mother and children hugging

UNITED WAY MIAMI ANNUAL CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIRS AND CABINET LEAD THE CHARGE FOR 2023-2024

Felipe Basulto, Cristian LaCapra and Ana VeigaMilton carry on their efforts to help Miami-Dade County’s most vulnerable families

MIAMI (September 7, 2023) – United Way Miami proudly launches its 2023-2024 annual community campaign. For the past 100 years, the organization has served as the community’s philanthropic anchor and preeminent fundraising, volunteer and support system. The community campaign coincides with United Way Miami’s centennial celebration in 2024.

This year, Felipe Basulto (TD Bank), Cristian LaCapra (Northern Trust) and Ana VeigaMilton (The José Milton Foundation) will continue their work as co-chairs. These distinguished leaders are longtime supporters of United Way Miami and remarkable fundraisers, with the power to bring positive change to our community that creates lasting impact.

Corporate partners and their employees, as well as the community at large, are invited to contribute to the organization’s mission of building a stronger Miami.

Funds raised from the campaign are the driving force that allows United Way to respond to the community’s most complex needs, ensuring all people have access to quality education and the opportunity to lead healthy and financially secure lives.

Last year alone, United Way made significant changes in the community.

  • The organization offered training and placement services to more than 6,300 unemployed and under-employed individuals, thereby empowering them to secure meaningful employment opportunities.
  • Additionally, the United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education provided quality early education to more than 5,800 young children, ensuring a strong foundation for their future growth.
  • The United Way Center for Financial Stability assisted more than 145,300 individuals through services like financial coaching and tax assistance.
  • The impact rippled further as their health programs, such as the SingleCare prescription drug discount card, generated substantial savings of nearly 20 million dollars for more than half a million families since partnership inception in 2007.
  • Recently, United Way launched UpSkill Miami – a transformative fund that invests in workforce development initiatives and will offer training, job access and opportunities to nearly 500 individuals during its first phase, marking another stride towards uplifting the community.

Recently released ALICE data shows nearly half a million Miami-Dade households are either in or one emergency away from falling into poverty. ALICE refers to Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed – the hardworking members of the community who are employed, yet can’t keep up with the rising cost of living. United Way Miami provides solutions for these families through direct services in early education, workforce development and supports partner agencies that carry out our mission with their work, ensuring all people have access to quality education and the opportunity to lead healthy and financially secure lives.

“We’re thrilled to have Felipe, Cristian and Ana back as our co-chairs, leading the way as we launch into our centennial year,” said Symeria Hudson, President and CEO of United Way Miami. “This year holds special significance as we celebrate a century of impact. Our annual community campaign fuels our mission, and we are grateful for our campaign cabinet’s unwavering commitment to uplifting Miami-Dade County’s most vulnerable.”

Felipe Basulto, Market President – South Florida Retail Banking for TD Bank, has a strong commitment to the community through his efforts in various organizations. His current board memberships include the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, the South Florida Progress Foundation, the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, His House, OIC of South Florida, and City Year. He is Chairman and member of The South Florida Business Council and also serves on the President’s Council at Florida International University. He is a trustee and former cabinet member of United Way Miami’s Tocqueville Society.

Cristian LaCapra is the Senior Vice President, Senior Wealth Strategist at Northern Trust, where he actively represents the bank within the South Florida community. Cristian’s involvement in the community extends beyond his role at Northern Trust to a range of organizations. He is an active member the Orange Bowl Committee, Leadership Florida, The Cushman School Board of Trustees, The Gordon School/Temple Beth David Development Committee and active supporter of the University of Miami’s Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (CARD). He is also past Chair of United Way Miami’s Tocqueville Society.

Ana VeigaMilton presides over the José Milton Foundation, focusing on education, research, and access to quality healthcare. She is the Corporate Social Responsibility Officer of United Property Management and also co-founded the Cecil & Ana Milton Family Foundation, supporting conservation efforts and our military and first responders. She serves as past-chair of Jackson Health Foundation, as board secretary of Red Cross Miami, a longtime United Way Miami impact partner, and as a Trustee of the University of Miami and past-president of the University of Miami Citizens Board. She recently became a board member of Girl Scouts Tropical Florida, also a longtime impact partner. She is a lawyer and engineer, committed to impactful philanthropy and community engagement throughout South Florida. Ana currently serves on United Way Miami’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee.

A campaign cabinet of volunteer leaders support the co-chairs in their mission to change lives right here in Miami. The campaign’s goal is to motivate businesses, government, labor unions, nonprofits and everyday citizens to help empower individuals facing everyday challenges.

The campaign cabinet includes:

  • Felipe Basulto, TD Bank, Campaign Co-chair
  • Cristian LaCapra, Northern Trust, Campaign Co-chair
  • Ana VeigaMilton, The José Milton Foundation, Campaign Co-chair
  • Cathy Alexander, TD Wealth
  • Arturo L. Arca, Trembly Law Firm
  • Melissa Lopez, Telemundo
  • Priscilla Marrero, Creative on Demand
  • Adrian Nuñez, University of Miami
  • Christina Pappas, The Keyes Company
  • Fatima Rosa, Face. Brow & Beauty Bar
  • Angelica Santibanez, Amazon
  • Sacha Welty, Ryder Systems, Inc.
  • Brendan Yuen, Ryder System, Inc.

To learn more about the 2023-2024 community fundraising campaign and ways to provide hope where it’s needed most, click here.

ABOUT UNITED WAY MIAMI
United Way Miami is a driving force in the community, successfully responding to emerging needs and transforming people’s lives. Since 1924, we have worked together with our network of donors, volunteers, and partners, to generate and amplify resources, and advocate for policies that improve the quality of life for all. We leverage our unique role as convener, strategic funder, service provider, awareness builder, and influencer so that everyone in Miami-Dade has access to quality education and the opportunity to lead healthy and financially secure lives — the building blocks of a thriving community.

September 7, 2023