Board of Directors

Lourdes Diaz

Affiliation:Designee from the Miami-Dade County Public Schools

Committees:Program Services, Health

Lourdes Diaz is a product of Miami-Dade County Public Schools and a proud alumna of Miami Senior High School. She completed her undergraduate studies at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, where she double-majored in English & American Literature and Psychology. Ms. Diaz also earned a master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University. She started teaching at her alma mater, Miami High, and later joined the founding faculty of Barbara Goleman Senior High School, where she taught English and coached varsity softball. From 2002 through 2007, Ms. Diaz served as an assistant principal, first at Miami Coral Park Senior High School and later at Orchard Villa Elementary School. Her first principalship was at Hialeah Middle School from 2007 to 2015, when she was named principal of Miami Lakes Educational Center. In 2019, Ms. Diaz was promoted to the North Region Office as an administrative director. In 2022, Ms. Diaz became the Chief Academic Officer for Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the fourth largest district in the nation

Gioia Ploy Gentile

Affiliation:Representative of the Miami-Dade Student Government Association

Gioia Gentile is a student leader from Miami, Florida, who will be serving as the president of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) District Student Government Association for the 2025-2026 school year. She is a rising junior at the School for Advanced Studies West and is president of her school’s Model United Nations team as well. Ms. Gentile is passionate about youth advocacy, civic engagement, and international affairs. Through her leadership roles, Ms. Gentile works to amplify student voices, promote equity in education, and encourage cross-cultural understanding. She brings strong organizational skills, a commitment to public service, and a collaborative mindset to all her pursuits.

Nicole Gomez

Affiliation:Gubernatorial Appointee

Committees:Program Services, By-Laws

Term:Expires March 17, 2025

Nicole Gomez is the director of client relations at LSN Partners LLC, a full-service consulting firm offering strategic advice and advocacy in the areas of government affairs, government procurement, business development and communications. Ms. Gomez works to establish and sustain client relationships with officials at the local, state, and national levels. She facilitates the development and execution of grasstops advocacy efforts for clients, coordinates client contracts, and develops and executes large in-person and virtual conferences and webinars. Prior to joining LSN, she served as chief of staff to the City of North Miami Beach Mayor and Commission and led the division of public affairs and community engagement. Ms. Gomez was responsible for the operations and budget of both divisions, including the coordination of policy and legislation, external affairs, and communications. Ms. Gomez graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in political science. A Florida native with fluency in Spanish, Ms. Gomez is an active community leader and volunteer for numerous organizations. Ms. Gomez’s background, together with her professional affiliations, have positioned her to bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to The Children’s Trust board.

Osmani Gonzalez

Affiliation:Representative of Miami-Dade Council PTA/PTSA

Committees:Program Services

Osmani Gonzalez has always known the importance of continuing your education and self-development, having strong family values, and working hard. He has been a leader in the Father Engagement space, helping to develop solutions that will impact millions of children nationwide in K-12 education and their future. As a leader in Father Engagement, he has positively impacted children and Father relationship outcomes, making schools a better place to learn and thrive. In 2017, Mr. Gonzalez and his team had a vision to increase male involvement in children's lives and improve father engagement in schools. They raised awareness throughout the school system with male enrollment activities, which has been their vision to go from father-absent to father-present and connect fathers in all communities. After years of advocating for male involvement, Mr. Gonzalez is also heavily vested in all communities, providing leadership as a board member for the 4 Your Children Community PTA, Male Involvement Chair for the MDCPS PTA/PTSA Council, Secure Our Future Advisory Committee member, Past PTA President at Ernest R. Graham Elementary School, and VP of Fundraising for West Hialeah Gardens Elementary school. Mr. Gonzalez graduated from Hialeah Miami Lakes Senior High School in Miami Lakes, FL in 1996. He began pursuing a career in Financial Services and helping families with financial planning and leadership development; while working full-time, he became a licensed electrician. As a John Maxwell Certified Speaker, he offers a unique approach to empowering individuals who have experienced trauma or difficulty. Through a combination of proven techniques and practical skills, he will guide listeners on a transformative journey from where they are now to where they want to be. Mr. Gonzalez always said, “If You Show Up, Things Happen.” Mr. Gonzalez's goal is to transform lives one family at a time. Mr. Gonzalez was born in Havana, Cuba, and raised in Hialeah, FL, and the surrounding areas by his parents, both Cuban immigrants who were allowed to flee for freedom to the United States in 1982. Mr. Gonzalez has been happily married to his wife for 23 years and has two young adult children.

