About Us

Lucy Morillo-Agnetti, Esq. 
President, Miami Children's Hospital Foundation
Lucy Morillo-Agnetti joined Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation in 2007 as its President.  Within two years she revamped fundraising initiatives that helped reinforce the medical facility’s acclaimed reputation for pediatric care by expanding programs that support and advance the Hospital’s mission of providing consistent care and hope to all children.

It was Lucy who launched the Diamond Ball and Private Concert as the Foundation’s primary annual fundraiser.  Through her vision and leadership, the event has grown significantly, generating $12 million in 2008 for children’s health care – the largest sum raised by any Foundation event since its inception.  Under Lucy's guidance, direct mail fundraising increased both goodwill and revenues and invigorated Foundation-Hospital relations, producing enhanced medical services for children.

With more than 10 years of major fundraising experience, Lucy previously served as Executive Director of Estate and Gift Planning at the University of Miami and worked as Director of Development for the Smeal College of Business Administration at Pennsylvania State University.  Bar certified in Florida, she has civil litigation experience and was an adjunct professor in the University of Miami’s Political Science Department.
 
Despite a busy professional schedule, Lucy remains active in the community. She was appointed by Gov. Charlie Crist to the Florida Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers and is a member of the Miami-Dade Planned Giving Council and sits on the LEAVE A LEGACY Donor Next Door planning committee.  She served on the Board of Directors for the Big Brother Big Sister Program of Broward County; was a member of the National Society of Hispanic MBA’s Corporate Advisory Board; and belonged to the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and the National Association of Female Executives.  Among her recognitions for community leadership, Morillo was winner of LatinBiz Magazine’s 2008 Women of Virtue Award, named to South Florida Business Leader’s roster of Women Extraordinaire and led the Foundation to a Diamond Award of Business Success from the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. Lucy was also named to South Florida’s Business Journal’s 2009 Influential Business Women’s list.

Lucy received her bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice and Business Law and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Pennsylvania State University, a law industry fellow at Boston University and she earned her juris doctor from The University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

She is also a proud mother of her 10 year old son, Israel Nicholas.

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Richard Perez – Vice President, Finance, Human Resources & Development Services
Richard came to the Foundation in 2003 and he oversees the operation of the Finance, Human Resources and Development Services departments. Richard received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Florida International University. Richard passed the CPA exam in the State of Georgia and worked as an auditor in Price Waterhouse’s Miami Office. In this position Richard worked on the audit of many Private Not-for-Profit clients. Richard left Price Waterhouse to become the Chief Financial Officer for the Association for Retarded Citizens of South Florida and prior to joining Miami Children's Hospital Foundation was the Chief Financial Officer of the Miami-Dade/Monroe WAGES Coalition.

Richard stays involved in the community by serving as a volunteer basketball and baseball coach for several youth leagues and remains committed to his Alma Mater by funding a yearly scholarship for accounting students at Florida International University.

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T. (Teresita) Gomez-Urtiaga – Interim Assistant Vice President, Communications and Marketing
T joined the Foundation in 2009. As Interim Assistant Vice President, Communications and Marketing, T is responsible for the overall message and external outreach for the Foundation. She oversees marketing, advertising, research, public relations and events. T previously served as Director of Events, where she was responsible all of the event planning for the Foundation including the annual Diamond Ball & Concert, Hugs & Kisses, Queen of Hearts and all of the many other initiatives undertaken for fundraising purposes. She has held many successful positions in New York and Florida working at Florida Power & Light Company as liaison for Spanish-language advertising, and she was also responsible for the statewide Community Information Program. As Director of Corporate and Community Relations at Barry University, T raised major gifts then she joined UM’s Advancement Division and then she became Director of Development of the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and University Library. Active in the community, T served as National Co-chair of the Minority Forum for the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, where she was a District Board member. She has held membership with the Pillars Trustees of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce and Counselors Academy of Public Relations Society of America as well as a board member of Amigos For Kids. T holds a bachelor of science in Journalism and Communications as well as a master's degree in Science in Higher Education Administration from Barry University.

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Ann Lyons – Vice President, Programs & Gift Planning
Ann joined MCHF in 1983 to assist in the formal creation of a fundraising organization to support the construction of a new Miami Children's Hospital, formerly Variety Children’s Hospital. She has served as a Vice President since 1999 and is responsible for Estates and Gift Planning initiatives, Annual Fund and oversees all “grass-root” activity for the Foundation. Working with Ambassador David Walters on three major Capital Campaigns to support the construction of a new hospital building completed in 1986, the construction of the Research Institute and a Research Endowment Fund completed in 1990, and an Academic Chair and Endowment campaign, she has gained on the job experience in all phases of fundraising. During her twenty-six years Ann advanced in her roles from Director to VP and developed an intimate knowledge of Miami Children's Hospital, the doctors and staff, which has enabled her to develop personal relationships with patients and families. Ann graduated from St. Helen’s School for Girls in Middlesex, England. She is a member of the Miami-Dade Planned Giving Council.

