The Deering Estate Foundation recently announced that Larissa Siegel Lara has been named executive director.
Siegel Lara will be responsible for overseeing the administration, programs and strategic plan of the foundation as well as fundraising, marketing and community outreach, reporting to the board of directors.
“We are very happy to announce the hiring of Larissa Siegel Lara as our next executive director,” said David McDonald, president of the Deering Estate Foundation. “When current executive director Mary Pettit announced her retirement after 11 very successful years, we knew we had to find a special person to succeed Mary. With Larissa’s background in private industry, with philanthropic organizations and in public service, we have that person.
“I am confident Larissa will work well with our board of directors, our donors and community partners, and with Miami-Dade County to carry on the growth trajectory the foundation has experienced over the past decade,” McDonald added.
He went on to thank board member Jamie Thomas, who chaired the search committee, as well as the entire search committee for their tireless efforts.
McDonald said the quality and diversity of the applicants for the position of executive director and the difficult decision the committee faced underscored the public awareness and the growing impact the Deering Estate, located at 16701 SW 72 Ave., and the Deering Estate Foundation have on the South Florida community.
“We are excited to have Larissa come aboard on June 1st,” he said.
Siegel Lara enjoyed a 17-year career at the Burger King Corporation, with various roles, including vice president of IT operations, vice president of global business services and vice president of management and training.
She also held various engineering roles at IBM and Motorola. She has been involved in various community organizations, including Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Habitat For Humanity and The Education Fund’s Teach-A-Thon. Currently, she serves as a council member for the Village of Palmetto Bay. Siegel Lara and her family have called Palmetto Bay home for 20 years.
“I’m looking forward to working closely with Larissa on the implementation of the joint strategic plan formalized in 2015,” said Jennifer Tisthammer, director of the Deering Estate. “The Deering Estate is very well poised to achieve its long-term vision as a major heritage attraction, historic house museum and cultural and ecological field station. The leadership continuity provided by this transition will only strengthen our already productive and wonderful partnership with the foundation.”
Following her retirement Mary Pettit will continue to serve the Deering Estate Foundation in the role of Deering Estate Ambassador.
