CHAIR OF THE BOARD:
Orlando Gonzales - Executive Director of Safeguarding American Values for Everyone
Appointed by District 3 Commissioner Joe Carollo
orlando@save.lgbt
Orlando Gonzales, MPA, is the Executive Director of Safeguarding American Values for Everyone (SAVE/SAVE Dade). In his current role, Gonzales works to advance SAVE’s mission to promote, protect and defend equality for people in South Florida who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender.
Prior to joining SAVE, Gonzales was Chief of Staff and Communications Operations Manager at the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) in Washington, DC, where he worked on increasing patient and stakeholder engagement in research funding, collaborated to develop a dissemination and implementation framework for research findings, as well as, a process for patient and peer review to help speed up the up take of new information. Throughout his career, Gonzales has been involved with businesses and non-profit organizations with an impact on both the local and national levels. Public service has always been an integral part of his life, focusing on organizations that promote human rights and the educational advancement of people of color and the LGBT community. He has also served on the board of trustees of the Point Foundation and has been an active alum of Georgetown University and of the National Urban Fellows program.
Gonzales earned a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Georgetown University in Washington, DC, and a Master of Public Administration with honors from City University of New York’s Austin W. Marxe School of Public and International Affairs at The Bernard Baruch College in New York City. As a National Urban Fellow, he successfully completed a fellowship at the Aetna Foundation in Hartford, CT. Gonzales who is fluent in Spanish, enjoys spending time with friends and family and exploring cities around the world. He has lived and worked in some of the most vibrant metropolitan places in the United States, including the San Francisco Bay Area, Miami, New York and Washington, DC. During his free time, he appreciates live music, outsider art, food, and wine.
BOARD MEMBERS:
Nicole Alvarez - Law Offices of Nicole Alvarez PA
Appointed by Mayor Francis Suarez
Alvarez@nicolealvarezpa.com
As a lifelong Miami, Florida resident, Nicole Alvarez has been an attorney for over 17 years . She received her B.A. in Political Science from the University of South Florida and then went on to graduate from Stetson University’s College of Law in 2005. She immediately went on to be a prosecutor for the Broward State Attorney’s Office where she tried over 50 jury trials in the first chair with numerous misdemeanors, differing degrees of felonies and also capital sex battery cases. In the last three years with that office, she was a sex crimes prosecutor.
Nicole then moved on to a private practice. After ten years of practicing law and confident with her experience as an attorney, Nicole decided to open her very own practice which specializes in criminal defense, family and immigration. With all her expertise in legal matters she believed in running a practice with the right values for any type of legal representation. Outside of her career, Nicole enjoys giving back to the community and helping others. She is the Co-Chair of the Gay and Lesbian Lawyers Association as well as on the executive board of Miami Beach Gay Pride and the board of the City of Miami LGBTQ Advisory Board.
Ariel Trueba - Urban Health Partnerships, Outreach Assistant
Appointed byD4 Commissioner Manolo Reyes
ariel@urbanhp.org
Ariel Trueba is a passionate community advocate with a strong background in governmental affairs and public service. His experience includes interning as an Aide to Mayor Francis X. Suarez at the City of Miami, where he assisted constituents in resolving issues and advised the mayor on policies impacting the city. Additionally, he served as a Community Engagement Coordinator at the Department of Human Services & Economic Initiatives via Public Allies Miami.
Ariel‘s community service endeavors include serving as a Project Manager for the Florida Housing Assistance Fund and serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA for the Summer Jobs Connect program. He was born and raised in the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami. Ariel is a proud graduate of Miami Senior High School and is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Political Science & Business Management from Florida State University.
VACANCIES
District 1
District 2
District 5
At-Large
CITY OF MIAMI POLICE DEPARTMENT LGBTQ+ LIAISON
Officer Vanessa Gonzalez - LGBTQ+ Liaison Officer (Citywide)
42874@miami-police.org
Officer Vanessa Gonzalez has been with the City of Miami for 6.5 years. She is the first full-time LGBTQ+ Liaison Officer for the City of Miami Police Department. Her goal is to break barriers and rebuild trust within the LGBTQ+ Community through trainings and education. Officer Gonzalez is also the Vice Chair for South Florida Law Enforcement LGBTQ+ Coalition as a representation for the Miami Police Department.
When not at work she is happily married to her lovely wife Lisa. She is also a proud mother to her three teenagers: Oliver, Anthony and Kailyn. With the continued support from the City of Miami, she feels she is able to accomplish her goals to help all residents, visitors and business owners feel safe to live, play and work in our communities.
CITY OF MIAMI LGBTQ+ ADVISORY BOARD LIAISON
Michael Roman - Community Partnerships Manager
Department of Human Services
305.416.1618
mroman@miamigov.com
Michael Roman plays an important role in managing projects and creating strategies that have resulted in innovative approaches to community development projects that promote social change and healthier neighborhoods. Currently, Michael’s work involves overseeing various departmental programs and initiatives. Actively working with community-based organizations, companies, boards, committees, and residents, he builds relationships that are essential to change. Michael previously managed Live Healthy Little Havana, a $3.7 million collective impact, results-based community initiative addressing health disparities and social determinants of health while empowering residents to advocate for a healthier and thriving community. He is also a Maven Leadership Collective Alumni and Coach. Maven Leadership Collective is an organization that invests in creative social impact leaders who are queer and trans people of color and allies.
Michael was born and raised in the City of Miami, and he has a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications from Florida International University. He has worked in full-service communications agencies specializing in various aspects of public health, business development, and community engagement. Also, he has worked directly with principal executives while supporting the overall needs and goals of each organization. Michael’s experience in various markets and cross-marketing clients ensure maximum organization power and success.
Michael currently lives with his partner Jeff, four dogs and kinkajou. He loves to dine out locally and travel as often as possible.
ASSIGNED CITY ATTORNEY
Pablo Velez - Senior Assistant City Attorney
PVelez@miamigov.com
Mr. Velez joined the Office of the City Attorney in July 2014 and is presently assigned to the Government Affairs Division where he handles primarily procurement as well as construction and real estate related matters. Prior to joining the Office of the City Attorney, Mr. Velez served as Interim Procurement Director for the City of Miami's Procurement Department. Mr. Velez initially started with the City of Miami in April 2008 as a Procurement Supervisor and was a Certified Public Procurement Buyer (CPPB). Previous to joining the City of Miami, Mr. Velez handled corporate, business, and condominium law matters while in private practice.
Mr. Velez received his Juris Doctorate from University of Florida College of Law and Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Economics from Florida International University.