Harold Robaina – Senior Director, Major Gifts
Harold joined Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation in June 2007.  With more than 12 years of professional fundraising experience he’s had the opportunity to work with such organizations as the American Cancer Society, the University of Miami Hurricane Club, and most recently the American Diabetes Association.  His main responsibilities include establishing opportunities, developing and implementing initiatives for identification, solicitation, closing and stewardship of major gifts for both short and long term benefits to the Foundation. Harold works as an integral part of the development team to establish and implement a program and plans with specific financial and campaign goals and timetables to raise major gifts required by the scope of activities, special projects, and ongoing fundraising needs to ensure a strong base of ongoing financial support with maximum growth potential. Harold holds a bachelor's degree in Sports Management from St. Thomas University, Miami, FL and is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

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Michael Mowatt – Director, Diamond Society and Major Gifts
Michael joined the Foundation in 2009 to develop The Diamond Society, a membership organization for donors to the Foundation.  Prior to joining Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation, Michael was Director of Member Services at Mount Sinai Medical Center Foundation, where he was a Major Gifts Fundraiser and lead program manager of the Founders Club, the hospital’s oldest philanthropic group. His responsibilities also included the day-to-day operations of VIP services program, where he routinely resolved patient issues and concerns, and recruited grateful patients to become philanthropic supporters of the hospital. As part of his responsibilities in VIP services, Michael helped to develop and manage the hospital’s 24-hour Care Line, making sure it was staffed around the clock and fully responsive to donors’ urgent medical needs. Michael also worked for more than nine years at the Miami Jewish Home and Hospital for the Aged, where he was a development assistant and departmental manager. He maintains a strong connection with the home, serving as an executive board member of the Douglas Gardens Community Mental Health Center. Michael also is a member of the Association of Health Care Professionals and the Young Presidents Club at Mount Sinai Medical Center. He is a former member Board of Governors of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce Business Networking International and the Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.  Michael, who is of Jamaican descent, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and moved to Miami as a child. Michael has been named a 2009 “Mover and Shaker” by Business Leader Magazine and he earned his education at Miami-Dade College.

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Barbara K. Norland – Director, Major Gifts
Barbara K. Norland joined the Foundation in 2010. Her primary focus is to form new philanthropic alliances to benefit Miami Children’s Hospital’s departments, projects and programs through the identification, cultivation, solicitation, closing and stewardship of major gifts. Prior to joining Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation, Barbara was Director of Corporate Philanthropy and Fundraising events at Baptist Health Foundation. She previously served as Executive Director at the Deering Estate Foundation and Manager of Corporate Relations and Hospitality at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Barbara’s extensive experience in networking, cultivation and sales in the public, private and non-profit sectors along with strong communication skills allow her to successfully help Miami Children's Hospital Foundation achieve its goal of funding world-class care. Barbara recently completed a Master of Science in Leadership and Management from Nova Southeastern University, H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and earned her B.A. in Psychology and Sociology from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.  She is a member of a variety of business and community organizations, including the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and West Kendall Business Associates.  

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Sofia Durkee – Director, Development Services
Sofia joined Miami Children's Hospital Foundation in 2005 as the first Director, Development Services, a position created with the implementation of the Raiser's Edge donor management system. Sofia brought with her more than 18 years of experience in the field and an in-depth knowledge of this system. She is responsible for constituency management, gift reporting, donor recognition and tracking. Sofia works with all staff members to maximize their use of the system to help accomplish fundraising goals. Sofia received her B.A. in Business Administration with a concentration in Management from Florida International University where she worked for 16 years prior to joining the Foundation.

In 1998, Sofia was awarded the Presidential Award for Achievement and Excellence at FIU for her contribution to The Campaign for FIU.

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Victor Fernandez – Director, Foundation Relations & Proposals
Victor joined Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation in 2007 as Director, Foundation Relations and Proposals, a position re-engineered from the former position of Director of Development. With over 10 years of professional and voluntary grant review and monitoring experience, he’s had the opportunity to work with such organizations as the United Way of Miami-Dade, the Alliance for Human Services, the Dade Community Foundation, and the City of Miami. His main responsibilities include the development of funding proposals and for facilitating post-award and stewardship processes as well as for assessing the competitive atmosphere and opportunities for Hospital initiatives. Victor has been recognized for his efforts on behalf of the Hearing and Speech Center of Florida, and he has done workshops on nonprofits and their involvement in public policy. He is also an active volunteer with Hands On Miami. He has a B.A. in Government with a focus in International Relations from Georgetown University and M.A. in International Studies with concentrations in Inter-American Studies and International Economics from the University of Miami.

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Maria Moldes – Director, Children's Miracle Network & Corporate Relations
Maria first joined MCHF in 1991 where she served as the Assistant Telethon Coordinator. She left in 1992 as she moved out of the area and returned to MCHF in 1994 in the capacity of Assistant Director of Special Events. She assumed the position of Children’s Miracle Network director in 1997.

