Hispanic Excellence: Nonprofit & Public Service

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Florida Panthers commemorate their annual ‘Celebration of Hispanic Excellence’ series, presented by Amazon, recognizing South Florida residents making a difference in the local community.

The Panthers ‘Celebration of Hispanic Excellence’ program recognizes individuals nominated by their peers, colleagues, families or friends for the positive impact they are making in South Florida and beyond. This includes business owners, educators, creators, healthcare workers, public servants, executives and more.

These honorees’ stories will be highlighted throughout Hispanic Heritage Month at FloridaPanthers.com/VamosGatos and on Panthers social media platforms at @FlaPanthers and @FlaPanthersCARE.

Additionally, the Panthers will host ¡Vamos Gatos! Night powered by Ford on Monday, Feb. 2. This year’s ‘Hispanic Excellence’ honorees will be recognized that night at Amerant Bank Arena. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit SeatGeek.com or FloridaPanthers.com/ThemeNights.

After honoring business leaders last week, the Panthers recognize honoree's in nonprofit and public service for week two.

CBP Officer - Department of Homeland Security​

Saul Aramboles serves as a Customs and Border Protection Officer for the Department of Homeland Security. Right out of high school, he joined the U.S. Army.Over the course of the10 years, he proudly served in the Army, he completed two tours in Iraq and fought in the Global War on Terrorism. Following his military service, Saul continued his mission to protect the nation by joining the Department of Homeland Security. Today, he is the proud father of two daughters and hopes they will one day follow in his footsteps of service and sacrifice. His journey reflects not only heroism and patriotism, but also the resilience of an immigrant who has dedicated his life to safeguarding the freedoms and opportunities of his adopted home.​

Mayor – The City of Pembroke Pines​

Angelo Castillo is a Cuban born American raised in New York City. He is the City's 12th Mayor and the first of Hispanic origin. Earning an academic and athletic scholarship, he graduated from Wagner College with a degree in business administration and an MBA in finance. A graduate of New York Law School, he completed a senior executive's program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and served as an executive in the Koch, Dinkins, Giuliani, Cuomo, and Pataki administrations in New York. He was named director of US HUD’s Florida State Office of Community Planning and Development in 1996, and Director of Human Services for Broward County in 1998, where he was responsible for a $250 million budget with 1,200 staff. He returned to US HUD as Deputy State Coordinator for Florida in 2000. From 2003 until joining the Broward Sheriff's command staff in 2013, he served as President and CEO of non-profit corporation. He also served as an adjunct professor at St.Thomas University’s Graduate School of Management. In 2004, Mr. Castillo was elected to the Pembroke Pines City Commission becoming the first Hispanic American elected to serve on the City Commission in 30 years. He has four times served as Vice Mayor of his home city. Castillo has served as a member of the Broward County Charter Review Commission, is a former Chair and current member of the Broward County Planning Council, the Broward MPO, and the Broward County Tourist Development Council. Other board experience includes board member emeritus Hispanic Unity of Florida, Broward County Juvenile Justice Board, Broward County Health Facilities Authority, Family Central, and Women in Distress boards of directors. Mr. Castillo has received numerous awards for his work in the field ofhealth and human services, housing and community development, economic development and government finance. He was named Municipal Leader of the Year by the Broward County Council of Professional Firefighters, Humanitarian of the Year by the City of Hope Foundation, Humanitarian of the Year Broward Cystic Fibrosis Association, Elected Official of the Year by the Broward Coalition for the Homeless, and is a recipient of the Stephen R. Booher Memorial Award. In November of 2013, he was named to the Broward Sheriff's executive team. As Director of Research and Strategic Planning at BSO,he was responsible for working with stakeholders to define the agency's mission, vision, and long-term goals. A key responsibility of the department was to collect and analyze data that enhanced BSO’s core public safety missions and maximize funding opportunities for the agency. Castillo and his wife, are parents to two adult daughters, one a nurse practitioner and the other a public relations executive. Castillo is an avid reader, writer and when possible, he plays golf. He maintains a very active Facebook Page devoted to public affairs and civic engagement. He is a self-proclaimed moderate who believes that "government works for us, not the other way around."​

Founder & CEO – Be Better Together ​

Alexa Diaz Formidoni was born in Quito, Ecuador, and her life story has been marked by resilience and purpose. After losing her mother as a teenager, she discovered a calling to help others and pursued studies in public relations and marketing, shaping her ability to connect people and ideas in powerful ways. Her nonprofit career began early and grew into leadership roles where she championed volunteer engagement,expanded fundraising, and built partnerships that created opportunities for individuals and families across South Florida. Those experiences gave her a deep appreciation for the power of people working together to make change possible. Today, Alexa is the Founder & CEO of •be better together•, a social impact consulting firm that brings together a collective of experts and leaders to guide organizations and align missions in ways that strengthen communities. With more than two decades of experience,she continues to lead with compassion, innovation, and integrity—honoring her Hispanic heritage by creating spaces where collaboration sparks lasting impact.​

Director – Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development​

​Maribel Feliciano is the Director of the Office of Economic and Small Business Development whose mission is to stimulate economic development by attracting, retaining, and expanding targeted industries, including a special focus on small business growth. As Director, she guides her office to work collaboratively with community partners administering programs and support that assist entrepreneurs and business owners in their quest to start, grow, and scale their businesses. Ms. Feliciano is the first Hispanic Woman in the history of the organization to hold the Director position, and she has over twenty-eight years of combined public and private sector multidisciplinary experience in comprehensive and land use planning, community and economic development, small business permitting and compliance, community outreach, sustainability, and strategic planning. She has a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Florida Atlantic University and is certified with the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), the Florida Redevelopment Association – Redevelopment Professional, the American Contract Compliance Association, and Cornell University – Women in Leadership.​

