By: Jenny Castro
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 04-25-26
The Global Beauty Awards brought a weekend full of fashion, glamour, and high-level networking for pageant titleholders and industry professionals from across the country and beyond to Bellevue, WA, last weekend. Located just outside of Seattle, Bellevue is known for its innovative business landscape, thriving tech presence, and vibrant cultural scene. Founded and produced by Maureen Francisco and David Van Maren who run NW Productions LLC, and hosted by entrepreneur, photographer and Mrs. Queen of the World 2024 Jennifer Lloyd, the weekend was filled with unforgettable networking experiences and impactful moments with top industry leaders across business, fashion, beauty, and pageantry. Held last weekend at the Seattle Marriott Bellevue hotel, the event served as a culminating celebration honoring excellence, influence, and impact within the world of pageantry while winning recipients walked away with awards, scholarships, prizes, and memories to last a lifetime.
The event initially kicked off on Friday, April 17th with an exclusive influencer’s dinner and VIP networking experience where attendees received swag bags from Jo Malone London and had the opportunity to network and dine in an intimate setting. The following day, guests and attendees took part in workshops led by a variety of industry leaders including former Miss Idaho USA and on-camera personality Ms. World Traveler Kerry Damiano, who provided an insightful discussion pertaining to personal growth and meaningful connections within the industry. Other workshops were led by Anna Hiatt who spoke on modern medical aesthetics and emerging trends shaping the beauty industry, as well as sessions led by Mercy Idoko and Dr. Connie Mariano, who each shared insights focused on personal development, leadership, and professional excellence within their respective fields.
Dr. Connie Mariano, a highly respected physician who served as the White House physician to three U.S. presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush was thrilled to be in attendance, “It’s a very uplifting weekend for me to be here, “ she said. Adding, “It means I get my once-a-year dose of glamour, beauty, and friendship, and I also get to see a group of women who are dedicated to bettering themselves and other people as they’re ambitious and inspiring.” Of Filipino heritage, Mariano has quite the impressive resume as she made history as the first military woman to serve as White House physician and the first Filipino American in U.S. history to become a U.S. Navy Rear Admiral. During the awards ceremony, Mariano presented the “Best in Health Care Award,” which was presented to Miss Placer County Eleanor Davis, who won a $5,000 scholarship and who is pursuing a career in dentistry.
Also in attendance was world renowned fashion and celebrity photographer Fadil Berisha who was the recipient of the the Global Beauty Awards Lifetime Achievement Award this year. Berisha is known for his high fashion photography and for photographing numerous pageant title holders within the Miss Universe organization. Speaking of his experience within the industry, Berisha reflects back on his initial passion for art, “I always loved faces because of the emotion they carry. So, I went to study art, and worked as a menswear designer. Years later, I met a photographer I worked with, and she did some images of me when I was very young around 19 or 20 years old. When I received the images back, it was empowering, and it really gave me the confidence to go on and achieve my goals.” Based in New York City, he has built an internationally respected career spanning fashion, beauty, and pageant photography. It was a true honor to welcome Mr. Berisha as both an attendee and honoree recognizing his influential work and illustrious career spanning decades.
Other notable guests included April Simpkins, mother to attorney and Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst who passed away in 2022. Simpkins is a mental health advocate and serves as an ambassador for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Speaking of the event, Simpkins expressed her joy in attending, “It’s an absolute honor to be here,” she said. Adding, “I’ve been around pageants since about 1997 or so, and have found it to be such a great sense of community. My daughter watched me compete in pageants, and she later went into the industry as well. To be here at the Global Beauty Awards is an opportunity to celebrate not just those who wear the crown, but those who support others who are behind the crown,” she explained. Simpkins would present the 2026 Legacy Award in Honor of Cheslie Kyrst which was won by pageant director Troy Haasis, which recognizes those who have made an impact in pageantry for 25 plus years. Haasis runs Nationwide Pageantry which is a nationwide scholarship pageant for women across the country.
Now in its ninth year, the Global Beauty Awards continues to honor individuals who have made a meaningful impact across a wide range of industries. “We are in our ninth year and we are so excited because we celebrate those in the beauty and pageant industry, “ Founder Maureen Francisco said. “And when people think of beauty pageants, they just think about tiaras, crowns, and beautiful gowns. That’s at the surface level, but the deeper level is that these women and men are doctors, servant leaders, entrepreneurs, and volunteers who run non-profits. Our organization honors all ages and backgrounds. Modeled after the Emmy’s for example, you actually have members who decide who should be official nominees and eventually the winners. So our members consist of people in this business, and we have members in six or seven countries and 32 states,” Francisco explained.
