Leadership Broward Foundation

Congratulations to Women Leading Broward Class XIII!

Last week, we celebrated the graduation of Women Leading Broward Class XIII, an extraordinary group of women who invested in themselves, supported one another, and embraced the opportunity to grow as leaders.

Throughout the program, these women challenged themselves, built meaningful relationships, expanded their perspectives, and strengthened the skills needed to lead with confidence and purpose in their organizations and throughout our community.

A special thank you to our outstanding Chair, Monica Arroyo, whose passion, vision, and dedication helped create a truly memorable experience for this class. Thank you also to our Vice Chair, Alex Llerena, for your leadership, mentorship, and unwavering support throughout the journey.

We are also grateful to our incredible facilitators, whose wisdom, guidance, and willingness to share their experiences helped shape and inspire this year's class:

Jessy Allain, Bernadette Bruce, Alexa Diaz, Lisa Elsinger, Natalie Glusman, Candi James, Kasia Kossak, Nicole Kurth, Lois Margolin, Judith Mergilles, Cariann Moore, Thuha Nguyen, Martha Rios, Maureen Simunek-Appelt, and Catarina Suplicy.

A special thank you to our remarkable Leading Ladies, whose leadership, experience, and generosity continue to make Women Leading Broward such a powerful and transformational experience:

Ginger Martin
Katy Meagher
Dr. Germaine Smith-Baugh
Erika Royal
Julia Aquino

Please join me in congratulating the graduates of Women Leading Broward Class XIII:

Andria Baker
Teshca Baker
Corey Brown
Anya Burnett
Tresa Chambers
Mayroby Cook
Fiorella Diaz
Emily Dmiszewicki
Audrey Gorman
Kheyla Grunert
Jeymarie Guerra
Maria Haimovitch Barrera
Diana Hanford
Nikki Hanna
Erica Herman
Danja Higuera
Andrea Hodgen
Ana Paula Hodges
Anna Ibarlucea
Danielle Jacobs
Christine Kicker
Veronica Leon
Didi Martz
Sarah McKenney
Onieka Napoleon
Erika Obando
Padmini Pandya
Dr. Katya Pizarro
Kassandra Rebull
Nefertari Rigsby
Raquel Rincon-Vassel
Inez Romaguera
Courtney Saenz
Petula Sankarsingh
Samantha Strouse
Toni-Shae Thompson-Burke
Jennifer Touchton
Christine Trotta
Lannie Walker
Beth Welmaker
Karla Ziegelbaum
Daniela Zuniga Carlier

Class XIII embodies the spirit of Women Leading Broward: courageous leadership, authentic connection, lifelong learning, and a commitment to lifting others as they rise.

Congratulations on this achievement. Welcome to an incredible network of women leaders who continue to make a difference throughout Broward County and beyond. We look forward to seeing all that you accomplish.

Photo Credit: Michael Murphy

Yesterday marked the final program day for Leadership Broward Class XLIV — and what an incredible Business Day it was!

A huge thank you to our outstanding Day Chair David Coddington and Vice Chairs, Nicole Almeida, Angela Amos, Chase Bowman, Harris Kouasseu, Nancy Mondesir, Mike Nathanson, and Melissa Ross — for creating an engaging, insightful, and unforgettable experience from start to finish. Special thanks as well to Todd for joining in and helping guide the class throughout the day.

The day began at Grant Thornton with an eye-opening discussion on Broward County’s targeted industries and economic growth led by Bob Swindell, President & CEO of Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance.

Next, the class visited CTS Engines, where participants toured the facility and learned how the company delivers world-class aircraft engine repair and overhaul services.

The journey continued with an incredible session on breathwork and public speaking for leaders led by Erin Lister.

The day also included an outstanding presentation and tour at Chewy featuring insights from:

Sumit Singh, Chief Executive Officer
Mita Malhotra, President of Chewy Health & Chewy Vet Care
Chris Deppe, Chief Financial Officer.

