For Immediate Release
Easterseals South Florida Announces Appointment of First-ever Hispanic Female President and Chief Executive Officer
Miami, FL, June 28, 2024
Media Contact:
Pietro Bonacossa
pbonacossa@sfl.easterseals.com
305-389-7256
https://www.easterseals.com/southflorida/
EASTERSEALS SOUTH FLORIDA ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF FIRST-EVER HISPANIC FEMALE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
In her new role, Camila Rocha will continue to drive growth and ongoing transformation for individuals with disabilities and special needs
MIAMI, FLA - Easterseals South Florida, the leading provider of services for people with disabilities or special needs and their families, announced the appointment of Camila Rocha as its President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This marks the first time a Hispanic female will lead the organization.
“The appointment of Camila Rocha marks the first time in Easterseals South Florida’s history that a Hispanic female has held the positions of President and CEO,” said Matthew Roth, Board Chair of Easterseals South Florida and President of Solstice Point Partners, LLC. “Camila is a mental health expert who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience serving in various leadership roles over her 14 years at the organization, most recently as Chief Program Officer. Her strategic, visionary and humble leadership prove that she is the right person to elevate our esteemed agency to new heights so children, adults, and seniors can reach their full potential and live dignified lives.”
Rocha will continue to enhance Easterseals South Florida's impact on those living with disabilities or special needs through quality services; expand the organization's footprint in Broward County; and broaden services for younger adults. A significant part of her new role will require investing in human talent, with the goal of making Easterseals South Florida the employer of choice in the sector. Leading a team of 330 with a $16 million budget, she will ensure 92 cents per dollar goes to programs.
“I am honored to continue serving our Easterseals community and lead such a talented and caring team,” said Rocha. “I look forward to working with our Board of Directors, the leadership team, and all of our team members to further build on our strong foundation and deliver exceptional services that empower individuals with disabilities or special needs to reach their full potential and thrive.”
An accomplished and proven leader with a deep understanding of mental health and a passion for community service. Rocha's journey with Easterseals South Florida began in 2010 as the Out of School Services Director. Her leadership was instrumental in the integration of three distinct children’s services departments into a unified Education Services Department. Rocha’s dedication and pursuit of excellence resulted in one of the agency’s signature programs obtaining the prestigious Program of the Year recognition from The Children’s Trust.
Born and raised in Bogota, Colombia, Rocha moved to Miami in 2003 in pursuit of better professional opportunities. Her journey, marked by resilience and dedication to service, shaped her approach to leadership. Rocha is married to her high school sweetheart and is a proud mother of two children, both of whom have been role models at Easterseals programs.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Rocha was awarded the Healthcare Champion Award from the Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2023. She also serves on Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s Health Equity and Special Needs Committee.
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About Easterseals South Florida
Easterseals South Florida (ESSF) has been a leading provider of disability services since its founding in 1942. With more than 80 years of service in Miami Dade County, Easterseals provides vital programs and services. Our mission is to change the way the world defines and views disabilities by making profound, positive differences in people’s lives every day. ESSF’s vision is to provide quality services for every stage of life so that children, adults, and seniors can reach their full potential and live dignified lives. We will achieve that through our mission, to provide services that address equity and inclusion disparities for individuals with disabilities, by enhancing education, advancing health, expanding employment, and elevating the community.
Current Programs Include:
· Adult Day Care: offers programs and resources to assist in caring for individuals who need daily living assistance.
· Head Start: provides comprehensive developmental services for low-income preschool children ages three to five.
· Special Education Services: offers expert help for children with autism and other special needs to help them reach their fullest potential.
· Culinary Arts High School: addresses the needs in Miami-Dade County for high-quality education and vocational training for students ages 14-22 with autism and other disabilities.
For more information about Easterseals South Florida and its programs, visit www.easterseals.com/southflorida.
About Easterseals National and its Affiliate Network
Easterseals is leading the way to full equity, inclusion, and access through life-changing disability and community services. Trusted by families for more than 100 years, we have worked tirelessly with our partners to enhance quality of life and expand local access to healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. And we won’t rest until every one of us is valued, respected, and accepted. Through our national network of Affiliates, Easterseals provides essential services and on-the-ground support to millions of individuals and their families each year – from early childhood programs for the critical first five years, to autism services, transportation services, medical rehabilitation and employment programs, veterans’ services, and more. Our public education, policy, and advocacy initiatives positively shape perceptions and address the urgent and evolving needs of the one in four Americans with disabilities today. Together, we’re empowering people with disabilities, families, and communities to be full and equal participants in society. To learn more, visit www.easterseals.com.
