OUR BOARD
MARIA PADILLA
President and Founder
Maria Padilla is a real estate consultant and broker associate with specialized knowledge and marketing expertise in the luxury real estate market. A member of The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, she is highly successful and sought-after by domestic buyers and sellers, as well as international investors. Maria, who is fluent in both English and Spanish, has gained invaluable domestic and international experience as the listing agent of high-profile projects in various affluent communities of Miami, as well as the $250 million Bahamas’ beachfront development of Rockwell Island, to name one the prestigious projects she has represented as a global real estate advisor.
Born to Cuban parents in London, Maria grew up in various European countries and later lived in Central and South America. She has since then been a proud resident of Miami, Florida for more than 30 years. Maria holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens. Before her successful career in Real Estate, she developed broad and extensive experience in the field of human services which equipped her with the empathy, communication, and problem-solving abilities necessary to make a positive impact on the lives of those she served.
She is now the founder of the philanthropic foundation called The Heberto Padilla Foundation, created to support the arts in honor of the revered Cuban poet, her father, whose name it bears. She is passionate about preserving his legacy, celebrating the arts and most importantly planting seeds of inspiration for future generations of creatives around the world.
Silvia Elena Rios is the founder and President of Guardian Angels, an organization dedicated to raising philanthropic support to enhance and expand pediatric specialty programs at Holt Children's Hospital and throughout the Jackson Health System, where she has been a member of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors for several years. Throughout her philanthropic journey, she has demonstrated a remarkable ability to connect and cultivate meaningful relationships with donors, resulting in over $40 million raised for the cause.
A long-time Miami resident and patron of the arts, Silvia is passionate about giving back to her community, which she has called home for the past 50 years. She recently holds prestigious positions on the boards of several organizations such as the Latin American Art Fund Steering Committee for the Perez Art Museum Miami as well as the Miami International Film Festival. Prior to these, she also served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and the Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart. Through her board memberships, Silvia has consistently demonstrated her strategic thinking and commitment to effecting positive change in her community. Her work has earned accolades from esteemed organizations such as the American Diabetes Association, the American Cancer Society, and the Jackson Health System, evidencing the tremendous impact and transformative power of her initiatives.
Silvia holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Mathematics from Florida International University. Prior to her work in the non-profit sector, she served as an executive for Burger King Corporation (now a division of Restaurant Brands International).
SILVIA ELENA RIOS FORTUN
Director
LIA RODRIGUEZ
Board Member
Lía Rodríguez, born in Havana in 1973, is a prominent figure in the film industry as an independent producer. Her impressive portfolio includes notable works such as "The Companion" by Pavel Giroud and "Four Seasons in Havana," which is based on the best-selling novels by Leonardo Padura. Additionally, she has contributed to projects like "Under a Blazing Sun" by Kiki Alvarez and "Panama in a Day," based on Scott Ridley's 'In a Day' format.
In 2022, Lía produced "The Padilla Affair," a feature documentary directed by Pavel Giroud. This documentary premiered at prestigious film festivals such as Telluride and San Sebastian's Horizontes Latinos, showcasing her talent and the film's quality to international audiences.
Lía's expertise extends to managing international co-productions, involving collaboration with countries such as Spain, Germany, France, the UK, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and Canada. Her involvement in co-productions demonstrates her ability to navigate diverse cultural and logistical landscapes, enriching the global cinema landscape.
Furthermore, Lía Rodríguez is recognized for her contributions to the film industry as a member of both the Spanish and European Film Academy, highlighting her commitment to the advancement of the cinematic arts on a broader scale.