Diana Susi, President and CEO, MSW, MFT, CMHP Project Director

Masters level Social Worker, 40+ years experience as Projects Director, Executive and CEO of AYUDA guiding staff, board and families to provide excellent service to clients. Has started and directed clinics for special needs populations and ensured that inclusion programs prevail in school settings. Has advocated for human rights issues in Miami-Dade County, has mentored, taught and supervised Bachelor and Master level Mental Health and Social Work Interns. Has written grants that get regranted since 1990. Implemented and protects the value system of AYUDA as an agency that serves its client base from infancy to the end of life with dignity and respect.

DEANNE CONNOLLY GRAHAM, BOARD CHAIR emeritus

The passing of our dear Board Chair DeAnne Connolly-Graham has left a void in many lives and organizations. We are grateful to have had her championing our cause for over 18 years, she has left a magnificent legacy. AYUDA has created the DeAnne Connolly Graham Legacy Fund to continue her essential work in the community.

Alison Davis Gerits, Board Chair

Alison was born in Colombia and raised there and in Argentina. She graduated from Colby College in 1993 with a degree in International Relations. That year she joined DDB Advertising Agency in New York City. Over the next twenty years she worked on American Airlines, ExxonMobil and McDonald’s in NY, Dallas, Miami, Buenos Aires and Jakarta. In 2022, Alison founded her own online lifestyle business City Life Guru. She is also a Board Member of Jewish Community Services of South Florida.

Anne-Marie Tristan, Board Vice Chair

With over 40 years of development/fundraising experience, Anne-Marie is happy to be grant writer for AYUDA. Anne-Marie is originally from Brooklyn, New York and has lived in Miami since 1992. She has a Bachelors in Music with a minor in Art History and a Masters of Business Administration from The American University. She began her career as a High School teacher
before becoming an administrator and grant writer. She enjoys painting (mostly watercolor), playing piano and is an animal rights advocate. She fostered 9 children and adopted her daughter and is glad to have three beautiful grandchildren.

Esther Dollar, Board Secretary

Esther joined Ayuda in 2014 after years of dedicating time to the organization as a volunteer. As a Board member, she developed a youth empowerment program focusing on self-esteem for teen girls. Esther is a model and pageant titleholder. Additionally, she can be seen regularly on Univision in lifestyle and entertainment segments.

MELINA ALMODOVAR, Board Member

Melina Almodóvar, also known as La Muñeca de la Salsa and La Chica Del Bling, is a Puerto Rican salsa singer, songwriter, dancer, and entertainer. She has also performed in many festivals and clubs all over the United States and the world. Her main stage has been Hollywood Salsa Festival, an event that she produces herself with her production team ALMODOVAR MUSICA PRODUCTIONS. Thousands come every year to the City of Hollywood, Florida on the first Saturday of April to enjoy salsa music from the best salsa musicians, dancers and DJjs in the world. This event has become the highest attended festival of Florida dedicated exclusively to the salsa genre. Melina has also produced the Miami Beach Salsa Festival . In 2021 The Miami Beach SalsaFest was a benefit for AYUDA. Melina is dedicated to ensuring that the joy of Salsa is accessible to all ages and cultures.

Lucia Baez-Geller, BOARD MEMBER

Lucia Baez-Geller was elected November 2020 to represent District 3 in the Miami-Dade County Public School Board. She has been a part of the community she represents for over 30 years, working tirelessly to give its residents a better education.
For over 15 years, Lucia has dedicated her life to education by teaching thousands of students. Her advocacy efforts are far reaching beyond the classroom with her involvement with education initiatives in Miami-Dade County, Tallahassee, and Washington, DC. She was awarded the title of 2013 Political Advocate of the Year by the National Education Association. Lucia has worked with United Teachers of Dade, Florida Education Association, the National Education Association, Educational Excellence School Advisory Council, Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents, Media Ambassador for the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, and served as the Education Chair with the League of Women Voters.

