The Broward Partnership

Kendra Williams, LMHC holds a master’s degree in counseling with dual specializations in Mental Health Counseling and Marriage, Couples, & Family Therapy from Barry University. She began her career working with community mental health agencies and pursued her Registered Mental Health Intern status, ultimately becoming a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). Her focus has been on children in vulnerable situations, including those who are uninsured, involved with the Department of Juvenile Justice, or in Therapeutic Foster Care. Since becoming a Qualified Supervisor in 2018, she has mentored the next generation of mental health professionals. In June 2021, Kendra joined Broward Partnership as the Director of Program Services, where she managed Case Management, Behavioral Health, Workforce Development, and SOAR Programs. Her leadership has facilitated numerous events for residents, including mental health and suicide awareness activities and job fairs. In April 2024, she was promoted to Administrator of the Central Homeless Assistance Center (CHAC). Noteworthy achievements include organizing four Career & Resource Fairs in 2023, creating an updated AWARDS training PowerPoint, and developing SPMI training for case management staff. Outside of work, Kendra enjoys a variety of roles, including serving as the Mental Health Chair for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Treasurer and Immediate Past President of the Broward County Gator Club, and Corresponding Secretary for the Broward County National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC). She also runs Be Heard Counseling, LLC, where she provides individual and couples counseling. Inspired by our leaders? Share the love and spread the word about Broward Partnership! #LeadershipSpotlight #LeaderSpotlight #BrowardLeadership #browardpartnership #thewayback #movingforward

It is often said, “when you love what you do, it’s not work.” For Ellianna Dorvil, LMFT-QS, this sentiment holds true. With over 17 years of experience in the human services industry, she has worked with diverse client populations in various capacities and settings. Ellianna holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in Law and Justice, and a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Qualified Supervisor, she brings a wealth of experience to the provision and management of clinical services. She possesses exceptional executive leadership skills, foresight, and a passion for mentoring and helping others in their professional and personal development. During her tenure with the Partnership, Ellianna has served as the Director of Program Services, Director of Housing, and the Administrator of the North Homeless Assistance Center. She has played an integral role in developing and managing several programs, revitalizing the NHAC in 2019, and spearheading the agency’s transition to electronic records. In her current role as the Chief Programs Officer, Ellianna oversees the daily clinical and programmatic operations of the Central and North Homeless Assistance Centers, all supportive housing programs operated by the Partnership, and the management of the Electronic Health Records System. Her administrative experience and clinical background provide a unique perspective that has been instrumental in her career success. Outside of work, Ellianna enjoys spending time with her loved ones, listening to music, dancing, and traveling. Follow Broward Partnership for more leader spotlights and opportunities. hashtag #GetInvolved hashtag #LeadershipinAction hashtag #LeaderSpotlight hashtag #BrowardLeadership hashtag #browardpartnership hashtag #movingforward hashtag #thewayback

Emilia Hyppolite - I wanted to take a moment to share a bit about my journey and the incredible experiences that have led me to my current role as Chief Human Resources Officer at Broward Partnership. Before joining BPHI in 2019, I gained diverse experience as an Office Manager and Human Resources Manager across various sectors in the education system and private businesses. Starting with BPHI’s Human Resource Department was a pivotal moment in my career. The agency’s expansion has been remarkable, and with each growth phase, I found myself growing professionally as well. Pursuing an MBA further enriched my knowledge and skill set, enabling me to embrace new challenges and responsibilities within our organization. These experiences and opportunities for growth have culminated in my role today, and I am proud to be part of a team dedicated to making a difference in our community. On a personal note, I love spending time with my family and traveling as much as possible. These moments keep me grounded and inspired. Let’s continue to strive for excellence and support each other as we work towards our shared goals. Did you enjoy our leader's bio? Follow us for more and learn how you can make a difference. hashtag #BeTheChange #LeadershipJourney #LeadershipSpotlight #BrowardLeadership #browardpartnership #thewayback #movingforward

Emilia Hyppolite - I wanted to take a moment to share a bit about my journey and the incredible experiences that have led me to my current role as Chief Human Resources Officer at Broward Partnership. Before joining BPHI in 2019, I gained diverse experience as an Office Manager and Human Resources Manager across various sectors in the education system and private businesses. Starting with BPHI’s Human Resource Department was a pivotal moment in my career. The agency’s expansion has been remarkable, and with each growth phase, I found myself growing professionally as well. Pursuing an MBA further enriched my knowledge and skill set, enabling me to embrace new challenges and responsibilities within our organization. These experiences and opportunities for growth have culminated in my role today, and I am proud to be part of a team dedicated to making a difference in our community. On a personal note, I love spending time with my family and traveling as much as possible. These moments keep me grounded and inspired. Let’s continue to strive for excellence and support each other as we work towards our shared goals. Did you enjoy our leader's bio? Follow us for more and learn how you can make a difference. hashtag #BeTheChange #LeadershipJourney #LeadershipSpotlight #BrowardLeadership #browardpartnership #thewayback #movingforward

