MADE Empowerment Issue | Page 9

MADE MADE CONNECTIONS XXXX attorney and longtime member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America .
Asha Loring - Founder and executive director of the non-profit organization dedicated to growing vegetable gardens in underserved communities , Health in the Hood , Loring helps make urban gardens into living classrooms where children and families can enjoy free , healthy food and workshops . She began Health in the Hood while following in her father ’ s community gardening footsteps and as an answer to need for fresh vegetables in food deserts . After graduating from Florida International University , Loring began her career as director of Public Allies Miami for Americorps , working to place young , serviceminded individuals in community organizations . She also served as the director of Strategic Partnerships at Women of Tomorrow , a non-profit organization that matches at-risk high school girls with professional women for long-term mentorships . Through her work , Loring hopes to put children on the path to healthy futures by preventing disease and give parents information that helps them create better environments .
Kristy Nunez - After attending the University of Miami , earning a bachelor ’ s in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing , Nunez went on to earn a law degree from St . Thomas University School of Law . In 2005 , she joined the Office of the State Attorney in Miami-Dade County , Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida . In 2016 , Nunez was appointed as Division Chief for the Human Trafficking Unit at the State Attorney ’ s Office , and has also served as Felony Division Chief . In 2009 , she co-founded UrbanPromise Miami , a nonprofit organization committed to serving at-risk youth in under-resourced communities within Miami- Dade County . UrbanPromise Miami serves 100 youth and teens on a daily basis in the East Little Havana community . Nunez is a board member of the Miami-Dade League of Prosecutors and member of the Dade-County and Cuban American bar associations . She has been honored by the Women ’ s Committee of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami , The Women ' s Fund and The Melissa Institute .
Suzanna Valdez - Currently vice president of Advancement for the Adrienne Arsht Center of the Performing Arts , Valdez previously served as chief of staff to City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz . She also was Miami Program Director for the John S . and James L . Knight Foundation . Prior to Miami , Valdez worked in Washington , D . C . in the U . S . House of Representatives and Senate as special assistant to Al Gore . President Clinton appointed her to the White House Office of Public Liaison as special assistant to the President and went on to appoint her Deputy Chief of Staff at the U . S . Department of Labor . Valdez has also lived in New York , where she was associate director of the Eugene M . Lang Center for Entrepreneurship at Columbia Business School . Upon attaining an MPA from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia , she served as executive director of the Task Force on Television Measurement for Nielsen Media Research . She sits on the First Focus board , TEDxMiami board , Miami Foundation Fellows Selection Committee and Hispanic Leadership Advisory Committee for Nielsen Media Research .
Prior to brunch , guests had the opportunity to participate in BMW ’ s “ Drive for a Cause ” initiative . For every guest that test drives a car , BMW donates to women-focused programs at Miami Rescue Mission , a nonprofit organization serving the local homeless community . In the spirit of the holiday season , guests also participated in BMW ’ s “ Toy and Food Drive ” by bringing packaged toys and games and dry goods to donate to Miami Rescue Mission .
Even with all the “ Pay It 4ward ” success in 2016 , the journey to celebrate and inspire the leaders of today and tomorrow is only getting started .
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