one year later
June 14 & June 15, 2017 MAYOR BUDDY DYER
Greetings!
On behalf of the City of Orlando, I would like to welcome you to The City Beautiful and to the Orlando Strong - One Year Later: Funders Symposium.
Orlando is a City for everyone. We are known as the home to one of the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ communities and as an inclusive City that values equality.
On June 12, 2016, Orlando suffered the most devastating act of hate in our community’s history. The Pulse tragedy profoundly impacted our LGBTQ+, Latinx, and other communities of color, but your philanthropic leadership has helped us to heal and unite communities deeply impacted by this tragedy, as well as provide critical services to survivors and to the 49 families of those taken from us.
The Better Together Fund at the Central Florida Foundation acted as a very important partner by convening mental health providers, strengthening systems and filling critical gaps in funding. Meanwhile, the Contigo Fund at the Our Fund Foundation has created a truly community-run philanthropic process, empowered marginalized communities and helped our community to develop the leadership of several promising advocates in Orlando. Their work and efforts are greatly appreciated by our community.
We hope to continue counting in your generosity, leadership, and collaboration for our long-term journey towards community healing and empowerment.
For those of you who are first time visitors to our area, you will discover that Orlando is abundant with opportunities for recreation, cultural entertainment, educational resources and business enterprises. You will also notice that when it comes to service and hospitality, Orlando is second to none.
I hope you enjoy your time in the Orlando area, and we hope you plan to visit again soon.
Sincerely,
Buddy Dyer Mayor
1 MAYOR TERESA JACOBS
Greetings,
As Mayor of Orange County, it is my sincere pleasure to welcome you to the Orlando Strong One Year: Later Funders Symposium – a gathering of national and local philanthropic leaders sharing lessons learned and promising practices from the response to the Pulse tragedy.
June 12, 2016 was the worst day in Orange County’s history, with 49 lives lost, more than 68 people injured, and a community that is forever changed. However, our response in the days and months following the unimaginable act of terror was the greatest example of compassion and solidarity that our community has ever witnessed. Leaders, elected officials, organizations, and businesses united like never before, proving that love conquers hate. I have never been more proud as a citizen and as Mayor.
Orlando and Orange County have done an extraordinary job in showing the world who we are and how we embrace diversity. We have become an example for communities throughout the nation and around the globe. This two day event will allow you to engage with and hear directly from frontline responders of the Pulse tragedy and gain insight into their strategy, perspective and experience. I encourage you to take advantage of every opportunity offered throughout the Orlando Strong One Year Later Funders Symposium.
Best wishes for a successful event, and I hope you enjoy your time here!
Sincerely,
Teresa Jacobs Mayor
2 is made possible by the generous hearts of our sponsors. We thank them for making this event come to fruition.
Presenting sponsors
Major sponsors
Collaborating partners WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14TH THE FIRST DAYS, WEEKS, MONTHS: HOW SECTORS UNITED TO RESPOND TO UNSPEAKABLE TRAGEDY
8:00am Shuttle Departure from ALOFT Downtown Orlando
8:30am - 9:00am Orlando Regional Medical Center (Orlando Health Heart Institute) 1222 S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32806 Registration & Breakfast Complimentary Valet Parking at Orlando Health Heart Institute Mention the Orlando Strong! Funders Symposium in Orlando Heart Health Institute.
9:00am - 9:30am Orlando Regional Medical Center (Orlando Health Heart Institute) Welcome by Orlando Health and Recognition of Ramadan Sponsor: Kari Conley - Orlando Health Speakers: Rasha Mubarak - Muslim Women’s Organization Fatima Sadaf Saied - Muslim Women’s Organization
9:30am - 10:30am Orlando Regional Medical Center (Orlando Health Heart Institute) The First 48 Hours: Local & National Philanthropic Action Moderator: Christopher Johnson - Florida Philanthropic Network Speakers: Mark Brewer - Central Florida Foundation Ida Eskamani - Equality Florida Greater Orlando Steering Committee Nancy Gidusko - Walt Disney World Ben Francisco Maulbeck - Funders of LGBTQ Issues Christopher McCullion - City of Orlando Cindy Rizzo - Arcus Foundation
10:30am BREAK
10:40am - 11:50am Orlando Regional Medical Center (Orlando Health Heart Institute) On the Frontlines: Two-Part Conversation Leadership in Crisis: Emergency Room Response - Part 1 Answering the Call: Community Responders - Part 2 Moderator: Kari Conley - Orlando Health Speakers: Eric Alberts - Orlando Regional Medical Center Dr. David Baker-Hargrove - Two Spirit Health Services Dr. Michael Cheatham - Orlando Regional Medical Center Joél Morales - Orlando United Assistance Center Dr. Chadwick Smith - Orlando Regional Medical Center
4 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14TH
11:50am BREAK
12:00pm - 1:20pm Orlando Regional Medical Center (Orlando Health Heart Institute) LUNCH Session Cross-Sector Leadership: How the Community, Government, and Philanthropy Unified in the Aftermath Sponsored by Orlando Health Moderator: Adrian Kierulf - Orange County Government Speakers: Carlos Carbonell - OneOrlando Fund & One Orlando Alliance Lori Pampilo Harris - City of Orlando Marco Antonio Quiroga - Contigo Fund Sandi Vidal - Central Florida Foundation
