UHP Staff
Our Staff
Our Board of Directors
Our Co-Founders
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Dr. Andrea Iglesias joined Urban Health Partnerships as the Interim Executive Director in 2016, became Executive Director in 2017 and has been serving as the CEO since January 2019. She holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and brings experience as a clinician, outreach and community engagement director, administrator, consultant, and teacher. She has held leadership positions at universities, in state and national associations, and as the principal of a diversity and inclusion consulting firm. Additionally she is an adjunct professor at the University of Miami. Through her background in clinical psychology, Andrea has had the privilege of witnessing thousands of individuals’ stories. She has worked to translate the insight and voices from these lived experiences, along with research and best practices in clinical and community psychology, to co-design culturally informed practices, policies, and programs to foster healthier and more inclusive communities. Andrea has a special interest in increasing mental and emotional well-being, equity, and improving the quality of life of all communities.
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Bio coming soon.
Arely B. Lozano Cantú, M.A
Director of Health Access and Livability
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she/her/they/them
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Arely B. Lozano Cantu is a Director of Health Access and Livability at UHP, previously having joined as Health and Community Development Program Manager in November of 2018. She possesses over 7 years of experience in community organizing, grass-roots approaches in education and research, management and development, community health, and in programming support and solutions. Having gained her skills through grass-roots organizing, youth and justice advocacy, and professional community and public health work, she holds a strong passion for amplifying resident voices and building, developing, and supporting strategic and impactful ideas, projects, programs, and initiatives aimed at improving health-empowerment and opportunities in underserved communities. Arely leads the Food For All Broward Initiative and oversees the Live Healthy Little Havana Initiative. Arely is fluently bilingual and holds a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Women and Gender Studies and a M.A. in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies with a focus on Food Justice and Health in communities of color.
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Wren A. Ruiz is UHP’ Director of Healthy Streets & Public Spaces. As both a landscape architect and planner, Wrenbrings expertise in design and planning and knowledge of urban and natural environments. Throughout their career,Wrenhas focused on prioritizing community-driven, sustainable solutions, and advocating for increased investment in marginalized communities. Prior to joining UHP,Wrenserved as a consultant project manager for over six years to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and various local agencies within South Florida.Wrenhas successfully collaborated with communities on projects related to transportation corridors, biking and trail networks, citywide parks and recreation systems, and other public spaces.Wrenalso has experience utilizing a variety of methods to ensure a project’s planning process is inclusive and equitable such as using a combination of visual, audial, tactile, interactive, and collaborative activities at public workshops; using both digital and analog outreach tools; gathering community input both online and in-person; and facilitating centralized public meetings and focused community visits.
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Sally Pope-Smyth is the Senior Manager for Organizational Impact. Sally has been working with UHP in a consultant role since 2013 and joined the team in 2019 as the Evaluation Coordinator. She holds a Masters of Public Health from New York University where she concentrated in International and Community Health. Sally has over 7 years of experience working in the field of public health on projects related to health equity in the built environment, women’s health literacy, and climate change. She brings her technical skills of monitoring and evaluation, project management, health impact assessment design and implementation to the UHP team. Sally is passionate about using monitoring and evaluation to tell the story about the impact of the built environment on the health and vitality of communities and to help stakeholders work smarter for maximum outputs. Sally leads the design and implementation of evaluations across a range of UHP projects, including Live Healthy Little Havana, Activate Overtown and Live Healthy Miami Gardens.
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Nattaliah Earle is a Collective Impact Manager at UHP. Over the last six years, Nattaliah has been an instructor, noted speaker, advocate, and consultant for private businesses, governmental, and non-profit organizations, helping them navigate ways to improve the overall health, resilience, social equity, and wellness of their communities.She holds a Master’s Degree in Business from the University of Florida and a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality from Florida International University. Through her background in her own business and the corporate sector, she has a particular interest in building resilient communities through locally-led and food initiatives that serve everyone.Nattaliah is passionate about food access for all and recently worked with a city to administer their food access and equity grant from the USDA as part of the Farmer’s Market and Local Food Promotions initiative. Then in 2021, she collaborated with UHP to activate the alliances forged while working closely with food and health system partners and stakeholders to create the South Broward Community Health Hub.
Nattaliah manages projects to maintain and grow the Food Access, Security, and Justice (FASJ) Initiative with UHPthroughout the South Florida tri-county area.
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Alba Rubio is UHP’ Communications and Events Project Manager. Alba holds a Master of Science degree in Global Strategic Communications from Florida International University, and a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Music Business from Berklee College of Music. Rubio possesses over 10 years of experience in event planning, content creation, communications, website development, marketing, creative, and programming work. Alba maintains a strong passion for connecting her skills and collaborating with the UHP team to uplift underserved communities in South Florida.