WINSOME BOLT, BOARD MEMBER

Winsome Bolt is among the many South Florida artists who enjoy expressing themselves with unique interpretations of people and our beautiful environment. Her distinctive art style is vibrant and imaginative which lends to the exceptional stylistic format she completes her interior projects as well as her visual art. Winsome used acrylic on multi-medium surface such as wooden chairs, tables , doors, glass and canvas and has exhibited throughout New York and South Florida, notable at the Gallery of the Unknown Artist, The African American Cultural Center, Kwaku International, The Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, Old Dillard Museum, Wallflower Gallery, Jerri’s Art Corner, Art Serve, The Miami Beach Botanical Garden, Brickell Visitor Bureau and The African American Research Library and Cultural Center in Broward. Designed 6ft Peace Statue installed at The Miami Beach Botanical Garden, Wall murals at the Vienna Café at Lincoln Road Mall, “Ladies Waiting” in the Surfside Theater in Surfside, African jungle concept on walls at the Barnett Bank Building at Lincoln Road Mall. These credits gained her notable recognition in personalizing clients Walls with works of art. She became the principal Designer for Elaine Lewis International, Miami and worked with Ms Lewis on her Fortune 500 clients and developers including Lefrak, Zeckendorf, Tisch, Resnick and the Milstien Family and celebrities such as Eartha Kitt and Sidney Poitier. Presently designs Mindwarehouse co-work space and Mindwarehouse Connect, an open concept venue for events located downtown Miami. Winsome curates, creates and designs venues to exhibit Visual/musical/spoken word artist in pop up Gallery style at homes and offices in Miami and Broward, Miami Beach Botanical Garden Banyan Room and curates and exhibits local and international emerging and veteran artist at the Mindwarehouse Connect. She curated Art Days, and Block 1 Art week during Art Basel. Presently instructs art and design classes at local after schools such as Fienberg Fisher, Happy Kids, Happy Memories, Kid Adventure as well as classes for adults at UNIDAD, Surfside Community Center and other neighborhood facilities.

NICK BRUNZELL, Board Member

Born in Idaho I joined the Navy as a Rescue Swimmer at 18 years old. After 4 years in the Navy, a year was spent in Pensacola, where I fell in love with Florida. I started my 10 year career with Nordstrom and was promoted to open the Aventura store. In 2015 I started in the insurance industry, and in 2021 started my own business, Archangel GRP CORP, to better serve citizens and my team.

GIL COHEN, Board Member

With over 25 years of dynamic experience in accounting, real estate, and business consulting, Gil Cohen is a powerhouse in managing business operations and finance. He excels in representing individual investors and commercial firms, demonstrating unparalleled skills in operations, development, and leadership. Known for his ability to harness team talents for exceptional results, Gil’s expertise spans financial, operational, compliance, and information systems across diverse industries. His knack for thorough analysis, risk evaluation, and meticulous attention to detail sets him apart. A results-driven professional, Gil thrives both independently and in collaborative environments, dedicated to achieving excellence in every endeavor.

Eva Dias, Board Member

Eva Dias is an accomplished Business Executive, who has developed her Human Resources career within 4 of the biggest corporations in the world, all leaders in their industry – Philip Morris, L’Oréal, Novartis and IFF – International Flavours & Fragrances. Throughout her career, she has gained a very broad international experience, working in different countries, such as Brazil, Portugal, Switzerland, France and since 2003 in US. She is currently the CEO & Founder of Phoenix Human Capital Solutions, a Human Resources practice with the mission of “helping people and organizations to unveil and unleash the best version of themselves”. As such, she has been working with different clients of different industries and geographies, in delivering tailored solutions to address their wants and helping them to live a more accomplished “whole” life. She is a certified Coach on Core Energy Leadership by the iPEC Institute(US), Public Speaker in human behaviour related matters. She is deeply involved with the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce where she founded and co-chaired the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council, is currently Charing the Women Business Council, is one of the Board of Governors and a Pillar Board. As a member of the Global Trade Chamber, she was granted the Global Award “100 Successful Women in Business” in 2020 & 2022. As an author she has co-written 2 books: Empowered Women and 100 Successful Women Around the World, where she shares her trajectory as a human being, woman, professional since her beginning in Brazil all the way to the whole world. She speaks fluently English, Portuguese, French and Spanish.

A Brazilian American, she holds a B.S. in Business Administration, is married to Augusto, has a little dog called Bela and 2 parakeets called Dominique and Nikodemon. Her mantra is: “Always shoot for the moon, if you miss it, you may still land amongst stars”.

KYRA FULLEDA, Board Member

My name is Kyra Fulleda , I’m originally from Barranquilla Colombia. Moved to the United States when I was 18 years old. I have 3 beautiful children, and 5 grandchildren. I worked 18 years in the Airline industry and currently 20 years in the Medicare industry. I’m the Broker Manager for Miami-Dade County for Carefree Insurance a company from CVS. I have been nominated for top producing broker manager in the Country for the last 3 years.

