Junior Achievement of South Florida Recipe for Success

Just as there are no two recipes that contain the exact same ingredients or measurements, there are no two success stories exactly the same. Recipe For Success features entrepreneurs, visionary leaders and innovators of all ages who will share their ingredients that make them successful – personally and professionally.

Let's get cooking! Patrick Daoud is the 4th Generation owner of Daoud’s Fine Jewelry established in 1895 and located in Fort Lauderdale. Patrick was born and raised in Miami Beach, Florida. Originally went to school to become a dentist and also worked full time at the family store. The more he worked in the family store, he loved it and wanted to fully be in the jewelry business. 

In addition to his passion for the Jewelry business, Patrick is a dedicated philanthropist. Believing in giving back to his community, Patrick sits on the board of A Prom to Remember and Friends of Birch State Park. Patrick donates to dozens of local charities such as Children’s Home Society, Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation, Pace Center for Girls, Charity Guild, Junior League of Greater Fort Lauderdale, Junior Achievement, The Royal Dames, Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, Jack and Jill and many more.

Learn more about Daoud's Fine Jewelry at https://www.daouds.com/.

For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit  https://www.jasouthflorida.org.

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Just as there are no two recipes that contain the exact same ingredients or measurements, there are no two success stories exactly the same. Recipe For Success features entrepreneurs, visionary leaders and innovators of all ages who will share their ingredients that make them successful – personally and professionally.

Let's get cooking! Joe Russo is the founding CEO of the South Florida Tech Association (formerly known as Palm Beach Tech), a nonprofit committed to Building South Florida into a Tech Hub.

Since its founding as the Palm Beach Tech Association in July 2015, Joe led the organization to attract over 165 corporate members and over 8,000 professionals to their community, with an annual budget over $250,000 and 3 full time staff.

In 2016, Joe spearheaded and effort to bring Downtown West Palm Beach its first coworking space, raising over $150,000 with the Knight Foundation, City of West Palm Beach, and private donors.

In 2018, Palm Beach Tech launched 1909, a nonprofit supporting entrepreneurs throughout the Palm Beaches by partnering with the FAU Adams Center for Entrepreneurship and with $350,000 in support from the Knight Foundation and four (4) local Cities.

Since 2013, Joe has also served on the Palm Beach County STEM Council, Business Development Board Taskforces, Chamber of Commerce Councils, SunFest Committees, and on the Boards of Kayla Cares 4 Kids and the Big Heart Brigade.

A Native Floridian, he attended Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach and Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers. 

Learn more about South Florida Tech at https://southfloridatech.com/.

For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit  https://www.jasouthflorida.org.

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Just as there are no two recipes that contain the exact same ingredients or measurements, there are no two success stories exactly the same. Recipe For Success features entrepreneurs, visionary leaders and innovators of all ages who will share their ingredients that make them successful – personally and professionally.

Let's get cooking! Tony Carvajal is President/CEO of The Able Trust, a foundation committed to helping persons with disabilities and Florida employers achieve their shared goal…meaningful and sustainable work that produces results.  Established in 1990, the organization directs state, private, and corporate funds to targeted grants, programs, and initiatives focused on realizing the power of work and the potential of vocational rehab.  The Able Trust works with partners to focus on abilities- not disabilities- and remove barriers to employment across the entire spectrum of needs, including developmental and learning disabilities, physical and mental health challenges, and injury and age-related developments.  The organization works with companies, communities, grantees, and individuals to make work possible for the 1 in 6 Floridians dealing with some sort of visible or invisible disability.

Tony brings more than 30 years of nonprofit management and consulting experience to the role, having helped organizations across the country design and implement plans to address all types of opportunities and disruptions.  He recently completed a decade of service as the Executive Vice President (and futurist in residence) at the Florida Chamber Foundation where he developed research, programs, and policies designed to ensure competitiveness, prosperity, vibrancy, and resiliency across the state.  Since 2000, he has also served as the “Primemover, Problem-Solver & Calmer of Chaos” at Carvajal Consulting and Management.  

Tony earned a Masters in Public Administration from Florida International University and holds undergraduate degrees in psychology and communications from Florida State University.  He has earned the designation of certified association executive (CAE) and is a graduate of the US Chamber’s Institute for Organizational Management (IOM) where he received a specialty certification in non-profit management and administration and also served as an instructor for 10 years.

Learn more about The Able Trust at http://www.abletrust.org/.

For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit  https://www.jasouthflorida.org.

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/JASouthFlorida

Just as there are no two recipes that contain the exact same ingredients or measurements, there are no two success stories exactly the same. Recipe For Success features entrepreneurs, visionary leaders and innovators of all ages who will share their ingredients that make them successful – personally and professionally.