Further elaborating, host and entrepreneur Jennifer Lloyd who runs Lloyd Enterprises Inc. alongside her husband shares her perspective, “There are so many people in the industry who don’t always wear the crown, “ she said. Adding, “They are the ones working behind the scenes, and they feel so much joy being part of this event because they provide support to the queens and pageant organizations. This is their moment to be highlighted and to be surrounded by people who share the same love and passion for the beauty industry. The energy is magnetic, and to be acknowledged, seen, and accepted is so special. Awards like Dr. Connie Mariano’s Best in Health Care, which provides between $5,000 – $15,000 in scholarships every year, are amazing. So, we support women who are striving for an education and being able to provide funding to help them pursue their dreams is truly a blessing. These contributions come from a network of people we know who believe in social impact and in helping others.”
Entrepreneur and fifth-generation Nebraska farmer Charles W. Herbster is also a major sponsor and supporter of the Global Beauty Awards. As Maureen Francisco explains, “He’s actually given away thousands of dollars in scholarships, and presented Gargi Khode last year with a $5,000 scholarship for the Charles W. Herbster Most Patriotic Award.” This year, Laurel Barrett, Ms. Colorado from the United States of America Pageants organization had the honor of receiving the award during the evening. Owner of multiple businesses in the farming and agriculture industry, Herbster has been a state pageant judge multiple times and is a friend to President Trump. Meeting David and Maureen about a decade ago, Herbster has since been involved with supporting the Global Beauty Awards as a sponsor and takes part in supporting community and civic organizations around the country.
Explaining more of his role in the pageant industry, Herbster elaborates, “Donald Trump was the one who suggested that I would be a great pageant judge, and I think I’ve judged about 9 state pageants with one of those being in my own state of Nebraska,” he said. Adding, “Of course, then we were fortunate enough to have Nebraska as Miss USA and I hosted her around the country and actually went overseas to the Miss Universe pageant with her. Because the Lord has blessed me with several successful businesses, I am honored to help these young women with their education, and that is why I am involved.”
Attendees at the awards ceremony also experienced a glamorous red carpet runway, adding to the evening’s stylish aesthetic. With elegantly arranged dinner seating, beautifully presented desserts, and curated photo-op backdrops, everyone in attendance thrived in the empowering environment. Ms. World Traveler Kerry Damiano absolutely loves attending every year and has been involved in the industry for decades, “I’ve been coaching for about 25 years, and judging since 1985. So, that’s a lot of what I do now. I also travel all over the country, and have been involved in probably over 100 systems. I enjoy it so much, and it really keeps me on my toes with the latest trends in the industry, because I get to be involved in so many different systems,” Damiano said.
Mrs. International World 2026 Catherine Czaja was also thrilled to be in attendance, “If anybody knows, this is the Academy Awards of Pageantry, so you have to be here,” she said. Czaja was honored with the Triple Threat Award during the ceremony. Pageant Director Troy Haais adds, “It’s my seventh year coming, and we love the GBA’s and what Maureen and David do.” Elle Duncan, recently crowned Ms. Queen of the World 2026 gives insight on her recent win, “I recently competed in New York, the sash is fresh, the crown is fresh, but we’re carrying it well,” she said. Duncan is also an attorney in Seattle and was the recipient of the Photogenic award (18-44). Mrs. Queen of the World 2025 and salon owner Bobbi Mendez offers words of encouragement, “It’s never too late to chase your dreams, I’ve been doing pageantry for only 2 years now, and it has been so rewarding.”
Among those in attendance also included award winning runway and pageant coach Lu Sierra, CEO of The Queen of the World Pageant Alice Lee Giannetta, Miss Alaska USA 2025 Kelsey Craft, Miss Alaska USA Director Troy Michael Smith, Miss Grand USA 2025 Ivana Garcia, Miss Montana Elite 2025 Ashley Lindgren, Mrs. Lithuania World 25’ 26’ Veronika Walker, Actress and Mrs. Queen of the World 2026 Ashley Tesoro, Mrs. Portugal World 2025 Samantha Veretto, Mrs. Maine American 2026 Whitley Marshall, Owner of Mrs. Earth, Ms. Earth, and Teen Earth Mykhael Micheals, Executive Director of USA World Pageants Akela Douglass, and a special virtual appearance by Miss Teen USA Mailyn Marsh. Makeup artist Marcos Gabriel also had the honor of providing glam services to the pageant queens during the weekend, and even took to the runway during the stunning fashion show. The showcase was followed by an exciting talent show featuring various titleholders who showcased their artistic talents and creativity highlighting the depth and versatility within the pageant community.
Congratulations to all of the nominees and winners at the 2026 Global Beauty Awards, and big thank you to all of the sponsors for supporting the organization and those in the pageant community. The event was an overall elaborate and beautifully presented showcase by Maureen Francisco and her team, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended. Describing the awards, Francisco adds, “Think of it as the Oscars of pageantry, there is nothing like it.”
Learn more about The Global Beauty Awards here.
Follow The Global Beauty Awards on Instagram to keep up with future events and the 10 year anniversary next year.
