Parent To Parent of Miami

	Lileana deMoya, President Lileana Valdes de Moya obtained her Masters of Science in Special Education from the University of Miami in 2008. Ms. de Moya is a registered nurse and received extensive training in the field of mental health, disabilities and advocacy. She is the mother of two sons, the youngest having emotional and intellectual disabilities. She joined Parent to Parent of Miami in 2001 and served as the Training Director until 2006. She joined the Board of Trustees in 2008 and has always been a fierce advocate for the rights of children with disabilities and their families. She was awarded the "Henry Bandier C.A.M.P for Justice Fellowship" by the University of Miami Children's Youth and Law Clinic for her work with children and young adults in foster care with disabilities. She currently serves as the Vice-Chair of the State Advisory Committee for the Education of Exceptional Students, the University of Miami Mailman Center for Child Development Advisory Committee, the Florida International University Special Education Advisory Board and the University of Miami's Exceptional Student Education/Pre-K Disabilities/ESOL Advisory Board. Lily is currently the director of JAG Education Consultants, Inc.
	Dr. Michael Alessandri, Vice President Dr. Alessandri has been a member of the Board of Trustees since 2007. He is currently the Executive Director of UM-NSU Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (CARD) at the University of Miami and a Clinical Professor of Psychology. He has presented, consulted and published internationally about developing appropriate and effective educational programs for students with autistic spectrum disorders. Michael is the recipient of numerous awards including the March of Dimes Community Excellence in Health Care Award (2007), the Dewar’s Man of Distinction (2007) and one of Ronald McDonald House’s 12 Good Men (2008), along with several other awards within the field of autism and disabilities.
	Richard A. Bruguera, Treasurer Richard Bruguera is a State of Florida Certified Public Accountant employed by Ernst & Young, LLP in Miami, Florida. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and Finance, as well as a Master of Science in Taxation from Florida International University. Richard is a past employee of Parent to Parent of Miami, having worked as Operations Manager from May 2006 through December 2007. This past experience brings a unique perspective to his role as Treasurer.
	Enrique Escallon, Secretary Mr. Escallón lives in Miami with his wife Maria Esther. He has four children: Leyvani, Dannel, Daviel, and Dariviel. Dariviel was diagnosed with total liver failure at birth, and received a liver transplant at 13 days old. Through his son’s experiences, Enrique has become a devoted advocate for children with disabilities and provides a much needed father’s perspective. He currently serves on the Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Advisory Panel for ESE; Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST) Board; State Advisory Board for the Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services; National PTA and VSA Arts of Florida. He has also chaired the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC) and the Hurricane District for Boy Scouts of America. Enrique works as Assistant Vice-President for SunTrust Banks

