Igniter of Big Futures, Defender of Potential and Employee of the Year to also be recognized at The Big Thank You Breakfast presented by Bank of America
Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Broward County announced its 2026 Bigs of the Year in celebration of National Mentoring Month in January, honoring extraordinary volunteers whose commitment, consistency and compassion have made a lasting difference in the lives of local youth.
This year’s honorees include:
- Big Brother of the Year: Alexander Salow
- Big Sister of the Year: Selina Hightower
- High School Big Brother of the Year: Josiah Ferguson
- High School Big Sister of the Year: Juliana Pineda
- Igniters of Big Futures: Broward County State Attorney’s Office
- Defender of Potential: Michelle McNab-Hemans
- Employee of the Year: Monica Venegas
One of the most powerful ways to change the trajectory of a young person’s life is through a consistent relationship with a positive, caring mentor. That’s why adult and high school Bigs, along with educators and exceptional business leaders who champion and defend each child’s potential, will be recognized for the indelible impact they have made on behalf of BBBS, the country’s largest evidence-based mentoring organization.
“We are proud to have more than 1,000 active Big and Little matches, so it is quite an accomplishment for these select few individuals and organizations to rise to the top and be recognized at our Big Thank You Breakfast,” said Malena Mendez, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County. “Their level of dedication to the Littles in our program is exemplary and a testament to the mission of our organization. They are true mentors, serving as positive adult role models and guiding their Littles in becoming stronger and more confident, traits they will take with them well into the future.”
All honorees will be celebrated at the Big Thank You Breakfast presented by Bank of America, on Wednesday, January 21 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at the Miramar Cultural Center. Tickets are complimentary for active Bigs and $65 for guests. Registration is now open at bbbsbroward.org/big-thank-you-breakfast/. The Big Thank You Breakfast presented by Bank of America, is also sponsored by Ana G. Méndez University, JM Family Enterprises, Amazon, Memorial Healthcare System and the City of Miramar.
Big Brother of the Year: Alexander Salow
As a proud member of the BBBS community, Alexander Salow found profound meaning and purpose through his match with Tyren, now 13 years old. Their five-year journey is marked by amazing outings including shooting rockets into the sky to learn about physics and riding alligators with the Seminole Tribe of Florida and has grown into a deep, lasting bond built on trust, adventure and mutual growth. Over the years, Salow has seen Tyren grow into a confident, curious young man who embraces new challenges, whether it’s scoring his first touchdown, exploring the outdoors or discussing big ideas about the world. Each milestone, from learning to swim to investing in his first stock, has been a testament to the power of consistent mentorship and the importance of showing up, no matter the obstacles.
Salow’s involvement with BBBS extends beyond their match. As a member of the Big Impact Squad, he is passionate about sharing his story to inspire others and promote the mission of BBBS throughout his community and workplace. Salow believes in the ripple effect of mentorship. One positive relationship can spark change not just for a child, but for families and future generations. BBBS has filled his life with adventure, laughter and a renewed sense of purpose, reminding him daily of the value of giving back. Together, Salow and Tyren are proof that mentorship can ignite potential and create lifelong friendships that truly make a difference. Salow, a Hollywood resident, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Florida State University and currently works for Guidant Global, a staffing and recruitment agency in Pembroke Pines.
Big Sister of the Year: Selina Hightower
Selina Hightower is a South Florida native and retired Hollywood Police Lieutenant whose 24-year career centered on uplifting her community, building bridges and creating pathways for hope and opportunity. She became involved with BBBS of Broward County in 2019 when she joined the Bigs in Blue program and was matched with her first Little, Hanniyah. Weekly visits quickly grew into a meaningful connection grounded in trust, encouragement and support. Whether working through homework, creating vision boards or navigating everyday challenges, Hightower brought compassion and consistency to their match. Although the pandemic paused in-person mentoring, her commitment to youth never stopped. After retiring from the police department in 2022, she immediately reached back out to BBBS to continue serving as a Big Sister.
In January 2023, Hightower was matched with her second Little, Maya. From monthly outings to weekly phone check-ins, she walks alongside Maya through school, friendships and personal growth, offering guidance, accountability, and by serving as a steady, encouraging presence for both Maya and her family. Her mentorship extends beyond the match. Hightower has volunteered at BBBS events including the Swing for Kids’ Sake Golf Tournament and joined Women on the Verge, a group dedicated to raising scholarship funds for Broward County youth and currently serves as Co-Chair and is a Crown Member.
Known for her ability to connect people to purpose, the Pembroke Pines resident dedicated her law enforcement career to community outreach, youth services and strengthening the relationship between police and the neighborhoods they serve. Guided by her belief that “to whom much is given, much is required,” she continues a life of service through mentorship and nonprofit leadership with Visions of Images Inc., Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, PreCision Girls Mentoring and the Florida Association of Law Enforcement Professionals.