Prayer time for those observing daily prayers during Ramadan
1:20pm BREAK
1:30pm - 2:50pm Orlando Regional Medical Center (Orlando Health Heart Institute) Regional Context: Findings of Philanthropic Community Needs Assessment Moderator: Chantelle Fisher-Borne - Funders for LGBTQ Issues Speakers: Karina Claudio Betancourt - Open Society Foundations David Jobin - Our Fund Foundation Miguel Naranjo - QLatinx Isabel Sousa-Rodriguez
3:00pm Shuttle Departure to Pulse
3:30pm - 4:45pm Pulse Nightclub - 1912 South Orange Ave. Orlando, FL 32806 Special Visit: Pulse Nightclub Site Remarks by onePULSE Foundation representative and Special Message from Interfaith Leaders Speakers: Earl Crittenden - onePULSE Foundation Muhammad Musri - Three Wise Guys Rev. Terri Steed & Stanley Ramos - Joy Metropolitan Community Church Pastor Brei Taylor - Oasis Fellowship Ministries *Mental health counselors will be on-site for those needing comfort and support
5 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14TH
Prayer time for those observing daily prayers during Ramadan
5:00pm Shuttle Departure: Drop-Off at Orlando Regional Medical Center and Drop-Off at City Hall
5:30pm - 7:30pm Orlando City Hall - 400 South Orange Ave. Orlando, FL 32801 Welcome Reception to The City Beautiful Remarks by Commissioner Patty Sheehan, Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, and Special Performances by Orlando Gay Chorus Sponsored by JP Morgan Chase & Co. Special $5 parking for Reception guests at City Commons Garage (across from City Hall) 460 Boone Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
8:00pm Dinner on your own - A list of suggested restaurants will be provided
Prayer time for those observing daily prayers during Ramadan
THURSDAY, JUNE 15TH LONG-TERM HEALING: MODELS FOR COLLABORATIVE PHILANTHROPY & LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE
8:30am - 9:00am Downtown Orlando Public Library - 101 E. Central Blvd., Orlando, FL 32801 Registration & Breakfast Complimentary Parking with voucher at Library Parking Garage (across from the library) 112 E. Central Blvd., Orlando, FL 32801
9:00am - 9:15am Downtown Orlando Public Library Welcome by Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs
9:15am - 12:45pm Downtown Orlando Public Library Strength in Unity: Exploring Collaborative Models of Philanthropy (Two-Part Conversation) Featuring Better Together Fund at Central Florida Foundation and Contigo Fund at Our Fund Foundation Introduction by: Ben Francisco Maulbeck - Funders for LGBTQ Issues 6 THURSDAY, JUNE 15TH
9:45am - 10:40am Downtown Orlando Public Library Strengthening Systems: Disaster Preparedness and Creating a Philanthropic Strategic Plan - Part 1 Better Together Fund at Central Florida Foundation Keynote speaker: Mark Brewer - Central Florida Foundation
10:40am - 12:10pm Downtown Orlando Public Library Creating New Systems: Community Healing, Movement Building, & Participatory Philanthropy - Part 2 Contigo Fund at Our Fund Foundation Moderator: Marco Antonio Quiroga - Contigo Fund Speakers: Christopher Cuevas - QLatinx Denise Diaz - Central Florida Jobs With Justice Sister Ann Kendrick - Hope CommUnity Center Joan Nelson - Heart of Florida United Way Nikole Parker - Contigo Fund Pastor Brei Taylor - Oasis Fellowship Ministries
12:30pm - 2:00pm 310 Lakeside - 301 E. Pine Street, Orlando, FL 32801 Lunch at Lake Eola Exhibit Guide by Stonewall National Museum & Archives
Prayer time for those observing daily prayers during Ramadan
2:15pm - 3:15pm Orange County Regional History Center - 60 East Central Blvd, Orlando, FL 32801 Guided Tour of Pulse Memorial Exhibit
3:30pm - 5:00pm Downtown Orlando Public Library Looking to the Future Moderator: Ida Eskamani- State House of Representatives Panelists: Desiree Flores - Arcus Foundation Jennifer Foster - One Orlando Alliance Felipe Sousa-Rodriguez - City of Orlando Angel Santiago - Pulse survivor Carlos Guillermo Smith - State Representative Nadine Smith - Equality Florida 7 THURSDAY, JUNE 15TH
Prayer time for those observing daily prayers during Ramadan
5:00pm Downtown Orlando Public Library Closing Remarks By Funders for LGBTQ Issues, Ben Francisco Maulbeck and Chantelle Fisher-Borne
5:30pm - 6:30pm Stonewall Orlando - 741 W Church Street, Orlando, FL 32805 Happy Hour (optional)
8:00pm Dinner on your own A list of suggested restaurants will be provided
Prayer time for those observing daily prayers during Ramadan
10:00pm Parliament House - 410 N Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32805 Social Outing at Parliament House (LGBTQ Latin Night)
RECOGNIZING RAMADAN & OBSERVING PRAYER The June 12th tragedy at Pulse nightclub, targeting LGBTQ people of color, had a devastating effect on LGBTQ and allied communities across the world. On this holy month of Ramadan, we recognize the distinctly painful impact that tragedy had on Muslim communities, particularly those living at the intersection of being LGBTQ and Muslim. We acknowledge the existence of LGBTQ Muslims and that their part in our community makes us stronger. We are grateful for the values of love and peace that Ramadan teaches and see it as an opportunity to unify. As we are faced with increasing instances of hate and bigotry across our country, including cases in Central Florida, we stand strong to our commitment to supporting all marginalized people.
