Board
President: Alan Potamkin
Vice President: Jennifer Love
Treasurer: Lidija Stefanova
Secretary:  Fran Feinberg, Esq.

Board of Directors

Aller

Loreen J. Aller, CPA

Carnival Corporation · Member since 2022

Loreen J. Aller, CPA, is Vice President of Global Air Sourcing for Carnival Corporation. She oversees Global Air Sourcing, Global Casino Sourcing & Supply Chain, Onboard Media Content and Finance for the Carnival Global Sourcing group. Ms. Aller is responsible for building and maintaining partnerships with the airlines and negotiating contracts including private fare and incentive agreements, overseeing the procure-to-pay process for all ships with casinos onboard, approximately 85 ships, and also works with various providers for onboard media content. Ms. Aller has been with Carnival for 19 years, and was previously with Ernst & Young. Ms. Aller is a graduate of University of Massachusetts in Amherst with a degree in accounting. She and her husband have one daughter and live in Miami.

Carolyn Batchelor

Carolyn Batchelor

Compass Realty · Member since 2022

Carolyn Batchelor is a Miami native, born and educated in the Magic City, attending Ransom Everglades and University of Miami. She is a sales associate with the highly successful real estate team, the Nancy Batchelor Team, with Compass Realty. Previously, Ms. Batchelor worked in journalism on luxury magazines including the Miami Herald's "Indulge" and Whitehaus Media Group's "Cultured." Ms. Batchelor has also lived in London where she studied at Sotheby's Institute of Art and worked for Berkshire Hathaway.

Bonner

Susan Bonner

OneSpaWorld · Member since 2021

Susan Bonner is the Chief Commercial Officer for OneSpaWorld, a publicly-held $600M global spa and wellness company. She manages strategy, client relationships, contract negotiations, operations, sales, marketing, revenue, supply chain, business intelligence, finance, product innovation, customer service, shipboard human resources, and employee engagement for more than 3,000 team members from 87 countries on over 20 cruise brands across 150 ships. Prior to this role she served for 12 years at Royal Caribbean Cruise Ltd., and three years at Norwegian Cruise Line. She is a graduate of the Newcomb College of Tulane University and has a son.

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Christina "Chris" Cruzpino

Regions · Member since 2019

Chris Cruzpino is Region's South Florida Regional Executive for Regions Private Wealth Management and the Market Executive for the Miami-Dade market. Ms. Cruzpino oversees Private Wealth operations for the West Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and International markets. As the Market Executive, she works with colleagues and community members to identify opportunities for the bank and its associates to make a meaningful difference in response to local needs. Through volunteer service, nonprofit support, delivering financial education, and more, Ms. Cruzpino reflects the company’s commitment to meeting clients’ needs while supporting the vitality of the broader Miami-Dade community. Prior to Regions, Ms. Cruzpino was with Great Florida Bank and Bank of America in many roles over 23 years.

Ms. Cruzpino is originally from Cuba and moved to the U.S. in 1962 with her family. She has served as Miami-Dade County’s March of Dimes Walk America Chairperson, sits on the Miami Dade College Alumni Association Board, and has been active in many organizations including American Heart Association, United Way, St. Jude Hospital and The Diversity Council.

Dandes

Susan K. Dandes, Ph.D.

UM Child Protection Team · Founding Board Member since 1995

Dr. Susan Dandes is an Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine. She is the Clinical Director of the UM Child Protection Team, a Kristi House partner since founding. Dr. Dandes also performs psychological evaluations of children suspected of being abused or neglected. She conducts specialized interviews with their family members to determine best course of treatment intervention.

Echarte

Pedro P. Echarte, III, Esq.

The Haggard Law Firm · Member Since 2020

Pedro Echarte is a partner at The Haggard Law Firm, having previously been an intern and associate with the firm. Mr. Echarte handles an array of cases for the firm, including negligent security, fire, drowning and other catastrophic personal injury cases. He also handles Title IX cases and other cases stemming from the sexual battery, harassment, and discrimination of victims.

