Welcome to Facts About Cuban Exiles (FACE)!

Nelson Albareda is a Cuban-American entrepreneur and CEO of Loud and Live, a Miami-based agency specializing in global music events, sports, and lifestyle marketing. With over 25 years of experience, Albareda has been a key figure in the entertainment industry, producing major events and tours. He is also a GRAMMY® and Latin GRAMMY® Award-winning producer. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he successfully pivoted his company’s focus to content creation and livestreaming, ensuring its continued growth and resilience.

Tony Argiz is the South Florida Managing Partner at BDO and a highly respected practitioner in litigation and forensic accounting consulting services. He previously led Morrison, Brown, Argiz & Farra (MBAF) to become one of the top 40 accounting firms in the nation. Tony arrived in the U.S. as part of Operation Pedro Pan and has been a prominent figure in the Miami-Dade community.

Sandra Gonzalez-Levy is the Founder and COO of Gonzalez-Levy Consulting. Sandra was also the past Senior VP and Special Advisor/ Strategic Partnerships and Programs at FIU as well as a former Chairwoman of Facts About Cuban Exiles, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and defending the reputation of Cuban Exiles.

Aida Levitan is the former Chair of U.S. Century Bank and a prominent figure in public relations and advertising. She transformed the Sanchez & Levitan agency by merging it with Bromley becoming the #1 Hispanic agency in the U.S. as reported by Advertising Age. She has worked with major brands like Nestlé and Coca-Cola and holds a Ph.D. in Spanish literature from Emory University. Aida is also the founder of ArtesMiami, Inc., a non-profit supporting Hispanic artists.

Carlos A. Migoya is the President and CEO of Jackson Health System. Since 2011, he has improved its financial stability and patient care quality. Previously, he spent over 40 years in banking and served as City Manager of Miami. Migoya also serves on various boards, including the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

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Cesar L. Alvarez is the Senior Chairman of Greenberg Traurig, LLP. He previously served as CEO, leading the firm’s growth from 325 to about 1,850 lawyers globally. Alvarez is recognized for his work in securities, corporate, and international law, and has received numerous awards for his leadership and civic contributions.

Leslie Pantin is a public relations executive and community leader. He founded the Pantín Partnership in 1988, which later became Pantín/Beber Silverstein Public Relations. His firm has represented major clients like McDonalds, Merrill Lynch, Ford Motor, and Univision. Pantin is also a founding president of the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana and helped establish the Calle Ocho Festival. He is an avid collector of Cuban art and founded the arteamericas and CubaNostalgia expos. He served on the Board of Trustees of Florida State University for ten years, the last four as Vice-Chair.

Eduardo Padron is President Emeritus of Miami Dade College (MDC). An economist by training, Padrón earned his Ph.D. from the University of Florida. After serving as a faculty member at MDC, he became the school's president in 1995. Time Magazine named him one of the ten best college presidents in 2009, and he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016.

Armando Codina is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Codina Partners, LLC, a real estate investment and development firm in Coral Gables, Florida. He has developed major projects like Downtown Doral and the Beacon Logistics Park. Codina co-founded the Community Partnership for the Homeless and has served on various boards, including Florida International University. He has received numerous awards, including the Humanitarian of the Year Award by the American Jewish Committee. He has served on the board of numerous Fortune 500 corporations.

Jorge M. Pérez is the Chairman and CEO of The Related Group, leading South Florida’s urban evolution for over 40 years. Known for his commitment to “building better cities,” he has established foundations supporting arts, culture, and social development. His philanthropic legacy includes the Pérez Art Museum Miami, renamed after his $40 million gift, and El Espacio 23, an experimental arts center. TIME Magazine named him one of the top 25 most influential Hispanics in the U.S.

lberto Ibargüen is former President and CEO of the Knight Foundation. He previously served as the publisher of The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald, leading them to win multiple Pulitzer Prizes. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and raised in New Jersey, he graduated from Wesleyan University and the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Ibargüen has served on various boards, including PBS and the World Wide Web Foundation, and has received numerous awards for his contributions to journalism and community service.

Jorge A. Plasencia is the Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Republica Havas, a top creative and communications agency. He has worked with major brands like Walmart and Google. Plasencia started his career in radio, worked in Hispanic marketing for the Florida Marlins, and managed stars like Gloria Estefan. He co-founded the nonprofit Amigos For Kids and serves on several boards, including the Miami Dade College Foundation. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Barry University and completed an executive program at the Kellogg School of Management.

Liliam Lopez is the founder and President/CEO of the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SFLHCC). Since 1994, she has grown the chamber to over 1,450 members and organizes more than 25 events annually. Lopez also serves on various boards and hosts “A Business Minute with Liliam Lopez,” featuring interviews with business leaders and politicians.

Olga Ramudo is Sr. Vice President Florida and Latin America (previous owner, President and CEO of Express Travel) She is a U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board member appointed by Secretary of Commerce. Chair of the Hispanic initiatives committee for the NTA. She has received numerous awards such as the Travel Agent of the Year award from the American Society of Travel Agents in 2011. The Influential Business Woman of the Year by the Commonwealth Institute, the ASTA Advocacy Award, 2010, and the World Trade Center Miami Woman of the Year, 2012.

Mario Murgado is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Murgado Automotive Group, one of the largest auto dealership groups in the country, with 30 dealerships across five states. Born in Havana, Cuba, he immigrated to the United States in 1966. He began his automotive career at Braman Imports and earned recognition for his ability to transform underperforming dealerships into top-performing operations. Mr. Murgado has built his organization on a foundation of discipline, vision, and a deep commitment to excellence.

Ana Veiga Milton presides over the José Milton Foundation and directs Social Responsibility for the Milton family business, United Property Management. She also co-founded the Cecil and Ana Milton Family Foundation. After serving as Chair of the Zoo Miami Foundation Board, Ana serves as an Emeritus Board member. Ana is active on the United Way Board, leading the Campaign Initiative, and serves as Chair of the Jackson Health Foundation. She is President of the UM Citizens Board and serves on the MS in Construction Management Advisory Board.

Cesar Pizarro is a notable figure associated with El Nuevo Herald, the Spanish-language sister publication of The Miami Herald. He played a crucial role in the launch of El Nuevo Herald in 1987 and was instrumental in its success and separate marketing from The Miami Herald in 1998. Pizarro began his career with the company in 1974 and held various significant positions, including Director of Circulation, Regional Sales Manager, and Vice President and Business Manager.

Claudia Puig, an accomplished media executive, brings over 26 years of expertise to her role as Senior Vice President for State Government Affairs and Political Partner Solutions at TelevisaUnivision. In this newly created position, Puig leverages her extensive industry experience to lead strategic initiatives that strengthen partnerships and advance government relations. Puig has been with Univision for 26 years, starting in the company’s radio division, before becoming president and GM of Univision 23.

Cuban-American real estate powerhouse Mayi de la Vega is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ONE Sotheby’s International Realty (ONE SIR), a Sotheby’s International Realty affiliate and the leading luxury brokerage firm along Florida’s East Coast. A visionary leader, de la Vega founded the firm in 2008, during the depths of a global economic recession. Through her leadership, the company has flourished to thirty offices backed by a global network that spans 26,000 associates in 81 countries and territories.

Sam Verdeja is a prominent figure in Hispanic media and community service. He has held leadership roles at Miami Herald Publishing Company, Editorial Televisa, and the Hispanic Publishing Group. Sam co-authored “Cubans: An Epic Journey” and has been instrumental in preserving Cuban heritage through his work.