Board of Directors

Kenneth C. Hoffman

Affiliation:Member appointed by the MCCJ

Committees:Executive (Chair), Executive Officers (Chair)

Kenneth Hoffman joined The Children's Trust board of directors in June of 2014. Mr. Hoffman has served as chief legal officer and general counsel of Azorra Aviation, a full-service aircraft leasing company focused on 70- to 150-seat commercial jet aircraft operated by airlines worldwide, since August 2018. Prior to that time, Mr. Hoffman was a principal shareholder of Greenberg Traurig, an international multipractice law firm, where he practiced law for over 30 years. Mr. Hoffman was appointed to The Children's Trust board as the designee of MCCJ. Founded in 1935 as the Miami chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, MCCJ seeks to advance understanding and respect among all peoples, cultures, religions and races. He has served on MCCJ’s board of directors since 2006 and served as its chairman from 2008 through 2011. Mr. Hoffman earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Tulane University and a J.D. degree from the University of Miami. A lifelong resident of Miami-Dade County, he lives in Coral Gables with his wife, Hillary, and has four adult sons.

Pamela Hollingsworth

Affiliation:Designee from the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe

Committees:Program Services (Chair), Executive (Vice Chair), Executive Officers (Vice Chair), Human Resources

Pamela Hollingsworth joined The Trust Board in April 2015. Ms. Hollingsworth is currently the senior vice president of Strategic Initiatives and Program Development with the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe. She served previously for four years as the director of the Quality Counts (QRIS) Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade. A system consultant and nonprofit executive, Ms. Hollingsworth has worked for more than 23 years helping nonprofits and for-profit organizations alike, especially those with a specialty in early education programming, to articulate their missions and visions; manage their budgets; build private and public partnerships; and meet other organizational challenges. Ms. Hollingsworth also works in the local, state and national arenas in the area of racial equity and inclusive practice. Ms. Hollingsworth earned her bachelor's degree from Simmons College and a master’s degree in social foundations of education and leadership from Florida Atlantic University.

Marissa Joy Leichter, Esq.

Affiliation:Gubernatorial Appointee

Committees:Executive (Secretary), Executive Officers (Secretary), Nominating, Program Services

Term:Expires March 2025

Marissa Joy Leichter, Esq., joined The Trust Board in July 2013. Ms. Leichter is currently the training and engagement manager for Florida Foster Care Review, which promotes the safety, well-being and long-term success of abused and neglected children through volunteer-driven case reviews and system level advocacy. Prior to her current role there, she was program manager of the Citizen Review Panel for three years. Ms. Leichter previously served as director of Community & Legal Affairs at Educate Tomorrow, a nonprofit that creates independence for disadvantaged and foster youth through education, mentoring and life skills training. Prior to that she practiced for nine years as a senior program attorney with the Guardian ad Litem Program in Miami-Dade County, where she appeared in court representing the best interests of abused, neglected and abandoned children and helped them navigate the child welfare system. Ms. Leichter was selected as a Miami Fellow 2011-12 by the Miami Foundation and has since served on the its Engaged Youth Committee. In 2012-13, she was selected to participate in Rotary International's Group Study Exchange Program for young professionals representing the local district in northern India. Ms. Leichter earned a J.D. from the University of California Hastings College of the Law, an MPA from Florida International University, and a B.A. from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Matthew Arsenault

Affiliation:Member At-Large

Committees:Finance & Operations (Chair), Executive (At-Large Member), Health

Matthew Arsenault serves as an at-large board member of The Children’s Trust. Mr. Arsenault is the executive vice president and chief financial officer for Baptist Health South Florida. He joined Baptist Health in 2006 and has held various roles during his 15 years with the organization. Mr. Arsenault is responsible for overseeing the organization’s finance operations, supply chain, risk management and privacy office operations, as well as the mergers and acquisitions team. He is also responsible for managing the organization’s treasury team, which includes all Baptist Health banking relationships and oversight of its investment portfolio. Among his other positions, Mr. Arsenault serves as a member on the Florida International University School of Business Dean’s Advisory Counsel, is a board member of Health System Solutions, Baptist Health’s revenue cycle joint venture with Navigant Consulting, and is president and director of Samaritan Risk Retention Group, Inc., Baptist Health’s affiliated physician medical malpractice insurance company. Prior to joining Baptist Health, Mr. Arsenault worked in the advisory services divisions for accounting firms Deloitte & Touche and MBAF. Mr. Arsenault holds a Master of Accounting degree from Florida International University, a Master in Teaching from the University of Portland, and a Bachelor of Arts from the College of the Holy Cross. He holds various designations, including Certified Public Accountant, Chartered Global Management Accountant and HFMA Certified Healthcare Financial Professional.

