If ever there was an overachiever, in the best sense of the phrase, Dr. Karelia “Kare” Martinez Carbonell certainly fits the mold.
While making a positive impact on every organization in which she has become involved, her innate leadership abilities are ever apparent.
Born in Cuba, Kare’s family immigrated to the U.S. when she was 5 arriving at the historic Freedom Tower.
After a stay with relatives in Miami, they moved to New York returning back to South Florida when she was 13.
After graduating from Westminster Academy in Fort Lauderdale the family moved to Coral Gables and she has lived here ever since. Kare continued her education at Florida International University where she earned a BA in marketing and an MBA, and then moved on to Nova Southeastern University graduating with a DPA (doctorate in public administration) with a concentration in n o t – f o r- profit management.
In addition, Kare is a Certified Fundraising Executive(CFRE),one of only 5,200 globally.
Kare has been married 31 years to Dr. Marino Carbonell, a certified addiction professional with a private practice and more than 20 years of experience in this community. The couple has a 30-year old son, Capt. Brenden Marino Carbonell, who is a commissioned U.S. Air Force JAG (Judge Advocate General) stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, NV, and scheduled to be married in October.
This dynamic women became involved in non profit work like so many others volunteering for years at her son’s elementary school — St. Philip’s Episcopal. From creating the yearbook to organizing the annual gala to serving as president of the Parents Association, Kare was super mom. That led to a lifetime commitment to volunteerism.
The one organization she credits with giving her the chance to hone her leadership skills in the non-profit sector was the Junior League of Miami (JLM) where she served as president from 2010 to 2012.
Dr. Carbonell is an independent fundraising and communications consultant with years of experience employed in the not-for-profit sector. Most recently she served as director of Alumni Relations at Ransom Everglades and before that was director of development at Carrollton for 10 years. Her work at both schools included marketing, public relations, annual fund, major gifts, and capital campaigns, endowments, event planning, volunteer recruitment and management, and board development.
Kare has served on numerous boards of directors over the years. Aside from being involved with Orchestra Miami, St. Thomas Episcopal Parish School and Informed Families, Kare is a former executive committee member of the Coral Gables Community Foundation. She serves on the marketing committee of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Miami chapter and currently is the president of the Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables.
When this amazing woman is not promoting positive change with her volunteer efforts, she loves to travel and has experienced some great adventures. From African safaris to sailing on the QE2 and making the trip to London on the Concorde with her family, Kare has photographed sites in all her travels including Moscow, India, Morocco and more.