	Cynthia Aucoin Cynthia Aucoin has her Bachelor and Master's degrees in Accounting from Florida International University. She has over 10 years of experience in public and private accounting. Her greatest accomplishment to date is advocating for her beautiful son that has cerebral palsy. She continues to grow and search for new ways to make his life better and showing others what he is capable of.
	Jill D. Brookner Jill D. Brookner is the Instructional Supervisor for Mentally Handicapped and Physically Impaired Programs for the Office of Special Education and Psychological Services Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Ms. Brookner received her Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Indiana and the Masters of Science in Education from the University of Miami. When she first joined the Miami Dade County School System she started as a teacher for children with emotional disabilities, served as a Behavior Management teacher, Education Specialist and as adjunct Faculty at Florida International University. Ms. Brookner has advocated and designed curriculum and programs that promote inclusion, both in and out of the classroom. She successfully supported the transition of students with disabilities attending Occupational Training Centers, and was instrumental in developing the first college based program for students with developmental disabilities in Miami-Dade County, PROJECT ACCEPT. Ms. Brookner serves as a volunteer for local non-profit organizations such as Best Buddies, Special Olympics and FAVACA.
	Benjamin Lebish Benjamin Lebish is currently a registered representative and Certified Special Care Planner with Linq Financial Group, an agency of Mass Mutual. He specializes in implementing financial strategies for families with Special Needs. He received his BFA from Pace University (Manhattan Campus) in 2005. Ben is Chairman of the Miami Society of Young Philanthropists, President of Pace University's South Florida Alumni, and committee member for the National Academy Foundation through Miami Dade Public Schools. He is currently married to Francesca and has two beautiful daughters, Raquel and Ava.
	Jamie A. Levin, LMHC Jamie A. Levin is the Owner/President of Endless PossAbilities, Inc. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a Support Coordinator who works with individuals with developmental disabilities. She assists persons with developmental disabilities in becoming as integrated and independent within the society as possible. Jamie received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Florida International University in Miami, FL and has worked with people of varying types and severities of disabilities most of her life. She aspires to open her own practice and to conduct workshops to counsel and educate persons with disabilities, their families and their friends.
	Dr. Diana Martinez Valle-Riestra Diana Martinez Valle-Riestra is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning with expertise in early childhood special education. Dr. Valle-Riestra has a master's degree in special education (Emotional Handicaps and Learning Disabilities), and a Ph.D. in special education and reading. Dr. Valle-Riestra has directed 5 Office of Special Education Program Personnel Preparation Grants in early childhood special education and autism, and is currently a Co-PI on a grant to redesign teacher preparation programs for special education teachers to assure that graduates meet the highly qualified requirements of NCLB (2001) and IDEA (2004). Dr. Valle-Riestra's research interests are in the areas of early childhood special education, programming for young children with disabilities, working with diverse families, leadership and advocacy issues within the context of special education, and collaboration and consultation. Dr. Valle-Riestra was the Principal of the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Debbie School, which is an early intervention program serving a culturally and linguistically diverse group of young children with disabilities and their families from birth to five years old. In addition, she has prior teaching experience in early childhood, child development, assessment, special education, and leadership. Dr. Valle-Riestra has experience in managing and coordinating graduate programs in early childhood special education, research projects, and local school district program evaluations in early childhood and special education. She has consulted and published research on exceptional populations. Dr. Valle-Riestra is an active member of NAEYC, TED, and is on the Executive Board of the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) as a Member-at-Large.
	Patricia Mederos Patricia Mederos was born in Fort Worth, Texas. Her family lived in New York and Maryland before relocating to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Patricia's volunteerism began at a young age. During her youth, Patricia joined service organizations, volunteered at school and church, and taught CCD. She also won numerous music awards and service awards, and was selected to represent the United States by performing at the Pan American games in Cali Colombia during high school. In 1978, Patricia married Oscar Mederos and moved to Miami. From 1980 to 2000, Patricia and Oscar had five children: Stefanie, 28; Brandon, 25; Candace, 23; Devon, 12; and Karissa, 9. Their son, Brandon, was born with a hydrocephalic cyst which resulted in right side hemiplegia and learning disabilities. Patricia and Oscar immediately retained doctors and therapists to work with Brandon. Patricia set aside her community volunteer work to concentrate on her family's needs. In 1998, Patricia joined Young Patronesses of the Opera. In her 11.5 years as a member of YPO, Patricia served as the Financial Secretary, the Treasurer, the Gala chair, the Spring Event chair, and a member of the finance committee for four years. Patricia has been an active member of the Parent to Parent Journey of Dreams committee since its inception. As a mother of a child with a disability, who understands many of the difficulties that are encountered by the families requesting assistance from Parent to Parent of Miami. For her efforts, Patricia has been re cognized with: "Girl of the Year" in three chapters, "Beta City Council Girl of the Year" three times and "State Girl of the Year" three times. Beta Sigma Phi International award, Order of the Rose, Outstanding Young Woman of America in 1977 and 1980. In 2009, was honored with Parent to Parent's of Miami's Journey of Dreams Benefit Community Leadership Award.

	Past	Presidents
1986-1990	Paula S. Lalinde	2001-2002	Bessie Cardella
1990-1995	Jackie Gonzalez	2002-2003	Elizabeth Fauerbach
1995-1997	Isabel C. Garcia	2003-2007	Maria L. Kneipple
1997-2001	Janet Bell Taylor	2007-2009	Farides Garcia