“My vision of Islam is far too great to be denied to anyone. My vision of Islam is a pluralist community where theological disagreements are respected, and difference is celebrated. Where every Muslim is equal, and all are given equal access to the tradition.” - Mahdia Lynn
For those observing daily prayer during Ramadan, volunteers are available to escort you to on-site prayer rooms that have been reserved for this purpose.
Ramadan Mubarack (Happy Ramadan) to you and your loved ones. 8 WELLNESS & RESILIENCE
June 12th will forever be marked on the hearts of LGBTQ and allied communities across the world. As we come together to learn from the lesson from those at the frontlines, to remember and honor the lives of those taken from us, and to reaffirm our commitment to strengthening the communities impacted, we recognize that our purposeful work is also very intimate. We encourage all of our guests to consciously take care of yourselves and each other.
For those deeply affected by the words and experiences of your immersion into Orlando during this special moment in our community's history, the Orlando Strong Funders Symposium planning committee has recruited on-site LGBTQ and linguistically competent mental health counselors you can speak to. We are committed to being responsive to your needs.
A special thanks to Two Spirit Health Services, a 501(c)3 non-profit, providing mental health, behavioral, substance abuse, primary care, transgender health, and related services to individuals in the LGBTQ community who live in and around Central Florida.
9 8 THANK YOU SYMPOSIUM SPEAKERS & PANELISTS
Eric Alberts Eric is a dedicated Emergency Manager who is passionate about the field he works in and protecting those he serves. Eric has responded to emergencies of all different types and sizes to include; a Terrorist Attack, 4 Hurricanes, Tropical Systems, a Special Communicable Disease, Severe Weather, Wildfires, Multi-type vehicle accidents, Mass Casualty Incidents, etc. He is currently the Manager, Emergency Preparedness for Orlando Health, Inc. hospital system in Central Florida. A position he transitioned to in February of 2010. Eric is very proactive in the Emergency Management field, and continues to look for lessons learned and improvements to emergency response systems.
Dr. David Baker-Hargrove Dr. David Baker-Hargrove is a licensed mental health counselor who has been providing mental health services to the LGBTQA community for over 20 years. He has worked with over 1,000 transgender clients and regularly speaks at transgender and professional conferences. He spearheaded the response effort for the Pulse Nightclub Massacre in June 2016, mobilizing over 650 volunteer counselors to provide nearly 1,000 mental health encounters between June 12 and the July 4th Weekend. He is the co-founder of Two Spirit Health Services, Inc, Central Florida’s LGBTQ Health Center that continues to provide primary medical and mental health care for the ongoing Pulse healing effort.
Karina Claudio Betancourt Karina Claudio Betancourt is a Program Officer with the Open Society Foundations and works with the Open Places Initiative, a placed-based initiative in three sites: Buffalo, Puerto Rico, and San Diego. She is a skilled community organizer with several years of management, advocacy, policy analysis, fundraising and grant writing experience. She has particular experience working/organizing to empower low wage workers, immigrants, LGBTQ individuals and individuals living in the intersection of these identities. Karina most recently hails from the New York City Council, where she served as the Senior Director of the Community Engagement Division in the Office of Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. In this capacity, she directed the implementation of a citywide Participatory Budgeting project, as well as the implementation of several pro-LGBTQ rights policies.
Mark Brewer Mark joined the Central Florida Foundation as President and CEO in 2001. More than 100 regional nonprofit boards have enlisted Mark’s assistance through the Foundation with strategic and scenario planning initiatives that included the use of endowed investments to sustain their organizations. He is a well-known national speaker on the independent sector, philanthropy’s role in America, venture philanthropy strategies, and the role of the independent sector in public policy. In his leadership role at the Central Florida Foundation, Mark frequently advises private and corporate foundation grant-makers across the region.
Carlos Carbonell Carlos Carbonell is CEO of Echo Interaction Group, a successful mobile app development & technology strategy consulting firm. A leader in tech, business, Latinx and LGBTQ communities he is part of several boards including Canvs, Orlando Economic Partnership, Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce, Creative City Project, Orlando City Soccer Foundation, Contigo Fund and the OneOrlando Fund. He is also the recipient of the prestigious Don Quijote Award for Hispanic Business of the Year given by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando. He was also honored by the Governor’s office with the Business Excellence award and entered into the Congressional Record in 2014 for outstanding contributions to the LGBT, business and Latino communities in Central Florida.
