Executive Staff

President & CEO
305.646.7100
[email protected]

Symeria T. Hudson assumed the role of president and CEO of United Way Miami in August 2022. With close to thirty years of diversified experience, Symeria is a seasoned executive who brings both U.S. and global professional experience to United Way Miami.

Prior to joining the organization, Symeria served as president and CEO for Chapman Partnership, a prominent, local nonprofit that provides comprehensive services to empower the homeless population into self-sufficiency.  Before moving to Miami, Symeria was based in London, England as President of global franchises and head research and development for ConvaTec, $1.8 billion medical technology company. Symeria spent 15 years driving new product innovation, product portfolio management and strategy for corporations in the U.S. and Europe such as Baxter International Inc. and Hospira. Prior to this, she spent 13 years in industries such as financial services, insurance brokerage and consumer goods with a focus on strategy, marketing and finance.

Symeria is a board member of MTF Biologics, UFP Technologies, and an Operating Advisor for Revival Healthcare Partners. She also served as a board member for Baxter Foundation and Kohl Children’s Museum.

In her role, Symeria is committed to supporting the dedicated staff, volunteers and supporters at United Way Miami and leading the organization in its next phase of growth and evolution.

Symeria holds a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School and a bachelor’s degree from Alabama A&M University.

In her spare time, Symeria enjoys spending time with her husband, Gary Hudson and their son, Garrett Hudson. Symeria is an avid runner and has completed 13 Chicago marathons.

Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications and Chief of Staff

Carla is a global brand marketing and communications leader with over 20 years of experience in reputation management, corporate affairs, investor relations and brand strategy. Carla joined United Way Miami from C3 Global Communications, where she served as President, providing strategic executive consulting in corporate communications and marketing. She has also served as the Vice President of Corporate Communications at Discovery Networks Latin America/US Hispanic, overseeing transformations, business expansion and the launch of multiple brands.

As Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Carla leads the charge in elevating the marketing and communications strategies and brand. Her extensive experience is instrumental in advancing United Way Miami’s mission and reach. As the Chief of Staff, Carla’s responsibilities include enhancing organizational efficiency, ensuring smooth coordination between departments and supporting the leadership team in achieving its strategic goals.

Chief Impact Officer
305.646.7082
[email protected]

As Chief Impact Officer, Norie is in charge of enhancing existing programs and processes, building an outcomes-based approach to creating new programs and driving collaborative partnerships in support of our ALICE population.  She brings extensive and diversified United Way experience to the position, having served in several Community Impact and Development roles in a career nearing 30 years at United Way Miami, most recently as United Way Miami’s Chief Development Officer.

Among Norie’s many accomplishments, she led the team that created the United Way Center for Financial Stability which opened in 2009. Norie has served as a grants reviewer for the Alliance for Human Services, The Health Foundation of South Florida and the Children’s Trust. She served on the boards of UAspire and the Thelma Gibson Health Initiative and currently serves on the board of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. She is a graduate of Leadership Miami as well as a past chair of the program and founding member of the Youth Leadership Miami.

Norie has a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in Public Administration, both from Florida International University.

In her spare time, Norie loves to cook, read and travel.

Senior Vice President, Development
305.646.7026
[email protected]

Karla Hernandez joins United Way Miami as Senior Vice President, Development. Karla brings a wealth of fundraising experience in our community, having served in various roles at Baptist Health South Florida and University of Miami, and most recently as Florida International University Foundation’s Senior Executive Director, Corporate Relations & Development. She now leads the organization’s Development team, creating strategies that will increase the donor base and overall contributions to address the health and human services needs of our community.

Karla has over 25 years of experience in the fields of marketing/communications and development overseeing multi-million-dollar marketing and development campaigns.  An avid presenter in the industry, she has served on panels and committees for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and Network of Academic Corporate Relations Organizations (NACRO) conferences worldwide. She is a member of the Association Fundraising Professionals and a graduate of Leadership Miami.  She has undergraduate degrees in Communications and Political Science, both from the University of Miami.

Karla believes in being involved in the community and volunteers for her local church St. Timothy Catholic Church as well as different groups within the Archdiocese of Miami.  She also serves on the Board of Trustees for Our Lady of Lourdes Academy.  In her spare time, Karla enjoys spending time with her family which includes her three children: Michael, Madison and Michelle.  She also loves to write, read, listen to music and travel.

Senior Vice President, People & Engagement
305-646-7110
[email protected]

Paola brings extensive experience in human resources development and management, including employment, compensation, benefits, organizational effectiveness, training and Human Resources Information System (HRIS) operations. Most recently she served as the Frost Science Museum Senior Director of Human Resources overseeing the full scope of all Human Resource functions, policies and programs for the museum.

Paola has a Masters of Science degree in human resources management from Nova Southeastern University and a Bachelor’s degree in both business management and human resources management from Florida International University. She is a member of the Society for Human Resources Management and the Greater Miami Society for Human Resources Management.

In her spare time Paola enjoys traveling to new places, spending time with family, listening to music, and keeping up with the latest films.

Chief Financial and Administrative Officer
305.646.7065
[email protected]

Carlos joined United Way Miami in 1990, having served previously as a financial executive in the public and for-profit sectors. In his current role, Carlos oversees the financial and accounting operations of the organization, manages the organization’s investment portfolios and supervises fiscal agent operations provided to local not-for-profit organizations. In addition, Molina oversees the management of campus real estate, tenant/landlord relationships and information technology.

Carlos earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Colorado State University and a master’s in finance from Florida International University. He is currently a member of the United Way Worldwide Financial Issues Committee and founding member of the South Florida Non-profit Financial Executives.

Carlos enjoys traveling, reading and coaches his two sons in youth sports.

Vice President of the  United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education, Demonstration School

Paula Moujalli is the Vice President of the United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education. She was born and raised in Venezuela and holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood development and a master’s degree in early childhood education from Florida International University.

Since its inception in 2007, the nationally recognized Center has been at the forefront of transforming early education, with 37,000 professionals benefiting from training in early childhood best practices and 60,000 young children positively impacted by the Center’s work. United Way Miami has also invested more than $138 million in early childhood education, further solidifying its commitment to this cause.

Paula’s leadership has been pivotal in translating United Way Miami’s vision into reality: a community where every child has equitable access to top-tier early care and education, thus laying the foundation for success in school and life.