The session was facilitated by the one and only Johnathan Robertson, who also delivered an impactful presentation titled “Tails of Leadership: Timeless Leadership Lessons from Pets.”

We closed the day with a phenomenal CEO panel and roundtable discussion featuring:

Mark Binko, CEO of National Jets
Rob Ceravolo, Founder of Tropic Ocean Airways
Marcell Haywood, Founder & CEO of Encompass
Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, President & CEO of Community Foundation of Broward
Peter Moore, President & CEO of Chen Moore & Associates

A sincere thank you to our generous sponsors and partners — Kate Close Goldman, Baptist Health South Florida, Emily Wilsom, Grant Thornton, Nicklaus Children's Hospital, and our location sponsor Torburn Partners — for helping make this impactful day possible.

What an incredible way to close out the Class XLIV journey.

What an unforgettable afternoon at the 2026 Leadership Broward Fun Lunch.

This room represented what Leadership Broward is all about — different industries, different perspectives, different backgrounds… all united by one thing: a commitment to making Broward better.

From the moment guests arrived, the energy in the room was electric. Between the laughter, music, balloon popping, celebration, and shared purpose, this year’s 1920s Paris-inspired Fun Lunch truly lived up to its name.

At Leadership Broward, our mission is simple: to develop and inspire leaders to serve. And this event was a powerful reminder of what can happen when leaders from across our community come together in support of something bigger than themselves.

Congratulations to our outstanding 2026 Honorees:
Brett Atkinson
Kathleen Cannon
Shira Kastan Goldstein
Ella Phillips
Harley Miller
Stephanie J. Toothaker, Esq.
Giancarlo Zuniga

These are leaders who don’t just lead within their organizations — they show up, they serve, and they make Broward better for all of us.

A very special thank you to our incredible Fun Lunch leadership team: Kelly Eppy, VP of Events; Chase Bowman, Fun Lunch Chair; Vice Chairs Maria Ares, Dr. Leonard Pounds, Marianna Seiler, Daphne Karl, Robyn Vegas, and Michael Worley. Shout out to our Board Chair and MC Extroidinaire Whitney J. Dutton.

We also want to recognize and thank our amazing committee members, volunteers, sponsors, supporters, and everyone who helped bring this event to life. This truly was a team effort, and we are deeply grateful for the passion, energy, and generosity that surrounded this event from beginning to end.

Finally, thank you to our incredible Title Sponsor, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, and Susan Renneisen for your continued partnership and support.

We are so proud of what this community continues to build together.

And thank you to all of our generous sponsors for helping make this event possible:

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - Hollywood, FL, MDW Communications, SouthState Bank, Baptist Health, JM Family Enterprises, Kushner Company, Moss Construction, NSU Health, Panera Bread/Covelli Enterprises, Shutts & Bowen, The Restaurant People, Toothaker.org, Tripp Scott, Florida Power & Light Company, Miller Construction Company, Nicklaus Children's Health System, United Way of Broward County, ADG Strategy Group, BBX Capital, Bilzin Sumberg, Broward College, GrayRobinson, Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, Holland & Knight, Lotspeich Co of Florida Inc, Marsh McLennan Agency LLC, Mission United, Pierson Grant, Provenance Wealth Advisors, Seacoast Bank, Stiles, Truist Bank, Whitney Dutton & Family, Broward Health, Broward Sheriff’s Office, and Waste Management.

PHOTO CREDIT: Michael Murphy

SUPPORT LEADERSHIP BROWARD. CHECK OUT THESE AMAZING RAFFLE BASKETS!

Support Leadership Broward and treat yourself to the chance to win one of FOUR incredible raffle items that you do not want to miss!
🎟️ ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN:
✨ 1 Entry – $25
✨ 5 Entries – $100
✨ 12 Entries – $200

NO NEED TO BE PRESENT TO WIN!