Dr. Michael Cheatham Michael L. Cheatham, MD, FACS, FCCM, is Chief Surgical Quality Officer at Orlando Regional Medical Center and Academic Chair for the Department of Surgical Education for Orlando Health. He has been on the faculty of the Department of Surgical Education at Orlando Health since 1996 and holds faculty appointments at the University of Florida, Florida State University, and University of Central Florida. Dr. Cheatham is active in medical missions and international disaster relief through Samaritan’s Purse and World Medical Mission, Inc., serving on the Board of Directors since 2008. He has volunteered his time as a short-term missionary in Africa, Asia, and South America since 1986 and has published almost 200 abstracts, manuscripts, and book chapters.
10 THANK YOU SYMPOSIUM SPEAKERS & PANELISTS
Kari Conley Kari has 20 years of experience in community engagement strategies that includes charitable & in kind donations, community building, diverse stakeholder engagement, employee fundraising campaigns, volunteerism and corporate social responsibility. Kari is currently the director of Community Relations for Orlando Health and oversees the charitable investments for the organization. She also serves on the executive committee for the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando and served as a mentor through the Valencia College Take Stock in Children program.
Earl M. Crittenden, Jr. Earl began practicing law in New York City where he concentrated in the areas of real estate litigation for commercial and residential entities and individuals; the representation of condominium and co-op boards; rent stabilization, rent control laws and development tax abatements; and business litigation in New York state trial and appellate courts and in the Southern District of New York. In Florida, Earl practices in the area of state and federal litigation and eminent domain. Earl interned for the Honorable Deborah Batts in the Southern District of New York while in his third year of law school.
Christopher Jay Cuevas A lifelong peace practitioner, educator, and community organizer, Christopher has a long history of advocating for LGBTQ+, farmworker, and racial justice movements, each deeply interconnected to his own lived experience as a child of immigrants and queer person of color. Through his work with various community initiatives and organizations, Christopher has led community conversations on and facilitated community education campaigns specifically addressing structural racism, health equity, and LGBTQ+ issues. As the Executive Director of QLatinx, Christopher Cuevas provides vision, energy, and leadership in the fulfillment of the mission and vision of the organization, working to advance the visibility of and empower the local LGBTQ+ Latinx community and create spaces that foster growth and healing.
Denise Diaz Originally from Puerto Rico, Denise’s parents raised her and her brother on the northwest side of Chicago. Denise received her BA in Political Science from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her activism began in organizing on the South Side of Chicago. She moved to the Sunshine state in 2007 and since then has been the Executive Director of Central Florida Jobs with Justice, a coalition of unions, community based groups, faith based and student groups that work together on economic justice campaigns. The coalition is based out of Orlando, and is made up of over 25 organizations.
Ida V. Eskamani Ida Eskamani is a first generation Iranian-American and a native to Orlando, Florida. She has served on top political campaigns, advocacy organizations, and institutions including the Obama White House, Sen. Bill Nelson’s re-election campaign, and Equality Florida. Following the tragedy at Pulse, Ms. Eskamani launched the Pulse Victims Fund, raising $10 million dollars for Pulse families and survivors and played a key role in victim service and advocacy efforts following the tragedy, with a focus on intersectionality and empowerment. Ms. Eskamani currently serves as Chief of Staff to Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, Florida’s first openly LGBTQ+ Latinx lawmaker; as well as a member of the Equality Florida’s Greater Orlando Steering Committee and a member of Organize Florida’s Board of Directors.
Chantelle Fisher-Borne Chantelle leads Funders for LGBTQ Issues’ Out in the South Initiative and has almost two decades working in the nonprofit sector. Her professional career began in the public health field with a focus on community development and LGBTQ youth. She has worked to address issues of affordable housing and homelessness through transforming community based services to better meet the needs of families living in poverty. Most recently, she has been working in the philanthropic sector as a consultant supporting funders concerned about issues of poverty and economic justice. Chantelle has a proven track record of working with groups tackling tough issues such as poverty, homelessness and religious based bigotry in the South.
11 THANK YOU SYMPOSIUM SPEAKERS & PANELISTS
Desiree Flores Desiree brings 15 years of social justice grantmaking and program development experience supporting people of color leadership and constituency building at the local, state, and national levels. Most recently, she was the Director of Board Affairs for Planned Parenthood Federation of America and its nonpartisan advocacy and political arm, Planned Parenthood Action Fund. Through her work, she advised and partnered with foundations, individual donors, national advocates, and community- based organizations to create a more racial justice-oriented and politically powerful domestic pro-choice movement. Having grown up on a dairy farm in California’s central valley as the granddaughter of Mexican farm workers, Desiree is committed to supporting equality and opportunity for the United States’ most vulnerable communities.
