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DR. JACQUELINE JAMES-LYTTLE

Owner and CEO

Featured in Voyage MIA’s Article Hidden Gems: Meet Jacqueline James-Lyttle of GFD Group

The article highlights the journey of Dr. Jacqueline James-Lyttle, the first Black woman to earn an engineering degree from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and a Hall of Fame athlete. While also highlighting her Ph.D. from the University of Miami, her transition into teaching, and her leadership in engineering research.

Despite early hardships with childhood trauma, challenges, & setbacks, she persevered, later founding GFD Group Miami and co-founding Tarakon Records with her husband, Soca artist Kevin Lyttle.

The piece also showcases her deep commitment to philanthropy through the Janice Lyttle Foundation and Esther’s Promise, supporting healthcare and young women in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Dr. James-Lyttle credits her success not to luck, but to preparation, hard work, and purpose.

DR. JACQUELINE JAMES-LYTTLE

Owner and CEO

Vincentian to be inducted into US Coast Guard Academy Hall of Fame

Dr. James-Lyttle was a two-time All-American on the track, earning the honor during the indoor season in 1999 in the 100 meters before placing second in the 55 meters during the 2000 indoor season. She holds the school record in the 100 meters outdoors (12.22) and previously held Coast Guard Academy records in the 55, 100 and 200 meters.

Dr. James-Lyttle was the school record holder on two relays when she graduated, and was the 2000 New England 100-meter champion. She also won the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Award for scholarship and athletic prowess.

“We were very lucky that such a talented student-athlete fell into our lap,” said Dr. Rose, the Head Track coach at the time. “She made an immediate impact in her first indoor track season. Jackie was born with great talent and, over her cadet athletic career, she cultivated that talent becoming a nationally-ranked sprinter.”

During her four-year collegiate athletic career, USCG said she won numerous track and field awards and honors.

She was awarded the Women’s Auxiliary Fleet Award for greatest impact on varsity athletics by a female cadet at the Coast Guard Academy; the Eastern College Athletic Conference Award for scholarship and athletic prowess; the United States Coast Guard Academy Coaches Award for outstanding contributions in women’s indoor track; and the United States Coast Guard Academy Athletic Association Monogram Award for outstanding participation in women’s outdoor track; in addition to earning the title of All American in Track and Field in both 1999 and 2000.

Dr. Rose said this list of awards is rarely collected by a single athlete.

DR. JACQUELINE JAMES-LYTTLE

Owner and CEO

Featured on the “This Woman Can” Podcast. Phenomenal Woman Ep: 27

“Don’t Wait For Someone To Validate You”

Totally relatable and captivating conversation with the highly accomplished Dr. Jacqueline Patricia James-Lyttle, the first Black woman to earn a Civil Engineering degree from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (2000), where she also set four enduring track and field records. By 2005, she had earned her M.S. and Ph.D. in Civil and Architectural Engineering from the University of Miami, supported by IPS and OAS fellowships, and led an EPA-funded student project on energy-efficient design.

Dr. James-Lyttle began her academic career at the Coast Guard Academy and later joined the University of Miami, focusing her research on sustainable construction and energy systems. She has mentored over 100 students, advised 11 graduate theses, and authored numerous academic publications.

In 2007, she founded IMARA Engineering Consulting, serving the U.S. and Caribbean, and became CEO of EEP Investing in 2010, overseeing multiple ventures including Tarakon Records and a foundation that has donated over $500,000 in medical aid to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Recognized as a trailblazer by the Miami Commission on the Status of Women (2011), one of Miami-Dade’s 25 Most Influential Black Women in Business (2014), and a Humanitarian by DDEA (2017), Dr. James-Lyttle is also active in ASCE, NSBE, ASHRAE, SWE, and AEI. She lives in Miami with her husband, Soca artist Kevin Lyttle, and their son.

Olayinka Abiola

Project Manager

I am a business Development Executive skilled in strategic administrative and project support, creating streamlined processes and enhancing cloud security for businesses with AWS, Azure, and GCP. I run VA+inspire, an agency that empowers individuals to build careers in administration. I’m also actively involved in multi-sector development projects through Global 27, overseeing initiatives in real estate, logistics, hospitality, and nonprofit support in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

With advanced skills in tools like Monday.com, I create streamlined workflows, automations, and dashboards to support growing businesses. I’m passionate about helping small businesses in the US achieve certifications that elevate their credibility and open new opportunities.

Beyond work, I’m a mom of two navigating life and leadership with grace and intentionality.