Originally from Colombia, Erika M. Laverde has been working in South Florida Homeless Services since 2005. At Broward Partnership, she has held various roles, including Director of Operations, Director of Operations and Compliance, and Center Administrator. She also worked as the Vice President of Operations at Chapman Partnership in Miami-Dade from 2015 to 2019. Currently, Erika serves as the Chief Administrative Officer at Broward Partnership, where she is responsible for maintaining operational excellence and ensuring a positive experience for all clients. She provides leadership to ensure quality control, cost efficiencies, and organizational compliance. Erika has played a vital role in implementing different projects, including the recent creation of the Workforce Development & Training Hub at Seven on Seventh. Erika is a compassionate individual dedicated to helping those in less fortunate situations. She is passionate about the personal and professional development of others and is committed to enhancing the quality of life and empowering everyone we serve. Loved this bio? Stay connected and meet the rest of our amazing team. Your support makes a difference. #MeetTheTeam #LeadershipSpotlight #LeaderSpotlight #BrowardLeadership #browardpartnership #movingforwrd #thewaybac

Lorraine Shim - I'm excited to share a bit about my journey in the philanthropic sector, spanning over two decades across higher education, healthcare, and social services. As the Chief Development Officer at Broward Partnership, I lead our Resource Development team in securing vital funds for homelessness, healthcare, and workforce initiatives. Before joining the Partnership, I served as the Director of Development at Nova Southeastern University. My career path has allowed me to hone my skills in fundraising, prospect management, corporate and foundation relations, and board management. I'm passionate about community involvement and building partnerships to support unfunded programs and services. I serve on the Board of Gilda’s Club South Florida, assisting in their development strategies for their first capital campaign, and I recently joined the board of the Planned Giving Council of Broward. Additionally, I have chaired fundraising events for United Way of Broward and supported numerous other nonprofits in our community. It's an honor to have served on the board of the Association for Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Fort Lauderdale Chapter, where I chaired the Diversity Committee for three years, bringing nonprofits together to discuss important issues in philanthropy and engagement. I earned both my BA and MBA from Nova Southeastern University. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, spending time with my family, and caring for my two dogs.

Exciting News! Our Annual Chefs Helping the Homeless event was featured in South Florida Business & Wealth. For more information please contact Lorraine at 954-832-7029, events@bphi.org #chefshelpingthehomeless #thewayback #movingforward #browardpartnership #BMWofPembrokePines  Check out the article here: https://lnkd.in/eQu-3tgn

Leisha Austin, CPA, MTax, is a highly skilled finance and accounting professional with extensive experience in governmental and nonprofit accounting. Having served in CFO and controller roles, she has conducted financial statement and compliance audits in these sectors, adhering to generally accepted auditing standards and the Single Audit Act. Beyond her core expertise in accounting, auditing, and tax, Leisha has a proven track record in financial consulting for government and nonprofit entities. Her consulting experience includes internal controls, budget preparation and analysis, cost allocation, management audits, financial planning, accounting policies, grants management, and financial controls for major projects. As CFO of Broward Partnership, Leisha oversees all financial management aspects, including finance, accounting, budgeting, compliance, and strategic planning. She plays a key role in advising the CEO, Board of Directors, executive leadership team, and other stakeholders on financial matters. Leisha develops and utilizes predictive models and financial analyses to guide the organization’s business plans and leads the budgeting process to align with strategic goals. She also manages the performance and training of finance and medical records/billing staff, maintains relationships with financial partners, and contributes to business development and service offerings. What do you want to know about Leisha, ask in the comments. #LeaderSpotlight #BrowardLeadership #browardpartnership #thewayback #movingorward #moneymatters

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After an extraordinary 26 years as CEO of Broward Partnership, Frances M. Esposito has stepped into the role of Chief Strategy Officer. Her new focus is on developing low-income affordable housing, reflecting her continued dedication to combating homelessness and supporting housing needs. Fran’s remarkable journey began in 1990 with the Miami Community Homeless Assistance Project, where she managed a major encampment shutdown. Her tenure as COO of Camillus House and Camillus Health was marked by transformative changes and the construction of vital facilities. As CEO of Broward Partnership, she spearheaded the creation of the Central Homeless Assistance Center (CHAC) and the North Homeless Assistance Center (NHAC) and secured $25 million in tax credits for Seven on Seventh—a 72-unit development for those in need. Her leadership has been recognized with numerous awards, including the March of Dimes "Woman of Distinction" and the Jim Moran Foundation Award. Under her guidance, Broward Partnership has made a significant impact on over 34,000 lives. Here’s to Fran’s continued success in her new role, advancing our mission to build a stronger, more supportive community! Show your support for Fran in the comments! #Leadership #AffordableHousing #Homelessness #CommunityImpact #NonprofitExcellence #StrategicGrowth #BrowardPartnership #movingforward #thewayback