About Us

Lucy Morillo-Agnetti, Esq. – President & CEO
As President & CEO of Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation, Lucy Morillo-Agnetti’s primary goal is to fund world-class care by developing and mobilizing resources that advance Miami Children’s Hospital as a leading center of pediatric excellence. Since joining Miami Children's Hospital Foundation in 2007, Morillo-Agnetti and the Foundation have helped increase attention to the Hospital’s world-renowned facilities that serve an increasing population of international patients, particularly from Latin America and the Caribbean.

Lucy has more than 10 years of expertise in major gift fundraising. Prior to joining Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation, she was Executive Director of Estate and Gift Planning for the University of Miami and an adjunct professor in the University of Miami Political Science Department.

Lucy received her bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice and Business Law from Pennsylvania State University and holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from Pennsylvania State University. She earned her law degree from The University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Bar certified to practice law in Florida, she is an experienced civil litigation attorney and is a member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.

Morillo-Agnetti stays active in the community and is on the Board of LEAVE A LEGACY and a member of the Miami-Dade Partnership for Philanthropic Planning Council, National Society of Hispanic MBA’s Corporate Advisory Board, National Association of Female Executives, Beacon Council and Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce.

Recognizing her passion and leadership on behalf of children, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist named Lucy a Point of Light in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month 2010. He also appointed her to the Florida Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers, where her work impacted the well-being of children throughout the State.

Among her recognitions for community leadership, Lucy received the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce’s 2011 AXA Advisors Businesswoman of the Year Award in the Public Service/Non-profit category, 2011 South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Hispanic Leadership Award in the Health category, Miami-Dade County Commission for Women and Miami-Dade Park and Recreation Department’s 2011 In the Company of Women award in the Health and Human Services category. She also was winner of LatinBiz Magazine’s 2008 Women of Virtue Award and was named to both South Florida Business Leader’s roster of Women Extraordinaire and South Florida’s Business Journal’s 2009 Influential Business Women list. Lucy has led Miami Children's Hospital Foundation to several honors including being named a Top Small Business by South Florida Business Leader in 2011, Best Charity by Miami New Times in 2010 and winning a Diamond Award of Business Success from the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce in 2007.

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Meschelle Huether – Senior Vice President
Meschelle joined the Foundation in 2007. As Senior Vice President, she oversees various departments of the Foundation including Estate and Gift Planning and Annual Giving. She also serves as the Senior Leadership Team liaison with Miami Children's Hospital.  Meschelle’s experience in finance and insurance with the understanding of gift giving plays an important role in garnering additional funds and awareness for the department and its areas. She is also an active member of her community, as a board member on the Miami-Dade Planned Giving Council; a member of the Broward Planned Giving Council; a member of the National Committee on Planned Giving; a member of Association of Fundraising Professionals; and a member of Financial Planning Association. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration - Marketing from Florida International University. Meschelle was named a 2008 Mover and Shaker by Business Leader Magazine.

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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 – Vice President, Communications and Marketing
T joined the Foundation in 2009. As Vice President, Communications and Marketing, T is responsible for the overall message and external outreach for the Foundation. She oversees marketing, advertising,  public relations and events. T previously served as Director of Events, where she was responsible for 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 & Leadership Gifts
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 leadership gifts and Annual Giving 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 tenure at Miami Children's, Ann advanced in her roles from Director to VP and developed an intimate knowledge of the hospital, 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 A. Mowatt – Director, Diamond Society and Major Gifts
Michael joined Miami Children's Hospital Foundation in 2009. He has more than 20 years of non-profit experience and currently serves as Director of Diamond Society and Major Gifts for Miami Children's Hospital Foundation. The Diamond Society is an exclusive membership designed to honor those who have provided major philanthropic support for Miami Children's Hospital. Through the Diamond Society, donors invest in the health and happiness of children and make an impact on countless lives. Michael’s responsibilities include the day-to-day operations of the program, where he routinely resolves patient requests and concerns and recruits grateful patients to become philanthropic supporters of the hospital. Michael developed and manages the hospital’s 24-hour Service Line, making sure it is staffed around the clock and fully responsive to urgent medical needs.

Prior to joining Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation, Michael was Director of Founders and Member Services at Mount Sinai Medical Center Foundation for more than nine years. He maintains a strong connection with the community, serving as President of Board for the Douglas Gardens Community Mental Health Center, a member of the Association of Health Care Professionals and a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Michael is a founding member of Miami-Dade’s Premier Chapter of Business Networking International, which is the world’s largest networking organization and has a presence in more than 52 countries. Michael previously was a member of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce Board of Governors. He received the first annual Champion of Young Children Awards, presented by Lil' Rascals Academy of Davie for his efforts to help bring hope to the families and children throughout our region. Michael, who is of Jamaican descent, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and moved to Miami as a child.