Hightower’s deep passion for mentoring and supporting youth was shaped early in life by her mother, Carolyn Hightower, who spent more than 45 years in education, where she was Selina’s very first preschool teacher and served as a devoted special needs paraprofessional. Watching her mother pour love, patience and purpose into every child she touched gave Hightower a firsthand example of what true service looks like and continues to guide her work today. Her unwavering commitment to serving others reflects the spirit of BBBS. She has touched lives in lasting ways.
High School Big Brother of the Year: Josiah Ferguson
Seventeen-year-old Josiah Ferguson, a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, has always felt a profound calling to make a difference in the lives of others. This deep-rooted passion ignited a desire to be a beacon of hope and guidance for younger generations. It’s this heartfelt commitment to uplift those around him that led Josiah to join BBBS of Broward County during his sophomore year of high school. The idea of mentoring younger students resonated with him, and he envisioned the profound impact he could have on someone’s life simply by being present for them. That fleeting thought ignited a new purpose within Josiah to create a meaningful connection and lasting impact on whomever he mentored.
Over the course of Josiah’s three years as a Big, he’s seen his Little gain confidence to complete homework assignments independently, giving Josiah a sense of accomplishment that he taught his Little the skills to be self-sufficient and provided him with the guidance to do so.
High School Big Sister of the Year: Juliana Pineda
Juliana Pineda is a senior at American Heritage School in Plantation. One of the most meaningful parts of her high school experience has been serving as a mentor and two-year club president for the BBBS chapter at her school. When Pineda volunteered her freshman year, she was matched with her first Little, Allison, who was a wide-eyed, sarcastic and playful third grader at the time and has now blossomed into a mature seventh grader.
That was just the beginning for Pineda. She became immersed in the world of Littles and feels lucky to witness them grow up and graduate elementary school. Each moment, whether helping with math problems, celebrating holidays or just listening to their stories taught Pineda that mentorship is less about having the right answers and more about showing up consistently. She serves as a sounding board for her Littles to talk about their friendships, drama, homework struggles, classmates and teachers.
Pineda excels in school and is very active in various other extracurricular activities. Born in Colombia, the bilingual student is involved as a competitor in Mu Alpha Theta, an international mathematics honor society; a teaching assistant in the National Art Honor Society Young Masters Program; a language tutor in the Chinese Honor Society; and a contributing artist for local canine fundraising events. In addition to being named 2026 High School Big of the Year, Pineda has been recognized as a National Merit Commended Student and AP Scholar with Distinction and Honor.
Serving as President of BBBS is an opportunity for Pineda to extend her impact by recruiting more mentors and helping her peers find the same joy in mentorship she does. Leading the program taught her patience, responsibility and how to balance being approachable with being a role model. It’s become a source of joy and purpose that she looks forward to every week. She hopes to continue to mentor and build communities as she embarks on her college journey.
Igniters of Big Futures: Broward County State Attorney’s Office
Broward State Attorney Harold F. Pryor and his team from the Broward County State Attorney’s Office are honored to work with BBBS through their BIG Futures program by meeting once a month with mentees, BIGs feel a mutual benefit because they and students learn from one another by sharing experiences and insights. The Broward County State Attorney’s Office is grateful for the opportunity BBBS has provided to make a lasting impact and form bonds with students. Mr. Pryor, once a BIG in college, experienced first-hand the power of mentoring and the impact it had on him. He was thrilled to bring this opportunity to his team.
Pryor was first elected Broward County State Attorney in November 2020. He leads a staff of more than 460 dedicated public servants, including 213 prosecutors, whose mission is to make the community safer while working to ensure justice, equity and fairness for everyone affected by the criminal justice system. The staff also consists of assistant state attorneys, investigators, victim advocates and support staff.
Pryor is the first Black state attorney in Broward and the first Black man to be elected state attorney in Florida. As the county’s chief law enforcement official, he is committed to seeking justice and standing up for what is right. Pryor is dedicated to serving the people of Broward County and making the community safer and better for all who live, work and play there.
Defender of Potential: Michelle McNab-Hemans
Michelle McNab-Hemans, Program Specialist for Jobs for Hallandale Graduates at Hallandale High School, formed a partnership with BBBS of Broward County more than four years ago. This relationship has transformed not only the lives of her students, but her own work as an educator and advocate. McNab-Hemans works directly with BBBS to provide life-changing opportunities for high school seniors that expand their vision of what’s possible and guide them toward brighter futures.
