Leadership
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Virginia M. Akar
Founder, President Virginia M. Akar is an attorney and human rights advocate who is dedicated to bringing about positive social change in her community, with particular focus on disrupting the cycle of poverty. Her vision of eliminating poverty through education led to the founding of Strong Girls, Inc., an anti-poverty initiative whose mission is to eliminate the obstacles to higher education and career faced by girls in disadvantaged communities. Ms. Akar has had a career in the public interest sector since her early days of practicing law as an Assistant State Attorney for Miami-Dade County in 1994. From there, she took a few years off to raise her family, and gradually returned to a service-oriented career. In 2013, she co-founded her first non-profit organization Young Musicians Unite, which currently provides free in-school and after-school music programs throughout Miami-Dade County. She maintains an active role on the Executive Committee and Board of that organization. In 2016 she earned her Master of Laws in Intercultural Human Rights, which was in large part the catalyst for the founding of Strong Girls, Inc. |
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Elizabeth S. Mitrani
Board Chair Elizabeth S. Mitrani is a seasoned non-profit executive with over 25 years of experience in strategic planning, board and volunteer development, communications, and major gift fundraising. Her career is distinguished by an extensive development background dedicated to capital, annual, endowment, and planned giving initiatives as well as to corporate partnerships, donor relations, grant writing, and event production. Ms. Mitrani started her career in New York City public relations firms Ruder Finn and Porter Novelli, but the need for more personally fulfilling work led her to the non-profit sector. She has worked for The Boy Scouts of America Foundation, Mt. Sinai Medical Center, The Micheal-Ann Russell JCC, Florida International University Advancement, the Miami Dade College Foundation, the Brain Research Foundation and the Union for Reform Judaism. Ms. Mitrani was introduced to Strong Girls, Inc. by its founder, Virginia Akar, quickly fell in love with its crucial mission, and has dedicated herself to helping the organization flourish and reach its ultimate potential. |
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Linda Barrocas
Board Member Linda is a resident of Miami Beach and an active member of her community. She regularly gives back by volunteering with animal rescue programs and participating as past board member of the Humane Society of Florida. She also has worked closely with neglected and abused children as a Guardian Ad Litem through the Miami Dade Guardian Ad Litem Program. Her own Portuguese Waterdog, Wally, is a member of the “Paws for Court” program through the Miami- Dade County Children’s Courthouse, where he helps to soothe the anxiety of children who may have to testify in dependency court. She also enjoys choreographed dance, painting, photography, as well as cooking and entertaining friends and family. She holds a degree in Liberal Studies from Barry University, is bilingual in English and Spanish. Linda brings with her a strong background in business leadership. She built a multi-million dollar real estate-finance management company that caught the eye of a Fortune 500 company and ultimately bought it. Over a period of 20 years, Linda grew an organization to 350 employees and 65 offices nationally. Homebuilders Financial Network was recognized by Inc. Magazine “500 Winner Entrepreneurial Success” series as well as receiving various other honors from the National Homebuilders Association and the Mortgage Bankers Association. |
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Kaili Akar
Board Member Kaili Akar is currently a Teach for America Corp member and educator working in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Industrial and Labor Relations as well as minors in Inequality Studies and Law & Society from Cornell University. With experience in non-profit consulting through Cornell's Social Business Consulting Group and leadership in various organizations including Women Empowered, Student Government, and College Mentors for Kids, her work shares an underlying passion for social impact and equity work. She was awarded a Teach for America fellowship in 2017 where she worked as an education consultant in Los Angeles, New Orleans and San Antonio. |
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Dr. Roza Pati
Board Member Dr. Pati is a tenured Professor of Law at St. Thomas University School of Law where she teaches International Law, Human Rights Law and Human Trafficking Law. Formerly a Member of Parliament and a Cabinet Member serving as the Secretary of State for Youth and Women of Albania, Dr. Pati has a rich experience in public service and academia. In August 2012, the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Professor Pati to be a Member of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, at the Vatican. She is the only Council member representing the United States. |
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Gianni LaCapra
Board Member Gianni LaCapra, a Miami native with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Florida International University is the Director of Sales & Marketing at Decorative Sales Associates. She has dedicated much time and effort to the Dolphins Cancer Challenge that raises funds and awareness for cancer research for the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. As an alumnus of Our Lady of Lourdes Academy, an all girls Catholic school in Miami, she has a true passion for helping empower women. She hopes to educate others in understanding that it all begins with helping young girls break the cycle of poverty. Every woman is capable of great things when she is given an opportunity to succeed. |
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Dr. Tina Carroll-Scott
Board Member Dr. Tina Carroll-Scott is a board-certified pediatrician in practice for the last twenty-three years. She is a graduate of Princeton University, Boston University School of Medicine, the University of Chicago Hospitals and Miami Children’s Hospital for internship/residency. Dr. Scott has built her career as a pediatrician focused on populations in-need. First caring for an immigrant farm worker population in Fort Pierce, Florida, and now with the uninsured/underinsured children in South Miami. The goal was to provide high quality healthcare, dispelling the perception that “free care” meant substandard care. Her belief was that improved access to healthcare and health education would give these children the foundation to build healthier minds and bodies. She also believed that a real difference could be made in the lives of these children by providing a true medical home. Since opening the clinic ten years ago, she has been able to achieve many of these goals. Poverty, fatherlessness, teenage pregnancies, substance abuse and illiteracy are just a few of the problems plaguing this community. The clinic has become an avenue to address the medical, psychosocial and economic problems facing these families and is instrumental in providing resources. She has recently implemented the use of telemedicine into her practice to improve access to care and reduce after hours urgent care and emergency room visits for non-emergencies. Dr. Scott’s life has come full circle in becoming a part of the South Miami Children’s Clinic. “I’ve come back to working with the underserved and I have discovered it is my passion…using my training to make the greatest difference in the lives of people most in need.” |
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Stephanie Rimes
Board Member Stephanie Rimes is a holistic health and nutrition coach and a member of the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. She is a certified Pilates and Yoga instructor and former Pilates studio owner. She brings her extensive knowledge to programming, creating a fun and engaging nutrition curriculum that girls in our program enjoy. |
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Laura Ganoza
Board Member Laura Ganoza is a partner and litigation lawyer with Foley & Lardner LLP. Ms. Ganoza is the author of “Fashion Branding: What’s in a Name,” published on Apparel (August 30, 2016). Ms. Ganoza spoke on a panel addressing the professional and legal ramifications to consider regarding e-commerce and social media at SwimShow 2015, an essential show for the swimwear industry. |
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Suzanne Leeds
Board Member Suzanne Leeds has a strong desire to make a difference in children’s lives and is passionate about creating positive change. For the past three years, Suzanne has been working in the underserved Miami community teaching nutrition and cooking classes to 1st- 5th graders. Suzanne has always been involved with various educational charities and has established character education programs in numerous schools. For many years in NY she taught culinary education classes for children along with working in numerous professional kitchens. She also volunteers her time at the Miami Beach Library and Cushman Day school with her certified therapy dog “Yoda” teaching children how to improve their reading skills. Recently, Suzanne was a special events coordinator for Tiger Direct Inc., where she was responsible for their events, including TigerDirect Tech Bash, an event that attracted over 28,000 attendees. Suzanne received her undergraduate degree from Syracuse University and her Master in Business Administration from Hofstra. She also attended the Culinary Institute of New York specializing in Pastry. She recently completed a course at Columbia University “Teaching Food and Nutrition For All.” |