President
Name: Robert Garcia, MBA, SPHR, GPHR
Email: president@gmshrm.org
Robert is the Corporate Director of Human Resources for Baptist Health South Florida, the largest faith-based, not-for-profit health care organization in the region with almost 15,000 employees and an outstanding reputation for medical and service excellence. He is responsible for the overall delivery and integration of human resources services to employees in corporate functions at 14 facilities throughout the system. He brings a wealth of experience in the fields of human resource management, leadership consulting, and health care administration. Robert is the faculty director of Executive Education Programs in HR at FIU and a previous trustee member of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. Robert obtained a Master of Business Administration from FIU and is a distinguished graduate of Nova Southeastern University with a Bachelor of Science in Business. He is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources and a Global Professional in Human Resources. He has been interviewed for his perspective on business and career management by The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald, CNN, CBS, The Sun Sentinel, the Business Journal, World City and Proyección Humana. Bilingual in English and Spanish, he is a frequent guest speaker, having presented throughout the world, most recently at the University of Miami Careers Symposium and HR Florida Leadership Conference.
President-elect
Name: Jenna Rinehart Rassif, Esq., Partner
Email: presidentelect@gmshrm.org
Jenna Rinehart Rassif is a Partner in the firm's Miami Office. As a Board Certified Labor and Employment attorney, Jenna has extensive experience representing employers in virtually all areas of labor and employment law. Jenna's active litigation, counseling and transactional practice includes defending claims arising in the workplace alleging discrimination and retaliation (Title VII, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Florida Civil Rights Act, and whistleblower laws); alleging violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act; and alleging battery, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty (directors/officers), defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and invasion of privacy. Jenna's practice also has a special concentration in drafting executive employment agreements and non-compete and other restrictive covenant agreements, as well as in advising on the enforceability of such agreements, and prosecuting and defending alleged breaches. Jenna's notable experience has also enabled her to train and counsel employers comprehensively on day-to-day human resources decisions, including termination and internal investigations.
Immediate Past President
Cindy J. Lau-Evans is an Employee Relations Officer at Miami Dade College. She has over twenty years of direct or managerial experience in every function of H.R. with specializations that include Diversity and Inclusion, Communication, Human Capital Engagement and Development and Compliance as well as Employee Relations. Previous employers have included The Wackenhut Corporation, MetroBank and Flagler Federal.
She has been appointed by the HR Florida State Council as the State’s 2012 Director of Diversity. Cindy was GMSHRM’s Director of Diversity in 2008 and 2009 and named Board Member of the Year in 2009. She served as Director for Professional Development (Workshops) in 2007. She is a former Board Member of the Miami chapter of the American Society for Training and Development. Cindy earned her Bachelor’s (B.A., Psychology) and Master’s (M.S.Ed., Instructional Design - Organizational Training) at the University of Miami, Coral Gables and served as a President of the Caribbean Students Association.
Secretary
Name: Barbara Romero
Email: secretary@gmshrm.org
Barbara Romero is the Director of Human Resources at Camillus House, a non-profit organization serving the South Florida community since 1960. Camillus House provides humanitarian services to men, women and children who are poor and homeless. Upon receiving her A.A. degree from Miami Dade Community College, Ms. Romero continued her education at Florida International University where she earned a BA in Psychology and later graduated from the University of Miami with an MBA in Management. She is also a candidate for a 2nd master’s degree in Human Resources. In her spare time, Barbara enjoys acting. After graduating from the acclaimed Actors Workshop, she has played roles in various Telenovelas: Acorralada, Bajo las Riendas del Amor, and Las Dos Caras de Ana. As Director of HR, Ms. Romero focuses on the company’s most valuable asset-its employees. She aligns best practices in Human Resources Management with Camillus’ mission of Christian hospitality and respect for life.
Treasurer
Name: Kathie Alexander, SPHR
Email: treasurer@gmshrm.org
Kathie Alexander is the Assistant Director, Human Resources & Budget at Florida International University’s (FIU) School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. In this role, Kathie is responsible for the financial management of multimillion dollar budgets to include assisting in overseeing the budgets for the acclaimed South Beach Wine and Food Festival. In addition to financial administration, Kathie is responsible for all human resource activities for the school to include: recruitment, performance management, coaching, employee relations, and compensation. Prior to becoming a part of the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Kathie served in a leadership capacity providing all human resource management, programs, and oversight for FIU’s Biscayne Bay Campus. She is also an active member of South Florida Compensation and Benefits Association, which seeks to “Educate & Connect” compensation and benefits practitioners in the field of total rewards. With over 10 years of experience in Human Resource Management and a MS degree in Human Resource Management from Florida International University, Kathie presents herself as a strategic focused, well-rounded, knowledgeable HR professional.
Vice President at-Large -CLA
Name: Robert Ortiz
Email: vicepresidentcla@gmshrm.org
Vice President at-Large -Professional Development
Name: Margaret Spence, CWC, RMPE
Email: vpprofessionaldevelopment@gmshrm.org
Margaret Spence is President/CEO of Douglas Claims & Risk Consultants, Inc. and the author of - From Workers' Comp Claimant to Valued Employee. Margaret is a Board Certified Workers' Compensation Consultant, Speaker and Trainer who ranks among the experts in the field of injury management and return to work implementation. Margaret holds a designation in Public Entity Risk Management; she is a licensed adjuster and a licensed property and casualty agent. She has a Bachelors and Master’s degree in Psychology and is currently completing a Masters in Human Resources Law and Organizational Leadership from Columbia Southern University. Margaret is a national speaker on aligning workers’ compensation best practices with prudent HR policies. She also speaks on disability management, employee safety, wellness and strategic organizational leadership.
