Philanthropist of the Year Awards, 2024
SocialMiami honors 10 of the most influential and inspirational leaders in the community. PHOTOS BY MANNY HERNANDEZ & RYAN TROY
SocialMiami hosted its inaugural Philanthropist of the Year Awards dinner at Delilah, the acclaimed Miami hotspot, recognizing ten of the most influential and inspirational leaders in the community. SocialMiami, a media outlet covering philanthropy for more than 20 years, has created a premier list of candidates who have given back to the community at extraordinary levels.
SocialMiami is a media outlet covering philanthropy for more than 20 years, having partnered over the two decades with more than 800 non-profit organizations to publicize their missions, their galas and the individuals making each of those efforts successful. SocialMiami has become so skilled in its coverage, and the combination of continuously showcasing events, attending fundraisers, publishing articles and collaborating with both charity CEOs and committee members, says editor Brett Graff, is what provides SocialMiami with the panoramic view of Miami philanthropy and therefore the authority to select the people who this year will be recognized.
“Miami is a strong community and one filled with so many people who are highly dedicated to improving the lives of others,” says Graff. “But the honorees our team selected stand out for having an abundance of generosity, compassion and humanity. Each one most certainly works hard for the community, while also seeming to make philanthropy a privilege and a pleasure. We’re so proud to recognize each one.”
While each of the honorees selected is dedicated to a variety of causes and charities, SocialMiami selected on this occasion one organization for each philanthropist to represent.
Philanthropist of the Year
Honorees, 2024
TRISH & DAN BELL
The Foundation for New Education Initiatives
YOLANDA & JEFF BERKOWITZ
Voices for Children Foundation
JENNI & JOSH COBA
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
SWANEE DIMARE
Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens
GERALD & JENNIFER GRANT
Baptist Health Foundation
LINDA LYNN LEVY
Ronald McDonald House Charities
JENNIFER LOVE
Kristi House
LISA & VICTOR MENDELSON
Florida Grand Opera
ANA VEIGAMILTON & CECIL MILTON
Jackson Health Foundation
JENNIFER VALOPPI & CHRISTIAN de BERDOUARE
Women of Tomorrow Mentor and Scholarship Program
Sponsors
CCS Fundraising
Evensky & Katz / Foldes Wealth Management
Jackson Health Foundation
United Way Miami
Southern Glazier’s Wine & Spirits
Diamonds on the Key
Manny Hernandez has been covering Miami’s social, lifestyle and art scenes for more than 30 years. Manny was born and raised in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood and is a proud alumnus of Miami-Dade College and Florida International University. His contributions are showcased weekly in The Miami Herald, Ocean Drive and Indulge magazines and his popular and much anticipated photo gallery, SOCIAL Manny, on SocialMiami.com. His images have also appeared in countless publications, including: Paper Magazine, Vanity Fair, People, Vogue and Rolling Stone.
In 2018, Manny was honored as one of the 12 Good Men by the Ronald McDonald House Charities and co-produced along with Broadway producer Richard Jay-Alexander, an exhibit in honor of famed press agent Charlie Cinnamon at the FIU Jewish Museum.
Manny recently authored his first book, CANDIDS Miami (Wynwood Books).
