Your 2025 FSFA International Mentors  

Ian began his over 40-year successful floral career with three little shops in Glasgow, Scotland. His long list of accolades and achievements include becoming the youngest person to receive the honor of "Floral Designer of the Year" for all of Scotland and earning the “National Diploma of the Society of Floristry”, the highest European honor in floral design.

As a worldwide leader in the floral industry, Ian is a committed mentor to young designers. He still takes on each event personally with the utmost creativity and care, making him one of the most sought-after floral designers in the world. 

In 1989, Ian opened Botanica International to serve the greater Tampa Bay area and now, the expanded Botanica Design Studio designs events across the world. His luxury wedding and events team redefine beauty by bringing clients indescribable visions to life.

The recipient will be able to spend up to three days working one on one with Ian Prosser learning his key to success in the wedding and event business~!!!

Ralph is a 4th generation florist whose family came to the United States from Italy in the early 1900's. They started out pushing fruit and flower carts down the streets of Harlem until the 1920's when they opened "Ralph A. Giordano Funeral Home". They followed the opening of the funeral home with the opening of "Giordano's Pelham Bay Florist".

Being born the day after Mother's Day, Ralph was immediately introduced to the floral industry following the holiday rush, and hasn't slowed down since. Ralph began working in his family's floral shop as a young child, sweeping floors and processing flowers, and by the time he was a teenager, he was producing wedding bouquets and store-front designs.

At the age of 21, Ralph was working as an assistant manager at a shop in South Florida, until the opportunity to purchase his own shop came along. In March of 1998, Ralph and his wife, Leslie, purchased and began running "Flowers by Ann Smith" here at our current location. Two years later the name of the shop was changed to "Giordano's Floral Creations" to honor Ralph's Family's business in New York.

Since his ownership began, over 25 years ago, Ralph has completed thousands of weddings, served well over 100,000 customers, and has won numerous local awards from various businesses in our community, as well as the countless sponsorship and donations he has contributed to. He has spent the past years educating himself in modern design, as well as maintaining his knowledge in traditional floral design. Ralphhas become a well-known staple in the floral industry across the nation, as well as in our community, and serves on numerous boards and foundations within the industry.

Michelle Morgan’s passion for flowers began in her childhood in the UK. After seven years of rigorous study, she earned eight government floral qualifications and achieved two of Europe’s highest floristry certifications. A dedicated educator, Michelle trained over 4,000 students at The Hub, Doncaster University Centre, guiding them to prestigious qualifications and leading them to old at top flower shows, including Harrogate and Chelsea.

Her talent propelled her to work with elite floral designers and design for prestigious clients, including the British Royal Family and the White House. After moving to the U.S. in 2008, Michelle gained recognition in 2013 as an inductee of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD), making her one of the few to hold elite qualifications in both Europe and the USA.

Michelle transitioned into the business side of floristry, overseeing millions in sales at a major floral wholesaler. Together with her husband, she purchased Kuhn Flowers in 2016, one of the largest flower stores in the U.S. Today, the couple owns three stores across Northeast Florida, employing over 65 staff.

Throughout her career, Michelle remains committed to inspiring others to follow their floral dreams, blending artistry, education, and business leadership to elevate the floral industry.

Here's what a few Scholarship recipients have to say about winning...

"My life was dazzled winning the Jeanne Parsons Scholarship, This scholarship afforded me the opportunity to attend the 2016 AIFD Southern Convention, make more industry friends, continue my education and ultimately contributing to my dream. Scholarships are available for our advantage, but we must apply. Scholarships made a difference in my career path providing the necessary monetary help which allowed me the opportunity to create a better future' - Andreia Muller AIFD PFCI CFD FSMD.