Local Veteran Employment Representative - State of Florida

Felipe Gonzalez serves as a Local Veteran Employment Representative. He is a proud Mexican American and U.S. Army veteran whose life and career reflect a deep commitment to service, resilience, and community. Born and raised in California, Felipe is a first-generation American and the first in his family to graduate from high school and attend college, as well as to serve in the U.S. military. Felipe enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, before he was honorably discharged in 2016. Felipe now works as a Local Veterans' Employment Representative (LVER) for the State of Florida, assigned to Career Source Broward, where he assists local employers and veterans with employ needs through outreach leads and employment initiatives for veterans across Broward county. Through his efforts, Career Source Broward Veteran Services he has helped to placed hundreds of veterans into meaningful employment, and has built partnerships with hundreds of employers. These achievements that have assaulted to position his region as a state leader in both categories. Felipe was also part of the team that produced one of the most successful Paychecks for Patriots job fairs in Florida drawing more than 1,400 job seekers and 200 employers and securing private sponsorships from El Car Wash and Dunkin Donuts. Beyond metrics, Felipe’s work ethic is rooted in his faith, empathy and lived experience. He has built strong collaborations with local and statewide organizations such as Mission United Broward, The Fire Watch, El Car Wash, OutPLEX, Day & Nite All Services Florida, Nova Southeastern University, Job News USA, Broward Health and Broward College to ensure veteran customers have access to services such as housing, mental health care, dental health care and career development. Through every project, partnership, and personal interaction, Felipe remains committed to honoring his heritage, uplifting his fellow veterans, and walking in his faith.

Director of Donor Services - Gift of Life Marrow Registry​

Ana Miranda is the Director of Donor Services at Gift of Life Marrow Registry, leading the team that guides blood stem cell and marrow donors through every step of their journey once they are identified as a match for a patient in need. She has been part of Gift of Life her entire professional career, starting in 2007 as a19-year-old assistant in the Cord Blood Program. Over the years,Ana has worked across every stage of donor services, from match notification and confirmatory typing to work up and follow-up, earning a reputation for her hands-on, compassionate approach. She ensures donors feel safe, supported, and informed, personally coordinating medical testing, travel logistics,and communication with transplant centers, while overseeing post-donation care to safeguard their well-being. In 2022 she became Workup Manager, and in 2023 was named Director of Donor Services. Born in Mexico and raised in Delray Beach, Ana currently resides there with her husband Pedro, their children Sadie and Pedro, and the family dog. For nearly two decades,she has been an unsung hero behind thousands of life saving transplants, helping donors feel cared for so blood cancer patients can receive a second chance at life.​

Associate Vice President, Community Health Strategies – YMCA of South Florida​

Emilia Solano is the Associate Vice President of Community Health Strategies for the YMCA of South Florida. Emilia has roots from Puerto Rico and Costa Rica, was born in New York and moved to South Florida when she was 6 years old. Emilia began her career at the YMCA in 2012 and oversees the operations for the Village of Allapattah YMCA Family Center in Miami and the Community Health team out of the L.A. Lee YMCA Family Center in Fort Lauderdale. Through her community outreach efforts, she has developed partnerships between the Y and multiple community organizations to secure access of services for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility in South Florida. Emilia serves on the University of Miami’s Sylvester Community Advisory Board, GO2 For Lung Cancer ‘s READY Advisory Board, is a member of the Florida Community Health Worker Coalition, served in the Peace Corps in Paraguay, and actively seeks to advocate for community empowerment at all levels. She received her BA in Women’s Studies from FAU, as well as her Masters in International Public Health/International Health. Emilia is passionate about her son and enjoys traveling and going to the beach.​

Director of Public Policy & Strategic Initiatives – United Way Broward​

As Director of Public Policy & Strategic Initiatives at United Way Broward, Bruce Suarez champions policy and advocacy efforts that uplift under served voices, while also serving on the Public Policy and Advocacy Committee for Hispanic Unity of Florida to empower and advocate for the Hispanic community. Bruce’s professional experience spans campaign and political organizing, legislative roles, and legal work, giving him a well-rounded perspective on how to influence and drive systemic change. Bruce brings extensive political experience and professional insight from previous roles such as Regional Political Organizer for the Debbie Mucarsel-Powell for U.S. Senate campaign,Legislative Aide to State Representative Dan Daley in the Florida House of Representatives, Legislative Assistant at the Pittman Law Group, and Legal Assistant at the Levers Law Firm. A proud graduate of Florida State University, Bruce earned his degree in Political Science and International Affairs with a focus in Public Administration,graduating Cum Laude and receiving recognition as one of the university’s top student leaders. His leadership and service have earned him numerous honors, including a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition, the FSU Torchbearer 100 Award, and induction into the Garnet and Gold Key Leadership Honorary Senior Hall of Fame. Bruce also previously served as a Florida American Legion Boys State Delegate, reflecting his longstanding commitment to public service. His work continues to create meaningful impact for his community, and he aspires to be an intentional representative and advocate for a more inclusive tomorrow.​