Mr. Echarte has been named to the Best Lawyers in America List, Super Lawyers List, and was named to Florida Trend’s 2015 Legal Elite. Mr. Echarte also currently serves as a Director on the Board of the Miami-Dade Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. Echarte received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami School of Law in 2010, graduating magna cum laude and serving as a member of the University of Miami Law Review.

Feinberg

Fran Feinberg, Esq.

Guardian ad Litem · Member since 2012

Fran Feinberg is Director of the Criminal Court Project of the Guardian Ad Litem Program for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit. This office is part of the State of Florida Guardian ad Litem Program which is a network of professional staff and community advocates partnering to provide a strong voice in court and positive systemic change on behalf of Florida’s abused and neglected children. Miami is one of the state’s leading local Guardian ad Litem programs in 20 judicial circuits in Florida.

OliverGilbert

Oliver G. Gilbert, III

Chairman of Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners · Member since 2023

Oliver G. Gilbert, III serves as Chairman of the Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners and Commissioner representing District 1. Previously he was mayor of his hometown Miami Gardens, where for eight years he provided leadership and was the driving force behind the City’s exponential growth, development of new businesses, and job opportunities for local residents. As recognition of the city’s tremendous growth, Miami Gardens was awarded All-America City in 2020. Chairman Gilbert has 20 years of legal experience as an attorney, with vast knowledge in the areas of real estate law, municipal law, constitutional law, civil rights law and employment law. In 2019, Chairman Gilbert was elected as the Miami-Dade Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) Chairman, and under his leadership the TPO advanced the highly successful Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit (SMART) Plan. Chairman Gilbert has also served as the chair of a tri-county forum for regional transportation planning efforts and policy coordination, the Southeast Florida Transportation Council (SEFTC), elected by his colleagues in Broward and Palm Beach. A long-time advocate for youth, Chairman Gilbert is a progressive and visionary leader who believes there is no singular path to success.

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Aaron A. Karger, Esq.

Law Offices of Aaron A. Karger · Member since 2020

Aaron Karger is the founding and managing partner of Law Office of Aaron A. Karger, P.A., which he has dedicated in pertinent part to advocating for the rights and dignity of survivors of sexual abuse through a commitment to providing compassionate, confidential, and skilled legal representation in navigating the complexities of the legal system on their behalf. AAK Law's mission is to empower survivors by seeking justice and compensation from the perpetrators and the institutions that failed to protect them such as schools, churches, daycares, and religious organizations, so they can start on a path of healing.

Mr. Karger concentrates his practice in the areas of personal injury, with an emphasis on cases, involving the sexual abuse and assault of minors. Early in his career, Mr. Karger worked for the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office where he served as an Assistant State Attorney. As a prosecutor, Mr. Karger argued dozens of motions including motion practice and oral argument at the appellate level, as well as tried multiple bench and jury trials to verdict. Thereafter, Mr. Karger began his career in private practice working for a boutique law firm where he litigated personal injury and commercial and real estate litigation matters. Mr. Karger earned his Juris Doctor from Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center where he graduated cum laude.

Levine

Carrie Levine

Royal Caribbean Group · Member since 2022

Carrie Levine is Vice President of Finance for the Royal Caribbean Group, responsible for the financial management of the company's shared services functions and newbuilding portfolio. Since joining the company in 2010, Ms. Levine has held several management positions of increasing responsibility. She was appointed Vice President of Finance and Project Development for the Company’s rapidly growing port and destination portfolio and before that served as Assistant Treasurer and Assistant General Counsel. Ms. Levine was an attorney with the law firm of Hunton & Williams LLP, before she joined Royal Caribbean Group, focused on securities, corporate finance and corporate governance.

Ms. Levine earned her law degree from the University of Florida Levin College of Law. In addition, she holds a degree in finance from Georgetown University. She lives in Miami Beach, Florida, with her husband Adam and their two children.