Jennifer Foster Jennifer has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights for over two decades. She is the co-founder of the Human Rights Campaign community in Central Florida, serving on the local board for 10 years and national board for 8. In June of 2016, Jennifer was appointed by Mayor Dyer to serve on the OneOrlando Fund Board to help provide oversight of funds donated to the victims family members and survivors of the Pulse tragedy. She is the co-convener of the One Orlando Alliance, a coalition of over 30 LGBTQ+ organizations who banded together in the days after the tragedy. Jennifer serves on the Advisory Board of the OUAC Orlando United Assistance Center and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Zebra Coalition.
Nancy Gidusko A seasoned Public Affairs professional, Nancy leads the corporate citizenship efforts for the Walt Disney World Resort which includes charitable & in kind donations, community building, diverse stakeholder engagement, employee fundraising campaigns, volunteerism and the Walt Disney World Ambassador Program. Nancy is a 40+ year Disney Cast Member, a member of the Walt Disney World Public Affairs executive team and has held leadership positions in both Operations and Human Resources over the course of her career. She is board chair of the National Entrepreneur Center and serves on the boards of the Historical Society of Central Florida, Florida Philanthropic Network and the Advisory Board for Central Florida Foundation’s Homeless Impact Fund.
Emery Grant Emery Grant is a proud member of the staff of Stonewall National Museum & Archives (SNMA), with a professional background of over 15 years of management in nonprofit arts and cultural institutions, and experience as a transgender identified LGBTQ community organizer. As Director of Programs and Education, Emery’s responsibilities include programming with an LGBTQ focus at the museum and library spaces, SNMA’s nationally-recognized education program - Stonewall National Education Project, managing grant funded projects and community partnerships. Emery was honored to be included in the 2017 “Out 50”, published by South Florida Gay News.
Mayor Teresa Jacobs Following eight years as an Orange County Commissioner, Teresa Jacobs is now serving her second term as Mayor of Orange County, Florida. Mayor Jacobs is a champion of ethics reform and strong public participation. She is focused on maintaining Orange County’s status as a world class destination for visitors and the region’s number 1 ranking for tourism. Through strategic partnerships with government agencies, higher education, the business and economic development community and a broad coalition of faith-based and non-profit organizations, Mayor Jacobs is committed to making Orange County the best place to live, work and raise a family.
David Jobin David is the current President and CEO at Our Fund Foundation, an LGBT community foundation that strengthens community organizations and their leaders, mobilizes donors and funders, inspires giving, and actively secures our LGBT community's future for generations to come. Prior to Our Fund, David was the Executive Director of the Stonewall National Museum & Archives in Fort Lauderdale from 2013 – 2015 and served as the Executive Director of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC from 2009 – 2013. Before becoming active in LGBT causes professionally, David spent twenty years in theatre management in San Francisco and Pittsburgh.
12 THANK YOU SYMPOSIUM SPEAKERS & PANELISTS
Christopher Johnson Christopher Johnson serves as Director of Programs and Learning at the Florida Philanthropic Network where he manages the planning and delivery of FPN’s programs and other services to meet members’ needs. In 2010 Christopher was recognized as a 13 under 30 recipient by North Central Florida’s HOME Magazine, and in 2012 he was the national recipient of the Nonprofit Leadership Award by Black Celebrity Giving and graduated from Leadership Florida’s Connect Florida Program. He became an Independent Sector Fellow in 2015. An active volunteer with several nonprofits, he serves on the board of directors of the Nonprofit Leadership Center of Tampa Bay.
Sister Ann Kendrick Sister Ann Kendrick has been a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur for 50 years. After teaching in high school and college, she followed an invitation, challenge and call to come to Central Florida working with the Catholic Diocese of Orlando in a mission of social justice outreach to the migrant farmworker community. She has for 46 years been engaged in all sorts of programs, projects, organizations and movements geared towards fostering the Beloved Community of which Martin Luther King speaks, restoring right relationships, the empowerment of people made poor due to systemic racism, economic systems and patriarchal structures which dehumanize people and destroy mother earth. Sister Ann believes she is called by God to do sacred transformative work in the world. Adrian Kierulf A transplant to Orlando, Florida in 2012, Adrian had the opportunity to expand City Year’s national footprint in Florida, helping to found the program in Orange County Public Schools. His ardent passion for public service, citizen engagement and social responsibility led him to join Orange County Government in 2015, where he now serves as an aide to Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs. In his current role, Adrian coordinates ongoing special projects on behalf of the mayor, serves as the mayor’s liaison at community events, and facilitates community outreach efforts with particular emphasis on the LGBTQ and Asian American/Pacific Islander communities.
Ben Francisco Maulbeck Ben Francisco Maulbeck has an exceptional track record of building the capacity of nonprofit organizations and leaders, raising money for underserved communities and developing and implementing innovative grantmaking initiatives. During his time at Hispanic in Philanthropy, he played a leadership role in launching several new programs and initiatives, including a national Latino aging initiative and a funding collaborative to strengthen education nonprofits in Puerto Rico. He also oversaw the continued success of the Funders’ Collaborative for Strong Latino Communities, a multimillion-dollar initiative to build the capacity of Latino-led nonprofits, and spearheaded a roundtable of more than 50 philanthropic leaders on LGBT Latino movement-building.