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StacyBrown is UHP’ Finance and Operations Manager. Stacyis an ocean advocate, environmental educator and community connector with more than 15 years of non-profit management, finance and grant experience. She holds a BS degree in Marine Biology and is currently enrolled in a Master of Marine Science program at Nova Southeastern University. For the past five years, she has served as Operations and Development Director for Urban Farming Institute building more than 7 community or school based raised bed and hydroponic gardens, writing grants to increase the nonprofits reach and capacity and managing all day-to-day nonprofit operations.From 2019 – 2021, she served as CFO and Education Director for 1000 Mermaids Artificial Reef Project & co-founded and served as CFO and Education Director for Ocean Rescue Alliance from 2020-2021. She currently sits on boards for the Florida Food Policy Council, South Florida Association of Environmental Professionals, Dania Beach Marine Advisory Board, and Urban Farming Institute. Her current participation or management of local community projects ranges from community and school garden building to oyster and coral nursery efforts.Stacyenjoys serving our Florida communities to assist in decreasing food scarcity and empowering community members across Florida to grow their own food and to create a more resilient environment.
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Teara Jackson is UHP’ Community & Training Coordinator. Her first role at UHP begun as a Community Liaison in June of 2020 and as Community Outreach Assistant. Teara Letreace is a Black creative, native to Miami who approaches life and work with a passion for social justice, literature, and wellness. Growing up in North Miami and now residing in Miami Gardens, as a mother and advocate of a teen with Down Syndrome, she values the importance of ensuring underserved communities have access to inclusive wellness and educational programs and resources. Teara has over 10 years experience in event planning, community organizing and advocating, possessing an assertive hands-on work experience and social-minded communication style, along with a fun and focused work ethic. Currently pursuing certifications in Forrest and Restorative Yoga, her intention is to spark conversations about social justice, on and off the mat. Teara is dedicated to providing communities safe and healing spaces to grow in, while acquiring tools to empower individuals in their self-care practices.
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Jefferson Miami Glitzer (Jeffrey Pressly, Ph.D.), is a Miami-Dade County Lead Community Liaison with a focus on the LGBTQ+ community. Jeff has expertise in scientific research, emphasizing data collection and behavioral science, intersects with his commitment to the LGBTQ+ community. His role extends beyond traditional research, involving active participation in South Florida’s LGBTQ+ nightlife, which places him at the juncture of scientific study and direct community engagement.
In his capacity as the Miami-Dade County Lead Community Liaison – LGBTQ+ for UHP, Jeffrey’s focus is on supporting the LGBTQ+ community. His work is dedicated to securing the necessary funding and resources, in line with UHP’ goals of fostering health equity and community well-being.
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Daymee “Didi” Sanchez is a Lead Community Liaison with a focus on the LGBTQ+ community in Miami-Dade County. Didi began her role in July 2024, after previously serving as a communications and practicum intern with the UHP team from September to December 2023. A proud Miami resident, Didi grew up in the heart of Little Havana, which deeply informs her passion for bridging the needs of her community with the resources and support available through her role. As a liaison, she is committed to advocating for and uplifting the LGBTQ+ community, aiming to create meaningful change and access to resources.
Didi holds a degree in Human Development and Family Sciences from Florida State University. She is also an active community member, recently serving as Assistant Site Director for a local nonprofit focused on educational equity. Passionate about empowering youth, Didi works tirelessly to provide the tools and opportunities they need to thrive.
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Aubrey Best is a Miami-Dade County LGBTQ+ Community Liaison Lead. Aubrey is passionate individual from South Carolina, currently based in Miami, FL. With a strong commitment to advocating for better health options for black transwomen in Florida. Aubrey is actively working towards the stigmatization of HIV/AIDS their dedication to promoting Health Equity and raising awareness about crucial issues facing marginalized communities exemplifies their drive to create positive change.
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Raquel Hanshaw joined UHP as a Community Liaison in June of 2021.”¯Raquel Hanshaw is a woman of integrity and ambition. She has worked as a union delegate for 1199 SEIU at the University of Miami Hospital. As a Community Liaison, Raquel aims to stay dedicated to informing people about the changes within the Overtown community and opportunities for co-designing positive change.
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Carmen Benitez joined UHP as a Community Liaison in October 2021. She has over 20 years in customer service, sales, and marketing. Carmen was born in Barranquilla, Colombia. She moved to the United States in her high school years. She has lived in Miami for over 35 years. She currently resides in Miami and enjoys spending time with her family especially her only daughter and her two grandsons.
