South Florida Executive Leadership Council (ELC)

Autism Speaks is enhancing lives today and accelerating a spectrum of solutions for tomorrow. We are dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. We do this through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions.

Engaged and committed leadership volunteers working nationwide are vital to achieving this mission. Executive Leadership Councils play an integral role in raising funds, growing new relationships, and advancing Autism Speaks’ mission objectives. Council members are high-caliber leadership volunteers who partner with staff to move the mission of Autism Speaks forward.

Purpose

The purpose of the Executive Leadership Council is to advance the mission and income goals of Autism Speaks in Key Markets across the country. Aligned with the nationwide Autism Speaks business plan, the ELC offers members the opportunity to lead revenue-generating initiatives, as well as partner on priority programs and advocacy efforts.

The ELC structure provides volunteer leaders the opportunity to work together in implementing key initiatives and supporting staff in identifying, recruiting, and cultivating community influencers. ELC members serve as representatives of Autism Speaks at the market level and play a key role in connecting Autism Speaks to new individual and corporate relationships.

Members are influential leaders who possess diverse skill sets, experience, and perspectives, and have a strong commitment to the mission of Autism Speaks and the autism community. ELC members reflect the professional, geographic, and ethnic diversity of the market in which they serve. With this diversity as foundation, the ELC provides strategic counsel and support to ensure broad reach and success of the mission-delivery and fundraising efforts of Autism Speaks.

Current members:

Jorge Alvarez, SVP & Private Financial Advisor at Truist
Marianela Brown, The Keyes Company
Eduardo Cora, Miami-Dade Fair and Exposition Center
Jackie Fernandez Farah, Jackie Ohh,,, Events
Michelle Haast, Realtor at The Keyes Company
Albert Lopez**, CEO of the Americas at BDO
Susan Machado, Retired from American Airlines
Major Daniel Morgalo, Miami Beach Police Department
Mey-Ling Perez, SVP - Managing Director Brickell Private Banking & Wealth Management
Mariela Quintanilla, Sr. Communication Strategist at FPL
Cristina Sorondo, Brand and Marketing Consultant
Armando Ureña, Senior Partner, Managing Director at Ureña Wealth Management Group, Snowden Lane Partners
Milton Vescovacci*, Shareholder at Gunster

**Autism Speaks South Florida Area ELC Chair

*Autism Speaks South Florida Area ELC Chair Emeritus

Click here if you are interested in joining the South Florida Executive Leadership Council.