Valrose Graham

Affiliation:Circuit Manager of the Department of Juvenile Justice

Committees:Program Services

Valrose Graham begun her work with youth at a group home shelter and after a year moved on to 29 years of service working with Department of Juvenile Justice with the State of Florida, in the delinquency arena. There, she worked as a Senior Juvenile Probation Officer, and as Supervisor. Prior to becoming Chief of Probation she held the position of South Region Commitment Chief, where her primary role was to supervise the placement of youths as well as monitoring facility contract providers. Ms. Graham has a great working relationship with staff and judicial stakeholders in Circuit 11. She presents as committed, competent and qualified to continue the legacy of excellence in Circuit 11.

Mindy Grimes-Festge

Affiliation:Representative of the United Teachers of Dade

Committees:Human Resources

Term:Expires July 1, 2018

Mindy Grimes-Festge was born and raised in North Miami. She is a graduate of North Miami Senior High School and Florida International University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education at the latter, with a concentration in early childhood education. Mrs. Grimes-Festge went on to teach at Dr. Frederica S. Wilson/Skyway Elementary School in Miami Gardens for 24 years, until being elected secretary/treasurer of the United Teachers of Dade in February 2016. Passionate about learning and knowledge, Mrs. Grimes-Festge understands the need for a strong public education system that creates opportunities for all students and helps to empower those professionals who work each day in building a brighter Miami-Dade County. Mrs. Grimes-Festge is married to her high school sweetheart, Don Festge, and is a proud mother of three sons: Quinn, 24; Riain, 22; and Sloan, 18.

Hon. Keon Hardemon

Affiliation:Member appointed by the chair of the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners

The Honorable Keon Hardemon was raised in the Liberty City neighborhood of Miami-Dade County. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business management and an MBA from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. He worked at Pfizer Inc., one of the world’s largest biopharmaceutical companies, before deciding to enroll in law school at the University of Miami School of Law. After graduating from law school early, he passed the Florida Bar on his first attempt and began serving his community as an Assistant Public Defender at the Miami-Dade County Public Defender’s Office. Commissioner Hardemon became the youngest serving commissioner since the establishment of single member districts when he was elected as a Miami City Commissioner. He also became the longest serving chairman after serving as a four-time chairman of the Miami City Commission. In the City of Miami, Commissioner Hardemon also served as the chairman of the Southeast Overtown Park West Community Redevelopment Agency. As chairman, he partnered with renowned Chef Marcus Samuelsson to establish Red Rooster Overtown, an award-winning restaurant that is the impetus establishing Overtown as a food and entertainment destination for visitors to South Florida. He also funded the Town Park housing rehabilitation program, that has allocated more than $50 million to fully renovate Overtown’s oldest multi-family affordable housing units to ensure long-term residents could benefit from the positive transformation of a historically neglected neighborhood. Commissioner Hardemon resigned from the Miami City Commission to become elected as commissioner on the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners. Within his first few months of service, he sponsored legislation that secured nearly $90 million to combat the gun violence that has been burdening poorer communities in Miami-Dade County. His initiative, the Peace & Prosperity Plan, helps to employ troubled youth at nearly $15 an hour and incentivize them to become productive residents of Miami-Dade County. Commissioner Hardemon also serves as chairman of Miami-Dade County’s Aviation and Economic Development Committee, chairman of the Tourist Development Council, member of the Florida Bar Association, and as a member of many other prestigious professional and social organizations. Currently, Commissioner Hardemon manages his own law firm at The Law Offices of Keon Hardemon, P.A. where he maintains a criminal defense and civil practice. He has represented hundreds of clients, including juvenile student athletes who are on the precipice of collegiate success, and celebrities accused of serious felonies. He accepts state and federal cases.

