YWCA South Florida Graduates Second Economic Justice Council Cohort
YWCA South Florida is proud to announce the graduation of its second Economic Justice Council (EJC) cohort this November. This initiative seeks to place more women of color into high-growth opportunities through programs that provide crucial workforce development training and that create industry and business areas that are inclusive and conducive to career pathways.
EJC engages top business decision-makers from key local industries and employers who have committed to racial justice and equity. These individuals are chosen and become part of a cohort experience to hold themselves accountable for rethinking their roles and informing solutions to create true workplace belonging and pathways to an inclusive workforce and economy.
The 2024 YWCA EJC graduates include:
Mike Allen, President, Barry University
Francesca de Quesada Covey, Chief Innovation and Economic Development Officer, Office of the Mayor, Miami-Dade County
Dr. Paula Hopkins, Executive Vice President, Strategic Partnerships & Funding Development, Miami-Dade Beacon Council
Flavio Mello, Corporate Director of Human Resources, MDM Hotel Group
Alex Mena, Executive Editor & McClatchy Florida Regional Editor, Miami Herald/El Nuevo Herald
Natalia Zea, Chief Public Policy & Engagement Officer, The Children Trust
This year's EJC met throughout the year to explore topics such as economic justice and racial equity, the Fiscal Cliff, ALICE (asset-limited, income constrained, employed) families, and other compounding barriers that women, particularly women of color, continue to face as they strive to fully take advantage of their talents and opportunities.
In addition to the cohort members, YWCA partnered with the Miami Herald and Miami Leadership Local to open select sessions to a wider group of community voices and leaders, creating space for shared learning and community collaboration.
“The EJC is a program that builds compassion,” says Kerry-Ann Royes, YWCA South Florida President and CEO. “The leaders in this group have the power and desire to enhance the quality of life of South Floridians through changes to policy and practice.”
This year’s leaders and YWCA partners celebrated the completion of the cohort in a graduation ceremony and reception on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at the JW Marriott Miami, who generously hosted the event.
The EJC was launched in 2021 with the support of Kaufman Rossin, JPMorgan Chase, and is also supported by Memorial Healthcare. The first cohort included members from Baptist Health South Florida, Kaufman Rossin, Bank of American, Miami-Dade Beacon Council, The Federal Reserve, Bilzin Sumberg, Broward College, JPMorgan Chase, Miami Dade College, and Apollo Bank.
The next Economic Justice Council cohort kicks off in early 2025. Visit the Economic Justice Council page to learn more or contact Sarah Coleman, Senior Director of Race & Gender Equity.
