Leaders & Innovators

ALINA ALONSO

Director Florida Department of Health—Palm Beach County

Alonso, who has been serving the medically underserved since 1989, oversees the operations of one of the largest county health departments in the state. Its 720-plus employees provide a full range of primary and preventive services to seven health centers located throughout the county. In New York, she served as chief resident in the three-year family practice residency program at St. Joseph Medical Center from 1985 to 1988. After returning home, she fi nished a second residency in public health and preventive medicine in 1992 at the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County. She has experience managing communicable and emergent diseases, from anthrax to the Zika virus. She has a passion for a healthy community with equity for every resident and visitor. Alonso is a diplomat of the American Board of Family Practice, a member of the Palm Beach County Medical Society and the National Association of County and City Health Offi cers, and a commissioner at the Health Care District Board.

ADVICE FOR SOMEONE STARTING OUT (OR STARTING OVER): “Fight for the things that you care about but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” —Ruth Bader Ginsberg INSPIRED BY: My mother. She encouraged my sister and me that we could do anything if we put our minds to it and do it well. HOBBIES: Scuba diving, snorkeling, birdwatching, and butterfl y premigration COLLECTS: Photographs of nature, primarily sunsets TOP BUCKET-LIST DESTINATION: Alaska FAVORITE QUOTE: “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some di erence that you have lived and lived well.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson TOP TRAVEL PICKS: The Florida Keys and the Bahamas WHAT MAKES HER SMILE: The ocean FIRST JOB: Working in the lingerie department at Richard’s Department Store HIDDEN TALENT: Scuba diving GUILTY PLEASURE: Co ee

MANUEL ALMIRA

Executive Director, PPM Port of Palm Beach

Almira has 40 years of experience in the maritime industry, with expertise in international imports and exports bolstered by extensive knowledge in marketing within the South Florida market. During his 14-year tenure at Port of Palm Beach, Almira has transformed the port into a profi table seaport that supports more than 3,000 direct jobs, processes $14 billion in commodities, and serves as a lifeline to the people living in the Caribbean. Almira has also been instrumental in generating new business at the port; since he joined it in 2008, the port’s total cargo tonnage has increased by 60 percent.

HOMETOWN: Banes, Cuba TOUGHEST CHALLENGE: Leading the fourth busiest container port in the state of Florida STARTS HIS DAY: Drinking a cup of Cuban co ee while watching the news SOMETHING FEW PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT HIM: I have a very good memory, and I was a jeweler. FAVORITE QUOTE: “He who laughs last, laughs best.” WHO WOULD PLAY HIM IN A BIOPIC: Andy Garcia

KELLY CAVERS

Chief Sales Officer Discover the Palm Beaches

Cavers has spent more than 25 years in the hospitality industry. For the past six years, she has led the strategic sales efforts and destination services for Discover the Palm Beaches, Palm Beach County’s offi cial tourism agency, and was recently named chief sales offi cer, managing both group and leisure sales for the organization. Cavers started her career in sales for United Airlines, then transitioned to destination marketing with the San Diego Tourism Authority and Choose Chicago before arriving in the Palm Beaches. She is currently active in industry organizations such as PCMA, ASAE, IRF, and Association Forum, and serves on various advisory boards and committees with The Above and Beyond Foundation, Destinations International, and PCMA.

HOBBIES: I love playing tennis and I try not to skip my Orangetheory Fitness classes. TOP TRAVEL PICKS: Thailand or Bali; I love the people, culture, and food in both countries, and I explore something new every time I visit. GUILTY PLEASURE: Listening to How I Built This on NPR; learning the stories of successful entrepreneurs fascinates me.

MARGIE BETTEN

Executive Director and Market Manager of Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale J.P. Morgan Private Bank

Betten leads a team of private bankers in delivering wealth management advice, strategies, and services to clients. She ensures her team has the resources necessary to help clients achieve their goals and leave a legacy for the next generation. Betten is also an ambassador for J.P. Morgan in the local community. With a career in fi nance that has spanned 20 years, Betten joined J.P. Morgan in Chicago, where she served as the regional trust practice leader for the Midwest and West regions of the private bank. Interested in returning to her roots, she moved back to Palm Beach in 2019 for the opportunity to live and work in the area she has always considered home.

