach. Whether highlighting hidden gems, the best dining spots, or exclusive events, Cirrafina crafts a narrative that keeps followers engaged and in the know.
When she’s not managing Altima Palm Beach’s digital narrative, Cirrafina is most likely teaching Pilates, baking sourdough bread, or reading a book with her new kitten. Balancing creativity and strategy, Cirrafina is committed to making every project a success, bringing a dynamic perspective to luxury marketing and social media.
Contact: Cirrafina@altimapalmbeach.com
AFFILIATES
Ann Lally, Marketing and Content Strategy Consultant
Ann has developed and executed communications programs for luxury and consumer brands like Starwood Hotels, Orkin, Randstad Staffing, Simmons Bedding and McCormick Spices. She has also worked with Twinings Teas and global beverage companies, leading projects for web analytics, guest experience, CRM, and SEO-SEM. Her marketing toolbox includes Altima’s proprietary Digital Discovery Brief©, Customer Journey Map©, and Communications Efficiency Assessment ©.
She is also an accomplished business development expert for business services and products, having performed trade and consumer CRM for all above companies and many others.
A former partner and account director at WPP companies JWT and Ogilvy, she and Maribel have been friends and collaborated since their college days at Duke University.
Ann is a board member of two community foundations. Her White Papers, “How to Assess Your Digital/Search Agency Needs” and “Selecting a CMS,” were published for members of the Association of National Advertisers (ANA). Her articles have appeared in Hotel-Motel Management and The New York Times Sunday Supplement sections.
Contact: Ann@altimapalmbeach.com
Heather Buchanan, New York/Hamptons
Heather’s love of the Hamptons dates back to when she first dipped her toes in the sand at three weeks old. A beloved summer home in Sagaponack led to a full-time residence in Sag Harbor Village since 1999. With an undergraduate and graduate degree in Communications from Northwestern University, Heather has had a successful career honing her writing and marketing skills. She is a contributor to Hamptons Cottages & Gardens, Hamptons Real Estate Showcase and writes the nationally award-winning column Kiss & Tell for the James Lane Post. Heather shares her local real estate knowledge with buyers and sellers as an agent at Sotheby’s International Realty in Bridgehampton.
Heather was tapped to handle lifestyle PR and marketing for The Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington Florida, the Central Park Horse Show in NYC, and the Longines Masters in Paris, the premiere equestrian events in the world. She has also served as editor in chief of international equestrian luxury lifestyle magazines Equestrio and Puissance America, having spent winters in Palm Beach. Through her marketing and PR Company HHB Media she has worked with various clients from fashion to yachts to charities and high-end events. Heather is very connected in the cultural community of the Hamptons where she founded the Hamptons Film Festival Screenwriters Lab and has run the festival’s VIP department. She is thrilled to share her hands-on local knowledge and personal experience of the best ways to enjoy the Hamptons.
Dominique Galluzzi, New York – Fashion, Jewelry, PR & Branding
Dominique Galluzzi brings over two decades of experience in both the Luxury Watch/Jewelry Industry, Luxury Fashion and Publishing as PR & Events Manager and Advertising Director for numerous luxury brands such as David Yurman, Ebel/LVMH and Baume & Mercier, as well as MANHATTAN, Gotham and HAMPTONS magazines.
A native New Yorker, Galluzzi prides herself in building strong relationships with the media, her clients and their unique audiences. She has been instrumental in forging partnerships with celebrity endorsements and influencer product placements. She is well-versed in the luxury space and provides Altima an important NYC presence.
When not working, Dominique loves spending time with her family and traveling to exciting destinations.
Patrick McMullan, Preferred Photographer
Patrick McMullan is an American photographer, columnist, philanthropist, businessman and documentarian. Born in New York, he was educated at NYU, majoring in business while “minoring in Studio 54.”
A celebrity and social photography pioneer, PMc (www.patrickmcmullan.com) has been photographing A-listers, fashionistas, designers, models, actors, artists, socialites and captains of industry for decades. PMc has garnered a level of caché that grants its agency access to exclusive and desirable events.
PMc has the New York, Los Angeles, and the Hamptons social scene covered. The website attracts visitors from all over the world, hoping to see and feel what it would be like to attend the party. Altima Palm Beach is honored to partner with this icon.
Nick Mele, Preferred Photographer
Nick Mele (www.nickmele.com) is a lifestyle, fashion and interior design photographer known for his whimsical take on American elegance. Nick began his career in New York taking society photos for Patrick McMullen, before moving to Palm Beach where he has made a name for himself as a “modern day Slim Aarons”. Nick’s photos have been featured in a myriad of online and print publications including Town & Country, The New York Times, Avenue, Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, Vogue and Vanity Fair. His commercial clients include brands such as Ralph Lauren, Sam Edelman, J.McLaughlin and Lilly Pulitzer, as well as several high end hotels and interior designers. One of Nick’s favorite subjects is his own family and it’s not unusual to see him on the other side of the lens as well. His family’s tongue and cheek adventures though America’s favorite preppy and affluent stomping grounds can be seen on Instagram @A.Social.Life and he is often written about by the very publications for which he shoots.
