BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A philanthropist and entrepreneur, Gabriele Fiorentino blends business with a deep commitment to community enrichment. After earning her MBA from the University of Miami, she worked at the Burger King Corporation and Beber Silverstein & Partners before shifting focus to raising a family and collaborative ventures with her husband, Patrick. Their latest joint project, a truffle orchard in North Carolina, reflects her passion for sustainable innovation.

In Miami, Fiorentino champions hands-on learning as a member of a small educational farm with a mission of fostering connections between people, animals, and the land. Important is the bridging of urban communities with regenerative agriculture through partnerships with university programs. This initiative embodies her belief in the transformative power of reconnecting people with the land.

The arts have been a lifelong compass for Fiorentino. As an artist and advocate, she spent a decade integrating arts education into public schools and now fuels creative youth development through Dranoff’s Piano Slam, which merges music with academic inspiration. Her home serves as a hub for cultural exchange, hosting salons, fundraisers, and performances to support grassroots arts organizations. She actively fosters collaboration among Miami’s creative institutions, driven by the conviction that art must "express our humanity, question our world, and spark joy".

Born in Düsseldorf, Germany, Fiorentino credits her family and her homeland’s post-WWII reckoning with shaping her perspective. These influences cemented her belief in art as a force for healing and dialogue, a principle that continues to guide her philanthropic vision.

After a distinguished 30-year career navigating the complexities of transnational disputes, Maxine Long retired from her role as a litigation partner at Shutts & Bowen, leaving behind a legacy of innovative legal strategies and landmark cases. Specializing in cross-border banking transactions, international contract disputes, and matters under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, she represented governments, corporations, and financial institutions across multiple jurisdictions with unmatched skill.

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Long’s journey began with a clerkship under U.S. District Judge C. Clyde Atkins, followed by decades at Shutts & Bowen, where she earned recognition in Who’s Who in American Law, Who’s Who of American Women, and other prestigious listings. Beyond her corporate practice, she provided invaluable counsel to religious institutions, helping churches navigate legal challenges with care and insight.

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Now retired from law, she has returned to an early passion: music. A lifelong lover of the arts, Long dedicates her time to supporting Dranoff 2 Piano Fusion where she embraces the same discipline and creativity that defined her legal career—now channeled into a new, harmonious chapter.

Christina Bracken was born and raised in Germany but discovered her love for Miami after sailing across the Atlantic. Captivated by the city, she moved to Key Biscayne near Miami within weeks.

Her adventurous spirit later took her family to Indonesia, Thailand, and India, where they lived for six years. During this time, she launched a business designing and manufacturing children’s clothing for European customers.

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Returning from Asia in 1993, Bracken joined a Miami footwear company as a product developer. A decade later, she started her own design and manufacturing business, combining her creativity with entrepreneurial drive.

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Committed to making a difference, she founded GoVoteMiami in 2015 to strengthen civic engagement in her community and beyond. She also serves on the Executive Council of Inspired Women Lead, a global organization that empowers women to embrace their authentic leadership potential.

As a Strategic Projects and Innovation Specialist at WEI, Rodrigo Cavenecia helps enterprises modernize their IT infrastructure at the New Hampshire-based technology solutions provider. This role builds upon his track record of driving market expansion for global leaders like L'Oréal and Samsung Electronics, following his Business Administration degree from Peru's prestigious Universidad del Pacífico.

Cavenecia's strategic mindset was further refined through his MBA studies at Babson College, where he graduated cum laude with an entrepreneurship concentration. During this intensive two-year program, he also completed a demanding summer internship at Amazon, demonstrating his ability to excel in fast-paced, innovative environments.

Beyond his professional achievements, Cavenecia is a passionate pianist who finds balance and inspiration at his cherished Steinway & Sons piano. This artistic pursuit complements his business acumen, creating a unique perspective that informs his approach to technology innovation and corporate strategy.

Having moved from Peru to the U.S. in 2021, Cavenecia embodies the global mindset needed to thrive in today's interconnected business landscape, while maintaining the cultural roots that inspire both his professional and musical endeavors.

Heidy Frank is a Family Financial Advisor with the Morgan Stanley, Coral Gables, Florida office. Frank has 20+ years in client relationship roles of increasing responsibility, including regional head for Nokia ( former Alcatel-Lucent ). Her affiliations include the CFA and ADL Chapters of South Florida.

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Originally from Brazil, Frank has resided in Miami for over 30 years. Frank is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese with a working knowledge of German. She holds a BBA from University of Miami, with majors in Finance and Marketing. Frank achieved her Masters from Babson College with a specialization in Entrepreneurship.

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In addition to Frank's professional interests, she has a firm belief in being involved in the community. Frank is a member of or has actively supported the Key Biscayne Yacht Club, Act4Me Foundation. Additionally, she is the VP for the Babson College Florida Alumni Group.

Glenda Hayley is a global citizen with a passion for education, culture, and community. For over 30 years, she shaped international programs and corporate partnerships at the University of Miami, leveraging her deep expertise in language education and cross-cultural exchange. A lifelong traveler, she has lived, worked, and explored across continents—and still journeys the world with curiosity and purpose.

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Beyond her professional impact, Hayley is a dedicated philanthropist, investing her energy in organizations that enrich arts, education, and local heritage. She supports Dranoff 2 Piano Fusion, the Lowe Art Museum, and CARE Elementary School, championing excellence in music, visual arts, and childhood education. Her commitment extends to preserving natural beauty through the Coral Gables Garden Club and celebrating Hawaiian culture at the Kauai Museum.

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Wherever she goes, Hayley connects people, ideas, and causes—building bridges across borders and communities.

Stuart Lones is a named partner in the law firm of Ferdie and Lones whose extensive litigation experience includes complex high-profile cases. The 2004 graduate of the University of Miami School of Law has more than 17 years of practice in trial and appellate cases, in both state and federal courts with expertise in diverse areas of the law; including commercial litigation, real property, foreclosure, landlord and tenant matters, family law, and personal injury.

He is a past president of the Greater Miami Youth Symphony and the New World School of the Arts Instrumental Music Division Booster Club. Lones is the current director of the Miami Multiple Sclerosis Association, Inc. and vice president Pinecrest Presbyterian Church.

As the founder and CEO of GAROI Media, Lasana Smith is a dynamic force in marketing, sales, and digital media, with over 10+ years of experience shaping brands at top-tier companies like Columbia Records, MTV Networks, Ogilvy & Mather, Groupon, and the Miami Herald.

A proud Florida State University alum with a B.S. in Marketing & International Business and a USC graduate with an M.S. in Communication Management, Smith blends strategic expertise with creative innovation. Her leadership has earned her prestigious recognition, including Legacy Miami’s "40 Under 40" and "Miami's Most Influential & Powerful Black Business Leaders."

Driven by a passion for storytelling and brand transformation, Smith empowers businesses to thrive in the digital age—turning bold ideas into unforgettable success stories.