Children’s Miracle Network is an alliance of premier hospitals for children. Miami Children’s Hospital is the one and only Children’s Miracle network affiliated hospital in South Florida. The partnership with Children’s Miracle Network helps Miami Children's Hospital Foundation raise funds year-round through affiliations with Children’s Miracle Network’s sponsors and their special events and promotions. Maria is responsible for the coordination and oversight of the Children’s Miracle Network program. She establishes and maintains relationships with national, regional and local sponsors and assists them in implementing their Children’s Miracle Network fundraising campaigns. She also maintains relationships with local "miracle" children and their families.  Maria is the recipient of a MADD Service Award and a speaker at the annual Children’s Miracle Network fall meeting. She is currently a member of the national Children’s Miracle Network Hispanic Community Task Force which was formed to identify fundraising campaigns and packaged good programs geared to the Hispanic communities across the country.  She also is the Southern Region representative for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital Relations Committee. Maria holds an Associate in Science in Office Administration from Miami-Dade College.

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Alexandra "Alex" Salcedo – Director, Annual Fund
Alex joined the Foundation in 2007. Her responsibilities include building and cultivating constituencies through targeted appeals as well as identifying alternative means to raise funds throughout the community. She has a well-rounded understanding of hospital patients and employees as she previously served as Radio Lollipop Coordinator at Miami Children’s Hospital. Alex gained fundraising experience through earlier positions at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Miami Science Museum. Prior to joining the non-profit sector, Alex worked in the hospitality industry and is well-trained on customer service issues. In 2008, she attended the National Planned Giving Conference where she was introduced to basic estate planning concepts. Alex is a member of the Miami Chapter of the American Association of Grant Professionals. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and International Relations from Stanford University.

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Jamie Holt – Research & Internal Communications Specialist
Jamie joined the Foundation in 2007. She is responsible for donor research and the Foundation's internal communications. Jamie's years of experience with a myriad of industries have given her a vast knowledge of strategic business planning, marketing, communications, advertising, public relations and speech/collateral writing. Jamie is responsible for strategic marketing, advertising, collateral and research. She started her career in New York City in the advertising agency business. There she worked for such blue chip clients as AT&T, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, The Australian Tourist Commission and five national airlines. Before coming to Florida, Jamie was a Director of Communications for the 27 office Southeast Region of PricewaterhouseCoopers for ten years. Once settled in Florida, became the Regional Director of Marketing for the seven state southeast region of UnitedHealthcare. Jamie is a graduate of Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA.  She is a member of the Aventura Marketing Council.

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Lani Valido – Director, Community Relations

Lani joined the Foundation in 2010. She is responsible for increasing support of the Foundation and Hospital among key publics in order to reach fundraising, communications and public affairs goals. She enhances Foundation programs and secures event sponsorships among corporations, organizations and individuals. She also is responsible for managing the Foundation's grassroots program and Community Outreach Committee and its Fund.  Prior to joining the Foundation, Lani oversaw community affairs and public policy for the Hospital. She previously worked as a Legislative Assistant to a member of the Miami Dade County Legislative Delegation of the Florida House of Representatives. While there, she served as a liaison for constituents and collaborated with various state, federal and local agencies and departments. Lani plays an active role in community development, serving as Vice-Chair of Strong Women Strong Girls. She also is a member of Amigos for Kids Domino Night Host Committee, Miami Dade County Public Schools Wellness Advisory Committee and Beacon Council's Intergovernmental Affairs Committee. Lani holds a Masters in Public Administration and a B.A. in Political Science from Florida International University.

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Jeremy Katzman – Public Relations Specialist
Jeremy joined the Foundation in 2010. His primary focus is to enhance the Foundation’s message and reach out to new supporters that will help it to continue to fund world-class care at Miami Children's Hospital. He manages the Foundation’s Web site and social media presence and also serves as the primary media contact and spokesperson. Jeremy has extensive public relations and marketing experience. He previously served as an account executive at O’Connell & Goldberg Public Relations in Hollywood, FL where he provided expertise to clients in a variety of industries, including health care, non-profit, hospitality and sports.  He also was a member of the Pediatrix Medical Group marketing department. Jeremy is a long-time volunteer for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and serves as chair of its Young Adult Board, which provides a forum for young adults going through cancer to interact with survivors. He holds a B.A. in public relations and a B.S. in political science from the University of Florida and is a member of the UF Hall of Fame.

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Morgana Rolle, MBA – Events Management Specialist
Morgana joined the Foundation in 2009 and is responsible developing revenue producing events that create awareness for new supporters and cultivation opportunities for existing supporters. In this role, she manages the Foundation's four signature events, including Diamond Ball, Queen of Hearts Luncheon, Hugs & Kisses, and the Corporate Golf Invitational. Prior to joining the Foundation, Morgana gained experience in the international travel and hospitality industry, having worked in public relations for Sandals & Beaches Resorts. She also handled radio promotions for ClearChannel Radio.  Morgana, a native Miamian, gives back to the community as a volunteer with Miami Children’s Hospital in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and is an avid volunteer with Hands on Miami. Morgana holds a B.S. in Communications from the University of Miami majoring in Public Relations and International Studies and a master's degree in Business Administration with a marketing specialization from Nova Southeastern University.

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