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Emily Borababy – Director of Major Gifts
Emily Borababy joined MCH Foundation in 2011 as a Director of Major Gifts with a primary focus on forming 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 the foundation staff, Emily worked as Director of Individual Giving/Interim Director of Development at Florida Grand Opera where she supervised a team responsible for raising almost $5 million in support of the Opera’s activities with a personal focus on forming valuable relationships with individual donors. Before relocating to South Florida, Emily spent eight years in the Boston area where she served as Manager of Development Communications at the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Inc., and the Development Coordinator for Board, Donor and Volunteer Relations at the Celebrity Series of Boston, Inc. Emily is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals; the Friends of New World Symphony; Crescendo Circle, Florida Grand Opera’s young professionals group; and the Boston University Tanglewood Institute Advisory Board. A recovering opera singer herself, Emily graduated summa cum laude from Boston University’s College of Fine Arts with a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance.

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Mireya Bender – Director of Major Gifts
Mireya joined Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation in 2011. Her primary focus is to build philanthropic partnerships and raise funds which will benefit Miami Children’s Hospital’s programs through the identification, cultivation, solicitation, closing and stewardship of major gifts. She has had the opportunity to work with organizations such as the University of Miami and United HealthCare. Mireya’s most recent experience includes several positions at Florida International University, including working with the College of Business at the School of Accounting, where she launched the 'Alumni Affinity Council'. As a Central Development Officer she managed six units and had a wide range of community outreach. Most recently at the Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work, she raised scholarship funding, managed the External Advisory Committee and increased annual giving participation. Mireya holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Marketing from Florida International University. She also holds an Accredited Jewelry Professional diploma from the Gemological Institute of America. Mireya enjoys volunteering and recently raised funds for the American Heart Association and participated in the Heart Walk.

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Manuel "Manny" Perez – Director of Major Gifts
Manny joined Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation in 2012 and currently serves as a Director of Major Gifts with the primary focus of identifying, cultivating and soliciting major gifts. Manny comes to the Foundation with more than 15 years of professional experience, most recently with the University of Miami and has extensive knowledge of fundraising within the South Florida community and beyond. He previously played an integral role at Miami-Dade County through his work as a Marketing Manager which comprised of the conceptualization, development and implementation of various countywide marketing plans inclusive of comprehensive tri-lingual public education campaigns. Manny is a native Miamian and graduate of Christopher Columbus High School and the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Science in Communications. In addition, he has served as a volunteer youth soccer coach to several Miami organizations..

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Melissa Wetzel – Director of Development
Melissa 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. She spent the last seven years with the Transplant Foundation, most recently as Director of Development. She helped the organization raise more than $2 million through a variety of creative methods utilizing community partnerships. She helped launch two new fundraising events, including the Miracle Walk series and Taste of the Tropics wine and food festival. She also implemented a Back to School Bash and Kids Need the Darndest Things event with Build-A-Bear, resulting in nearly 700 gifts for pediatric transplant patients and their families. She earned her B.S. in Mass Communications from Florida International University and is active in the community. Melissa is a graduate of Leadership Broward, which identifies and develops community leaders.

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Pietro Bonacossa – Director of Foundation Relations & Development
Pietro joined the Foundation in 2011. His primary focus is on increasing foundation and grant funding to help our mission to fund world-class care at Miami Children’s Hospital. Pietro has more than 10 years of extensive knowledge of fundraising, program development, communications and client services experience. He received his B.A. in International Trade/Foreign Languages at Auburn University and his MBA at Georgia State University with a concentration in marketing. He has served in different development and communications positions throughout his career. Pietro's most recent experience includes working in development at the Miami Dade College Foundation, where he helped raise philanthropic resources for scholarships, health care programs, as well as arts and culture initiatives. Pietro serves on the board of the Miami Beach Arts Trust and on the organizing committee for the annual Task Force Miami Recognition Dinner.

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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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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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Julie Katz, MBA – Director of Annual Giving
Julie joined the Foundation in 2012. As Director of Annual Giving she develops, maintains and executes ongoing programs to expand the Foundation's donor and supporter base. Before joining the Foundation, she founded and served as Executive Director of Everybody Wins! South Florida, a lunchtime literacy and mentoring organization. Prior to returning to Miami in 2006, Julie lived in Boston where she was Associate Director of Annual Giving at Brandeis University. She received her MBA with a concentration in Children, Youth and Family Services from Brandeis University's Heller School of Social Policy and Management and her BA from Washington University in St. Louis with a major in Psychology and minors in Writing and Anthropology. Julie remains involved with Everybody Wins! South Florida as a volunteer and is also very active in her alma mater, serving as Chair of the Washington University Club of Miami.

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Jeremy Katzman – Manager, Public Relations & Social Media
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 MCH Foundation’s web site and social media presence and also serves as the primary media contact, spokesperson and copywriter. 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 where he is a member and previously served as chair of its Young Adult Board, which provides a forum for young adults going through cancer to interact with survivors. Jeremy holds a B.A. in public relations and a BS in political science from the University of Florida and is a member of the UF Hall of Fame. He is pursuing a MBA from Nova Southeastern University. 

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