My areas of specialisation include: Calendar Management, Email Management, Data entry, Cloud Security, Tech Proficiency, Strategic Business Development Support, SEO Optimization.

Esther Olorunmola

Project Manager

At GFD, Esther Olorunmola plays a pivotal role in coordinating projects by facilitating meetings, tracking tasks, and implementing workflow automations and reporting systems that improve collaboration and enhance day-to-day operations. While she was originally contracted as an Administrative Assistant, she has quickly expanded her role to include process improvements. Her proactive approach ensures clarity and efficiency across projects. She now supports the team by ensuring deliverables are tracked, meetings are well-structured, and follow-up actions are completed on time. Her ability to translate complex project details into clear reports provides leadership with real-time insights for smarter decision-making.

In addition to project tracking and reporting, Esther has become known for her proactive approach to problem-solving. She ensures communication flows seamlessly across teams, and implements process improvements that make collaboration more effective. By blending administrative reliability with project coordination expertise, Esther has become a trusted partner to leadership and colleagues alike. Her work ensures clarity, efficiency, and accountability across projects, she consistently contributes at GFD and adds measurable value to client’s success.

Jasmine Houston-Rosado

Copywriter | Grant Writer | Content Strategist

Jasmine is a creative and strategic writer with a strong foundation in purpose-driven storytelling, content development, and digital strategy. Before graduating with a degree in English, she self-published a book of poetry and a work of fiction.

After college, Jasmine began her professional career working closely with a former TV producer, where she gained hands-on experience in copywriting, content strategy, email marketing, grant writing, & media pitching. Soon after she transitioned into operating her own business, building a growing roster of clients across the education, fashion, poetry, engineering & architecture, & nonprofit industries. Winning over $45,000 in grant funding to support her client’s nonprofit.

Additionally, for GFD Group Miami LLC, a legacy architectural and engineering firm with over 50 years of impact in Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, and the Caribbean. Jasmine leads strategic efforts including:

Redesigning the company’s website to better reflect its multidisciplinary expertise and brand legacy
Developing and managing content to elevate their online presence across platforms
Developing the foundation of their nonprofit branch, including mission development, storytelling, and future grant writing

STEPHANIE HALFEN, NCARB

Founder and Principal

Stephanie was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. She received an architecture degree from the Universidad Simon Bolivar, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude, and an Interior Design degree from the world-famous Parsons School of Design in New York, where she also graduated with the highest honors.

While studying for her first degree, she was awarded a commission to design a residential project in El Avila National Park in Venezuela. Turning the project into her graduation thesis, she was able to explore the dialogue between the landscape and architectural form in great depth, and develop innovative ways to design for life in a tropical climate. Upon graduating, Stephanie established her first architecture and design practice in Caracas in 2005. She also became an Associate Professor at her alma mater – Universidad Simon Bolivar.

Stephanie relocated to Miami in 2009 and founded SDH Studio Architecture + Design in 2012. Since then, SDH has become known for its design excellence and impeccable work ethic. It has also been named one of the top architecture and interior design practices in Miami, South Florida and the Caribbean.

Stephanie is a licensed architect in the State of Florida and holds a National Council of Architecture Board Certification (NCARB). She serves on several Architectural Review Boards.

CRISTINA MAGDALENO, AIA

Partner and Director of Operations

Cristina holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Simon Bolivar University, Venezuela. Graduating in 2015, she relocated to Miami, Florida to pursue the search for deeper architectural knowledge; especially in the area of residential housing.

In Venezuela, she participated in several projects with the cities to enhance the appearance and functionality of leftover spaces, looking to increase the life quality of the neighbors. Her interest in how light, color and texture affect the human perception of space, led her to perform her thesis project on the phenomenology behind combining these elements in architectural spaces and the effects on human perception.

Our projects

River Oaks

Serenity

Canash

Peach Project

Surgery Center of Miami

Jardin 305

Shorecrest Apartments

Graham Tower

Interior Renovations

nine haus

Giralda Place

The Miami Seaquarium

Red Fish Grill

Naked Taco

Residential facade

The Weight Room at St. Thomas’ University

commercial facade

Medical Center

multifamily housing

A Loft

Studio House

Perricone's

Harmony Lakes

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COntact details

DR. JACQUELINE JAMES-LYTTLE

DR. JACQUELINE JAMES-LYTTLE

DR. JACQUELINE JAMES-LYTTLE

Olayinka Abiola

Esther Olorunmola

Jasmine Houston-Rosado

STEPHANIE HALFEN, NCARB

CRISTINA MAGDALENO, AIA