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A Legacy Rooted in Love, Leadership and Learning
Celebrating the Lifelong Impact of Dr. John and Dr. Roxanne Davies
Article
by: Doug Turkel (MCDS ‘82) Photo by: Kate Baumwell
Each year, the Greater Miami Shores Chamber of Commerce recognizes individuals whose dedication, leadership, and community spirit have left a lasting mark on our village. The Lifetime Achievement Award honors those who have gone beyond professional success to make meaningful, long-term contributions that strengthen the fabric of our community.
Past recipients have come from many walks of life, including education, business, the arts, and civic engagement, but all share a common thread: a belief that true leadership begins with service. Their efforts have inspired collaboration, fostered opportunity, and helped create the kind of community where residents, schools, and businesses thrive together.
This year’s honorees, Dr. John and Dr. Roxanne Davies, exemplify that ideal. Through decades of work in education and community leadership, they have shaped lives, built partnerships, and encouraged generations to learn, lead, and give back. Their recognition stands as both a celebration of their individual achievements and a reflection of the collective values that continue to define the Greater Miami Shores community.
The Art of Leadership
When we visited John and Roxanne Davies in their home, the two of them sat side by side in front of one of John’s paintings, a bold, abstract
ic boys at home, “our house turned into a lab school, whether they wanted it or not.”
When they settled in Miami Shores, they found a home that reflected their own ideals. “We found a community that was very inclusive, with a strong interest in creating family-oriented activities,” they said. “We found getting involved with our two young sons to be both welcomed and encouraged, either through church service projects, the Rec Center programs, community service in our respective institutions like Relay for Life at Barry and the Walk for Cancer at MCDS, not to mention Miami Shores-sponsored events like Unity Day, Halloween Howl, and the Easter Egg Drop.” For the Davies, this sense of belonging reinforced what they already believed: “It takes a village to create such an amazing impact on the lives of young people.”
Building Vision at Miami Country Day
John’s 32 years at Miami Country Day School, 14 as Middle School Director and 18 as Head of School, left a mark that goes far beyond his titles. His leadership helped shape the experiences of generations of students and the school’s modern identity. “Fidelity to Country Day’s mission of educating the whole child and the creation of a set of core values: honor, respect, wisdom and compassion,” he said, were accomplishments that mattered most to him. “We worked very hard to instill our mission and core values in our students and to guide them in their decision making in all aspects of school life.”
A deep appreciation for the arts became one of John’s signatures as a leader. “When we embarked on the initiative to build a state-of-theart center for the visual and performing arts, was often called upon to explain why the school needed to create a $20-million facility,” he recalled. “I always began by explaining that there is not one human endeavor that is not made better by the arts. Developing the whole child includes the aesthetic potential. You can’t do that without giving students the opportunity to explore the visual and performing arts.”
of joy, disbelief and gratitude to the school for such an amazing honor.”
Throughout his tenure, he emphasized leadership grounded in humility and service. “As leaders our first goal should be to serve others,” he said, referencing Robert Greenleaf’s book Servant Leadership. He often reminded himself of another guiding principle: “It’s okay to have an ego, just check it at the door.” That approach, focused on service and self-awareness, helped shape the way he led others.
Mission at Barry University
While John was fostering creativity and compassion in K–12 education, Roxanne was helping shape purpose and belonging in higher education. As Associate Vice President for Mission and Institutional Effectiveness at Barry University, she held leadership roles that emphasized engagement, guiding initiatives that brought the school’s mission and values into everyday campus life.
“What really impacted me first,” she said, “was the authenticity behind Barry’s mission, it wasn’t just words on a page. The core values to Learn,
can identity, rooted in the university’s Catholic heritage and tradition of service, connecting its centuries-old values to the realities of modern campus life. “As a Catholic, Dominican university, our hope was to translate this 800-year-old tradition to the realities and challenges of academic and student life today by fostering critical thinking and reflection that leads students toward gaining a moral compass to guide them in their work and lives.”
composition alive with layers of deep reds and a sense of vibrant motion. The canvas seemed to pulse with the same spirit that defines their life in Miami Shores, colorful, energetic, and full of purpose. The piece doesn’t tell a story so much as capture a feeling, one that reflects the creativity and connection the Davies have shared with Miami Shores.
