Knight Foundation

This week’s Start-Up City: Miami conference, hosted by Atlantic Cities and the Knight Foundation and held at New World Center on Miami Beach, drew hundreds of South Florida's brightest thinkers. They came to share ideas about how to kindle Miami’s startup culture and listen to entrepreneurial luminaries recount their own experiences. Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh, Zipcar founder Robin Chase and AOL patriarch Steve Case were among those who took part.

I'm the first one to discredit 'top 10' lists. Maybe it's because Miami, my hometown, is a perennial fixture atop rankings of the 'most dangerous,' 'most expensive,' and 'most superficial' cities.

Finally, there's a list that Miamians can take some pride in: The Chronicle of Philanthropy has released its annual Philanthropy "Top 50" and the Magic City is well represented.

It's not everyday that we pass on the opportunity to write about something that's near and dear to our hearts, but today's blog post authored by Matt Haggman, Miami program director for the Knight Foundation, was so well-done, so right-on-the-money that we just couldn't top it.

ADRIENNE ARSHT CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY NAMES SUZANNA VALDEZ
VICE PRESIDENT OF ADVANCEMENT

Former Chief of Staff to Miami Mayor Manny Diaz
to serve as executive at Arsht Center

MIAMI, FL August 19, 2009 – The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County announced today that it has named Suzanna Valdez as Vice President of Advancement. Ms. Valdez comes to the Center after serving as Chief of Staff to City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz for the past two years. Prior to her work at City Hall, Ms. Valdez served as Miami Program Director for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

In her new role as Vice President of Advancement, Ms. Valdez will be a hands-on, deeply involved fundraiser and will direct the Adrienne Arsht Center’s efforts to broaden its base of financial support among individual and corporate donors. Her work will include building and strengthening the Center’s relationships with the business community, overseeing institutional fundraising activities, and securing major gifts.

The announcement was made by M. John Richard, President and CEO of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts.

“The Adrienne Arsht Center continues to make a positive impact in the Miami community. Now more than ever, individuals, corporations and foundations have an opportunity to make a real difference through their support for the Center, helping to ensure we sustain and maximize that impact. Suzanna’s background in the public, private, and non-profit sectors will provide her with a strong foundation for her work here,” said Mr. Richard. “Suzanna possesses many leadership qualities and joins a senior management team that has a track record of uncommon accomplishment. She sets the bar high for herself, making her a perfect fit for the Arsht Center’s goals and aspirations.”