Christopher McCullion Christopher P. McCullion was appointed Chief Financial Officer of the City of Orlando by Mayor Buddy Dyer on February 22, 2016. He has served in various positions in municipal government since 2000 in the areas of operating and capital budgeting, investment management, debt management and economic development. Mr. McCullion was appointed to the Board of the OneOrlando Fund by Mayor Dyer and was responsible for the financial management of the Fund. The OneOrlando Fund collected over $31M in contributions from generous donors from around the world and distributed 100% of those funds directly to the victims’ families and survivors of the Pulse tragedy.
Joél Morales After utilizing Lean and Six Sigma methodologies during his five years in the manufacturing industries, Joél realized a calling to make an impact on his community. After a decade in Massachusetts, he opted for a change and moved to Florida during 2012 in pursuit of an opportunity that would eventually impact the lives of the Pulse Night Club tragedy. Since the incident, his focus has shifted to the aftermath, leading up to a brand-new partnership with the city-sponsored program, Orlando United Assistance Center. Contracted by the Heart of Florida United Way, Joél serves as a Case Manager at the aforementioned alliance and is aiming to continue his efforts in reestablishing some normalcy to The City Beautiful.
13 THANK YOU SYMPOSIUM SPEAKERS & PANELISTS
Rasha Mubarak Rasha Mubarak is a Palestinian-American Muslim community activist and leader, who was recently selected as part of the MPower 100 list. She serves as the Orlando Regional Coordinator for the Council on American Islamic Relations of Florida (CAIR-FL) where she leads communications, fundraising, and gives “Know Your Rights” presentations. A sought-after speaker about topics including Palestinian rights, Islamophobia in the United States and women’s representation in Islam, Rasha has been a main speaker for statewide demonstrations and peace rallies for Palestine, vigils in remembrance of the Chapel Hill murders and educational panel discussions dispelling stereotypes about Muslim women.
Muhammad Musri Muhammad Musri is the Founder and President of Islam Inc., a national organization representing moderate Muslims. He is President of the Islamic Society of Central Florida which operates 10 Mosques in Central Florida. Muhammad is active in interfaith work and public service. He is a member and past co-chairman of the Interfaith Council of Central Florida’s Advisory Board. In addition, he is a frequent commentator and contributor to NPR, CNN, and MSNBC, to name a few. He also produces the weekly television program 'Islam,' and is a regular lecturer at universities and colleges.
Miguel Naranjo Miguel Naranjo Cortez is a gay Mexican leader in Orlando who works on centering and empowering the LGBTQ Latinx community in Florida. Miguel is one of the founding leader of QLatinx, a grassroots racial, social, and gender justice organization that emerged in the aftermath of the Pulse tragedy and focuses on advancing the rights of the LGBTQ Latinx community. He grew up in a rural and predominantly immigrant community right outside of Clermont, Florida and brings this important perspective into his work. Miguel believes in centering and empowering members of his community so they can sit on decision-making tables and ultimately become role-models for the rest of the community.
Joan Nelson Joan Nelson is Sr. Vice President of Community Impact for Heart of Florida United Way (HFUW). She has been with HUFW since 1997, serving as Director of Resource Management from 1997-2000 and Director of Research and Evaluation, a joint position with HFUW and the University of Central Florida from 2001 – 2006. Over the past ten years, Joan has been instrumental in leading the implementation of strategies for HFUW to become a community impact United Way.
Lori Pampilo Harris Lori Pampilo Harris currently serves as Senior Advisor on Homelessness and Social Services to the Hon. Buddy Dyer, the Mayor of the City of Orlando. When the Pulse tragedy occurred, Lori was tasked to map out the City of Orlando’s long-term support for the survivors and victims’ families. Through that effort a long-term commitment for a resiliency center was created, known as the Orlando United Assistance Center. This Center implements a system that provides an array of services and partnerships that nurture hope, strength, and health to all those impacted by the mass tragedy - with special focus on the LGBTQ, Latinx , communities of color and other marginalized communities. Lori also led and managed the relationship with the Department of Justice’s Office of Victims of Crime, to apply and secure funding from the Antiterrorism Emergency Assistance grant, which provides over $8 million for long-term support services to those impacted by the Pulse tragedy.
Nikole Parker Nikole Ariana Parker is an Afro-Latina Transgender woman born and raised in Orlando, Florida. She is currently the Director of Human Resources for Alternative Directions LLC, a Mental Health Counseling Center. Nikole also serves on various boards such as the Contigo Fund Grant Committee, Orlando United Assistance Center Advisory Board as well as OnePulse Foundation’s Memorial Task Force. Nikole left her home at the age of 19 years old to New York City to transition. After two years of black market hormones and unsafe lifestyle practices she returned to Orlando, FL for a better life. At 21, she created and coordinated a mentoring program and was promoted to the Director of Human Resources two years after.
