Yolanda Cash Jackson, Esq., Shareholder at Becker, is the Chair of the 2022-2023 Board of Directors for the Beacon Council. This is the first time in the organization’s 37-year history that it will be led by a Black woman. An active Beacon Council Board Member, Jackson chaired the Urban Initiatives Task Force (UITF) – an initiative focused on providing Black Miami opportunities for greater impact, influence and access within The Beacon Council and its stated value proposition.
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"This is the kind of news this community and the business environment needed to hear" said Woodie Lesesne, President of Lesesne Media Group Entertainment. "It's progress! Yolanda reflects Miami's quality talent that the world needs to see. I am excited about the energy Yolanda brings to this role. She is well respected among her peers and within the Miami-Dade community at large. Her influence goes well beyond the borders of Florida. She is a collaborator and a seasoned leader that has a passion for her community and the success of all of its citizens." said Lesesne.
Serving as Chair-Elect over the past year, Jackson also worked very closely with The Beacon Council’s late President & CEO, Michael A. Finney, praising him as a visionary leader committed to elevating diverse Miami-Dade business and driving equitable opportunities for growth both within and outside the Council. Currently, Jackson is also Chairing the search committee for the organization’s new President & CEO.
“It is an honor to be able to serve as Chair of The Beacon Council’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee,” said Jackson. “Miami-Dade is a diverse, dynamic community at an important inflection point, and building a future-ready economy is key. Dedicated development efforts that are intentionally inclusive and support equitable growth for all of Miami-Dade’s businesses and residents are essential for us to maintain this momentum. I am committed to this organization’s mission and dedicated to advocating for Miami-Dade as a global business and innovation hub", she said.
She has established a strong reputation in the community for her leadership and commitment to civic, charitable, and professional organizations. Her practice is concentrated in Governmental Relations, successfully lobbying for State funding for several private Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and School Boards. She is Co-Founder of the National Black Lobbyist Association, an Enterprise Florida Board Member, and active in numerous other professional and civic organizations.
“I would like to congratulate Yolanda Cash Jackson for her election as Chair, as well as all of our incoming Officers, Board Members and Committee Chairs for fiscal year 2022-2023,” said William D. Talbert, III, Interim President & CEO, Miami-Dade Beacon Council (pictured at left). “Having the right leadership in place is pivotal for the continued success of our community and this organization, and Yolanda’s commitment to Miami-Dade is second to none. I want to thank everyone on our Board for their time and dedication to our mission – your support is essential to our efforts. We finished this year with incredible momentum, and we know it’s our incredible team and invaluable partners in both the private and public sectors that make it possible for us to attract and retain the high-value jobs and innovation that set Miami-Dade apart.” Beacon’s Board of Directors includes a range of private and public sector leaders that support local economic development efforts and share a common goal: the long-term health and prosperity of Miami-Dade residents and businesses. Officers for the 2022-2023 fiscal year include:
Yolanda Cash Jackson, Shareholder, Becker, 2022-2023 Chair
Juan Carlos Liscano, American Airlines, 2022-2023 Chair-Elect
Christine Barney, rbb, 2022-2023 Secretary
Basil Khalil, FedEx Express Latin America, 2022-2023 Treasurer
William D. Talbert III, Interim President & CEO, Miami-Dade Beacon Council
“This is an exciting year for me as an Officer of the Board at The Beacon Council. This past year I was involved as Chair of Opportunity Miami, a Beacon Council initiative that helps catalyze the long-term vision for Greater Miami’s economic future and rallies the community to create it,” said Juan Carlos Liscano, Chair-Elect of The Beacon Council and Vice President of Miami for American Airlines (pictured at right). “For the last 30 years, American Airlines has built an unparalleled footprint in Miami, serving as the hometown airline and employing more than 13,500 team members. As we continue to grow alongside this community, our focus is now on building the Miami of the future and continuing to strengthen the travel and tourism industry, a significant economic engine for South Florida. With my role in the organization, we will ensure we continue to deliver as responsible community partners.”
Watch Yolanda Cash Jackson speak about the "Make it Miami" effort below.
In addition to announcing the newly elected Officers and Board, the Miami-Dade Beacon Council also announced new leadership for Target Industry Committees and Program Taskforces. These include Aviation, Finance, Creative Industries, International, Life Sciences & Healthcare, New Leaders Taskforce, Small Business, Technology, Trade & Logistics, and the Urban Initiatives Taskforce. Each committee’s goal is to help build greater capacity within target industries and key markets to support growth and innovation, while providing opportunities for professional engagement. Finally, co-chairs were also announced for The Beacon Council’s Opportunity Miami initiative, which include:
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade County
Juan Carlos Liscano, Vice President of Miami for American Airlines
Rick Beasley, CareerSource South Florida Executive Director
This year marks The Beacon Council’s 37th year as Miami-Dade County’s official economic development partnership.
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