HOBBIES: The whole Florida menu: golf, tennis, and swimming AT THE TOP OF HER BUCKET LIST: A golf trip to Ireland WHAT SHE WOULD TELL HER YOUNGER SELF: Apply even more sunscreen. FAVORITE QUOTE: “Keep calm and carry on.” FIND HER ON WEEKENDS: At the Palm Beach Par 3 playing golf with my husband and our 8-year-old son, Charlie

DAVID C. FAUS

Head of School The Benjamin School

David C. Faus has spent most of his life in independent schools. Originally from Princeton, New Jersey, he has served for a quarter-century in various leadership capacities at nationally esteemed institutions. Since the fall of 2020, he has served as Head of School at The Benjamin School. Throughout his career, Faus has shepherded several educational initiatives, including international and artistic programming, curricular alignment, and strategic planning. He holds a bachelor’s in history and sociology from Kenyon College and a master’s of education from the University of Pennsylvania. Faus and his wife, Holly, are the proud parents of children Elizabeth and John.

HIDDEN TALENT: Competitive sailor STARTS HIS DAY: In the school carpool line, greeting children TOP BUCKET-LIST DESTINATION: Tuscany FAVORITE BOOK: Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet HOBBIES: Fishing and boating FIRST JOB: Picking string beans and strawberries on a local farm.

FANNING M. HEARON III

Head of School Palm Beach Day Academy

Hearon III is a teacher, coach, and advisor who now has the privilege of running one of the best schools in the country. This is his thirty-fi rst year in independent school business, and he could not be happier to be working with the amazing students and dedicated faculty at PBDA. Go Bulldogs!

HOMETOWN: Rye, New York FAVORITE QUOTE: “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” BEST ADVICE: Show up on time and look good. TOP TRAVEL PICK: San Sebastian, Spain FIRST JOB: Journalist COLLECTS: Baseball cards ADMIRES MOST: Teachers. They work so hard and deserve all the credit for a school’s success. TOP BUCKET-LIST DESTINATION: Patagonia STARTS HIS DAY: With co ee FAVORITE LOCAL SPOTS TO EAT: Hive for breakfast, Honor Bar for lunch, and Grato for dinner. FIND HIM ON WEEKENDS: Golfi ng with my family and friends.

RALPH MAURER

Head of School Oxbridge Academy

Maurer joined Oxbridge Academy as head of school in 2018. Under his tenure, Oxbridge has added a middle school, grown signifi cantly in enrollment, and pioneered new programs, such as artifi cial intelligence. Before joining Oxbridge, Maurer was headmaster of The International School Nido de Aguilas, an independent day school in Santiago, Chile. He was also a faculty member and administrator at the Freeman School of Business at Tulane University, where he oversaw the entrepreneurship curriculum. He says the most rewarding part of his career is watching students make a signifi cant difference in the world.

PROFESSIONAL ACCOLADE: Entrepreneurship Professor of the Year at Tulane University ADMIRES MOST: Teachers. They work tirelessly to educate the next generation of leaders. FAVORITE LOCAL SPOTS TO EAT: Sushi Jo and Jo Bistro in West Palm Beach TOP TRAVEL PICKS: Ireland and Greece FIRST JOB: The Gator gift shop at Ben Hill Gri n Stadium in Gainesville FAVORITE QUOTE: “It never gets easier; you just go faster.” —Greg Lemond MAKES HIM SMILE: Happy students

DREW LEVINE

Chief Operating Officer—East Allied Universal

Levine started with Wackenhut in 1987 and worked his way up through the business. Since 2005, he served as President of G4S Secure Solutions USA, growing the business to earn more than $2.3 billion in annual revenue. Through the recent Allied Universal acquisition of G4S, Levine was promoted to Chief Operating Offi cer—East, where he will continue driving the growth of Allied Universal from Canada to Puerto Rico. He is currently vice chairman of the Advisory Counsel for the College of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Florida State University.

HOMETOWN: Ridley Park, Pennsylvania HIDDEN TALENT: I can build a house from the ground up. FIRST JOB: Short-order cook at a hamburger joint in Folsom, Pennsylvania. Best burgers in all of Delaware County! GUILTY PLEASURES: A Mike and Emma’s special hoagie with long hot peppers and a lemon Tastykake MOST IMPORTANT LESSON HE’S LEARNED (SO FAR): It takes years to build a business and 45 days to destroy it. Stay sharp, put the right team around you, and check your ego.

