HUF Committee Members

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HUF Committee Members

HUF is fortunate to have a number of talented and dedicated community volunteers serve on its Board Committees, in addition to its Board Members.

Finance Committee

Alejandro Alvarez Loscher

Arnold E. Nazur

CPA

Nazur & Associates, Inc

I support HUF because: I believe strongly that HUF’s mission and programs are what our community most desperately needs.

 

Christian Reyes

 

Market Director

JPMorgan Chase

“I have personally experienced the many sacrifices immigrants make to achieve a better life, this has shaped who I am today. I am lucky to have been embraced by a strong support system that has helped me achieve the American dream. Hispanic Unity will undoubtedly help me further this personal passion, by helping individuals achieve their own personal goals and aspirations. I consider myself very fortunate to have the opportunity to be a part of this organization.”

Thanks for making a gift to my favorite organization!

 

Hanai Sablich

VP/Community Development Manager

VP/Community Development Manager

Lisette Rodriguez, Chair

Audit Principal

Hancock Askew & Co., LLP

I am involved with Hispanic Unity because…of the amazing and noble work they do to support our immigrant community. I am the first generation of my family born in the USA, which is something I will never take for granted because of all that my grandparents and parents sacrificed to ensure a better life for me. The mission of HUF is close to my heart and I am thankful to be on this journey with HUF to further their program mission.

Rodney Bacher

CFO/Secretary at WSVN 

WSVN

 

 

Marketing Committee

Alexandra Palau

Email Marketing Consultant, All About Email Marketing

www.allaboutemailmarketing.com

I am involved with Hispanic Unity because I am the proud daughter of a Cuban immigrant who arrived in the United States with nothing but hope and resilience. I've witnessed the struggles and sacrifices made by friends and family to build a better life here. It's a personal mission to ensure that HUF continues its vital work, empowering all immigrants to overcome challenges and seize opportunities. This organization stands as a beacon of hope, and I am committed to illuminating that path for others.

Christopher Dongo

Viasat

Head of Global Marketing

Francisco Rivera, Chair

Head of Emerging Business for Latin America

Sony Pictures Entertainment

I am involved with Hispanic Unity of Florida because of their commitment with the Hispanic community and their focus on partnering with them through education, civil engagement, practical training and support. As an immigrant, I'm certain that HUF will be a key part for unlocking our community's full potential.

Thanks for making a gift to my favorite organization! 

Henry Rojas

Strategic Enterprise Sales Director

Florida Region for Comcast Business

Lesli Cartaya Franco

O'Connell & Goldberg PR

www.oandgpr.com

Lucia Rodriguez

 

Principal & Senior Consultant

Lucia Rodriguez Strategic Solutions LLC

I support HUF because...As an immigrant, I know the level of courage and perseverance that is needed to successfully navigate the journey towards achieving the American dream. I also know how critical it is to have the right support and guidance along the way. I want to give back to that same community that has supported and guided me in my own journey. I feel passionate about the mission of the organization and truly treasure this opportunity to serve.

Thanks for making a gift to my favorite organization!

Governance Committee

Angie Stone

Stone Business Solutions, Inc

I support HUF because: “I found a place in South Florida that supports people who have moved to a new place in order to improve their lives.”

 

 

Anthony J. Abbate

Associate Provost and Professor

Florida Atlantic University

I am involved with Hispanic Unity of Florida because I support the mission to empower immigrants to be engaged, productive, and self-sufficient members of American society. I am aware of the opportunities and the challenges, my parents having been first and second generation immigrants, of contributing meaningfully to the "melting pot" that makes this nation so attractive for achieving security and prosperity for individuals and families.

 

 

Christina Paradowski

Attorney

Tripp Scott P.A.

I support Hispanic Unity because: "I want to pay it forward. Uprooting and moving your family is a challenge all on its own, but when it involves moving to a new country with a different language and an unfamiliar way of life, it can be completely overwhelming. Hispanic Unity provides a built-in community to help our neighbors acclimate to their new lives and learn to navigate through everyday situations we take for granted. This way, they will be fully equipped to fulfill their potential as civically, socially, and professionally engaged members of our community. And one day, they, too, will pay it forward."

