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Damian Pardo, South Florida’s longtime community activist advocating diversity, equity, and inclusion, formally announced his candidacy for Miami City Commission, District 2. Pardo has always been a tireless advocate for equality among the underserved and underrepresented in Miami-Dade County.
“I’m running for City Commissioner because I believe we can do better,” said Pardo. “As a candidate who has never held elected office, I want to shake things up in city government by ensuring our local elected officials get back to the basics of serving residents.”
Pardo has over 35 years of volunteering in efforts to unite communities, including founding SAVE–Safeguarding American Values for Everyone in 1993 while serving as a two-term President of the largest AIDS Health Organization, CareResource (formerly known as Health Crisis Network). In 2015, he co-founded 4Ward Miami (and the Gay8 Festival), dedicated to uniting South Florida’s diverse communities. He’s also served on the Miami Dade Equal Opportunity Board (12 years), the Board of Trustees of the Miami Foundation, the Celia Cruz Foundation, and various national and local non-profit boards. He currently serves on the Board of Vizcaya Museum & Gardens.
“I want to fight to increase opportunities for all,” emphasized Pardo. “Including long-time Miami residents in historically black neighborhoods, like Coconut Grove, who are negatively impacted by rampant development and gentrification.”
His professional journey started at Southeast Bank in its Management Training Program, after which he specialized in corporate lending for the cruise line industry and later transitioned to private banking and trust. His career path led to various leadership roles in reputable institutions such as Gibraltar Private Bank, SunTrust, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley and First Horizon. He has experience starting two small businesses and, as a certified financial planner in banking and wealth management, has a comprehensive understanding of family planning, managing small businesses, and developing complex budgets and financial arrangements.
Pardo was born to a family that traces its roots to Spain. His parents, Dr. Victoriano “Victor” Pardo and Maria Amelia Pardo-Garcia, instilled in him humility, compassion, a strong work ethic, and a profound commitment to service. With a deep appreciation for their shared immigrant journey, Damian understands the potential opportunities for our community. He graduated from Belen Jesuit Preparatory School in 1981, attended Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, and ultimately graduated with a Master’s in Management from the University of Miami School of Business.
He closed by adding, “Whether it’s enhancing our parks and greenspaces, fixing potholes and sidewalks, investing in measures against flooding so Miami is better prepared for heavy rains and hurricanes, or putting a greater emphasis on keeping communities like ours safe, we can do better! And by prioritizing residents, I know Miami’s best days are ahead.”
Damian is a 30-plus-year resident of District 2 and currently resides in Morningside with his dog and cat.
Visit https://damianpardo.vote/ for more information.