Their story stretches across classrooms and campuses, in countless evening conversations about how young people learn and thrive. “Our mutual interest in education made for many meaningful dinner conversations about teaching and learning and how best to address the needs of young people,” they told us. With two creative, energet-
He’s seen that impact firsthand. “I have personally seen the personal and professional lives of students transformed by their artistic endeavors,” he said. “In my own personal life the arts, especially painting, sculpture and music, have been very impactful and a real source of joy.”
We see that connection between leadership and creativity both in his art and in the spaces on campus that continue to bring people together. When the MCDS theater was renamed in his honor, John admitted the surprise left him speechless. “I am not usually lost for words but was when that announcement was made at the school’s 80th anniversary celebration,” he said. “When I attend events in the theater and see my name above the entrance always have a feeling
Reflect and Serve truly shape the culture of our institution, inform decision-making, and genuinely impact the lives of our students, faculty and staff.”
“We asked ourselves this question every day, and in all of our strategic planning meetings,” she explained. “As campus leaders, we looked for alignment in everything we did from how resources are allocated, to departmental collaboration, employee performance, student retention measures and service activities. Our broader goal was always to operationalize our campus values through everyday decisions and student experiences, both in and outside the classroom.”
Her most rewarding moments are those when students connect their education to something larger than themselves. “Witnessing when students connect their personal growth with a larger purpose, and integrate their own values with actions to make a difference in the world,” she said, remains deeply gratifying. Yet she acknowledges the ongoing test of faith and perseverance: “The challenge is how to stay true to these values in the uncertain world they face today.”
Creating Community Beyond Campus
For both John and Roxanne, education has always been a community effort. One of their favorite guiding ideas, “a rising tide lifts all ships,” helped inspire the Community Learning Partnership, a collaborative initiative between Barry University, the Miami Shores Chamber, and local schools. The goal was simple but powerful: to offer meaningful learning opportunities for every student in the greater Miami Shores area, regardless of where they attended school.
That belief in shared responsibility runs through everything they do. “This recognition made us reflect on our careers through a different lens,” they said of their Lifetime Achievement Award. “It’s both humbling and gratifying to see how our work might have impacted the broader community, even though we worked for different institutions.”
Their influence extended well beyond their campuses. From mentoring students to championing service projects like Relay for Life and the Walk for Cancer, they’ve lived out their philosophy that education doesn’t stop at the classroom door. It continues through civic life, faith, and the relationships that hold a community together.
The Ever-Evolving Educator
Both John and Roxanne have witnessed profound changes in education, and they’ve met those changes with curiosity and adaptability. “We’ve al-
Roxanne also helped sustain Barry’s Domini-
Element Home & Lifestyle was founded by stylist and curator Janet Vega with a simple yet powerful vision: to help people feel truly at home in their sur roundings. “I wanted to create a space where people could find comfort, beauty, and balance,” Janet shares. “Element grew from my love of design and my passion for helping people feel at home in their surroundings.”
ways considered ourselves lifelong learners,” they said. “We were very fortunate to be members of educational communities that understood that we were preparing young people for an uncertain future with careers that didn’t exist yet, and challenges that we hadn’t even imagined.”
The brand reflects Janet’s belief that good design should be approachable, not intimidating. She describes her philosophy simply: “A well-styled home feels collected, not crowded, functional, welcoming, and a true reflection of you.”
