The chief of staff for the city of North Miami. The first Haitian-American city manager for Miami. The first Hispanic woman appointed assistant county manager and now county manager in Miami-Dade.
Three powerful women, three alumnae of the University of Miami, will gather and offer insights into their journey in the latest edition of Women of the U, which takes place virtually on February 3.
The upcoming event’s theme will be Leadership, Fortitude, and Resilience: In Service to South Florida. The three panelists will explore topics relating to leadership in government and the public sector, ranging from the importance of representation and diverse voices in government, effective leadership strategies in times of crisis, and how to fulfill one’s own vision of elected leadership while respecting the diverse perspectives of the municipality’s constituents. These women make public service personal by bringing their unique voices and experiences to their leadership roles.
Women of the U is a signature initiative of the University of Miami Alumni Association (UMAA), which seeks to build community among alumnae and female students and foster engagement through programming and activities focused on women’s issues.
Rochelle Lewis, B.A. ’10, M.P.A. ’11, will moderate the discussion. Lewis is a recognized leader and community champion. She has been recognized as one of Miami’s 40 Under 40 Black Leaders of Today and Tomorrow of 2021, and South Florida’s 40 Under 40 Black Leaders of Today and Tomorrow of 2012.
Lewis began her career in public service as a commission aide and legislative analyst for former Miami-Dade County Commissioner Barbara J. Jordan. There, she advised on the county’s $4.2 billion budget and multi-year capital plan. She has served as director of corporate initiatives and government affairs for Jackson Health System, the largest public health institution in the region. As the health system’s government affairs leader, she presented on health care issues before the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners and other government agencies.
Currently, Lewis serves as chief of staff for the city of North Miami, where she works closely with the city manager to oversee municipal operations, acts as the primary point person for the city’s department directors, and aids in the execution of community directives issued by the mayor and council. In 2021 she earned a doctorate in organizational leadership from Nova Southeastern University.
Joining Lewis as a panelist is Theresa G. Therilus, B.B.A. ’01, an experienced attorney and newly appointed city manager for North Miami. In this role, she serves as the top administrator responsible for the city’s operations and provides oversight for the city’s $196 million operating budget. Therilus previously served as the interim director of procurement for the County of Santa Clara, California, where she led countywide contract negotiations for all county acquisitions. She is the former assistant director for Miami-Dade County Internal Services. There, she was responsible for managing the county’s $160 million operating budget and $330 million multi-year capital budget. She has also served as a legal advisor for Miami-Dade County and is a former assistant attorney general for the State of Florida in Consumer Protection and Economic Crimes.
Therilus is the first Haitian-American city manager for Miami, a city with one of the nation’s largest Haitian populations. In 2017, Brickell Magazine honored Therilus as one of the Top 20 under 40 Professionals. She is also a 2018 Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals honoree for her experience in government and sports management. Therilus also serves on the board of the Cliff Avril Family Foundation, which provides educational support and opportunities to youth in Haiti, along with various community-based organizations in U.S. cities.
The panel will also feature Alina T. Hudak, B.B.A. ’82, M.P.A. ’84. A genuine trailblazer, Hudak has over 35 years of experience serving the Miami-Dade government. Her ascent to political power represents myriad important firsts for both Miami-Dade County and the women who call it home. Hudak was not only the first woman to serve as director of a large operational department in the county, but also the first Hispanic woman appointed assistant county manager and the first woman to serve as county manager, overseeing an organization of more than 27,000 employees and an $8 billion budget.
During her three-decade span of public service in the Miami-Dade County government, Hudak oversaw six Super Bowls and the largest debris cleanup in county history. She also negotiated millions for the construction contract of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts.
Currently, Hudak serves as city manager for Miami Beach, where she oversees the capital improvement projects, environment and sustainability, housing and community development, marketing and communications, public works, and transportation and mobility departments. Hudak was integral to Miami Beach’s COVID-19 pandemic response, from initiating a full lockdown to guiding the city through its phased industry reopening plan and initial vaccine rollout. She was responsible for coordinating with federal, state, and country officials to establish an alternate care facility in Miami Beach, as well as several COVID-19 testing sites throughout the urban island.
Join us on February 3, 2022 at 2 p.m. (ET) for a virtual conversation with these influential alumnae leaders who exemplify public service in South Florida. Celebrate the achievements of these women and learn more about the communities they serve, the tactics employed for success, and how they find purpose in their critical roles.
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