About

the Miss Universe Belize Foundation

The Miss Universe Belize Foundation is dedicated to empowering Belizean women through education, representation, and purpose-driven leadership. As the national franchise holder for Miss Universe, our mission is to cultivate confident, socially conscious ambassadors who represent Belize on the global stage with grace, strength, and authenticity.

At the heart of our foundation is a commitment to growth — not only in the realm of pageantry, but also in personal development, public service, and national pride. We provide our titleholders and contestants with access to elite training in public speaking, personal branding, wellness, community engagement, and performance. Through our programs, we foster resilience, elevate local talent, and inspire future generations to dream boldly.

Beyond the crown, the Miss Universe Belize Foundation exists to reflect the soul of Belize: vibrant, diverse, and powerful. Our queens do not just wear a title — they carry a cause, amplify the voices of their communities, and shine a spotlight on the richness of Belizean culture.

This is more than a competition. It’s a movement — where beauty meets impact, and Belize steps confidently into the universe.


OUR TEAM

Destinee Arnold is former Miss Universe Belize 2019. She won Belize’s coveted international title, Miss Costa Maya International 2012 after a 6 year losing streak. Prior, she represented Belize at Miss International in 2012 and won the title of Miss Ethnic World 2012. Destinee’s passion for pageantry motivated her to co-found House of Crowns by Team Destination, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing the necessary resources and free training to elevate the standard of pageantry in Belize

She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Social Work at California State University, Fullerton and graduated Cum Laude. Her degree was utilized during her 5 year career at an eating disorder treatment center where she assisted both men and women struggling with anorexia, bulimia, and overeating. She is currently working with Mercury Insurance as a Property Claims Specialist. She assists homeowners across California to restore their homes after facing disasters such as fires, flooding, and vandalism. Most importantly, she is a dedicated mother to two toddler boys, determined to master the balancing act of being an empowered working mother.

Destinee Arnold

National Director

Duane Moody

Creative Director

Duane is a Caribbean award-winning reporter/journalist and was a senior reporter with Belize’s top television media house, Great Belize Production Limited/News 5. He has fifteen years of experience in communication and public relations. Duane danced professionally with the Nu Generation Dance Company in Belize for four years, from 2006 to 2010, and performed on local and international stages, in Belize, Mexico and Guatemala. His enthusiasm for the expressive arts also extends to the fashion industry, having produced and directed several fashion show fundraisers, showcasing the works of talented Belizean designers for a worthy cause. Duane has trained models for the runway as well as young women who want to pursue pageantry.He is convinced that how you articulate your thoughts and ambitions is key to capturing the hearts of a community and people. Academically, Duane recently completed a Master’s Degree in Marketing with the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, UK.

Marie Arnold- Mcdowell

Chief Financial Officer

Marie McDowell was born in Belize City, Belize in 1972 and migrated to Southern California in 1974. Though she grew up abroad, her parents ensured she possessed a love and respect for her country of birth and all the traditions, history, and culture that make up what Belizeans call The Jewel. Her love for pageantry started at the tender age of nine, when she competed and won her first title as Little Miss Ebony. She competed in two more pageants: Miss National Pre-Teen where she took home the crown, and Miss Southern California where she made the top five and was crowned Miss Hospitality. Intelligence, grace, humility, beauty, and compassion are some of the qualities that she feels every woman should possess and are part of the recipe that produces a great Queen.

She currently holds the position of Business Execution Senior Manager at Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. with a 25-year tenure. In her current position she manages and develops a team while ensuring successful planning, integration, impasse resolution, and measurement of operations with moderate to high complexity and visibility. She engages with Executive Senior Leaders, outside governing agencies, and functional leaders to obtain resources, influence outcomes, address conflict, and ensure alignment with Wells Fargo’s policies and business lines objectives. She is currently aligned to two high-priority business initiatives while also being responsible for building out a new business program that launched in 2024. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband of twenty-nine years, her three children, and her three grandchildren. She advocates for the upliftment and empowerment of woman and has sponsored a child through International Compassion for the past several years.

Janel Arnold

Chief Operating Officer

Janel has 34 years of training in tap, jazz, ballet, modern and contemporary dance. She competed in national talent competitions throughout her preteen and teenage years.Professionally, she has taught dance to youth

ages 3-18 and danced for the ABA League, NBA DLeague, and ECHL League,as well as a host of local professional dance teams in southern California.Although she has never competed in pageants, Janel grew up an avid pageant enthusiast alongside her mother and older sister. It was her niece, Destinee Arnold, who entrusted her in her pageant career as her head trainer. Together, they developed Destinee’s signature style that won a host of local, national and international titles. She is the secretary of House of Crowns and trains in stage and talent skills for the organization. Janel holds a BS in Health Promotion and Education as well as a BS in Nursing. She currently works as a travel registered nurse and resides in Fontana, California.

Keisha Usher

Chief Marketing Officer

Keisha is a robust social media influencer and mom blogger who has managed to build her social media network and created her own following locally and internationally. She has an interest in the arts which ranges from participating in Belize’s Fashion week as a runway model to being featured

in commercials and ads across the country. She has also represented Belize in Suriname at Carifesta XI as an artist. Keisha has a vast understanding of social media platforms and how they work. She can comprehend what is needed to propel in the industry, from how to engage with fans, to being a savant when it comes to branding and marketing and knowing how to get yourself and business recognized in the best environments in order to boost engagement.
She obtained her MBA at the tender age of 22 and holds a bachelor’s degree in economics. She is currently pursuing a Diploma in Pedagogy with intent to eventually transition into the classroom. She is employed within the Compliance Unit at the Office of the Supervisor of Insurance and Private Pensions, which is the regulatory body for the insurance industry in Belize. As a mom of two, Keisha is very dynamic at maneuvering between the different titles she holds. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and going on adventures.

Oscar Lorenzo Arnold

Governmental and International Funding and Relations

Ambassador Oscar Lorenzo Arnold currently serves as the Resident Ambassador of Belize to the United Mexican States and as Non-Resident Ambassador to the Argentine Republic. With a career spanning both public service and the financial sector,Ambassador Arnold brings extensive experience in diplomacy, governance, and strategic leadership.Prior to his diplomatic appointments, he held senior management roles at Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. and the Small Farmers and Business Bank, where he contributed significantly to national financial administration. He later entered municipal politics,serving as Deputy Mayor and City Councilor for Belize City, with responsibilities in budgeting, municipal courts, and public safety. He also served as National Director of Sports within the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and E-Governance.Ambassador Arnold holds academic credentials from St. John’s College and the University of Delaware, with formal training in finance and sports administration. He is an advocate for youth development and environmental sustainability, and has served on the boards of the National Bank of Belize, Nazarene High School, and Clearwater Marine Aquarium Belize.A former national volleyball athlete, coach, and executive, he has contributed over 30 years to the sport’s development in Belize. Ambassador Arnold is fluent in English and Spanish, with basic proficiency in French. He resides with his wife, Parveen Williams,and is the proud father of three children.