The drawing takes place at 1:15 PM during the Fun Lunch — and YES, we’ll call you if you’re not there!

Whether you're in the room or cheering us on from afar, every ticket you buy helps support Leadership Broward’s mission to develop and inspire leaders who serve the community.

Think of it as a chance to win and a way to give back!

Grab your tickets now and help us keep leadership growing strong in Broward County!

https://www.leadershipbroward.org/fun-lunch-raffle-items/

Help us celebrate these inspiring changemakers:

BRETT ATKINSON - LB Class XXIV- Moss Construction
KATHLEEN CANNON - LB Class XX - United Way Broward
SHIRA KASTAN GOLDSTEIN - LB Class # # - ADG Strategy Group
ELLA PHILLIPS - LB Class XLI - Law Office of the Public Defender
HARLEY MILLER - LB Class # # - Miller Construction
STEPHANIE J. TOOTHAKER, ESQ. - LB Class # # # - Toothaker.org
GIANCARLO ZUNIGA - LB Class # # – Truist

Don’t miss THE lunch event of the year — full of energy, inspiration, and community.

Leadership Broward is located at 1330 SE 4th Avenue, Suite I, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 and is the sponsor of this raffle. The prize(s) to be awarded will be paid for from in-kind donations from the vendors listed in the respective baskets, along with sponsorship contributions received from various supporters of Leadership Broward. Winners will be chosen through a random drawing. The raffle will be held May 1st at approximately 1:15 PM. Winners will be announced at that time. No purchase or contribution is necessary to enter; a suggested minimum donation in the amount of $25 is appreciated.

LB Class XLIV experienced an incredible Criminal Justice Day yesterday—thanks to the outstanding leadership of our Day Chairs: Melinda Blostein, Wayne Boulier, Ra Shana Dabney-Donovan, Michael Dutko, Nadine Girault, Julio Gonzalez, and Ella Phillips.

The day began at Broward College IPS, where the class heard valuable leadership insights from the Day Chairs.

This was followed by a rare, behind-the-scenes tour of the Broward County Main Jail. A huge thank you to the dedicated Deputies and Main Jail Leadership team for making this eye-opening experience possible.

One of the day’s most impactful exercises was the Public Defender’s Mock Courtroom, featuring The Honorable Judge Ari Porth, Chief Assistant Public Defender Melinda Blostein, and Assistant State Attorney Sarahnell Murphy. The bond exercise gave the cohort a deeper, real-world understanding of the system and the difficult decisions that impact lives every day. This interactive session brought the courtroom to life and deepened the cohort’s understanding of justice, advocacy, and due process.

Next up, the class was welcomed by Julio Gonzalez, Chief of the Public Corruption Unit at the State Attorney’s Office, where he led a powerful panel offering deep insights into the legal system and its challenges.

Thank you to our panelists:
The Honorable Judge Elijah Williams, 17th Judicial Court in Florida
The Honorable Judge Betsy Benson, County Court Judge
Harold Pryor, State Attorney, 17th Judicial Court in Florida
Melisa McNeil, Chief Assistant Public Defender of Major Crimes Division, Broward County Public Defender’s Office
Housan Lafrance, Private Attorney, Houson R. Lafrance P.A

And a warm shout-out to our Coffee Break Sponsor, Nicklaus Children’s Health System, for keeping us fueled and focused throughout the day!

Serving Up Leadership with Joseph Morris

Earlier this month, we had an inspiring lunch with Joseph Morris, Port Director of Port Everglades—one of the most complex and impactful operations in our region.

Thank you to our sponsor Amazon.com. Appreciate the support.

According to Joe, at the port, it’s all about the “Ships”—and not just the ones in the water:
Relationships
Partnerships
Friendships

Because at that scale, nothing moves without alignment.

Joe shared so many insightful leadership nuggets. Two insights that really stuck:

“The biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it took place.”

