Aqua Foundation for Women’s current Chairwoman Grace C. Lopez has made the jump to serve in the non-profit’s top management post, as AFW’s new interim executive director, effective Sept. 1.
With significant non-profit and charitable experience, most recently Lopez was on the board of directors for the Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade where she served as the chair of development for three years.
Additionally, she was on the board of directors of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, one of the largest non-profit organizations in the U.S. In her leadership role with Komen, she served for three years as president of the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale affiliate, prior to which she served as governance chair, as grants chair, and as a member on the Advisory Council for the national organization.
Currently, Lopez is a member of the Association of Legal Administrators, and has served on the board of directors of the South Florida Chapter in the capacity of president, president-elect, vice-president, director, and chair for the Community Service Committee. Lopez also serves on the national Board of Trustees for the Foundation of the Association of Legal Administrators.
Professionally, she is the chief executive officer and founder of iManage Law Firms, where she advises law firms on how to manage their practice. Her experience on various non-profit boards and her passion for non-profit work has led her to founding two non-profits, Women for Paws Inc., and Women Against Borders Inc.
In expressing her appreciation for being part of Aqua Foundation for Women, Lopez says she is even more excited to work with the women in the LGBTQ community.
“My goal is to increase the footprint that the foundation has already created in South Florida and to strengthen the relationships that have been created by our founders, past leaders, donors, members of the board, scholars, grantees, volunteers, and supporters,” said Lopez.
“We have an incredible board of directors, and our collective goal is to take the organization to the next level. Our mission and passion for supporting the LGBTQ community has not changed, only our leadership. I invite you to get re-acquainted with Aqua,” she added.
Members of the AFW jointly expressed their confidence in the passion, experience, and belief in the good that non-profit organizations bring to the community that Lopez brings to the position will help lead Aqua Foundation to the next level.
They also thanked the outgoing managing director, Robin Schwartz, for her dedication and years of service in the many different roles at Aqua. Schwartz’s leadership was been instrumental to the success of the foundation through the years.
The Aqua board of directors includes:
• Patricia Hernandez, Esq.
• Secretary Yolanda Flores,
• Treasurer Karen Costello-Wilder
• Chelsya Saunders
• Astrid Rodriguez-Carranza
• Leticia Carranzana
• Gisela P. Vega, ED. D.
• Stephanie Sylvestre
• Christin M. Bucci
• Giuseppe Salamone
The mission of Aqua Foundation for Women is to serve as the funding catalyst for lesbian, bisexual, and transgender wellness and equality in South Florida through grants, scholarships, and initiatives. For information, contact Grace C. Lopez at 305-576-2782 or send an email to info@aquafoundation.org.