Loeb

Andrea Lippman Loeb, Psy.D.

South Miami Psychology Group · Member since 2011

Dr. Andrea Lippman Loeb is a Licensed Psychologist who has been practicing in the Miami area for 15 years. Her specialties include assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and adults and adjustment to major life changes and challenges. Dr. Loeb also has extensive experience in the treatment of sexually abused children and served as Clinical Director of Kristi House for more than two years when the Orlowitz-Lee Center opened in 1999. Dr. Loeb completed her internship and residency at the University of Miami, Jackson Memorial Medical Center, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Dr. Loeb is currently the co-owner of a successful private therapy practice in Miami, named South Miami Psychology Group. She and her husband, David have three children.

Love

Jennifer Love

Child Advocate · Member since 2017

Jennifer Love recently retired as Royal Caribbean’s security chief and senior vice president for safety, security, environment, and medical/public health. Ms. Love spent most of her career as an FBI agent, beginning as a street agent in 1987 and retiring in 2012 as the bureau’s assistant director for the security division. She was responsible for the physical safety of the FBI’s personnel, confidential information and internal police department, and both the U.S. attorney general and the FBI director. She was awarded the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Executive Service. Although expecting to retire after 25 years at the FBI, she was lured to RCL to take over as the company’s security chief. She was persuaded by cruise line’s commitment to the environment, by its drive to be ABC – Above and Beyond Compliance – in the regulatory realm, and by its culture of relentless innovation. RCL has been one of Kristi House’s founding corporate supporters.

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Alan Potamkin

Potamkin Automotive Group · Member since 2022

Alan Potamkin and the Potamkin family have been pillars of South Florida for decades, employing thousands in their many successful businesses and contributing millions to charities in the arts, health care and human services. Perhaps most recognized for their major car dealerships—now numbering 30 operating and in development—the Potamkin family has owned FCC broadcast licenses for several TV and radio stations and are substantial investors in real estate projects across the U.S. Mr. Potamkin joined the Kristi House board in 2022 with a focus on helping the organization build capacity and support to meet the tremendous need for its services and programs. He brings significant charitable leadership experience, having served on the Board of Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation and as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Miami Children’s Museum where he was instrumental in building its new museum. He has been a member of United Way’s “Million Dollar Roundtable” for 25 years and in 1996, the Potamkin brothers created the Potamkin Foundation, which since inception has supported charities in excess of $40,000,000, the majority in Miami-Dade County.

Powers

Richard Powers

iPower Technologies · Member since 2022

Working alongside the Executive Team, Mr. Powers brings over 25 years of experience creating Office Solutions and Print Management Services for business leaders. Mr. Powers specializes in team building, process development, and sales strategies. He is a powerful force in the workplace and uses his strong leadership skills, positive attitude, and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed.

Mr. Powers is passionate about giving back to the community with active roles as Vice President of the Board of Directors for Caridad Center and committee member for Handy, Inc.; Children’s Home Society; Big Brothers Big Sisters; and Boys and Girls Club. In his free time, he enjoys offshore fishing, playing basketball, watching movies, and spending time with his family.

Ania

Ania Rodriguez

JourneyTrack · Member since 2016

Ania Rodriguez is a devoted advocate for children who have faced child sexual abuse, trafficking, and other forms of childhood trauma. She has been a board member of Kristi House since 2016, where she currently serves as the Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee. Ania is the founder and CEO of JourneyTrack, a revolutionary SaaS platform that uses AI to elevate the customer experience. She is the mother of three wonderful children whom, together with her husband, she is raising to be compassionate, resilient, and empathetic individuals.

