Patrick Morris has long history of community, non-profit work

Patrick Morris has long history of community, non-profit workk
Patrick Morris has long history of community, non-profit workk
PATRICK MORRIS

Anyone who has been in the non-profit arena or associated fundraising efforts and all that it entails is fully aware of Patrick Morris’ long history of community and non-profit work.

With his charming, engaging personality and business acumen, Morris has achieved success as a fundraising professional, banker and civic leader over the past 30 years.

Born in Long Island, NY, his family moved to Harrisburg, PA, where he finished high school. During his early years, Morris was exposed to volunteer work though his family, with his grandfather through the Irish-American Society, and with his parents through church and political organizations.

For college, Morris moved to Washington, DC, where he graduated from the American University with both a BA in International Affairs and then a MBA in Marketing with additional course work at the Institute of International Studies and Training in Fujinomiya, Japan and the University of Antwerp in Belgium.

He began his career in New York City in 1982 with Chase Manhattan Bank and later with Information Services companies before moving to South Florida. After working as a campaign manager for a state representative, he became the director of membership for the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce.

In 1994, he moved on to become vice president of Community and Public Affairs for Vista HealthPlan Inc. During that same time, Morris co-founded and was board chair for Hands on Miami before taking over as president and CEO in 2003. After a successful run at Hands on Miami, he became vice president and chief development officer for the YMCA of Greater Miami from 2009 to 2012.

In the past he has served as chair of Florida Gov. Jeb Bush’s Commission of Volunteer Service, was president of the local chapter of Make-A-Wish Foundation and served on its national board of directors. He also has served as regional chair of Leadership Florida and board member of the Leadership Florida Institute.

Morris now holds the position of vice president, Professional Banker with Sabadell Bank and is more active than ever. Continuing his extensive history of civic and non-profit involvement and leadership, Morris currently serves as president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, is a Trustee at FIU’s Honor’s College, and is an active member of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce serving on their Not-for-Profit Committee and chairing GMCC’s NOVO Awards program.

He is an active member of the Rotary Club of Coral Gables, chairs the parent led fundraising organization SEED at Sunset Elementary and coaches his son’s baseball team.

Over the years, Morris’ numerous awards and accolades could fill a room. Most recently he received the Leadership Miami’s Salute to Miami’s Leader Award 2010; The Wilkie Ferguson Jr. Bar Association Community Service Award in 2009; Coral Gables Chamber’s Diamond Award for Non-Profit Excellence in 2008, and the list goes on. He even was a Torchbearer for the 2000 Olympics and has keys to both the City of Coral Gables and Miami Beach.

A resident of Coral Gables, Patrick loves spending time with his family — wife Stacy and their two children, Ellie, 11, and Brian, 8.


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A graduate of the University of Florida with a major in Spanish, Burns has an extensive background in advertising, marketing and reciprocal trade, travel , non profit consulting and management. Before joining Miami's Community Newspapers as a columnist and marketing specialist, Gloria was the Executive Director of the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee (6 yrs.) and first Executive Director of the Coral Gables Community Foundation (14 yrs.) and the Pinecrest Community Foundation (1 ½ yrs) . Burns' volunteer activities led her to become a columnist for Community Newspapers writing Gloria’s Gab, that focuses on the non-profit activity, and a host of an online show, Gloria's Gab LIVE. Gloria serves the board of the Rotary Club of Coral Gables as Civic and Charity Chair, and is involved in the club's International Committee. She is an active Life Member of the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee and is Secretary of the Merrick Festival. She serves on the board of directors of the Coral Gables Woman' Club as Publicity Chair and also coordinates the club's monthly fundraiser for various charities with Gringo Bingo at Clutch Burger. In addition, Gloria participates in numerous other charitable events and is a member of the Business Forum Group, Profit Inc., the Greater Miami Festival & Events Association and the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. In other volunteer activity, Gloria helps Miami Christian School with fund-raising and PR; is an Ambassador and volunteers for events for A Safe Haven for Newborns. She is an active member of the Music Ministry at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church where she enjoys singing in the choir every weekend.