14 THANK YOU SYMPOSIUM SPEAKERS & PANELISTS
Michael Perkins Perkins currently manages a multi-million dollar public-private partnership between the Historical Society of Central Florida and the Orange County Regional History Center; entities that jointly operate the history museum located in the restored 1927 courthouse in downtown Orlando. Over the past 20 years he curated more than 15 major national exhibits, 60 smaller exhibits and countless public programs related to exhibits. A particular focus of Perkins’ work now is on implementing a complete overhaul of the 15-year old permanent exhibits. He believes the Center needs upgrading to include under-told stories of the Hispanic, African-American, and Asian populations that are not well represented in the current galleries.
Marco Antonio Quiroga Marco is the Program Director of the Contigo Fund, an initiative of Our Fund Foundation. He lays the ground work for and oversees the grant process and distribution of funds to strengthen and network existing agencies and to identify and support grassroots efforts that advance Latinx and LGBTQ, immigrant, and people of color causes and the intersection of these communities in Central Florida. Marco brings along with him a wealth of local community knowledge and advocacy expertise. He has a long history as an advocate for the LGBTQ, immigrant, and racial justice movements, driven as a direct result of his own life experience as an undocumented and queer person of color. Having experienced family separation through deportation, poverty, unstable housing and homelessness, Marco deeply understands the tremendous odds facing our community’s common struggle for liberation. Stanley Ramos Rev. Stanley Ramos (M.S.W/ M.Div.) serves on the faculty of the University of Central Florida School of Social Work and is the founding minister and pastor for Alabanza MCC, a new church plant for the Metropolitan Community Church. Rev. Ramos has focused his ministry and outreach to the Latino/a LGBTQ Community of Central Florida. His many years of social work practice and teaching have focused on community development, public policy, and social intervention with marginalized populations which have included youth-at-risk, street gang members, refugees, immigrants, undocumented persons, and unaccompanied minors from Central America. He has an extensive background working with grassroots groups providing a host of training from cultural competency to street gang intervention.
Ann Reinert As Relationship Manager for the Southeast Region, Ann Reinert manages the firm’s multi-million dollar philanthropic budget for the West, Central and Northeast Florida markets, as well as for the States of Georgia, Tennessee, and North and South Carolina. Ann works closely with community leaders, elected officials, and business leaders to identify best in class programs that support the firm’s strategic approach to philanthropy with emphasis on workforce readiness, affordable housing, small business development and financial capability strategies.
Cindy Rizzo Cindy’s position focuses on evaluation of Arcus’ program strategies and initiatives with a priority on learning from and improving our strategies and activities. Prior to joining Arcus in 2006, Cindy was director of Grantmaking at the Boston Foundation where she specialized in the areas of Health and Human Services, homelessness prevention, LGBT rights and HIV/ AIDS. She currently serves as Chair of the Board of Funders for LGBTQ Issues and as a member of the board of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah.
Fatima Sadaf Saied Fatima Sadaf Saied is the daughter of Pakistani immigrants and a native Floridian, raised in the city of Hialeah. Raised as an activist and community organizer, and seeing the need for compassionate women leaders in the Muslim community, she was amongst the group of women who founded the Muslim Women’s Organization (MWO), a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to empowering women to lead in the service of humanity. MWO consists of hundreds of women that have assisted thousands of local families, and provides a platform for the elevation of the status and role of Muslim women. Fatima also serves on the Board of Directors of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Florida, an organization dedicated to uniting the Muslim community of Central Florida, and is on the Board of Directors of Eid Orlando, a unifying and family friendly community-wide celebration of the Muslim holiday.
15 THANK YOU SYMPOSIUM SPEAKERS & PANELISTS
Patty Sheehan Commissioner Sheehan is well known for her advocacy of pedestrian safety, neighborhoods and historic preservation and a thriving downtown. She has served her community through many organizations including The Nominating Committee and The Public Safety Advisory Committee of the National League of Cities, The Ripple Effect, MetroPlan, Seniors First, Orlando NOW, Central Floridians Against Discrimination, Joy Metropolitan Community Church and the Seminole County School’s Dividends Program. Additionally, she received the Spectrum Award for Community Activism, Role Model and Lifetime Achievement and was recognized as a Woman of Distinction in the Law & Government category by the Girl Scouts of Citrus Council at their 2009 Women of Distinction Gala. In 2015 Commissioner Sheehan was the very first recipient of The Center’s Lifetime Achievement award.
Carlos Guillermo Smith Carlos proudly identifies as a Latino, LGBT and forward thinking millennial who reflects the values and diversity of House District 49. He has been a champion for affordable healthcare, fully funded public education, and for social and economic equality for everyday Floridians. In 2013, Carlos was elected by local leaders to become chairman and leader of the Orange County Democratic Party. He currently serves as the governmental affairs manager for Equality Florida, the largest civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for Florida’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community.