LINCOLN MENDEZ

CEO Boca Raton Regional Hospital

Before his current role at Baptist Health, Mendez served as CEO of Baptist Health South Miami Hospital for more than nine years. Before that, he held the position of CEO at Baptist Health Doctors Hospital for a total of 14 years. During this period, he was CEO of Health South Doctors’ Hospital for eight years prior to Baptist Health acquiring the hospital in 2003. Prior to his employment with Health South Doctors’ Hospital, Mendez was the chief operating offi cer at Kendall Regional Medical Center in Miami, from 1993 to 1995.

WHO WOULD PLAY HIM IN A BIOPIC: Bruce Willis COLLECTS: Sports memorabilia SECRET TO HIS SUCCESS: Work ethic and leading by example FAVORITE QUOTE: “We can’t solve problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” —Albert Einstein STARTS HIS DAY: I always start my work day reading a devotional with scripture AT THE TOP OF HIS BUCKET LIST: Getting a hole in one in golf—my two sons have already done it! FIRST JOB: Cutting grass at my high school during the summer

TIM NARDI

General Manager Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa

Nardi is the managing director for the Forbes Five Star and AAA 5 Diamond resort, Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa. Before joining Eau Palm Beach, he was the director of hotel operations for Menin Hospitality for fi ve years. Prior to joining Menin Hospitality, he was general manager of three of South Beach’s most iconic hotels: the 1 Homes South Beach for three years, Morgans Hotel Group’s Shore Club for six years, and the Eden Roc Miami Beach for eight years. Nardi resides in Ocean Ridge with his partner, Charles Million, and their two rescue dogs, Webster and Miranda.

HOBBY: Skydiving: 1,700 jumps so far TOP TRAVEL PICK: Going to Luca, Italy, to meet my grandfather’s family FAVORITE BOOKS: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Life of Pi by Yann Martel, and A Promised Land by Barack Obama FAVORITE QUOTE: “Work hard, be kind.” —my dad, Michael S. Nardi FIRST JOBS: Busboy at Holiday Inn East in Billings Montana (followed by promotions to dishwasher, van driver, cook, server, front desk agent, housekeepe, and night audit)

GOPAL RAJEGOWDA

Partner Related Southeast

Rajegowda is passionate about developing successful destinations that combine world-class design, urban planning, hospitality, arts and culture, experiential retail, food and beverage, and community. With more than 16 years managing real estate acquisition and development, Rajegowda has led projects like the W South Beach in Miami Beach, the Cosmopolitan Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, and the Hilton West Palm Beach. He recently completed the development of 360 Rosemary and the re-imagination of The Square neighborhood and leads projects including 575 Rosemary and One Flagler. Rajegowda a board member of the Economic Council of Palm Beach County, Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches, Norton Museum of Art, and Cultural Council for Palm Beach County and is on the advisory board of ULI SE Florida.

EDUCATION: Columbia University and Cornell University WHO WOULD PLAY HIM IN A BIOPIC: Idris Elba HOBBIES: Traveling, exercising, meditating, and reading GUILTY PLEASURE: Glazed doughnut at The Salty

MICHAEL J. PUMO

Vice-President / General Manager Sinclair Broadcasting/Compulse Digital

Pumo was born in Georgia, raised in Ohio, and graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a bachelor’s in communications. He spent seven years as a TV sports and news anchor in four different markets before moving to sales, sales management, and general management. He’s on the executive committee and was the past chairman of the Florida Broadcast Association, is on the board of United Way, and is a trustee of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches. He is the proud father of Alexander and Gabriella.

FAVORITE QUOTE: “Set your ego at the door.” BEST PIECE OF ADVICE HE’S RECEIVED: Listen more, talk less. STARTS HIS DAY: Co ee, verse of the day, dog walk, and workout PROFESSIONAL ACCOLADE: Chairman of Florida Broadcasters Association pre and during COVID (2019-2020) TOP TRAVEL PICKS: Mountains in North Carolina, anywhere in Europe (especially Italy) FAVORITE BOOKS: Beneath A Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan and Playing for Pizza by John Grisham HOBBIES: Golf, hiking, yoga, and working out

DEBRA A. SCHWINN

President Palm Beach Atlantic University

Schwinn has led Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) since May 2020. An accomplished higher education leader, innovator, scientist, and physician, she previously served in senior leadership roles at the University of Iowa, University of Washington, and Duke University. A member of the National Academy of Medicine, she earned her medical degree from the Stanford University School of Medicine, which has honored her with its Lifetime Alumni Achievement Award. After ably guiding PBA through the pandemic, she presided over the development of a multiphase campus master plan, and in August welcomed the largest incoming class in the University’s history.

