Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board

View Hispanic Heritage events calendar

Karla Fortuny, on loan from Capital City Consulting’s Miami office, currently serves as Vice President of Government Affairs for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Miami Host Committee bringing her knowledge of public policy and government to the Host Committee, helping lead all government engagement efforts to secure municipal partnerships and advance key initiatives across the tri-county area.

Prior to joining the Host Committee, Karla served as Director of Local Government and Community Affairs at Florida International University, where she worked closely with local leaders to promote the university’s mission. Her background also includes prior roles with the Miami Super Bowl Host Committee, Inter Miami CF, the Miami Open, the Miami Beach Memorial Day Air and Sea Show, and internships with the Florida Panthers Hockey Club and Brustman Carrino Public Relations. Beyond the world of sports and special events, she gained government affairs experience as Chief of Staff in the City of Miami.

Karla holds a master’s degree in public relations from the University of Miami, a bachelor’s degree in communications from Florida International University and an associate’s degree in mass communication and journalism from Miami Dade College.

A proud first-generation Cuban American and lifelong Miami resident, Karla is deeply committed to civic engagement and currently serves as Chairwoman of the Miami-Dade County Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board representing Miami-Dade County District 6 Commissioner, Natalie Milian Orbis.
The Miami-Dade County Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board (HAAB) was established by Ordinance No.92.41 in May 1992.

The membership of the HAAB reflects the diverse culture and ethnic backgrounds represented in Miami-Dade County so that the concerns of the Hispanic community are addressed by its members.

The HAAB’s responsibilities include: promoting positive images of Hispanics and their many contributions to society, serve as a medium for responsible persons to utilize and consult in an attempt to understanding and solving the many complex issues affecting the Hispanic community in Miami-Dade County.
The Miami-Dade County Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board serves to improve the quality of life of Hispanic citizens-to identify and monitor the needs or interests of Hispanic citizens, develop programs addressing such issues, encourage involvement of Hispanics in matters of community concerns, support the development of Hispanic in leadership roles, and recommend to the Board of County Commissioners legislation supporting Hispanic issues.
- View Bylaws
- Ordinance
Executive Committee
- Karla Fortuny, Chair
- Luis DeRosa, First Vice Chair
- Karen Diazgranados, Second Vice Chair
- Dr. Gemma Carrillo
- Barbara Casanova
- Claudia Cubillos
- Jose Diaz
- Jaime Florez
- Dr. Allyson T. Fonte
- Francisco Javier Petrirena
- Dr. Armando Rodriguez
- Armando Riera
- Gladys Mezrahi
- Teri Arvesu
- Dr. Griselle Marino, Program Officer
The Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board has several committees that are reflective of the issues and concerns of its constituents. These committees are:
- Special Events and Fundraising Committee
- Immigration Committee
- Nominating committee (Ad Hoc)
- LGBTQI, Domestic Violence and Elder Affairs Advisory Committee
- Government Relations Committee
- Membership and Recruitment Committee
The Office of Community Advocacy is looking for volunteers to serve as liaison between the Advisory Boards and the Miami-Dade County community at large.

Requirements:

All volunteer members must be permanent residents of Miami-Dade County. In addition, members should have demonstrated an interest in the field, activity or sphere covered by the board.

The primary consideration in appointing volunteer members is to provide the board with the needed technical, professional, financial, business or administrative expertise.

Please note: all volunteers must pass a background check, provided by Miami-Dade County.
- For more information, please read the Standards for Creation and Review of Boards Generally.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- To assist in formulating and recommending plans and programs for coordination of the activities of governmental entities and nongovernmental agencies pertaining to the Hispanic community.
- To assist the Board during complex problems involved with the Hispanic community in Miami-Dade County and to make findings and recommendations to the County Commission regarding such matters.
For more information, please read the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board Code of Ordinance

Board Agendas and Meetings

Meetings are held on the second Thursday of every month, 6 p.m. We rotate our meeting locations throughout the community, moving from north to south and east to west.

Meeting Calendar

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Elected Officials

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Employee Information

My Employee Portal

Interest Categories

Online Services

News & Social Media

Create a new miamidade.gov account

Elected Officials

County Agencies

Public Records & Open Data

Employee Information

My Employee Portal

Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board

Chair's Biography

History

Mission

Bylaws and Founding Ordinance

Board Members

Committees

Volunteer

Board Agendas and Meetings

Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board