FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
The Partnership for Miami Fellows program supports senior business leaders in growing their understanding of Miami and developing the relationships, skills and context needed for bold civic leadership.
OBJECTIVES
Absorb
Cultivate a deep understanding of Miami’s opportunities, challenges, and civic landscape by exposing Fellows to the insights, data, and perspectives necessary to navigate and influence the region’s future.
Connect
Build meaningful, cross-sector relationships that strengthen Miami’s civic fabric by bringing together leaders from the public, private, and nonprofit spheres to exchange ideas, broaden perspectives, and elevate shared purpose.
Engage
Activate Fellows as civic actors who apply their expertise, networks, and leadership toward Miami’s long-term progress, fostering innovative partnerships and championing solutions that help the community thrive.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
Over nine months, Fellows develop a deep, practice-based understanding of Miami and strengthen their capacity as civic leaders through a curated series of engagements with public and private sector leaders. Private seminars, immersive site visits, and high-level dialogues form the core of the Fellowship experience.
The program emphasizes issues of central importance to Miami’s daily life, including strengthening transit, expanding housing opportunities, and improving educational outcomes. Fellows also engage with leaders in sectors where Miami’s growth is accelerating and strategic advantages can be amplified, including the region’s arts and culture landscape and expanding technology sector.
COMMITMENT
Over the course of the nine-month program, Fellows attend a series of scheduled meetings, site visits and tours that are held each month.
Fellows are required to attend each session and must be able to commit the time and attention the program requires.
Applications are due on January 16, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET
SELECTION CRITERIA
Fellows should possess a strong leadership foundation and exhibit the potential for significant community impact. They should have a proven track record of success in their respective fields, including demonstrated accomplishments, career advancement, and recognition by peers and industry leaders. We seek those who possess the ability to innovate, adapt and solve problems.
Fellows are:
Senior business leaders who make things happen
Engaged in the life of their community and passionate about it's growth
Representative of Miami's business sector
2025 FELLOWS
JAVIER AVIÑÓ
Partner, Bilzin Sumberg
Javier Aviñó is a partner at Bilzin Sumberg in Miami, specializing in land use and zoning law. He is actively involved in the legal and development community, serving on the boards of the Latin Builders Association and the Florida Atlantic Builders Association. A native Floridian, Aviñó holds a J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law and a B.A. in Psychology from Boston College.
BO FINNEMAN
Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company
Bo Finneman is a senior partner at McKinsey & Company in Miami, where he leads the firm’s Marketing & Sales and Consumer Packaged Goods Practices. He has developed proprietary tools like the Customer Growth Indicator and the Profitable Growth Navigator. Finneman has a B.S. in finance and marketing from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
GLENN WATERS
Executive Vice President & COO, Baptist Health South Florida
Glenn Waters is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Baptist Health South Florida, overseeing operations across 12 hospitals and over 200 outpatient centers. He previously held leadership roles at BayCare Health System and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Waters earned a B.A. in Economics from Hampden-Sydney College and a Master’s in Hospital Administration from the Medical College of Virginia (now VCU).
JULIA QUINN
Director of Philanthropy, Griffin Catalyst, Citadel, and Citadel Securities
Julia Quinn is the Director of Philanthropy at Griffin Catalyst, Citadel, and Citadel Securities, where she works with Citadel founder and CEO Ken Griffin on his personal philanthropy and across the firms’ philanthropic engagement in communities around the world. She was previously the Associate Director of the University of Chicago Crime Lab and Education Lab, leading a national portfolio of research projects in partnership with government agencies and nonprofits to leverage data and data science to improve educational outcomes and reduce violence.
MATTHEW JAFARIAN
EVP, Business Strategy, Miami Heat
Matthew Jafarian serves as the Executive Vice President of Business Strategy for the Miami Heat. He is responsible for the team’s business strategy, including digital innovation and fan engagement. In his eight years with the HEAT, Matthew has led the digital transformation of the business and earned industry honors from Leaders Under 40 as well as local recognition from South Florida Business Journal’s 40 Under 40. Matthew also co-founded 601 Analytics, an in-house data and analytics company that delivers insights on every aspect of the sports and live entertainment business: ticketing, food & beverage, retail, sponsorship, and more for games, concerts and events, providing a real-time view into a franchise’s business operations.
ANTONIO PEÑA
Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig
Antonio Peña is a shareholder at Greenberg Traurig’s Miami office and co-chairs the firm’s Latin America Practice. He has extensive experience in cross-border mergers and acquisitions, SPACs, and private equity transactions across the U.S., Latin America, and Spain. Peña holds four law degrees from institutions in the U.S., Mexico, and Spain, and is fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
BERT HERNANDEZ
President, Silversea Cruises
Bert Hernandez is the President of Silversea Cruises, a luxury cruise line under Royal Caribbean Group. With over 20 years at Royal Caribbean, he has held various leadership roles, including Senior Vice President of International and President of China operations. Hernandez holds a B.A. in Philosophy from Davidson College and an MBA in International Business from the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business.
RICARDO GARBATI
EVP, Private Banking, City National Bank
Ricardo Garbati has over 20 years of experience working with high and ultra-high net-worth individuals, their families, and institutional clients, including law firms, CPA firms, and other professional services, as well as entrepreneurs and their businesses. Before joining City National Bank Private Banking in 2013, he served as Senior Private Banker at Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust from 2004 to 2013. Currently, Ricardo leads the Private Banking Division and Service Team. In addition to his professional achievements, Ricardo is passionate about community service and serves on the boards of Miami Jewish Health and the Zoo Miami Foundation.
For more information, please contact Brandon Mitchell at brandon@