Feeding South Florida Appoints Two New Board Members to its Board of Directors
Paco Vélez, president and CEO of Feeding South Florida, is pleased to announce that Randy Friedlander, SVP, Wealth Advisor of Morgan Stanley and Dr. Jennyfer Paola Uzor, MD, FAAP, the founder and CEO of Allegra Family Pediatrics, have been appointed to the nonprofit organization’s Board of Directors for a three-year term.
Feeding South Florida’s Board of Directors is a dedicated and passionate group of individuals committed the organization’s mission to end hunger in South Florida by providing immediate access to nutritious food, leading hunger and poverty advocacy efforts and transforming lives through innovative programming and education. Presently, in South Florida there are over 1.2 million food insecure individuals, and one in nine individuals in South Florida remain uncertain about where they will get their next meal due to inflation, the strained supply chain, rising fuel prices and increased housing costs among other factors.
“Randy and Jennyfer bring different experiences and skills to Feeding South Florida’s Board of Directors and we are incredibly grateful to have them join our organization,” said Vélez. “Both are not only leaders in their respective industries but are also greatly involved in the South Florida community. They will be integral to the efforts of our Board to put food on the tables of South Florida families who are struggling to make ends meet.”
Friedlander has spent his entire investment career with Morgan Stanley and focuses mostly on Ultra High Net Worth clients. He studied at the University of Florida and earned a dual bachelor’s degree in mathematics and political science from the State University of New York. He also earned his Certified Investment Management AnalystSM (CIMA®) designation from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1995 and his Certified Personal Wealth Advisor (CPWA®) designation from the University of Chicago in 2010.
Friedlander is passionate about community involvement and has served on several nonprofit boards, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida, the Jewish Community Foundation of Broward and the Planned Giving Council of Broward. As a fitness enthusiast, Friedlander has participated in a number of marathons, including the Boston Marathon, and is now focused on triathlons. He finds that training for endurance sports is very similar to investing –both disciplines require consistency, process and a plan. Friedlander is also a U.S. Navy veteran. He and his wife live in Pompano Beach, and they have two children.
“It’s an honor to work with the Feeding South Florida board and to be a part of an organization that is making a difference in South Florida,” said Friedlander. “Working together as a community is crucial to help Feeding South Florida continue to serve those facing food insecurity.”
Dr. Uzor’s academic journey began with graduating with honors from Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra, followed by postdoctoral training at the Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center, Icahn School of Medicine in New York. A board-certified pediatrician, Dr. Uzor is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, underscoring her commitment to pediatric healthcare excellence. Dr. Uzor has professional affiliations with Coral Springs Medical Center and Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. Fluent in English, Spanish and conversational in medical Portuguese and Italian, she offers culturally sensitive care to a diverse patient population.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Dr. Uzor balances her life as a wife and mother with interests in world travel, fine dining and wine tasting. Her commitment to children’s well-being extends beyond her practice, as she actively participates in philanthropic medical missions, reflecting her holistic approach to pediatric health and wellness.
“My passion has always been serving those in need. I am honored to work on Feeding South Florida’s Board to help put food on the tables of those who need it most,” said Uzor. “I am eager to work together with my fellow board members to make a difference in the lives of South Floridians facing food insecurity.”