JANELLE GRAHAM, Board Member

Transparency brings healing; storytelling has the power to build community; rising generations must harness the vitality of their voices, and Janelle Nicole Poetic Puff Graham interacts with these values in heart and mind. As a writer, she listens to needs and crafts words to form clear and creative expressions with intentions to generate discussion, fuel action, and make an imprint. Serving as an advocate for youth and their role in telling their stories, she facilitates creative expression workshops. Janelle Nicole Poetic Puff Graham provides relatable spaces for young people to take ownership as the authors of their life stories.

Ten years as a poetry instructor, she has volunteered for non-profits serving at-risk youth. For five years, she has worked as an educator and earned awards and recognition such as New Educator of the Year, New American Hero Award, and Most Likely to Create World Peace. In her recent role as an IB educator, Janelle Nicole Poetic Puff Graham led her school’s social-emotional learning (SEL). As a published author, she visits schools to engage youth in the necessity of writing their life story.

A South Florida native and graduate of Alabama State University, she resides in Sunrise, FL, with her husband and their daughter.

KIMBERLY HILLERY, Advisory Board Member

Kimberly Hillery was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. and relocated to Miami in 1997. She received her law degree from Temple University and has devoted her career to public service positions. She is currently an assistant chief counsel with the Department of Homeland Security. Ms. Hillery joined the Board of AYUDA in 2016 in an advisory capacity and provides Pro Bono legal advice. She enjoys working with others to improve the lives of South Florida families and making positive contributions. In her spare time, she enjoys piano playing, interior design, and foreign travel.

LILIANA MARTINEZ, BOARD MEMBER

Liliana Martinez, a native of Colombia, has lived in Miami Beach for 22 years. Martinez is an activist, supporting causes that help the needy and underserved in Miami Beach, and is a member of the City’s Hispanic Affairs Committee. Over the years, she has become the go-to person for campaigns in need of voter outreach. Political operative Liliana Martinez has worked for eight campaigns in Miami Beach’s 2021 elections, including those of Mayor Dan Gelber, Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, and the political committee opposing a 2 a.m. alcohol sales ban. She has received several recognitions from the City Commission for her avid activism in this City.
Liliana was the catalyst for the City Commission recognizing and honoring the Mount Sinai nurses and doctors for their dedication and their heroic efforts to treat all patients hospitalized with COVID-19.
Liliana is one of those patients, fully recovered today, thanks to the medical treatment and emotional support she was given at Sinai when her family could not be by her side.

DAVID SEXTON, Board Member

David Sexton is an (almost) 30 year resident of Miami Beach. While living here, he has owned a gym (South Beach Ironworks) and an art studio (Painting with a Twist), worked for MARVEL Comics, produced shows and plays and events. He currently owns the Art/Event company Normandy Arts LLC (www.NormandyArt.net) and is the President of the Normandy Fountain Business Association www.NormandyFountain.com ).

ANDRES WILLIAMS, Board Member

André L. Williams is a real estate attorney with a full-service real estate law firm represents real estate developers, investors, lenders, brokers and individuals in real estate matters. He previously practiced law at Holland and Knight LLP.

André was selected as one on of the “10 Best Attorneys” in Florida for Client Satisfaction in Real Estate Law by the American Institute of Legal Counsel.

He is also the President and CEO of Pendragon Title and Escrow Inc.
(www.pendragontitle.com), a title company which offers a full range of title and real estate closing services to lenders, brokers, sellers and purchasers throughout the State of Florida. He is the President of the Miami Gardens Chamber of Commerce.

He was elected Councilman in the City of Miami Gardens, FL in 2006 and served until 2012. Miami Gardens is the largest predominantly African American city in Florida with a population of over 110,000 and the third largest city in Miami- Dade County.

André received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and American Literature from Harvard University and his law degree from Vanderbilt University School of Law. He is a Graduate of Ransom Everglades Upper School.

Marjorie York

Marjorie York is a community activist who is on many Boards in Miami Beach and throughout the County. I especially enjoy helping to plan events where everyone can gather to exchange ideas and discuss legislative issues. It is very gratifying to witness people receiving needed services provided by AYUDA.

Brian Burlingame

As CEO of JeffreyGroup since 2015, Brian has led a company of more than 130 professionals in seven offices across four countries. The recent acquisition of JeffreyGroup by Hill+Knowlton Strategies doubles H+K’s footprint in Latin America. Brian will lead H+K’s Latin American operation, encompassing the two legacy businesses. He holds a MBA and Masters in International Business from the University of Miami, and speaks English, Spanish and Portuguese. Brian is a passionate supporter of AYUDA and its vital services to the community.