Emilio Alonso-Mendoza

Emilio Alonso-Mendoza has always enjoyed public service. His innate understanding of how people think has served him extremely well. From his successful education at the University of Miami, where he earned his undergraduate and law degree, to his entrepreneurial foray into the family importing business to his 25-year career in non-profit organizations, Emilio has used his understanding of others to match people with much to give with those most in need of their help.

For 10 years, Emilio served as president of the National Parkinson Foundation, traveling the country and the world and establishing 52 centers of excellence for research and treatment. From there, Emilio left his mark throughout the state of Florida on services to orphaned, abandoned and neglected children as the President of the Children’s Home Society Foundation for six years. For the following five year, Emilio served as President of the Archdiocese of Miami Development Corporation and of the Catholic Community Foundation in the Archdiocese of Miami. Emilio lead the Catholic community to support a vast array of charitable and social services, while sharing the benefit of his experience and expertise with over 120 parishes and ministries that raised funds to build churches, feed the hungry, house the homeless, and provide spiritual guidance. Emilio then joined Take Stock in Children as CEO and President in 2011. He is leading the organization to serve deserving low-income students throughout Florida through a proven formula of scholarships, mentors and hope.

Emilio earned his certification as a Fundraising Executive in 2007. He has been a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals International since 1988 and was instrumental in the development of its diversity program. He served on the AFP Foundation Board between 1990-1993 and on the national Board of Directors from 2001-2006. Emilio is also a member of Legatus and a founding member of the Liga Contra Cancer in Miami. He continues to serve on the Board of Directors of the Children’s Home Society Foundation, and shares his knowledge with many community organizations in South Florida.

Emilio has been married to his college sweetheart, Marina, for more years than she will allow him to admit. They are the proud parents of two children: Bianca who is the creative director of Ronin Advertising in Pittsburgh and Gabriel who is a financial and investment consultant in New York City.