ADVICE FOR SOMEONE STARTING OUT (OR STARTING OVER): Your lfe/career is a marathon, not a sprint; so work hard and set a doable pace. STARTS HER DAY: Co ee, 45 minutes of reading scripture and other books, 30 minutes of silent meditation, a one-hour CrossFit class, shower, and o to work. GUILTY PLEASURES: Cashews and caramel TOP TRAVEL PICKS: Seattle and the Pacifi c Northwest

BEN SPOONT

CEO, Co-Founder Misfits Gaming Group

Spoont is the CEO and co-founder of Misfi ts Gaming Group (MGG), a global esports, gaming, and entertainment company focused on fueling creator talent and fi elding competitive teams. MGG invests in creators and dreamers, everywhere from Minecraft blocks to chess squares, and competes in the most successful video game titles worldwide, including permanent partnerships in franchised leagues such as the Overwatch League (Florida Mayhem) and the Call of Duty League (Florida Mutineers) along with other titles including Rocket League, Valorant, and Minecraft. MGG utilizes world-class management and a deep understanding of the esports and gaming ecosystems to capitalize on the rampant global enthusiasm for gaming and establish fruitful partnerships with international brands and organizations.

BEST PIECE OF ADVICE: Never burn bridges. STARTS HIS DAY: Getting the kids ready and o to school! HOBBY: I love playing video games with my kids. FIND HIM ON THE WEEKEND: At the local parks and beaches with my family

PAM TAHAN

CEO Wellington Regional Medical Center

Tahan serves as the CEO at Wellington Regional Medical Center and has more than 26 years as a seasoned, senior health care executive. Her focus and commitment are patient safety and quality patient care, which has earned Wellington Regional Medical Center numerous accreditations and accolades. Prior to her role as CEO, she most recently served as the COO at Wellington Regional Medical Center, where she was responsible for the daily operations and implementation of strategic initiatives for the hospital. Tahan’s experience includes serving as Chief Operating Offi cer at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital in Pennsylvania and Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center.

HOMETOWN: Marlboro, New Jersey EDUCATION: Cornell University TOP BUCKET-LIST DESTINATION: Tokyo STARTS HER DAY: At Taco Bell FIRST JOB: Waitress HOBBIES: Travel and reading

HEATHER STEWART

Director, General Manager Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems

As the director and general manager for Lockheed Martin’s Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS) West Palm Beach Operations, Stewart is responsible for leading all aspects of the organization’s assembly operations in support of delivery of production aircraft and successfully executing fl ight test operations on development aircraft programs. Stewart also provides management oversight to the Sikorsky Training Academy in Stuart and operational execution of helicopter fl ight test activities in Patuxent River, Maryland. She joined Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, in 2010. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Columbia University.

HOMETOWN: St. Catherine, Jamaica SOMETHING FEW PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT HER: I graduated high school and started at an Ivy League university at 15 years old. SECRETS TO HER SUCCESS: Positivity, grace under fi re, and always taking a second look rather than assuming fi rst impressions are true. INSPIRED BY: I’m inspired by my kids and the need to leave a world that is better for them.

STACY VOLNICK

COO, Vice President of Administrative Affairs Florida Atlantic University

Volnick is a longtime member of the Florida Atlantic University (FAU) community, having received her bachelor’s degree in communications and her master’s degree in education leadership. With more than 30 years in higher education administration experience, she now serves as COO and vice president for Administrative Affairs. Additionally, Volnick administratively oversees the Offi ces of the Inspector General and University Compliance. During her tenure at FAU, Volnick has served in several interim roles, such as interim vice president of institutional advancement, interim inspector general, and chief fi nanical offi cer. Beginning January 1, she will serve as interim president of FAU.

FAVORITE QUOTE: “Don’t be a person of success, be a person of value.” —The Dalai Lama STARTS HER DAY: Walking my two little fur babies, Rocco and Gucci FIRST JOB: Baskin Robbins Ice Cream shop SECRETS TO HER SUCCESS: Being humble. Appreciating every single person who impacted me in some way and providing opportunities for those that I can. Knowing that everyone on my team, no matter their role, is a piece to a much larger puzzle.