Dr. Chadwick Smith Dr. Smith joined Orlando Health’s Department of Surgical Education in 2011. He is board certified in General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care by the American Board of Surgery. He also earned board certification in Neuro-critical Care through the United Council of Neurological Subspecialties in 2014. He serves as an acute care surgeon with the Orlando Health Surgery Group. Dr. Smith is currently the Vice Chairman of the Department of Surgery for Orlando Regional Medical Center. In addition, his responsibilities include Directorship of ORMC’s Surgical Intensive Care Units and he serves as the Surgical Critical Care Fellowship Program Director.
Nadine Smith Nadine Smith is the co-founder and CEO of Equality Florida, the state’s largest organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. A former award-winning journalist, Nadine was national co-chair of the 1993 March on Washington. She served on the founding board of the International Gay and Lesbian Youth Organization. In 2013, she was named one of the state’s “Most Powerful and Influential Women” by the Florida Diversity Council. She was also given the League of Women Voter’s Woman of Distinction Award in 2015. She currently serves on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Florida Advisory Committee.
Felipe Sousa-Rodriguez Manager of Collaborative Partnerships at the City of Orlando, Felipe serves as the point of contact on behalf of the City on all issues focused on the Orlando United Assistance Center (OUAC), and the ongoing support of survivors and victims’ families. He advocates and supports the various stakeholders of the mental health and social service systems, the LGBTQ community and communities of color, all whom are integral in the creation of a successful support system. Felipe is a systems thinker, who has experience in building strategic and development plans for non-profits to map ecosystems for support and resources. He has a proven track record of implementing philanthropic strategies to foster innovation and collaboration, among a diverse set of stakeholders.
Isabel Sousa-Rodriguez Isabel Sousa-Rodriguez began community organizing against deportations and for immigration reform in 2007 and has since become the Membership and Organizing Director and the Florida Immigrant Coalition. Isabel has a Bachelor’s in Sociology from the University of South Florida and as a graduate student at the City University of New York where they published academic articles detailing the effects of legal status and marginalization on undocumented mothers and on immigrant adolescents in the transition to adulthood. From 2015 through 2016, they were the state coordinator of New York’s Mexican Initiative on Deferred Action. They also serve on the national selection committee of the DREAM.US Undocumented Youth Scholarship Fund and the Board of Unite for a Fair Economy.
16 THANK YOU SYMPOSIUM SPEAKERS & PANELISTS
Reverend Terri Steed Pierce Reverend Terri Steed has served churches in Raleigh NC, Norfolk VA, Charleston SC, Houston TX and currently serves as the Lead Pastor of Joy Metropolitan Community Church in the heart of Orlando, FL. She entered Mars Hill College in the fall of 1984 and graduated 4 years later with a degree in Religion and a full scholarship to attend Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. In 1994, Rev. Terri discovered The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, a church created for and by the LGBTQIA community. It was there that she was able to merge her understanding of God, her calling, her sexual orientation and her deep love for Jesus.
Pastor Brie Taylor Founder of Oasis Fellowship Ministries (2005), as well as 2007 President and Founder of Oasis Unified Transformations Community Development Corporation, (O.U.T.), Pastor Brei Taylor has more than 20 years of motivational speaking experience addressing audiences of diverse population, beliefs, age, profession and economic status. She has organized Oasis Fellowship and O.U.T. to serve and provide refuge and advocacy to those individuals that have found themselves socially marginalized, in one form or another. Pastor Brei has over the past 11 years devoted most of her time and energy towards serving the LGBTQ community through both religious, social equality and justice outreach. She has partnered with such organizations as the Human Rights Campaign and Equality Florida to speak for LGBTQ equal rights issues. She has participated in town-hall meetings and grassroots rallies as a speaker for “Vote No on Amendment 2”. Sandi Vidal Sandi Vidal is the Vice President of Community Strategies and Initiatives for the Central Florida Foundation with over 8 years of nonprofit leadership and over 20 years of Business Management experience. She currently serves on the board of directors of the League of Women Voters for Orange County. Sandi has a passion for public speaking, advocating for solutions to homelessness, hunger and poverty, as well as teaching people how to be successful with their job search. Sandi has served on several boards including Workforce Business Intelligence, The Victim’s Service Center, Families in Transition Advisory, Workforce Central Florida (now CareerSource), and the Christian Chamber Advisory.
17 A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR PLANNING COMMITTEE
Sandi Vidal Felipe Sousa-Rodriguez Marco Antonio Quiroga Central Florida Foundation City of Orlando Contigo Fund, an initiative of Our Fund Foundation
Karen Revels Christopher Johnson Chantelle Fisher-Borne Edyth Bush Institute for Philanthropy Florida Philanthropic Network Funders of LGBTQ Issues and Non-Profit Leadership
Joan Nelson Kari Conley Joél Morales Heart of Florida United Way Orlando Health Orlando United Assistance Center
AND TO ALL THE VOLUNTEERS WHO HELPED MAKE THIS POSSIBLE
18 thank you for joining us to honor the lives that were taken. with your unwavering commitment, we will continue to strengthen the community in their journey of healing and empowerment. together, we are orlando strong.