NAMED AFTER THE YEAR PALM BEACH COUNTY WAS FOUNDED, 1909 IS A NON-PROFIT 501(C)(3), MEMBERS ONLY ORGANIZATION AND COMMUNITY DEDICATED TO THE HOLISTIC GROWTH OF FOUNDERS & FREELANCERS WHO GIVE A DAMN ABOUT BUILDING A BETTER TOMORROW for themselves, their families, our community and the world.

TEAM

A people-first team comprised of problem-solvers, creatives, and leaders combining strategy, guts, and resources to improve the path to success and quality of life for our Members.

Shana OSTROVITZ

Executive Director

After years in the world of corporate marketing, Shana started her own entrepreneurial journey in 2014. While discussing the idea to create a company that enabled small business owners to thrive, Shana knew this was her opportunity to create something she truly believed in. She enjoyed the challenges that come with being an entrepreneur and leading a company that was designed to help others. As the Co-Founder of Rooster, a Delray Beach based company, Shana was able to leverage her background in marketing and strong communication skills to raise funds, build a tech platform and community, and empower small business owners across Palm Beach County. Throughout her journey, she learned many of the hard lessons of starting a business in South Florida and she believed there had to be a better way for Founders to get the support they needed. In February 2019, Shana decided to take her passion for empowering business owners to the next level by joining the team at 1909. After joining, Shana co-created and launched the 1909 Accelerator Program which has now supported 6 cohorts of Founders. At the end of 2019 the Board of Directors appointed Shana as the Executive Director of the organization and together in 2020 they worked to transition the organization and leadership team to The 1909 Foundation.

Danielle’s passion for creating opportunity and shaping communities, brands, and culture took root when she launched her first design and e-commerce business in 2012. Immediately introduced to dozens of Creatives in the South Florida pop-up retail circuit, she saw the need in her hometown of West Palm Beach, Florida for a centralized Creator Community. She was presented with an opportunity to help develop and launch Elizabeth Ave. Station; an event-driven shop focused on music, art, and design in West Palm’s Warehouse District. The response this humble little warehouse project received proved that theory viable. ‘The Station’ provided opportunity for creatives to sell their work in a beautifully designed and curated collective without having the overhead that comes with conventional brick & mortars. In 2018, another opportunity arose and she set out to create a non-profit organization and Members-Only community that would supply resources, education, workspace, event space, and connection to entrepreneurs and freelancers from all walks of life. With a nod to the year Palm Beach County was founded, she aptly named it 1909.

DANIELLE CASEY

Co-Founder, Creative Director

BLANCHE COTé

Operations Manager

Blanche’s career has taken a number of turns and she is grateful for every single experience. Her favorite roles were with Squarespace and TransferWise in New York City where she managed Office Operations and Employee Experience. While at Squarespace, she produced a number of small to large events in their HQ office—such as: Meetups (Girls Who Code, Adobe, Python, Women in Tech, etc.), Holiday Pop Ups, Annual Friends and Family Days, Hack Weeks, Holidays Parties, and more. She also assisted with the planning and execution of moving their offices from Soho to a single building in the West Village. Outside of work she has helped curate art shows in NYC. She comes from a family of artists and feels at home in that environment. For 3 years she has volunteered for a grassroots project as a Director of Events. The largest event taking place in Midtown Manhattan, with 4,000 guests, celebrity DJs — all made possible with a ZERO-dollar budget. Challenges like that excite her; especially when passionate about the organization. Fun facts about Blanche: she is a major sneaker-head and a DJ! She is “thrilled to be a part of the 1909 Team and such an amazing movement and community.”

Monique fabio

Monique has paved an unconventional career path that is a testament to the power of following one's instincts, embracing change, and being open to new opportunities that can be catalysts for personal and professional growth. She started her career in fashion in 2002 and held leadership roles at global retail brands, managing multi-million dollar businesses and driving success in key product categories. After a career change in 2015, she joined a tech startup in travel and hospitality, gaining expertise in business development, strategic partnerships, branding, marketing, and customer success. Monique's ability to build strong relationships, whether with customers, fellow tech companies, or leading global travel brands, always drove growth and visibility for the company. In 2022, Monique and her husband relocated from NYC to West Palm Beach. It was during this transition that she discovered the 1909 community — where she immediately felt at home among like-minded individuals and entrepreneurial spirits. Monique's unique blend of corporate and startup experience across different industries enables her to navigate and engage comfortably with a wide variety of people and conversations. Her role at 1909 is to lead business development and partnership initiatives, connecting 1909 to businesses, individuals, and organizations to increase visibility and amplify opportunities for the dynamic member community.

Development Director

MALIKA LAURENCEAU

Malika is a versatile creative force who has thrived in the entrepreneurial space as a freelance product designer for the past three years. A true problem solver at heart, she possesses a remarkable talent for uniting like-minded individuals, fostering collaborations that inspire positive change. Her roots in a rich cultural background have fueled her passion for creating safe, inclusive spaces where individuals can channel their creativity with a clear sense of purpose. Her dedication to making meaningful change within communities is a testament to her commitment to leaving a lasting impact on the world. She has a wealth of experience in producing events, particularly in the tech space, where she has hosted networking events and hackathons in collaboration with other organizations. In addition to managing the yearly production plans of the Urban Film Festival in Miami, her dedication to these endeavors led to significant growth, showcasing her organizational prowess and keen eye for detail. Beyond her professional roles, she is deeply involved in philanthropic work and has a heartfelt commitment to producing events for the Jonathan White Foundation, focusing on initiatives to combat gun violence. Her dedication extends to her advocating for under-resourced youth pledging her time to hosting teen youth camps and workshops, where she helps nurture the next generation of leaders and innovators.

Community Manager