Through this partnership, her students (“Littles”) have been matched with exceptional mentors (“Bigs”) from the Grant Cardone Enterprise, developing the confidence, professionalism and ambition that comes from having a caring adult committed to their long-term success. McNab-Hemans has witnessed students who once doubted their own potential step into leadership roles, speak boldly about their aspirations and make decisions grounded in self-worth and possibility. For McNab-Hemans, BBBS has been a catalyst for generational change, providing students with exposure, experiences and encouragement they may not otherwise have received. One such success story is that of Alex Ruis who spent his senior year in BBBS’ Grant Cardone Enterprises mentoring program and received an entry level video technician job making a salary of $55,000 per year.
McNab-Hemans’ collaboration with BBBS has also opened doors for her students far beyond the classroom. Through the organization’s events, workshops and national conferences, her seniors have gained access to unique experiences that broadened their horizons and allowed them to meet professionals, leaders and innovators from across the country. Additionally, the Littles she mentors have applied for and received more than $600,000 in scholarships from Big Futures, Coca-Cola, Women on the Verge, Ana G. Méndez University, Consolidated Credit and many other organizations. These scholarships help them pursue higher education at colleges and universities throughout Florida and beyond. McNab-Hemans has supported them through every part of the process from preparing applications to writing recommendations to strengthening their portfolios to encouraging them to believe they deserve every opportunity presented to them.
These successes reflect McNab-Hemans’ unwavering belief that every student, regardless of background or circumstance, deserves a champion who fights for their access to resources, education and meaningful mentorship. BBBS has provided a powerful platform for this advocacy, and she has embraced it with dedication, gratitude and a deep understanding of how mentorship can change the trajectory of a young person’s life.
Her commitment to the success and potential of youth is rooted in more than three decades of service in education. McNab-Hemans holds an education specialist degree in educational leadership, master’s in educational technology, bachelor’s in education and an associate degree in business, along with certifications in ESOL, reading, educational leadership, entrepreneurship and project management. Professionally, she’s served in such roles as a reading teacher, literacy coach, adjunct professor at Broward College and curriculum support coach for Broward County Public Schools, where she mentored teachers, supported fragile schools and helped drive academic improvement. She is a four-time Teacher of the Year recipient across elementary, middle and high school levels, an achievement that reflects her consistency, excellence and extraordinary impact.
Yet among all these accomplishments, McNab-Hemans considers her work with BBBS one of the most meaningful chapters of her career. The Defender of Potential Award represents not only her service, but her belief in the boundless promise within every student. She accepts it with deep appreciation for BBBS, for her mentoring partners, and above all, for the young people who continue to show her every day what potential truly looks like when it is nurtured, believed in and fully embraced.
McNab-Hemans lives by the motto, “Luck happens when preparation meets opportunity.” She believes BBBS has truly provided both luck and opportunities by opening doors and preparing students for lasting success.
Employee of the Year: Monica Venegas
Monica Venegas joined BBBS of Broward County in March 2024 as a program specialist after spending more than eight years working in Broward County Public Schools in an intensive classroom supporting students with special needs. Her passion for helping children and creating meaningful connections led her to BBBS. From the moment she started, the Pompano Beach resident knew she belonged and found a new work family.
Since joining the organization, she’s increased her caseload from 20 matches to 62 and continues to support each match through monthly communication and guidance. She takes pride in celebrating successes and working together to overcome challenges so that every Big, parent, guardian and Little feels supported.
The collaboration and respect among the incredible match coordination team creates an environment that allows the program to thrive and makes these accomplishments possible. Together, they’ve helped families access resources such as summer camps, meals and enriching experiences such as sporting events and activities that many children would not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy. Venegas considers every achievement a reflection of the generosity of Bigs, donors and the BBBS community working as one.
She’s inspired every day by the dedication and open hearts of Bigs and moved by the community’s commitment to raising children together, living by the phrase, “It takes a village to raise a child.” She loves connecting with families, Littles and Bigs and feels that BBBS is more than an organization. It’s a family. Being part of this village and helping children access opportunities they might not otherwise have makes this a rewarding experience for Venegas.
Originally from Peru and a proud mother of two daughters, ages 15 and 21, Venegas’ colleagues know they can depend on her for her reliability and exceptional work ethic and commend her for consistently breaking her own performance records month after month. She goes above and beyond the scope of her responsibilities by personally delivering food donations, sneakers and bikes to families who do not have access to transportation. Venegas is a compassionate, servant leader with high emotional intelligence who believes in the mission and core values of BBBS, making her a pleasure to work with.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County
For more than 50 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County has offered unprecedented access to resources to empower youth to reach their full potential through meaningful mentoring relationships. These mentoring relationships build self-confidence and emotional well-being, encourage young people to stay on a path to graduation and higher education, and help them establish a plan for a successful future. The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County is to ignite the power and promise of youth. For more information, visit bbbsbroward.org.