Vice President of Marketing
Email: marketing@gmshrm.org
Vice President of Membership
Name: Lawrence Avers
Director, Certification
Name: Joanne Mena
Email: certification@gmshrm.org
Director, College Relations
Name: Theresa Davis, PHR
Email: collegerelations@gmshrm.org
Theresa Davis is the Senior Recruiter for Amdeus, North America and is a focused HR Professional with solid credentials in recruiting. She is Florida native with excellent networking for Human Resources Professionals in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties. Accomplished in online and remote recruiting techniques, Theresa has directly interviewed over 8000 applicants for banking. She has rapidly assessed talent and matched client needs with available candidates. Her results have reduced turnover by in depth knowledge of management styles and met corporate business needs.
Director, Communications
Name: Cary Reyes, PHR
Email: communications@gmshrm.org
Cary Reyes is a generalist and compensation / benefits analyst with 18+ years in HR management. She created the department of HR from scratch for an industry leader of avionics in order to help meet its design-to-production & growth challenges. Collaborating with a team of engineers, financial and technical experts, she helped to source key talent and engage the expertise that was needed to set processes and complex functions in place. Cary’s professional development enmeshed several facets: Human Resources, Compliance and Risk Management. She combined her accounting and HR strengths in a thorough performance of her many roles:401(k) Plan Administrator,Personnel Manager/Controller, Director of Human Resources, and Compliance.
Director, Community Relations
Director of Diversity & Inclusion
Name: Claire K. Bergquist
Email: diversity@gmshrm.org
Claire K. Bergquist is the Vice President, People & Leadership Manager at Banco Popular North America. In this role, Claire is responsible for the management of all Human Resources activities in Florida which encompasses 20 banking centers. Prior to joining Banco Popular, Claire was VP, Human Resources Director for the Kislak Organization in Miami Lakes. Claire received a BS degree in Accounting from Villanova University in Pennsylvania and has been an active member of SHRM for many years.
Director, Foundation
Name: Evelyn Martinez
Email: foundation@gmshrm.org
Director, Global Forum
Name: Marylou Ponzi-Kay
Email: globalforum@gmshrm.org
Marylou Ponzi Kay is a human resources executive with experience in several industries: financial services, technology, manufacturing, consumer goods, retail and hospitality. Currently a human resources consultant, her clients include a telecommunications firm, a veterinary pharmaceutical company and an international relocation services provider. Marylou has over twenty years of experience with companies that include Michelin, JP Morgan, American Express, Canon, Esselte Pendaflex, Sol Melia, and Benetton. She holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees, a certificate in labor relations and speaks several languages. She has been an adjunct Professor in graduate Human Resources at New York Institute of Technology. Marylou completed the Miami Chamber of Commerce Senior Executive Orientation Program in 2006.
Director, Legislative Affairs
Name: Andrew Rodman, Esq
Email: legislative@gmshrm.org
Andrew Rodman, a shareholder at the law firm Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson, focuses his practice on counseling employers on labor and employment-related matters, and defending employers in state and federal court litigation and administrative proceedings before the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the U.S. Department of Labor, and the Florida Commission on Human Relations. Andrew graduated magna cum laude from Brandeis University (1993) and cum laude from Boston University School of Law (1996).
Director, Programs
Name: David Suarez
Email: programs@gmshrm.org
Director, Special Events
Name: David Davidoff, SPHR
Email: specialevents@gmshrm.org
David Davidoff is a Senior Advisor - Recruiting Consultant for Nason & Nason. He has over 20 years of professional Human Resources management experience in multiple industries including retail, banking and pharmaceutical/health care. His areas of expertise include recruiting, employee relations, HR policy and procedure development and Talent Management. David is a Miami native who has been an active member of GMSHRM for virtually his entire professional career and previously served on the Board as VP, Programs in 2004. David has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and Psychology from Florida State University.
Director of Sponsorship
Name: Russell Correa
Email: sponsorship@gmshrm.org
Director, Workforce Readiness
Name: Lourdes Barcena
Email: workforcereadiness@gmshrm.org
District XI Director
Name: Debbie Winkles, SPHR
Email: districtxidirector@gmshrm.org
Other
Ambassador - HR Florida
Email: hrflorida@gmshrm.org
Coordinator, Awards
Name: Linda Friedman
Email: awards@gmshrm.org
Linda is Facilities Campus Planner at Miami Dade College (Wolfson Campus). She excels at networking throughout the community. Expert at building, nurturing, and retaining professional relationships within both private and public sectors. Marketed and recruited members for several organizations eceeding expected goals. Comply with government agencies at all levels, meet deadlines on any projects or event planning. Began career counseling, testing, and evaluating various populations Based on outcome, placed in educational classes, jobs and / or on the job training.
Coordinator, Executive Forum
Name: Rossana Tabares, SPHR, GPHR
Email: executive@gmshrm.org
Rossana Tabares is a Human Resources Executive with more than 20 years of progressive domestic and international experience and a successful track record aligning organizational processes and talent capability with business objectives, designing and delivering HR and OD solutions to help drive the successful execution of business strategies, and creating the leadeship capability required to attain organizational sustainability. Rossana has held various senior-level corporate and consulting positions in organizations ranging from start-ups to Fortune 100. Her experience ranges from the staffing, finance, retail and insurance fields to the pharmaceutical industry. Through the implementation of targeted HR processes, talent acquisition and organizational development strategies, she’s been instrumental for improving organizational performance and increasing employee engagement while driving process effectiveness, reducing turn over and costs.
