The Miami Foundation selects 16 top, young leaders for Miami Fellows Class VII

MIAMI - April 19, 2013 - PRLog -- The Miami Foundation announced the 16 leaders who will comprise Class VII of the Miami Fellows, its leadership development program designed to engage the new generation building Greater Miami.

“We are at a significant point where young talent is called to shape the future of our community,” said Javier Alberto Soto, president and CEO of The Miami Foundation. “Individually, the new fellows have already demonstrated their passion and commitment to lead that charge. We are excited to see them go a step further and become a focused group, working together to address the community’s most pressing issues.  I look forward to watching their collective development.”

Class VII reflects Miami’s diverse communities and includes:

•   Roy Altman, Assistant United States Attorney, U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Florida
•   Courtney Berrien, Program Director, MCCJ
•   Alexander Binelo, Director, Morrison, Brown, Argiz & Farra
•   Alex Buznego, Manager of Digital and Social Media, Miami Marlins
•   Wifredo Fernandez, CEO and Co-Founder, The LAB Miami
•   Pandwe Gibson, Regional Director of Marketing and Operations, USA Fast Tax LLC
•   Monique Hayes, Attorney, Genovese, Joblove & Battista, P.A.
•   Marianna Lopez, Attorney, McDermott Will & Emery LLP
•   Yara Lorenzo, Attorney, Hogan Lovells US LLP
•   Cedric McMinn, Vice President, Miami Children’s Initiative
•   Rochelle Mukiza-Gapere, Attorney Advisor, Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
•   Philip Poekert, Partnership Manager, University of Florida Lastinger Center for Learning
•   Bahia Ramos, Program Director, Community Foundations, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
•   Lauren Reskin, Owner and Co-Founder, Sweat Records
•   Frankie Ruiz, Chief Running Officer, US Road Sports & Entertainment Group
•   Michael Thakur, Assistant United States Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice

The Miami Fellows program lasts 15 months and helps growing leaders gain a deeper understanding of Greater Miami’s community issues.  Participants will attend seminars, workshops and group experiences throughout the program facilitated by established local leaders in government, law, business and the nonprofit sector. The class will develop the individual and collective skills to increase their community impact.

Miami Fellows Class VII builds on the legacy of the program that began in 1999. Funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, nearly 120 people have participated. The program focuses on building fellows’ knowledge, networks and abilities and increasing their community engagement and influence.  More information can be found online at miamifoundation.org/miamifellows.

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ABOUT THE MIAMI FOUNDATION: Established in 1967, The Miami Foundation has helped hundreds of people create personal, permanent and powerful legacies by establishing custom, charitable funds. With foundation expertise, fundholders have fostered the arts, awarded scholarships, championed diversity, taught kids to read, and provided food and shelter for the hungry and homeless. More than $150 million in grants and scholarships have been awarded in the Foundation’s 45-year history. Today, the Foundation is steward to more than $160 million in charitable assets. For more information about The Miami Foundation, please visit miamifoundation.org.