Malou C. Harrison, Ph.D.

Affiliation:Designee from Miami-Dade College, appointed by College President

Committees:Program Services, Nominating

Term:As appointed by the College President

Dr. Malou Harrison is credited with 35 years of transformative leadership experiences championing the cause of underserved students in public higher education. Her leadership is grounded in placing “students first,” as evidenced by her chartering of high impact partnerships that further equity, academic excellence and student success. An author of Book Chapters on Black male and immigrant attainment, she’s been recognized with Florida College System's Cameron Hall Practitioner Award for student advocacy and humanitarianism; Educate Tomorrow Founders’ Award for foster youth advocacy; South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Leadership Award; and Miami-Dade County's In the Company of Women Award for Education/Research.

Thamara Labrousse

Affiliation:Member At-Large

Committees:Health, Finance & Operations

Thamara Labrousse possesses a wealth of experience, a solid record of achievements, and practical expertise in addressing complex organizational issues, gained over 30 years in the fields of human services, social justice, health, and local government. Through her years of service, advocacy, and leadership, she has focused on advancing racial equity, support for underserved communities, and developing partnerships that bring grassroots leaders together with professionals and policymakers to improve their communities. Her executive management experience encompasses strategic planning, fundraising, data analysis and evaluation, board and leadership development, organizational capacity building, financial operations, human resource management, program development and implementation, grant writing, contract management, community engagement and collaboration, and community needs assessment. Ms. Labrousse is a double alumnus of Barry University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration and a Master of Science degree in Business Administration, with a concentration on Management. Ms. Labrousse is also a board member of Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center and Jessie Trice Community Health System and a proud Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Dade County Alumnae Chapter member.

Clara Lora Ospina, Psy.D.

Affiliation:Gubernatorial Appointee

Committees:Nominating, Health, Finance & Operations

Dr. Clara Lora Ospina is a licensed psychologist with over 20 years of combined clinical, managerial and supervisory experience, and she currently works at Jackson Behavioral Health Hospital as the Clinical Director of the Adult Outpatient Center for Behavioral Medicine (AOCBM) and the Director of Internship Training. Prior to this, she worked for the VA Healthcare System and in the private sector in Boston, MA, for 11 years and was a Clinical Director at Commonwealth Psychology Associates before returning to Miami in 2014 to set up her own practice in Coral Gables. Dr. Lora Ospina earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Florida International University, and her masters in mental health counseling and doctorate in clinical psychology from Nova Southeastern University. In addition to her clinical and supervisory work, Dr. Lora Ospina has been an Adjunct Professor at Emmanuel College, and is currently a Voluntary Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine.

Hon. Orlando A. Prescott

Affiliation:Chief Judge of the Unified Children's Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, or designee

Committees:Human Resources, Nominating

Term:Serves as long as designated by the Dept. of Juvenile Justice

Hon. Orlando A. Prescott, the administrative judge of the Unified Children’s Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Miami-Dade County, joined the Children's Trust board originally in September 2009 and again in January 2017. Judge Prescott began his career as an Assistant State Attorney in Miami. He later served as Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida and, in 1999, was promoted to the position of deputy chief of the Major Prosecutions Unit. In July of 2000, the judge was appointed to a County Court seat in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit and in 2005 was elevated to a Circuit Court seat in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit to preside over juvenile and criminal felony cases. Judge Prescott is currently a faculty member for the Florida Judicial College and a presenter at Advance Judicial Studies. The judge is active in 100 Black Men of South Florida, and serves as an advisor to the Board of Directors of Greater Miami Service Corps and also for Drug Free Youth In Town. In August of 2009, Judge Prescott was appointed by Chief Judge Joel Brown to serve as the Administrative Judge of the Juvenile Division. Judge Prescott earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Florida in 1984. He is married to Michelle A. Prescott and the proud father of three children.

