Commissioner Damian Pardo was elected to represent District 2 in the City of Miami in November 2023. He is a lifelong resident of District 2, having been raised in Coconut Grove and residing in Morningside for the last 24 years.
As a community activist for more than 35 years, Commissioner Pardo has advocated for equality, diversity, and inclusion in South Florida and beyond, volunteering in efforts to unite communities, including founding SAVE–Safeguarding American Values for Everyone–in 1993 while serving as a two-term President of the largest AIDS Health Organization, CareResource (formerly known as Health Crisis Network). In 2015, he co-founded 4Ward Miami, which is dedicated to uniting South Florida’s diverse communities, and was one of the producers of the Gay8 “Ocho” Festival. He also served on the Miami Dade Equal Opportunity Board (12 years), the Board of Trustees of the Miami Foundation, the Celia Cruz Foundation, and various national and local non-profit boards. Presently, he serves on the Board of Vizcaya Museum & Gardens.
Commissioner Pardo’s professional journey started at the Southeast Bank Management Training Program, after which he specialized in corporate lending for the cruise line industry. He later transitioned to private banking and trust. His career took him through various leadership roles in reputable institutions such as Gibraltar Private Bank, SunTrust, Merrill Lynch, and Morgan Stanley. His experiences in banking and wealth management have given him a comprehensive understanding of complex budgets and finances.
Commissioner Pardo was born to a family that traces its roots to Spain. His parents, Dr. Victoriano "Victor" Pardo and Maria Amelia Pardo-Garcia instilled in him values of humility, compassion, and a profound commitment to service. With a deep appreciation for their shared immigrant journey, he understands the potential opportunities for our community.
He attended St. Hugh Elementary School, graduated from Belen Jesuit Preparatory School in 1981, won a National Forensics competition, attended Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, rowed crew, and ultimately graduated from the University of Miami School of Business with a Masters in Management.