A powerful reminder that saying something isn’t the same as it being understood. Great leaders don’t assume alignment—they ensure it.

A lesson from NASA:

They don’t punish errors. They punish the concealment of errors.

That’s culture. That’s trust. That’s how you create an environment where people speak up early—before small issues become big ones.

Leadership at that level isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about creating clarity, building trust, and making sure people feel safe enough to communicate what really matters.

Grateful for the perspective and the reminder that leadership shows up most when the stakes are high.

Shout out to our amazing moderator, Whitney J. Dutton. Great job of uncovering the wealth of knowledge of our speaker. Well done.

Youth Leadership Broward Class 39 — what a finish.

Congratulations to an incredible group of juniors representing the best of Broward County. Your growth, leadership, and commitment to making an impact this year was something special to watch.

A big thank you to Josh Levenson for an inspiring keynote—reminding us that leaders keep moving forward and recognize the inflection points that shape their journey.

Community Project Winners:

Judges’ Choice: Solution to Pollution

Class Choice: Free from Fentanyl

Outstanding work by all teams—your ideas, presentations, and passion for your community were next level.

Grateful for the leadership behind the scenes. This year’s success would not have been possible without Class Chair Karen Elliot—your dedication continues to elevate this program.

Appreciation as well to an incredible team of volunteers, including Vice-Chair Lauren Formica, Community Project Chair Sara Wagner, Board Chair Whitney Dutton, and CEO Andrew Zullo, along with our program day chairs and community project judges: Nicole Almeida, Wayne Boulier, MCJ, Dustin Forman, MS, and Nicolas Jaramillo..

This is how leadership is built. This is how community is strengthened.

Awareness creates leaders. Leaders create impact.

A Lunch Unlike Anything Else in Broward!

Fun Lunch 2026 is set to transform the 1920's Paris –inspired celebration — where energy, artistry, creativity, and community come together in a way you won’t quite expect…

From the moment you arrive, you’ll feel it — It may be the French Mimosa, but there is a shift in atmosphere, a sense that something special is unfolding.

And at the center of it all, we’ll be honoring seven leaders whose impact continues to shape Broward County:

Brett Atkinson – LB Class XXIV, Moss Construction
Kathleen Cannon – LB Class XX, United Way of Broward
Shira Kastan Goldstein – LB Class # # , ADG Strategy Group
Ella Phillips – LB Class XLI, Law Office of the Public Defender
Harley Miller – LB Class # # , Miller Construction
Stephanie J. Toothaker, Esq. – LB Class # # #, Toothaker.org
Giancarlo Zuniga – LB Class # # , Truist

Friday, May 1, 2026
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

This is more than a luncheon — it’s a shared experience you’ll be talking about long after it ends.

Join us.

Last week WLB Class XIII had an amazing third session!

Thank you to our extraordinary Leading Lady, Dr. Germaine Smith-Baugh, President & CEO of the Urban League of Broward County. Your presentation was inspiring, and a tremendous source of motivation.

As always, thank you to our WLB Chair Monica Arroyo, Vice-Chair Alex Llerena, and all our WLB XIII Facilitators. Your dedication makes WLB Class XIII stronger, and we are grateful for your leadership!

Applications are now open for Youth Leadership Broward (YLB) Class 40

If you know a student ready to step up, grow, and lead — this is their moment.

Youth Leadership Broward is a 9-month experience designed for rising juniors to:
✔ Build leadership and communication skills
✔ Get a behind-the-scenes look at Broward County
✔ Connect with real community and business leaders
✔ Earn up to 30 service hours
✔ Strengthen college and scholarship applications

Each year, just 60 students are selected from across Broward County.

🎯 Who should apply?
Current high school sophomores (rising juniors) who:
• Have a 3.0+ GPA
• Show leadership potential
• Want to grow and make an impact

This is more than a program — it’s where future leaders begin.

👉 Apply today: leadershipbroward.org