Miami 2009 Community Council

Manuel A. Diaz was elected Mayor of Miami in 2001.  He is president of the US Conference of Mayors.  Mayor Diaz has been Co-Chair of Sister to Sister Miami since its inception and provided instant credibility for our Campaign in its first year.

Robin Diaz is an executive with Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises and helped her husband, Mayor Diaz, launch our Campaign in Miami 5 years ago.

A member of the Florida Legislature and later Congress, Hon. Carrie P. Meek always ensured that South Florida's less fortunate enjoyed representation.  She now runs the Carrie Meek Foundation and has served as Co-Chair of Sister to Sister Miami since 2005. 

Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (right) has represented Florida's 18th district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1989. She was the first Hispanic woman and first Cuban-American elected to Congress.  She has served as Honorary Co-Chair of Sister to Sister Miami since 2005.

As the Vice President, Carol Biggs is responsible for the strategic development of the comprehensive Cardiovascular Program at South Miami Hospital, our local presenting sponsor and hospital partner.  We are pleased to have her as an Honorary Co-Chair.

Commissioner Audrey Edmonson served as Mayor of the City of El Portal from 1999-2005 and went on to become a Miami-Dade County Commissioner.   As an Honorary Co-Chair, Commissioner Edmonson provides an important link for the Campaign with Miami-Dade County.

Ana Abele is President of Professional Press, a printing company. She has served on the Miami Community Council since its inception and has provided discounted printing services for the Campaign.

Adrienne Arsht is the former chairperson of TotalBank and recognized as a local business leader and philanthropist in Miami.

Aimee Artiles is president of Bella Communications, a marketing and public affairs consulting firm, and has been involved with STS since its inception.  As the health fair's Volunteer Coordinator, she secures and manages 200 volunteers to assist with the health screenings.

Laura Bazyler has been involved with STS Miami in the past few years to facilitate access to much needed healthcare services in South Miami-Dade.  The Open Door Health Center provides health education and assistance to these women in need of healthcare.

Laura Brehm is Director of the Department of Risk Management for the City of Miami.  She serves as liaison to the office of Mayor Diaz, one of our co-chairs.

Harriet Carter (left) represents U.S. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen as her Congressional Community liaison.  Harriet's "love affair" with STS began when she represented Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen at the 2007 Executive Women's Breakfast and has since become a leader in promoting our heart-healthy mission and activities.

Charesse Chester is President of Charesse Chester Public Relations. She has assisted Congresswoman Carrie Meek with the Sister to Sister Miami Sub-Committee to reach out to the underserved women in South Florida.

Gui llermina Damas is Chairperson of Miami-Dade College, Wolfson Campus, Departments of Natural Sciences, Health & Wellness.  Miami-Dade College has provided many of our medical and non-medical volunteers each year.

Terri Davis is a human resources professional and a board member of the Greater Miami Society of Human Resource Management.  Terri has been our liaison to the HR community locally.

Judith Dupoux is an RN who is a Health Educator for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, one of our top sponsors for the past few years.

Marie O. Etienne, MSN, ARNP, PLNC is a tenure Associate Professor, Senior at Miami Dade College's Medical Campus.  Marie championed our cause with the nursing students in her program. 

Tori Gabriel is Director of Education and Prevention at the Florida Heart Research Institute (FHRI), an independent, not-for-profit organization with the mission to: Stop heart disease through research, education and prevention.  FHRI is our main screening partner at the health fair each year.

Patricia Joassin Rouzeau is Director of Family Wellness at the YWCA Miami.  She has coordinated the child care at every Sister to Sister Miami Health Fair.

Willowstine Lawson is Regional Director of the Office of U.S. Senator Bill Nelson; and serves as an important liaison for the local Campaign and the Senator.

Patricia E. Lee is Staff Specialist for Miami-Dade Public Schools Office of Community Service.  She has been instrumental in promoting our Campaign within the Miami-Dade Public School System and securing their endorsement.

Danet Linares is Executive Vice President of Blanca Commercial Real Estate.

Penny Parhman is Administrative Director of Miami-Dade County Public Schools Department of Food and Nutrition and has served as an important liaison to the service workers in the school system.

Janisse Post is the Senior Manager of Project Development and Research & Outcomes at South Miami Heart Center.  Janisse has served as our day-to-day contact with South Miami Heart Center, our local presenting sponsor and hospital partner.

Marta Quintana is Senior Development Officer of The United Way of Miami-Dade County.  The United Way has embraced the STS Campaign in Miami and has pro-actively promoted our mission among their constituents.

Nelly Rubio is Community and Public Relations Director at WFOR-TV, CBS4 and WBFS, My33. Nelly has held this position for more than 20 years and founded Neighbors 4 Neighbors-- the Stations' community service organization.  CBS4 has served as our primary network TV media partner for the past few years.

Martha A. Sanchez, RN, BSN, MBA, is CEO of Miami-Dade Area Health Education Center (AHEC), Inc.  She has experience in risk management, quality assessment, clinical operations, and fiscal management. 

Janisse Schoepp is Senior Program Officer and Policy Analyst at Health Foundation of South Florida, a grant making organization working to improve the health status of South Florida residents.  Her assistance in our health program has been instrumental.

Penny S. Shaffer is Market President, South Florida, for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida.  She is an active participant of the community council and has led the way for BCBS to be a top sponsor each year.  Penny was awarded the 2009 STS Deborah Natansohn Award to an Individual for promoting heart disease prevention in our community.

As the Community liaison for Jackson Health Systems, Synthia Snow brings knowledge of community resources and provides support to all Sister to Sister programs.   Heart Disease is of special interest to Synthia as several family members have been affected. She's served on the Community Council for 4 years.

Sandy Thomas is an Engineer at AT&T and very involved in their community initiatives. She is an avid volunteer and spends her spare time dedicated to improving the lives of people where she works and lives.   She is one of our top volunteers at the annual Health Fair.

As the Director of Community Health and Planning for the Miami-Dade County Health Department, Ann-Karen Weller is responsible for the oversight supervision of Chronic Disease Prevention, Community Health Planning, Worksite Wellness, Tobacco Control and Prevention and Healthy Start Programs.  She serves on the Miami Community Council as our chief liaison to the local health dept.

Having lost her mother eight years ago to heart disease, Mary Young enthusiastically became one of Miami's original Community Council members.  A past President of the YWCA, a board member of the Florida Heart Research Institute and the United Way of Miami Dade, she facilitates community advocates for STS in an effort to raise women's heart health awareness.