Shechtman

Kim Shechtman

Bermont Gold Wealth Advisory of Raymond James · Member since 2023

Kim Shechtman is a financial advisor at the Bermont Gold Wealth Advisory Group of Raymond James. With a background in economics and communications, she brings a broad range of experience and unique perspective on the public and private sector. At Bermont Gold, she helps develop and execute portfolio strategy and establish new client relationships. Ms. Shechtman is intellectually curious and has a strong sense of purpose and integrity that drives her commitment to her clients and her work with non-profits. Prior to her current role, she worked as a consultant for foundations, think tanks and large corporations. She previously worked for Arianna Huffington as the Director of Partnerships at Thrive Global and as Chief of Staff to global economist and best-selling author, Dambisa Moyo. She also worked at the U.S. Department of State where she helped drive policy and strategic communications at the intersection of business and human rights. Ms. Shechtman has a master’s degree in international economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and a bachelor’s degree in international studies from Washington University in St. Louis. With a passion for helping children and animals in need, she is dedicated to giving back and helping strengthen the local community. She spends her time volunteering and serves on the United Way Women of Tocqueville committee and the United Way Public Policy committee.

MiamiSAO

Natalie L. Snyder, Esq.

State Attorney's Office · Member since 2018

Natalie Snyder is Division Chief of the Sexual Battery and Child Abuse Unit of the State Attorney’s Office for Miami-Dade County. Fulfilling an agency-partner seat, Ms. Snyder has served on Kristi House’s Board of Directors since 2018. She obtained her law degree from the University of Texas School of Law in 2005.

LidijaStefanova

Lidija Stefanova

BDO USA, LLP · Member since 2022

Lidija Stefanova is an Audit Partner with BDO in the firm’s Miami office. With more than 16 years of public accounting experience, she works with public and private companies with both domestic and international operations in a variety of industries. Her experience includes business combinations, initial public offerings and De-SPACs, revenue transactions, and other complex accounting issues.

Beyond her technical knowledge, Ms. Stefanova is committed to helping her staff grow professionally and supporting her community. She provides internal training to BDO’s personnel, as well as mentors young professionals to help them set goals, achieve milestones and advance their careers. She is an active member of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce helping fuel economic advancement for our business community, and is fluent in four languages.

Libby Witherspoon

Libby Witherspoon

Grove Bank & Trust · Member since 2023

Libby Witherspoon is charged with the oversight of the Trust & Wealth Management Team. Empowered with more than three decades of Wealth Management experience, she leads a group of highly dedicated and talented individuals providing advice and financial solutions with a relentless commitment to unrivaled excellence. Prior to joining Grove Bank & Trust, Ms. Witherspoon served as Senior Director Portfolio Manager, and Team Leader at BNY Mellon Wealth Management. Ms. Witherspoon began her career at the Northern Trust Company. She also has a lifelong and notable dedication to her community. She is a graduate of Gulliver Prep and has served on its Board of Directors. She is currently a Trustee for the Florida House on Capitol Hill. Her contributions to the American Red Cross are numerous. She is a member of the National Philanthropy Board, the immediate past Board Chair for the Greater Miami and the Keys Chapter, and a longstanding member and past chapter Chair of Miami’s Tiffany Circle. She has also actively participated in many other philanthropic endeavors for the betterment of our communities. Ms. Witherspoon holds an MBA from the University of Miami and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Georgetown University.

Prior to joining Grove Bank & Trust, Ms. Witherspoon served as Senior Director Portfolio Manager, and Team Leader at BNY Mellon Wealth Management. Ms. Witherspoon began her career at the Northern Trust Company. Witherspoon has a lifelong and notable dedication to her community. She is a graduate of Gulliver Prep and has served on its Board of Directors. She is currently a Trustee for the Florida House on Capitol Hill. Her contributions to the American Red Cross are numerous. She is a member of the National Philanthropy Board, the immediate past Board Chair for the Greater Miami and the Keys Chapter, and a longstanding member and past chapter Chair of Miami's Tiffany Circle. She has also actively participated in many other philanthropic endeavors for the betterment of our communities.

Witherspoon holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Miami and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Georgetown University.

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