The Business Improvement District of Coral Gables (BID), with a mission to promote commercial vitality for Miracle Mile and Downtown Coral Gables, has named marketing and economic development executive Marina S. Foglia as its executive director.
“Marina Foglia is an outstanding collaborator with strong communications, marketing, event planning, fundraising and economic development skills,” said Burton H. Hersh, AIA, president of the Business Improvement District of Coral Gables. “She is well known in the community in the real estate, tourism and international business sectors, and will be a tremendous asset to the organization as it embarks upon several major growth initiatives in the next three years.
As executive director, Foglia is responsible for promoting the interests of the BID through lobbying efforts and networking, establishing a long-term vision and plan for growth and expansion of the BID, financial oversight of budgets and forecasts and oversight of marketing, public relations, communications and special events planning on behalf of the BID.
Among her highest priorities is to work with the City of Coral Gables on the planning and implementation of the proposed $18 million Streetscape improvements plan for Miracle Mile and Giralda Avenue in Downtown Coral Gables.
Foglia succeeds Mari Gallet, the BID’s previous executive director who held the position for nine years and led the organization through two re-elections in 2005 and 2012, developed new branding efforts as an upscale, sophisticated dining and shopping destination, and created many iconic events and programs in use today.
Prior to joining the BID, Foglia was a senior manager of the Community and Industry Growth Group with the Greater Miami
Chamber of Commerce where she was responsible for establishing relationships with other economic development organizations, trade associations and chambers of commerce that created opportunities for members and volunteers locally, statewide and in the region.
During her 11-year accomplished career at the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, she collaborated with tourism, governmental and private sector organizations; developed and executed new initiatives, and organized and promoted significant events for the Chamber’s Community and Industry Growth, International Business Development and Advocacy Group divisions.
Foglia is an active member of Switchboard of Miami’s Women’s Leadership Council, and she is tri-lingual in English, Spanish and Portuguese. In 2009, she received the Housing Initiatives Award of the Year from the Realtors Association of Miami. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Florida International University.
For more information about the BID and a directory, visit online at www.shopcoralgables.com.
