Ana Rivera, a young, dynamic entrepreneur and public relations professional, may be this writer’s youngest Gables Great to date. Her age, however, does not diminish her impact.
Born in Chile and raised in Miami where she attended Coral Park Senior High and later FIU, her parents instilled in her the importance of hard work with the confidence and expectation that women can accomplish the same as any man on any given day.
Women in her family were expected to be independent and self sufficient and she certainly achieved that earlier than most. Her parents’ sacrifice in supporting her many activities, from cheerleading to gymnastics, gave her a passion for the arts and nurtured her creativity.
While still in school, Ana interned at Mount Sinai in the Occupational Therapy Department where she hoped to find a career path. Her interest and love for her sociology courses in high school and college, however, took her in a new direction and explain her natural ability to understand people and lead. When it was suggested that she might try public relations, she did so and found her passion.
As a columnist for a fashion magazine and later doing public relations for a photogra- pher, Ana began her journey in the field of public relations. At age 21, Ana opened her own PR firm, Identity Media, in downtown Miami with a single employee and two accounts. Now, seven years later, she has moved her main office to Coral Gables with a staff of eight and a client base she expects to grow to 30 by year end.
While growing her business, Ana made time for community outreach and encourages her clients to do the same. She became involved with the American Heart Association because her dad suffers from a heart condition. She believes staying healthy is the No. 1 priority to achieve all goals.
In addition, she was recruited by her friend Jessica Cerda, executive director of the Junior Orange Bowl Committee, to volunteer her talent and immediately became addicted to the Junior Orange Bowl Committee’s mission of showcasing the talents of our young people. From the start, Cerda confirms she has been a great asset to the organization.
In addition to the JOBC, Ana is involved in the American Heart Association’s Miami Pulse as well as the Orphaned Starfish Foundation that is dedicated to working with orphans, victims of abuse and at-risk youth. The organization is changing lives of the children it serves by giving them the opportunity to develop vocational skills through computer technology and gain employment that will enable them to overcome the cycle of poverty and abuse.
In addition, she supports Luisa and Friends, founded by her friend Luisa Abreu. From collecting toys and backpacks for children in need to helping at the Chapman Partnership on Thanksgiving, this is yet another organization for which Ana gives of her time and talent.
Ana is single and comes from a family of five with a brother who is an architect in Orlando and a younger sister whom she admires for her patience. When she is not working at the job she loves, Ana enjoys Pilates, running and trying new things. Her passion for helping others promises a lifetime of community service and one that will serve as a role model for the many interns she mentors and individuals she helps.