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WendyQuintero joined UHP as a Community Liaison in October 2021.Wendyis a single mother of one child and has been working as a Medical Assistant in Hialeah since April 2021. She is a Venezuelan Doctor with a postgraduate degree in Public Health.Wendyhasmore than 20 Years of experience working topromote health and improve lifestyles in her community and wants to integrate olders adults into healthy lifestylesas well.
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Tara N. Kitt joined UHP as a Community Liaison in September 2021. Tara Kitt retired from MDCR/PTSB as a Pretrial Service Officer II in July 2020. Tara earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Florida Memorial College in 1984. She is an active member of Eta Phi Beta Sorority. She has resided in the Miami Gardens area since 1980. Tara is concerned about the wellbeing of the Senior citizens in her community, advocating for safer environments to live and work in.
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Keith Ivory began his grassroots community organizing career in 1999 while serving as PTA President at Phyllis Wheatley Elementary, his son’s school in Overtown Miami, FL. During that tenure it was noticed by parents and staff that the rising amount of absenteeism among students, teachers and staff was due to contaminated air condition systems in the school and the need for mold remediation and asbestos removal. During that time Mr. Ivory was hired as a full-time organizer @ Power U. Center for Social Change to advocate for the Miami Dade School Board to remediate the entire air quality systems thru mold removal asbestos extraction at all 3 Overtown schools. He also was a part of the 2005 ANTI GENTRIFICATION campaign to save Town Park residents and their property which helped remodel resident’s rental units.Ivory has also worked with organizations in Miami Dade County including the Human Services Coalition, known today as Catalyst Miami under the leadership of Danielle Levine Cava, presently Mayor Danielle Levine Cava.Ivory loves history and has served as a Tour Guide Historian Lecturer/ Urban Storyteller throughout Overtown, Little Havana, Little Haiti, Liberty City, Coconut Grove, Wynwood Art, South Beach for the past 35 years. Telling the stories of South Florida with its history of political, social, economic, cultural events including famous people in South Florida. His large passion for reading includes books such as The Golden Bough, Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome and many more.
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Deidria Davis is an Overtown Community Liaison at UHP. Deidra is an Overtown resident and is passionate about serving underserved and vulnerable populations. Having previously worked at Cruise Lines, Resorts and Camillus House, Deidra holds experience serving victims of human trafficking and has an extensive background in Investigations and administrative support. Deidra is very active in her community and her goal is to continue to work with civilians, residents, victims, and law enforcement to better serve the community she lives in. She looks forward to working on this goal with UHP and community members.
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Louisjoined UHP as a Community Liaison in July of 2021.Louisfirmly believes in serving the community in which you live in is a duty to yourself and others. Currently, he is pursuing a second Master in Business Administration in Finance at Barry University.Louisearned a Bachelor’s in Information Technology in August 2018 and a Master’s in Public Administration from Barry University in May 2020.Louisenjoys volunteering as a team lead with the Haitian-American Reemployment Assistance (HACRA), a civic engagement program. HACRA is helping the Haitian community with limited access to technology to file for their unemployment benefits online. Those who have a language barrier will find assistance in Creole, their national language. He is also an active member of the Pirate Sportif Club, this club founded in 1953.His favorite hobbies include playing soccer and dancing.A Haitian native of the beautiful city,Pétion-Ville,Louishas lived in Davie, Florida with his family since 2012.
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Britney is known as one who makes Tiny but Mighty Transformations within their community. Britney has a passion for event coordinating, wellness and advocating for those in need of social and environmental change. While pursuing their Bachelors at Barry University for Criminology, she was invloved with various organizations passionate around leadership, domestic violence prevention and education around sexual orientation. Britney later joined a federal agency working as an Emergency Manager supporting survivors, faith-based and community based organizations in Disaster Relief. During the pandemic in 2020, Britney participated in a Co-op program ran by Catalyst Miami with intentions on learning about cooperatives and co-designing a community led hub focusing around improving overall wellness with their 10 years experience in physical fitness and future pursuit of their Masters’ in Counseling, specializing in Mental Health. As a South Broward native for the past 23 years in Pembroke Pines and Miramar, now in Davie/ Hollywood for the last four years, Britney is excited to join as a Community Liaison and bring her multifaceted assets to the UHP Team.
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Melanie Rogers joined UHP in March 2022. She has over 15 years of experience in medical and community outreach. Born and raised in Miami, Melanie now resides in Homestead and is passionate about helping her community by advocating for health, wellness, and food security.