Design Philosophy
They’ve always believed teaching is about more than subject matter. “It was important to teach content,” they said, “but even more so the skills that would prepare them for that kind of future: collaboration, critical thinking, and resilience. Always thinking ahead of the curve, and asking ‘what is the next ten to twenty years going to look like?’ kept us open to change and engaged.”
lished several books on education and more recently, fiction. Roxanne’s work at Barry University left a lasting impression on how values and service can guide a community’s growth. Both see learning as something that continues well beyond a classroom or career.
Legacy, Leadership & Lifelong Growth
There are also seasonal prepackaged options. “We wanted to add a sensory layer to design and turn homes into sanctuaries,” Janet says.
Signature Services
When asked about their legacy, the Davies focus less on accolades and more on influence. “Because we were both educators our entire careers,” they said, “we had the privilege of working with young people, both at the K–12 and university level, and came to embrace the belief that the most lasting way to change the world is by changing it one life at a time. If we inspired even a few to lead with a spirit of civic engagement, integrity, and compassion, then we’ve made our contribution.”
“We loved to travel when we met,” they said, “and we are very fortunate to be able to continue that lifelong joy. It’s different in retirement because we are not multitasking about work tasks, but are able to focus on the culture we are experiencing. We like to explore different cultures and landscapes.” That same curiosity that guided their teach ing still drives them. They continue to see the world as students themselves, learning through experience and connection.
The name Element reflects this philosophy. “It represents the essentials, natural textures, timeless style, and harmony. Just like in nature, every element we add creates balance.”
Why Their Story Matters to Miami Shores
Element offers a variety of services designed to fit every lifestyle, from one-on-one consultations to full room transformations. While her service menu is di verse, Janet says one offering stands out: “Our Styled by Element kits are by far the most popular. Clients love the convenience and the way they instantly transform a space.”
Her go-to styling advice? “Layer textures, linen, wood, stone, and greenery to add warmth and depth.”
Looking Ahead
The Davies’ story mirrors the best of Miami Shores, a community that honors its tradi tions while continuing to grow with purpose. Their careers might have followed different paths, but together they’ve built bridges be tween schools, faith communities, and neighborhoods.
For Janet, inspiration begins with nature. “Nature is my biggest muse, along with travel, textures, and everyday living,” she explains. That same inspiration has also flowed into her newest venture, Element Apothecary, a collaboration with her friend and partner, Cindy Nuñez. Together, they’ve created a line of natural potpourri, sachets, simmering blends, and essential oils, bringing the essence of the outdoors into everyday life. As a client, you have an opportunity to create your very own signature scent. There is a stunning wall with inspiration and a bevy of spices, dried flowers and fruit to choose from.
Through all those years of change, John has continued to write and paint, finding the same kind of fulfillment in creative pursuits that he once found in education. He has pub-
When asked what message they would share with students today, John reflected on a moment from his years at Miami Country Day School that has stayed with him. He recalled a visit from Miami Herald columnist Leonard Pitts, who told the students to “discover their passion and figure out how to make a living at it.” John says, “If I could share one thing with every student, that’s what it would be.”
For Janet, the journey doesn’t stop at creating beautiful spaces. With the launch of Element Apothecary, she and Cindy are expanding the brand into the sensory side of home. “We’re so excited to share this extension of our brand. It’s about blending the beauty of design with the art of scent.”
Personal Style
Their lives remind us that education isn’t confined to classrooms or titles. It happens around dinner tables, in shared projects, through art, faith, laughter, and service. It happens when people like John and Roxanne make space for others to learn, lead, and create.
Client Experience
Working with Janet is an approachable and collaborative process designed to take away stress. “My goal is to take away the overwhelm and bring joy into styling,” she explains. For clients who don’t know where to start, Janet simplifies design into clear, manageable steps with curated pieces, mood boards, and easy-to-follow guidance.
Values like service, compassion, creativity, and a love of learning continue to shape their story. Together, they’ve shown how two careers, built on parallel foundations, can elevate a whole community.