Hon. Alex Rizo

Affiliation:Member of the State of Florida Legislature appointed by the Miami-Dade Legislative Delegation Chair

Rep. Alex Rizo is a member of the Florida House of Representatives, elected in 2020 to represent the 110th district in Miami-Dade County. Born in New York, Rep. Rizo graduated from Hialeah High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biological Sciences from Florida International University, as well as Master of Science Degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. He also attended the Harvard Graduate School of Education, National Institute for Urban School Leaders, in 2006. He is a former teacher who served as an administrator in the Miami-Dade Public Schools. Since 2006, he has been a small business owner and education consultant. Rep. Rizo has served as the Miami-Dade Community Council 5, Vice Chair, since 2015 and currently serves on six House committees, including the Health & Human Services Committee, the Professions & Public Health Subcommittee, the Criminal Justice & Public Safety Subcommittee, the Government Operations Subcommittee, the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee and the Secondary Education & Career Development Subcommittee. Rep. Rizo lives in Hialeah and is the proud father of two sons, Anthony and Michael Rizo, both in their early twenties.

Hon. Isaac Salver

Affiliation:Elected official appointed by the League of Cities representing the residents of a municipality located within Miami-Dade County

Committees:By-Laws, Finance & Operations

Term:Serves as long as designated by the Miami-Dade County League of Cities

Born in Brooklyn to immigrant parents, Isaac Salver was raised in Miami Beach. He holds a Bachelor of Science in finance from Florida State University and an MBA in accounting from Hofstra University. After completing his graduate studies Mr. Salver began his career in international banking and finance, and worked for Chase Bank International, Standard Chartered Bank and Fidelity Bank. He earned his CPA license in 1987, started Duque and Salver CPA and spun off what is now his current firm of Salver + Salver, LLP, located in North Miami. Mr. Salver has handled FIRPTA matters and other tax issues relating to U.S. taxation of Foreign Persons since 1997. During the last five years he has lectured for attorneys, real estate brokers and other professionals involved in real estate transactions. Mr. Salver was elected to Bay Harbor Islands Town Council in 1999, has served as its mayor and vice mayor, and is currently a councilman. He has also served the greater Miami community through a wide range of roles, including vice chairman of both the Bay Harbor Islands Employee Retirement Fund and the Bay Harbor Islands Charter Review Committee; as a member of the Board of Directors of the Florida League of Cities since 2003; past president of the Miami-Dade County League of Cities; member of the Miami-Dade County Public School Board Audit and Budget Advisory Committee; and as treasurer of the Board of Directors for The Children’s Trust. Mr. Salver and his wife Bahee have three sons and a granddaughter.

Alfred Sanchez

Affiliation:Member selected by a coalition of the local chamber of commerce

Committees:Finance & Operations

Alfred Sanchez joined The Trust Board in May of 2005. Mr. Sanchez is currently the president & CEO of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, South Florida’s first and longest-serving business development organization and one of the largest chambers in the southeastern United States. He directs a team of dedicated professionals who support 400,000+ employees of chamber member companies. Mr. Sanchez's involvement with the chamber spans more than 28 years and includes serving on its board of directors and chairing various committees. He received a bachelor’s degree in psychology and English from Arcadia University and a master’s degree in community and clinical psychology from the University of Maryland. Active in his church and Miami community, Mr. Sanchez serves on local and national boards including; Miami-Dade Beacon Council; Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau; Orange Bowl Committee; the Early Learning Coalition; and the Freedom Tower Centennial Committee.