Let's get cooking! Twelve-time Emmy Award winner, Karla Nelson-Thatcher, Vice President of Corporate Communications, Government and Public Affairs for Hotwire Communications is an accomplished Public and Government Relations strategist, bringing over twenty years of creative and negotiating experience to her work.

After getting her start as a television writer and producer, Ms. Nelson-Thatcher migrated to broadcasting where she held several positions as a Creative Services Director analyzing Market Research and applying it to the development of talent teams, show formatting, and station branding to achieve market position in the wildly competitive world of television overnight ratings, including a stint as the Vice president of Creative Services and Programming for WTVJ NBC 6 in Miami.

Following her creative career in television, Karla co-founded the consulting firm of K&L Consulting, managing critical market entry campaigns and business development PR strategies for international clients including an airline, an Island Government, an internationally televised annual event and several not-for-profits in her hometown of South Florida.

The success of these campaigns eventually led Karla to Comcast Cable in the Florida region, where over the course of thirteen years her role evolved from ensuring compliance with municipal franchise agreements to overseeing ad campaigns and the execution of Public, Education and Government programming. Reporting in a dotted line to the Philadelphia based corporate offices, Ms. Nelson-Thatcher developed news conferences for product launches, internal electronic based learning and a heavily viewed local on Demand portal that featured an array of programming, some of which won Emmy awards for educational programs about how local governments are run.

During this time, she acted as executive producer to public affairs opportunities that resulted in news segments carried on Headlined News, and produced and hosted Community Vision, a 30-minute magazine-style show spotlighting local non-profit and community-based organizations. The show ran for 4 consecutive years and offered an unprecedented platform to promote community goals and the efforts of P3 partnerships.

Karla is thrilled to apply her years of experience to her latest role at Hotwire Communications, where she became their first Director of Public Relations. In Building the foundation of Hotwire’s community profile and aligning with local CBOs, School Boards, Not for Profits, and Elected Officials, Ms. Nelson-Thatcher was able to bring several departments together to offer connectivity and technology solutions to partners in the areas of Government, Education, Medical and Media. She continues to support the GEMs department in her current role as VP of Corporate Communications, Government and Public Affairs.

Learn more about Hotwire Communications at http://hotwirecommunications.com/

For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit  https://www.jasouthflorida.org.

Follow us on social media: 

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/JASouthFlorida

Just as there are no two recipes that contain the exact same ingredients or measurements, there are no two success stories exactly the same. Recipe For Success features entrepreneurs, visionary leaders and innovators of all ages who will share their ingredients that make them successful – personally and professionally.

Let's get cooking! Caitlin Stella, MPH is Chief Executive Officer of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.  She began her professional career as the start-up administrator of the multi-million dollar Center for Autism Research and Treatment at UCLA Health. Caitlin also co-managed a state-wide pilot study looking at the epidemiology of Autism in California, which was published in 2002. After completing her Master of Public Health (MPH) degree at UCLA, she joined PricewaterhouseCoopers’ (PwC) national healthcare consulting practice working with payer, provider and life science clients throughout the country including several children’s hospitals.  

She was a senior executive at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles before becoming Chief Administrative Officer for UCLA Health’s Mattel Children’s Hospital and Women’s Health Programs.  She was a Board member of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles and is Past-President of the alumni association for the Fielding School of Public Health at UCLA.  

She is currently a Board member of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of South Florida and has been an executive/community leader for March of Dimes, the American Heart Association and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  She is an active member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the American Public Health Association, the Healthcare Financial Management Association and Women in Health Administration.  

She is the healthcare representative for the Broward Economic Council and also a member of YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization).

Learn more about Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital at: https://www.jdch.com/

For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit  https://www.jasouthflorida.org.

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Just as there are no two recipes that contain the exact same ingredients or measurements, there are no two success stories exactly the same. Recipe For Success features entrepreneurs, visionary leaders and innovators of all ages who will share their ingredients that make them successful – personally and professionally.

Let's get cooking! Danielle Rosse is Owner of Oceans 234. This statuesque and charming entrepreneur, is a dedicated working mother and a fiercely keen leader focused in continually seeking to perfect the art of hospitality for her guests.

Rosse was just 22 and recently widowed when she first opened Oceans 234 in 2001. Starting as Director of operations she transformed what was once a sleepy oceanfront diner into the alluring waterfront dining escape that Oceans 234 is recognized as today. In 2013 She purchased the restaurant to become the sole owner of the establishment and in 2015 she under went a massive $1.8-million-dollar renovation on the property elevating the guest experience.

In addition to Oceans 234 in 2007, Rosse launch The Whale Raw Bar, A neighborhood New England Raw bar in Parkland.  After six years of successful business she sold in 2013.

Rosse has a passion for the multi-faceted nature of restaurant ownership.  Rosse believes that Oceans 234 is the total restaurant package, offering a fun experience, fresh food and great service with unparalleled views, reviving the Florida tradition of breezy oceanfront living.