Continuing the Journey
When it comes to trends, Janet is drawn to timeless over fleeting. “I’m loving earthy tones, organic textures, and mixing modern with vintage accents,” she says. Outside of design, her inspiration comes from life’s quiet rituals. “Wellness, nature, and daily rituals, whether it’s a walk outdoors or blending botanicals for Element Apothecary with Cindy, those moments spark my ideas.”
Today, John and Roxanne travel more often, exploring the art and culture of places they once only read about between semesters.
Her Styled by Element Kits have quickly become a client favorite. “They’re ready-to-style packages with curated pieces, mood boards, and a style guide that’s perfect for busy clients who want an instant designer look,” Janet says.
At its core, Element Home & Lifestyle is more than a design studio, it’s a philosophy of living well. By blending intentional design, natural inspiration, and a personal touch, Janet has created a brand that helps people not only style their spaces, but truly feel at home in them.
Their lifetime achievement isn’t an ending, but another chapter in the story of this village. The painting behind them, the theater that bears his name, and the campus that carries her mission all continue to teach, a lasting reflection of their shared belief in learning and service. Through it all, John and Roxanne remain what they’ve always been: lifelong learners who show us that when one life touches another, the tide truly does rise for all.
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Unlocking Radiance:
Dr. Andrea Trowers revolutionizes skincare with cutting edge dermatology
Pickleball Palooza Serves Up Fun for a Cause
The courts were buzzing with energy as players of all ages and skill levels gathered for the 3rd Annual Pickleball Palooza, hosted by the Greater Miami Shores Chamber of Commerce and partners Dinko Pickleball. What began as a friendly community tournament has quickly become one of the most anticipated local events of the year, blending sport, social fun, and community spirit.
This year’s Palooza was packed with lively matches, laughter, and plenty of courtside camaraderie. Local businesses and sponsors came together to make the day a success, offering refreshments, raffle prizes, and support for a great cause.Thanks to their generosity and the community’s enthusiasm, funds were raised to benefit the Whiskers and Wine Foundation, who is dedicated to raising funds for animal rescues
From the first serve to the final match, Pickleball Palooza reminded everyone why our community shines brightest when we play and give together.
Dr. Andrea Trowers considers herself fortunate to love what she does every day. At her Miami Shores practice, she blends traditional dermatology with a thriving cosmetic focus. Her Jamaican and German heritage gives her a deep understanding of the diverse skincare needs within her community.
Originally from Westchester, New York, Dr. Trowers’ own skin challenges sparked her passion for dermatology. She earned her undergraduate degree from Georgetown University in just three years, then attended Emory University School of Medicine. She completed her dermatology residency at Case Western Reserve University, where she served as Chief Resident, followed by a fellowship and faculty position at the University of Miami.
After opening her first private practice in North Miami, Dr. Trowers has now been practicing medical and aesthetic dermatology for more than twenty-three years. Two years ago, she relocated her practice to Miami Shores, where she and her team are proud to serve the community.
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At Dr. Andrea Trowers Dermatology, the philosophy is simple: great skin is the best accessory, and her goal is to make sure every patient has it.
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3rdannual PICKLEBALL PALOOZA NETWORKING SOCIAL GREATERMIAMISHORES CHAMBEROFCOMMERCE
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We are deeply grateful to our sponsors for their generous support of the 3rd Annual Pickleball Palooza. Your partnership helped make this event possible and ensured it was a day full of energy, teamwork, and community pride.
We’re thrilled to share that, with your help, we also raised funds to benefit Whiskers and Wine Foundation which added even more purpose to the fun.
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First published in 1973 as a one-page neighborhood letter, The Egret Magazine has grown into a trusted community publication now delivered to more than 7,000 households and local businesses across Miami Shores, El Portal, Biscayne Park, and Little River, with thousands more reached online. Produced entirely by local professionals, The Egret embodies community pride in every page, sharing the stories, milestones, and voices that make our neighborhoods thrive. To advertise, contact Carla Peters at 305-754-5466.
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Prospective Student Night, Wednesday, November 12th at 6:30 p.m.
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