UHP Staff

Our Staff

Our Board of Directors

 Our Co-Founders

Andrea Iglesias, Psy.D.

Andrea Iglesias, Psy.D.

CEO/Executive Director

andrea@urbanhp.org
she/her/hers

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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.

Jennifer Cheek, MUEP, LEED AP

Jennifer Cheek, MUEP, LEED AP

Director of Healthy Streets & Public Spaces

jen@urbanhp.org
she/her/hers

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As of March 2021, Jen Cheek is the Director of Healthy Streets and Public Spaces. Jen joined Urban Health Partnerships as the Planning and Community Development Program Manager in March 2020. Prior to joining UHP, Jen served as Executive Director of the Farmers Market Coalition for seven years, working to measure, document and publicize the triumphs of farmers markets, while responding to the training, networking, and advocacy needs of the growing farmers market community. Before FMC, Jen worked at the design and urban planning firm AECOM, where she collaborated with numerous municipalities and government agencies to create civic meeting spaces, preserve natural areas, and design parks and gardens all over the U.S. She worked closely with community stakeholders to research and distill data, build consensus, create educational materials, and craft plans and policies. She holds a Master of Urban and Environmental Planning degree from the University of Virginia, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Michigan.

Arely B. Lozano Cantú, M.A

Arely B. Lozano Cantú, M.A

Director of Health Access and Livability

arely@urbanhp.org
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.

Sally Pope-Smyth, MPH

Sally Pope-Smyth, MPH

Senior Manager for Organizational Impact

sally@urbanhp.org
she/her/hers

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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.

Alba Rubio, M.S.

Alba Rubio, M.S.

Communications & Events Project Manager

alba@urbanhp.org
she/her/hers

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Alba Rubio is UHP’ Communications and Events Project Manager. Alba began her career at UHP in March of 2018 serving as the Secretary to the Board of Directors, Administrative and Communications Specialist and Communications and Events Strategist. 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 empower underserved communities in South Florida. 

Nattaliah Earle, MSc.

Nattaliah Earle, MSc.

Food Systems Program Manager

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Nattaliah Earle joined UHP as the Food Systems Program Manager in March 2022. 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 UHP throughout the South Florida tri-county area.

Wren A. Ruiz, RLA

Wren A. Ruiz, RLA

Senior Community Planning Manager

wren@urbanhp.org
they/them/theirs/elle

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Wren A. Ruiz is UHP’ Senior Community Planning Manager. As both a landscape architect and planner, Wren brings expertise in design and planning and knowledge of urban and natural environments. Throughout their career, Wren has focused on prioritizing community-driven, sustainable solutions, and advocating for increased investment in marginalized communities. Prior to joining UHP, Wren served as a consultant project manager for over six years to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and various local agencies within South Florida. Wren has successfully collaborated with communities on projects related to transportation corridors, biking and trail networks, citywide parks and recreation systems, and other public spaces. Wren also 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.

Stacy Brown

Stacy Brown

Finance & Operations Manager

stacy@urbanhp.org
she/her/hers

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Stacy Brown is UHP’ Finance and Operations Manager. Stacy is 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. Stacy enjoys 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.

We Are Hiring

We Are Hiring

Health Equity Program Manager (LGBTQ+ Focus)

Click here to learn more and apply

Teara Jackson

Teara Jackson

Outreach & Training Coordinator

teara@urbanhp.org
she/her/hers

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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.

Jonathan Jackson

Jonathan Jackson

Outreach & Training Coordinator

jonathan@urbanhp.org
More info coming soon

Shardy Sobers

Shardy Sobers

Healthy Policies & Advocacy Coordinator

shardy@urbanhp.org
she/her/hers

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Shardy Sobers is the Health Policy and Advocacy Coordinator with Urban Health Partnerships. Over the past 14 years, she has worked in higher education administration and has coordinated grants ranging from federal programs to public health campaigns. She holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of Technology – Jamaica, and Bachelors of Science degrees in Business Management and Marketing from Grambling State University. 
Since 2019, she has collaborated with local municipalities, government agencies and other stakeholders to advance community health and manage public health initiatives. 
Shardy is a voracious reader with particular interests in Older Adult health, disaster management, nutrition and health equity. With her background, expertise and certifications in Project Management and Lean Six Sigma – Green Belt, Shardy is intent on providing resources to underserved communities in South Florida. 
Ariel Trueba