This respected restaurateur also ensures to give back to the industry that she loves so dearly.  Rosse served two years as the Broward chapter President for the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and also sits on the State board of directors for the FRLA as well as the Deerfield beach Economic Development council.   

She has been recognized in many organizations for her community work and has received the following recognitions; 2011 Coconut Creek Small Business Person of the Year, 2013 Soroptimist International Woman of Distinction, 2014 International Women’s Leadership honoree by SSL, 2014 was named by the South Florida Business Journal Influential Woman of the Year, 2017 Junior League of Palm beach county Women Volunteer of the year nominee and a 2019 Deerfield Beach Chamber Community Heroes award recipient. 

Rosse and the Oceans 234 team utilize their professional resources to support as many nonprofit organizations as they are able each year. 

Learn more about Oceans 234: https://www.oceans234.com/

For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit  https://www.jasouthflorida.org.

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Just as there are no two recipes that contain the exact same ingredients or measurements, there are no two success stories exactly the same. Recipe For Success features entrepreneurs, visionary leaders and innovators of all ages who will share their ingredients that make them successful – personally and professionally.

Let's get cooking! Jason Jenkins is in his eleventh season with the Miami Dolphins and was named Senior Vice President of Communications and Community Affairs in January 2015. Jenkins oversees the organization's front-facing brands, including media outreach, public relations, digital and social media and community efforts.

Jenkins previously served as the team's Vice President of Communications, being named to that position in May 2013. Prior to joining the Dolphins, Jenkins worked in the media relations department for the San Francisco 49ers, as well as served as the Associate Athletic Director at Texas Southern University from 1999-2002 and as Athletic Sales and Promotion Manager and Sports Communications Assistant at Lehigh University from 1997-99.

A native of Houston, Jenkins earned his bachelor's degree in 1997 in broadcast journalism from Texas Tech University. In 2017, Jenkins was selected by faculty and alumni as an Outstanding Alumni Award winner. He served as commencement speaker for the 2018 Texas Tech graduating class.

He resides in Coral Springs with his wife, Elizabeth, and their three children, Liya, Aiden and Sloane.

More information about the Miami Dolphins: https://www.miamidolphins.com/

For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit  https://www.jasouthflorida.org.

Follow us on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasouthflorida

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/junior-achievement-of-south-florida/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasouthflorida

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JASouthFlorida

Just as there are no two recipes that contain the exact same ingredients or measurements, there are no two success stories exactly the same. Recipe For Success features entrepreneurs, visionary leaders and innovators of all ages who will share their ingredients that make them successful – personally and professionally.

Let's get cooking! Dev Motwani serves as President and CEO of Merrimac Ventures, a Fort Lauderdale based real estate firm that focuses on value-add investment and development opportunities. Property types owned and operated include hotels, condos, retail, office and rental apartments primarily in South Florida but also throughout the United States.

Dev is also Founder and Managing Partner of Ramesh Properties, a distressed real estate investment fund focused on opportunistic investments in residential and commercial development sites throughout South Florida. He currently oversees nearly $750 million in development projects. Current projects include the Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences, The Gale Boutique Hotel and Residences, as well as Las Olas Riverfront, all in the Fort Lauderdale area.

Dev is Founder and Managing Partner of Chieftain Residential, a yield-oriented distressed residential fund purchasing single-family homes, and residential land, primarily in the Southeast US and Texas. The fund aims to balance current income opportunities through the rental markets for its single-family home inventory, while also targeting capital appreciation in single family homes and land as the US Residential Market continues to rebound.

Prior to his current role, Dev worked at Credit Suisse in New York City, where he first structured OTC Equity Derivative trades for the firm’s largest corporate clients and then for the firm’s largest hedge fund clients. Before that, he worked in the White House and on the 2000 Gore/Lieberman Presidential Campaign.

Dev plays an active role in the South Florida Community, through his involvement with numerous charities and business organizations, currently serving on the board of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts Foundation, Fort Lauderdale’s Economic Development Advisory Board, and the Downtown Council. He was recently appointed to the Orange Bowl Host Committee.

He previously served on the boards of the Riverwalk Trust, Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, and Broward County’s Small Business Advisory Board. Dev has served as Co-Chair for the Bonnet House’s Annual Impressions Fundraiser, the Ghost Light Society’s Annual Soiree, and the Jeb Bush Classic Beach Bash benefitting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. This year the Motwani family co-founded the Laughing Out Loud fundraiser benefitting the Scleroderma Foundation, which raised over $170,000 for the charity.

Dev graduated from Duke University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Economics and Public Policy and from Columbia University’s Masters of Science in Real Estate Development Program. He has also studied at the London School of Economics.

For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit  https://www.jasouthflorida.org.

