Kaufman Rossin and Friends Celebrate Giving
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Annual Toast to Non-Profits Recognizes Community Leaders
From left, Angelica Santibanez of PhilanthroFest, Estrellita Sibila of Philanthrofest, and Nathan Kurland of Miami Bayside Foundation enjoy the 2015 Toast to Non-Profits at Kaufman Rossin’s Miami office.
One thing we know at Kaufman Rossin: when people share a common interest they connect in a very special way. Add a glass of wine or sparkling water, and magical things get started. That’s what happened at our annual Toast to Non-Profits event last Thursday.
We recognize the importance of community participation, and every year we celebrate those who make South Florida a better place through passionate involvement in non-profits. Our firm members invite those they’ve met through community organizations to this popular cocktail event. Our purpose is simple: to say “Thank you!” No agenda, no speeches – just meeting new people, reconnecting with others, and often creating great opportunities.
One thing led to another
My conversation with Noreen Legault Mendonza, founding director of Geeki Girls, was a real highlight of the evening for me. I met Noreen at the first Start-Up City Miami, where she told me about her plan to use conferences and festivals to inspire girls to pursue science, technology, engineering, art, and math careers. Great idea, I thought, but it will need solid financial support. Last week she told me that at the 2014 Toast to Non-Profits she met James Osteen from the South Florida Digital Alliance, who introduced her to the folks at Microsoft, whose sponsorship has helped Geeki Girls to take off!
The connections continue
As I moved around the room this year, I saw plenty of intense conversation going on.
- Vice Chair Barry Schwartz was spreading the word about the executive search underway for an executive director at Friends of WLRN.
- Executive Director Marte Siebenhar and board member Peter Smith of the Bakehouse Art Complex talked about current exhibits including The Reunion, which showcases artists from the organization’s 29-year history as an arts incubator and runs through March 27th.
- Mariana Furchi Sly of Junior Achievement was generating interest in financial literacy programs for elementary schools from volunteer coordinator Glenn Salzman and colleagues Cary Valdes-Perez and Daniel Uitti.
What great conversation did you have that night? Please share, so we can keep the dialogue going!
Janet Altman is a Management Chief Marketing Officer at Kaufman Rossin, one of the Top 100 CPA and advisory firms in the U.S.