Ariel Trueba

Outreach Assistant

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Ariel Trueba is a passionate community advocate with a strong background in governmental affairs and public service. His experience includes working with Mayor Francis X. Suarez at the City of Miami and the Department of Human Services & Economic Initiatives via Public Allies. Ariel‘s community service endeavors include serving as the Chairman of the Miami Dade County LGBTQ+ Advisory Board, as well as the Young Professionals Network at the Greater Miami LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Trueba was born and raised in the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami, and he is a proud graduate of Florida State University where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Business Management with an Emergency Management Certificate. Most recently, he graduated from Leadership Miami’s Class 45 of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce.
Britney Philipeaux

Britney Philipeaux

South Broward Community Liaison & Administrative Assistant

britney@urbanhp.org

she/they/theirs

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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.

Lamar McMullen

Lamar McMullen

City of Miami Community Liaison

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Lamar McMullen is a City of Miami Community Liaison at Urban Health Partnerships. He provides a secure environment for the LGBTQIA community to engage in safe conversations regarding HIV, STDs, and livelihoods. He is a person of color, a recovering addict with 9 years of sobriety, and a PLWH who is proud of his current identity. Lamar serves as the vice-chair of the Miami Dade Partnership Community Coalition, a CAB member for the University of Miami, and a NCAB member for the Mac/Whis Combined Cohort Study. He has earned numerous awards for his HIV advocacy work and has revolutionized the field in many ways. Lamar is a GRIOT, an African storyteller, and appeared in the docu-film “Outrun the Sky.” The film, released in June for National Testing Day, addresses issues such as drug addiction, suicide, abandonment, and obstacles faced by the LGBTQ community. All the male participants in the film were from the five most HIV-affected regions in the South, including Miami, Atlanta, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Jackson Mississippi.
Keith Ivory

Keith Ivory

Overtown Community Liaison

ivory@urbanhp.org
he/him/his

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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. 

Deidria Davis

Deidria Davis

Overtown Community Liaison

deidria@urbanhp.org
she/her/hers

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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.

Raquel Hanshaw

Raquel Hanshaw

Overtown Community Liaison

raquel@urbanhp.org
she/her/hers

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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.

Tara Kitt

Tara Kitt

Miami Gardens Community Liaison

tara@urbanhp.org
she/her/hers

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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.

Louis Lormeus

Louis Lormeus

South Broward Community Liaison

louis@urbanhp.org
he/him/his

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Louis joined UHP as a Community Liaison in July of 2021. Louis firmly 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. Louis earned a Bachelor’s in Information Technology in August 2018 and a Master’s in Public Administration from Barry University in May 2020. Louis enjoys 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, Louis has lived in Davie, Florida with his family since 2012.

Wendy Quintero

Wendy Quintero

Hialeah Community Liaison

she/her/hers

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Wendy Quintero joined UHP as a Community Liaison in October  2021. Wendy is 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. Wendy has more than 20 Years of experience working to promote health and improve lifestyles in her community and wants to integrate olders adults into healthy lifestyles as well. 

Shelly Memnon

Shelly Memnon

Liberty City Community Liaison

shelly@urbanhp.org
she/her/hers

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Shelly Memnon is a dedicated and passionate Community Liaison at Urban Health Partnerships, where she works tirelessly to improve the lives of those around her. She proudly identifies as a single mother of two incredible boys and goes by the pronouns she/her/hers.

Shelly has been providing assistance and resources to her community for years and is excited to work alongside her coworkers and staff at Urban Health Partnerships to continue making a positive impact. With 10 years of experience as a preschool teacher, 2 years of study in medical billing and coding, Shelly is a reliable and hardworking individual with a strong passion for helping others.

Melanie Rogers

Melanie Rogers

Homestead Community Liaison

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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.

Carmen Benitez

Carmen Benitez

Sweetwater Community Liaison

carmen@urbanhp.org
she/her/hers

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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.