Symeria T. Hudson
President & CEO
305.646.7100
hudsons@unitedwaymiami.org
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.
Norie del Valle
Chief Strategy Officer
305.646.7082
delvalle@unitedwaymiami.org
As Chief Strategy Officer, Norie is in charge of maximizing corporate and community relationships, building new strategic partnerships, enhancing our community leadership position, and developing, guiding and overseeing the execution of the organization’s strategic plan. 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.
Mary Donworth
Chief Program Officer
305.646.7077
mdonworth@unitedwaymiami.org
Mary is responsible for the strategic investment of United Way community plan dollars to further our work in education, financial stability and health. A United Way professional since 1990, oversees a team of professionals and volunteers who determine how best to invest United Way dollars to achieve outcomes and then monitor those investments to ensure effective program delivery and results.
Mary represents United Way on various boards, including the Emergency Food and Shelter Program Local Board, William Watts Foundation, and Miami-Dade County’s CBO Advisory Committee.
Mary has a bachelor’s degree in history from Barry College and a master’s degree in International Affairs from Columbia University. Prior to joining United Way, Mary worked at a non-profit in New York focused on international cultural and professional exchange.
Mary is an avid reader and traveler.
KARLA HERNANDEZ
Senior Vice President, Development
305.646.7026
hernandezk@unitedwaymiami.org
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
PAOLA HERNANDEZ
Senior Vice President, People & Engagement
305-646-7110
hernandezp@unitedwaymiami.org
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.
Carlos Molina
Chief Financial and Administrative Officer
305.646.7065
cmolina@unitedwaymiami.org
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.
Gladys R. Montes
Group Vice President, United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education
305.631.7632
montesg@unitedwaymiami.org
With a passion for providing high quality early childhood education and nearly 30 years of experience, Gladys joined United Way in 2005 to open United Way’s nationally recognized world-class United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education.
Prior to joining United Way, Gladys worked as a preschool teacher, a childcare center director, associate director for Catholic Charities’ early childhood division, a federal reviewer for Head Start and a validator with the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Gladys was instrumental in the development of the Birth to Three Learning and Development Standards, a project sponsored by the Florida Partnership for School Readiness and the Florida Institute of Education.
Gladys has a bachelor’s degree from University of Puerto Rico and a master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University.
Celio Romanach
Interim Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications
305.646.7129
romanachc@unitedwaymiami.org
Celio joined United Way in February 2016. As Interim Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications, he is responsible for the planning, development and execution of the organization’s marketing and communications activities that bring the United Way mission to life. He leads the Marketing, Communications and Special Events & Engagement teams responsible for various aspects of interaction with both existing and potential donors from the community. The teams’ work includes branding, message strategy, market research, marketing collateral and outreach, as well as paid and in-kind media advertising, social media and public relations. Special events, volunteer and corporate engagement add additional experiences and touchpoints with the community.
He has a long career in consumer marketing, previously serving as Vice President/Brand Managing Director at Bacardi USA, Inc.
Celio was educated locally at Belen Jesuit Preparatory School and Miami Dade College where he earned an associate’s degree. He graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in advertising. He is married with four grown children, and is interested in pop culture, classic cars and Eighties music.