Daniel Bagner, Ph.D.

Affiliation:Designee of Florida International University, appointed by the President

Committees:Nominating (Chair), Program Services (Vice Chair), Executive (At-Large Member), Health

Term:Appointed by virtue of his position

Daniel Bagner, Ph.D., ABPP, professor of psychology at Florida International University (FIU), joined The Children’s Trust Board in January 2016 as the FIU representative appointed by university President Mark Rosenberg. A licensed and board-certified clinical child psychologist, Dr. Bagner studies interventions for at-risk and underserved young children and their families. He has published more than 85 scientific papers and chapters and receives funding to conduct his research from the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Bagner earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and philosophy from Washington University in St. Louis and a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Florida. He completed his predoctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.

Pastor Richard P. Dunn II

Affiliation:Gubernatorial Appointee

Committees:Executive (At-Large Member), By-Laws, Human Resources, Program Services

Pastor Richard P. Dunn II holds a master of divinity in counseling and pastoral care from the Interdenominational Theological Center at Morehouse School of Religion. He has been a senior pastor of Faith Community Baptist Church since 2008. Pastor Dunn was appointed to the City of Miami Commission in January 2010 to represent District 5, which includes Overtown, Liberty City, Little Haiti, Buena Vista and Wynwood. Prior to the appointment, he served as the president of People United to Lead the Struggle for Equality, chairman of the Neighbors United for Housing Task Force and president of the African American Council of Christian Clergy.

Gilda Ferradaz

Affiliation:Circuit Community Development Administrator

Committees:Human Resources (Chair), Nominating (Vice Chair), Executive (At-Large Member), Health, Program Services

Term:Serves as long as designated by DCF District XI Administrator

Ms. Gilda Ferradaz joined The Trust Board in July 2013. Employed with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) for over 35 years, Ms. Ferradaz assumed progressively more responsible positions throughout her tenure serving as Circuit Administrator and Regional Managing Director for the Southern Region, encompassing Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties. Ms. Ferradaz currently serves as the Circuit Community Development Administrator, responsible for developing and maintaining partnerships with key community stakeholders. Ms. Ferradaz holds a Bachelor of Science degree, with a major in sociology and a master’s in business administration, both from Florida International University. She has served on several boards including CareerSource, Homeless Trust, Juvenile Justice Circuit Advisory Board, Early Learning Coalition, and the Community Based Care Alliance. She is also an active member of her church and has volunteered with local non-for-profits.

Lourdes P. Gimenez

Affiliation:Gubernatorial Appointee

Committees:Human Resources (Vice Chair), Executive (At-Large Member), Health, Program Services

Term:Expires March 17, 2022

Lourdes P. Gimenez is a longtime Miami-Dade County resident and a retired professional educator and administrator with more than 35 years of experience in the Miami-Dade County Public Schools system. Ms. Gimenez earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Florida International University in 1976 and a master’s in elementary education from Nova Southeastern University in 1980. She has served on myriad committees and task forces, including the state advisory board for the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice and the Governor’s Educational Equity Task Force. She is married to Carlos A. Gimenez and they have three adult children, Carlos, Julio and Lourdes; and six grandchildren, Alexis, Danny, Lucas, Ava, Marcus and Michael.

Edward Abraham

Affiliation:Member At-Large

Committees:Health (Chair), Program Services

Term:Expires March 15, 2025

Dr. Edward Abraham most recently served as Executive Vice President for Health Affairs of the University of Miami and CEO of the University of Miami Health System. Previously, he was Dean of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine as well as Dean of the Wake Forest School of Medicine. He was a Fulbright Postdoctoral Fellow at the Pasteur Institute in Paris. He has published more than 400 scientific articles and has edited 9 books. He received both his undergraduate and medical degrees at Stanford University and trained in internal and critical care medicine at UCLA.

Islamiyat Nancy Adebisi

Affiliation:Designee of Miami-Dade County Public Health Department

Committees:Health, Program Services

Term:Serves as long as designated by the Miami-Dade County Public Health Department

Islamiyat Nancy Adebisi is a Government Operations Consultant III and Manager at the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County. She currently serves as the Acting Director of the Office of Community Health and Planning where she oversees vital programs that are working to address social and economic barriers at the county level. The office comprises Chronic Disease Prevention, Community Planning, Consortium for a Healthier Miami-Dade, Healthy Start, Tobacco Prevention and Worksite Wellness programs. In her role, she also works closely with partners to create policy, system and environmental changes to address health issues Miami-Dade County residents face to ensure they live longer, happier and healthier lives. Ms. Adebisi earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Religious Studies from the University of Miami and a Master’s Degree in Public Health from Florida International University. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Public Health with a focus on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention from Florida International University. Ms. Adebisi has received various certifications to include Worksite Wellness, Health Education and Tobacco Treatment. She is a Miami native and serves on various boards within the community.