Giselle Cushing

 

I am involved with Hispanic Unity because… “ I want to help others achieve the “American Dream”. My parents were immigrants that came into this Country with no money to start their lives in the USA. They were very fortunate to connect with a small non-for-profit organization in Chicago that assisted them to get on their feet. I want to pay it forward and help families access the same opportunities we all have in this Country! ”

Thanks for making a gift to my favorite organization!

Maria Barnard - Chair

VP, Strategy and Finance

JM Family Enterprises, Inc.

I am involved with Hispanic Unity because… “I connect with HUF’s mission of empowering immigrants and others to become self-sufficient, productive, and civically engaged. Everyone benefits from having a community of support – immigrant or not. However, it can be harder for immigrants to find a support system in a new country, with a different culture and language. I know firsthand the immense positive impact of those that help me along the way, and through HUF I have an opportunity to help others in our community.”

Maria Elena Ferrer

Senior Vice President

IBERIABANK

 

Maritza Alvarez

Vice President of Memorial Neuroscience Institute

Memorial Hospital West

“As the daughter of immigrant parents, I had the opportunity to witness firsthand the courage and determination it takes to leave one’s country and pursue the American Dream. In those days, resources and support services for immigrants were scarce to nonexistent. I support HUF because it has become a beacon in our community for immigrants seeking guidance and support as they acclimate to their new home.”

Thanks for making a gift to my favorite organization!

Melida Akiti

Vice President

Memorial Healthcare System

I support HUF because: “I take passion in serving my community. I strongly believe in giving back as part of our mission in life.”

 

Audit Committee

Carolina Cardozo, Esq.

Carolina Cardozo, Esq.

I support HUF because: I believe in its mission. HUF’s programs and services have real impact on people’s lives in our community. I feel fortune to be able to contribute my time and efforts to such an amazing organization.

 

Dan Herz

 

DFH Business Consultants Inc.

Private Hard Money Lender

I support HUF because: I was fortunate enough to have been born and raised in America and feel all immigrants should have the same opportunities to work hard and prosper that I have had.

Thanks for making a gift to my favorite organization!

Lisette Rodriguez

I am involved with Hispanic Unity because…of the amazing and noble work they do to support our immigrant community. I am the first generation of my family born in the USA, which is something I will never take for granted because of all that my grandparents and parents sacrificed to ensure a better life for me. The mission of HUF is close to my heart and I am thankful to be on this journey with HUF to further their program mission.

Public Policy & Advocacy Committee

Carolina Cardozo, Esq., Chair

Carolina Cardozo, Esq., Chair

I support HUF because: I believe in its mission. HUF’s programs and services have real impact on people’s lives in our community. I feel fortune to be able to contribute my time and efforts to such an amazing organization.

 

Dick Blattner

"HUF deserves our support because they provide very effective services to so many in our community. HUF fights the good fight for so many in our community. Given the discord we are experiencing, they stand tall in fighting for human rights."

Dr. Jeffrey Nasse

 

Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs

Broward College

HUF truly is a “force for good” here in South Florida. I am involved with HUF because of this organization’s tremendous work in supporting immigrant families who better our community.  The scale of the meaningful differences that HUF has made, and will make, for so many people is so powerful. I am honored to be a part of such an amazing team.

Kersti Myles

 

Director of Policy and Government Relations

Urban League of Broward County

Maria E. Bernal, PhD

District Director, International Student Success

Broward College

Megan Turetsky

Director of Legislative Affairs and Community Relations

Broward County Public Schools

I support Hispanic Unity because…Through collaborative planning we can provide the advocacy and resources necessary to empower everyone to achieve their American Dream.

Nazbi Chowdhury

Director, Public Policy & Strategic Initiatives

United Way of Broward County

I support HUF because: as the son of working-class Bangladeshi immigrants, I know firsthand some of the challenges immigrant families face in this country. I’m committed to helping all families overcome these barriers as they look to achieve the “American Dream”.

Nicholas Hessing

Robert Holroyd

Governmental Relations

Tripp Scott 

I support HUF because: I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

Hispanic Unity of Florida: Client Stories

Hispanic Unity of Florida (HUF) is a non-profit founded in 1982 by community leaders to ease the acculturation transition for newcomers from other nations. Today, HUF provides assistance through 12 programs and 30+ services in four languages to South Florida's diverse community. HUF, an UnidosUS Affiliate, is one of South Florida’s largest agencies dedicated to the immigrant population, providing them with the tools they need to build a new life. Since its inception, HUF has served nearly 500,000 people.