Our Leadership
Mileyka Burgos-Flores
Executive Director
Our founding Executive Director is an avid advocate of strategies that foster sustainability, identity and economic vitality in immigrant communities of color. Her initiatives have been funded by The Miami Foundation, JM Kaplan Foundation, Citibank, and JP Morgan Chase among others.
Advisors
Provide advice to board & staff
The Allapattah Collaborative CDC counts with a wide range of advisers who connect the organization with best practices, resource development, as well as, assist in positioning the organization to achieve its mission.
Sherly Granado
Health Ambassador
As the Health Ambassador, Sherly educates our community on healthy and preventive measures as we face the Covid-19 health crisis. She leads the Stay Healthy Allapattah program by training small businesses on Covid-19 safety and provides them resources to keep their business, staff and clients safe.
Francesca Escoto
Dir. Economic Development & Strategy
She is a serial entrepreneur, speaker and business coach, founder and CEO of Startups For Social Impact. She enjoys dancing salsa, hanging out with her small group of friends, reading like there's no tomorrow, and writing all the time.
Steering Committee
The community at the table
The steering committee is composed of local business owners, residents, service providers, and local experts. They review data, identify issues, brainstorm solutions, programs, policies, and process optimization that would ameliorate current community pressures.
Santander Arguelles
Small Business Navigator
As the Small Business Navigator,Santander supports small business owners in accessing capital and navigating resources to improve business performance. With a wealth of experience in the financial and banking industry, Santander connects with small business owners to guide them in their road to success.
Jacqueline Pena
Board of Directors
Dr. Pena is an educator, consultant, small business owner, author, speaker, and podcaster. She focuses on empowering individuals and organizations to achieve their goals and thrive in the changing economic and social landscape. As the daughter of Dominican immigrants, she has always understood the value of education and how access to educational opportunities can empower individuals to succeed. Read more.
Angela Cruz
Board of Directors
A bilingual, multicultural leader and former sales and business development executive for global technology companies to support the revenue and geographical expansion of accounts such as; Disney, ESPN, PIXAR, Nike, ScotiaBank, Citibank, Dell, Cable and Wireless, Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt.
She develops programs, events and VIP experiences for the corporate world, multinational companies, conscious entrepreneurs and philanthropic organizations. Read more.
Charles Dabney
Board of Directors
Mr. Dabney serves as Director of Real Estate Development for the South Florida Community Land Trust (SFCLT). In this role, his primary responsibility is to cultivate real estate development opportunities throughout SFCLT’s market area that promote permanently affordable, sustainable housing solutions. Prior to joining SFCLT in July 2017, Dabney most recently served as Senior Program Officer for Real Estate and Lending with the Jacksonville Program Office of Local Initiatives Support Corporation. Read more.
Pablo Martinez
Board of Directors
Pablo Martinez is a devoted community servant with decades of experience serving the Latin community and beyond. Following his service in the United States Air Force Veteran, Martinez began his law career in personal injury crimes and real estate transactions. With over 24 years of experience, he is currently an equity partner at Martinez & Martinez Law, LLC.
Ahmed Mori
Board of Directors
Ahmed is an attorney and community economic development professional who believes in economic democracy and community self-determination. He is the Vice President, Community Economic Development at Catalyst Miami where he oversees worker and investment cooperative development, small business assistance and community building, and other programs centered on building community wealth. Read more.
Gabriela Guzman
Board of Directors
Gabriela Guzman is a Business Coach, holding 1-1 strategy sessions and coaching that blends strategic planning, mindset and energy work for a fully personalized experience. She helps women become who they are, so they can be free. Through entrepreneurship, they express their authenticity, community, clarity, and courage. Read more.