Steven Adkins

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

Committees:Finance & Operations

An accomplished business, hospitality, and tourism leader, Steven Adkins has dedicated his career to building business relationships, closing social gaps, working for equality, assisting the marginalized, and making his community a better place to live, work and play. With professional roots in the banking industry, a move to Miami almost 25 years ago presented an opportunity for Mr. Adkins to take an active role in the hospitality and tourism industry as the owner of a Miami Beach bed and breakfast. As a gay businessman, he became involved with the Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (MDGLCC). Several years later when the head of the organization stepped down, Mr. Adkins stepped into the position and found his calling. Adkins’ business expertise, passion for community and dedication to advocacy has garnered the Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce recognition as among the most accomplished and impactful organizations of its kind in the country. Under his leadership, chamber membership grew exponentially and, through the MDGLCC Foundation, opened the first and only LGBTQ Visitor Center in the world on Miami Beach, which helped position Greater Miami and Miami Beach as a gay and lesbian-friendly year-round destination.

Hon. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall, Ph.D.

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

Committees:Program Services

Term:Appointed by virtue of her position

Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall is a graduate of Miami Northwestern Senior High School, Barry University and Florida International University, completing bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and several masters-level certifications. She also received an honorary doctorate degree from Florida Memorial University. During her distinguished career in the Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Ms. Bendross-Mindingall initiated programs that promote mentorship, improve attendance and increase parent involvement. As a state representative in Tallahassee, she served the citizens of Miami. In 2010 and 2014, voters elected her to serve as the school board member for District 2, allowing her to follow her passion – improving the education of children and families. In 2015, she was elected by her colleagues as the first African-American female vice chair of the Miami-Dade School Board.

Cathy Burgos

Affiliation:Designee appointed by the Mayor of Miami-Dade County

Committees:Finance & Operations

Term:Serves as long as designated by Mayor of Miami-Dade County

Cathy Burgos, an experienced and accomplished Licensed Clinical Social Worker, was appointed by Mayor Daniella Levine Cava as Chief Community Services Officer in February 2024. She oversees a critical portfolio, including Community Action and Human Services, Public Housing and Community Development, Cultural Affairs, Libraries, Juvenile Services and Animal Services. Prior to her current position, Ms. Burgos was director of the Juvenile Services Department (JSD), where she dedicated more than two decades to empowering at-risk youth and their families through her role as a social worker, largely through her development of powerful juvenile justice prevention, diversion and support services. Ms. Burgos’ exemplary leadership and commitment has been recognized at speaking engagements throughout the nation and overseas, culminating with an invitation to speak at the United Nations to highlight the JSD’s innovative Juvenile Justice Reform Model and its extraordinary success in the Miami-Dade County community. By working effectively with Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare partners, she has contributed to shaping successful programs including the Civil Citation Program, JSD’s Prevention Initiative, Scholarship Program and Youth Job Development Program. Through these programs, Ms. Burgos has been instrumental in helping reduce juvenile arrests in Miami-Dade by more than 80 percent during a 20-year period, saving the community millions annually and giving youth the gift of a fresh start. In 2018, Ms. Burgos was a recipient of the prestigious “In the Company of Women” award for the category of Health and Human Services. She holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Florida International University and is a member of the National Association of Social Workers.

Roberto Carmona

Affiliation:Representative of the Miami-Dade Student Government Association

Term:Expires May 31, 2025

On December 9th, 2020, Roberto Carmona immigrated to the United States from his home country, Cuba, and has since worked tirelessly to go beyond the linguistic barriers that he initially faced as a recent immigrant. From refusing to participate in class for a language he didn't know, to being at the top of his class for three consecutive years, Roberto is the epitome of the overlooked potential that English-learning students in Miami-Dade County possess despite the challenges they face daily. Now serving as the President of the MDCPS District Student Government Association, Executive Director of the Hispanic Learning League, and Director of Education for Virtutem Populo, Roberto aims to bridge the educational gap between the immigrant community that he proudly represents, and the native community to which he assimilated.

Silvia Castellanos

Affiliation:Gubernatorial Appointee

Committees:Health, Program Services

Silvia Castellanos is the Director of External Affairs for the Banyan Community Health Center. Before joining Banyan, Ms. Castellanos worked in state government for nearly 10 years, holding positions in the Florida Legislature and the Executive Office of the Governor. Ms. Castellanos has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a Certificate in Middle Eastern Studies from Florida International University and a Master of Public Administration from Florida State University.