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/JASouthFlorida

Just as there are no two recipes that contain the exact same ingredients or measurements, there are no two success stories exactly the same. Recipe For Success features entrepreneurs, visionary leaders and innovators of all ages who will share their ingredients that make them successful – personally and professionally.

Let's get cooking! Robert Ceravolo is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Tropic Ocean Airways, a regional airlift solution based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Operating amphibious seaplane aircraft in five countries, Tropic Ocean Airways has become the largest amphibious airline in the world with additional planned fleet and service growth around the globe.  

Former Navy fighter pilot and winner of the prestigious Ernst & Young Regional Entrepreneur of the Year for 2019, Ceravolo founded the airline in 2009. He is responsible for growing the company from one aircraft and one employee to its current size of 15 aircraft and an expanding team of more than 100 employees. Offering passenger and cargo flights with both scheduled and charter routes, Tropic Ocean Airways services domestic and international regions including Florida, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Cuba, Puerto Rico, New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts. The airline received scheduled Commuter authority from the Department of Transportation (DOT) and has a stellar safety record and reputation with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).   

Utilizing his extensive military aviation expertise, Ceravolo places a strong emphasis on training and development of pilots and personnel.  The Tropic Ocean Airways training program is modeled after the procedures and training philosophy of US Navy flight training.  Ceravolo believes that proper training and development is the key to growth during the global pilot shortage. 

In addition to solving regional travel problems utilizing amphibious aircraft, Ceravolo has made it his mission to be a positive influence in the communities that Tropic Ocean Airways services - leading Disaster Response Operations since 2015.  Most recently the company led a multi-organization effort, which resulted in 900 evacuations and 200,000 pounds of relief supplies delivered in the first 10 days following Hurricane Dorian's landfall in the Bahamas, in addition to ongoing rebuilding assistance.  Ceravolo also sits on the board of Saving The Blue, a non-profit dedicated to marine conservation. 

Prior to his position at Tropic Ocean Airways, Ceravolo served as an Officer and Aviator in the United States Navy (Active Duty: 2001 - 2011, Reserve: 2011 - Present), where he flew the F-14D, F-18E, and F-5N, deployed in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM, attended TOPGUN (2009), and served as his squadron’s Assistant Operations Officer, Training Officer, Public Affairs Officer, Legal Officer, Administration Officer and Maintenance Officer.  Additionally, he served as a Coalition Coordination Officer for United States Central Command, where he served as a Liaison to the Coalition and was responsible for coordinating logistical support for foreign allied countries supporting the International Security Assistance Force.

Learn more about Tropic Ocean Airways: https://flytropic.com/

For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit  https://www.jasouthflorida.org.

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For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit  https://www.jasouthflorida.org.

Just as there are no two recipes that contain the exact same ingredients or measurements, there are no two success stories exactly the same. Recipe For Success features entrepreneurs, visionary leaders and innovators of all ages who will share their ingredients that make them successful – personally and professionally.

Let's get cooking! Just as there are no two recipes that contain the exact same ingredients or measurements, there are no two success stories exactly the same. Recipe For Success features entrepreneurs, visionary leaders and innovators of all ages who will share their ingredients that make them successful – personally and professionally.

Let's get cooking! As a social worker by trade, Kathleen Cannon understands firsthand the impact that non-profits have in the community. As President and CEO of United Way of Broward County she utilizes her talents and undeniable ability to recognize a need and then seek out partners to create long-lasting positive solutions. 

Kathleen has been in executive leadership for more than 25 years. Her philosophy is to lead with intention, purpose and to be strategic and goal oriented. She feels motivating and inspiring others to excellence starts with a profound sense of integrity and a positive regard for all stakeholders. Kathleen believes it is important to outline clear expectations which facilitate the accomplishments of desired outcomes. Her experience as a direct service provider and administrator is invaluable in running a well-rounded community organization. These attributes combined with her excellent visionary abilities and sharp business acumen makes her a motivating leader. 

Kathleen has received several accolades for her leadership and dedication to ensuring that she is changing all lives for the better including: Women of Distinction Honoree from March of Dimes, Influential Business Women Honoree from South Florida Business Journal and the Women of Excellence Sapphire Award from Cleveland Clinic. Recently she was awarded the Champion of Children Award from HANDY, the Spirit of Justice Award from Legal Aid, the Difference Maker Leadership Award from Extraordinary Women Leading Change Leadership Conference, the Ultimate CEO Award from South Florida Business Journal, a Healthy Mothers Health Babies Outstanding Mother of the Year and was honored with the 2019 Profiles in Leadership Award by Leadership Broward Foundation.  

For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit  https://www.jasouthflorida.org.

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/JASouthFlorida

For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit  https://www.jasouthflorida.org.

Follow us on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasouthflorida

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/junior-achievement-of-south-florida/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasouthflorida

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JASouthFlorida