What happens when a seasoned business development strategist blends corporate expertise with an unwavering passion for community service? You get Peter Leighton—a visionary professional who has spent over two decades turning altruism into action, and business into a vehicle for deep social impact. In this episode of the Visual Eyes Podcast, host Chris Baker welcomes Peter Leighton, Client Relationships Specialist at Palermo, Landsman & Ross (PLR), for a truly transformative conversation. ...

In this compelling episode of the Visual Eyes Podcast, host Chris Baker sits down with Tim Davis, Producing Artistic Director and founder of New City Players, a nonprofit theater company dedicated to building authentic community through transformative storytelling. Tim walks us through his personal journey—from starting out as a passionate actor to becoming an award-winning leader in South Florida’s nonprofit arts space. Learn how his company evolved from a grassroots production team into a b...

In this powerful episode, Jason R. Hughes—CEO of ArtServe and a longtime leader in nonprofit innovation, media, and community advocacy—shares his journey from Atlantic Records to leading one of South Florida’s most dynamic arts organizations. With over 25 years of experience spanning journalism, LGBTQ+ media, public broadcasting, and nonprofit strategy, Jason discusses how ArtServe operates as a creative incubator, a safe space, and a collaborative hub for changemakers, artists, and social ad...

What if cutting up a six-pack ring or planting a milkweed could actually change the world? In this episode of the Visual Eyes Podcast, host Chris Baker sits down with Noelia Suarez, Executive Director of Heal The Planet, to explore how small, daily decisions can spark global environmental change. From her early days as a mentor and international volunteer to launching a sustainable store and teaching mindfulness in Title I schools, Noelia has spent her life turning eco-conscious values into a...

What happens when a former tennis coach discovers his true calling in community engagement? In this episode of the Visual Eyes Podcast, host Chris Baker sits down with Dustin Forman, Director of Community Engagement at WestCare The Village South, to uncover how behavioral health, family support, and community partnerships are driving transformative change across South Florida. 🎧 From coaching to community care, Dustin shares his deeply personal journey into the nonprofit sector and how his wo...

🚀 Maternal health, nonprofit leadership, and breaking generational cycles—Dawn Liberta shares how prevention, community collaboration, and social services are shaping a brighter future for families. 🔎 What does it take to save lives, support mothers, and create real change in underserved communities? In this powerful episode of Visual Eyes Podcast, host Chris Baker sits down with Dawn Liberta, the Executive Director of Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, to explore the critical work being done to...

In this powerful episode of Visual Eyes Podcast, host Chris Baker speaks with Dr. Andis Tamayo, founder of the Renand Foundation, about his mission to combat child slavery, poverty, and lack of education in Haiti. Originally from Cuba, Dr. Tamayo’s journey to humanitarian work was inspired by his fascination with Haiti’s history and his own experiences with adversity. After witnessing the devastating Restavek system, where over 400,000 children are forced into domestic and sexual slaver...

What if a single life-changing moment inspired a platform that could revolutionize charitable giving? In this episode, we sit down with Dan Fitzgerald, the founder of Rosi Giving, to explore how his personal story led to a groundbreaking solution for local, transparent, and community-driven philanthropy. After suffering a stroke in 2011, Dan experienced an outpouring of support from his local community, which opened his eyes to the true power of giving at the grassroots level. This transforma...

🌈 How can nonprofits create lasting impact in the LGBTQ+ community? In this episode of Visual Eyes Podcast, we sit down with Diane Pappafotis from The Pride Center to explore how collaboration fuels change. 🏡 Key Topics Discussed: ✔ Affordable LGBTQ+ housing & senior support 🏡 ✔ The importance of safe community spaces 🏳️‍🌈 ✔ Women with Pride: A program empowering LGBTQ+ women 💜 ✔ The power of nonprofit partnerships & overcoming competition 🔥 ✔ How events like Wilton Women’s Week ...

Can horses really heal? 🐴✨ In this episode of Visual Eyes Podcast, host Chris Baker sits down with Denise Panariello, Executive Director of Bit by Bit Therapy, a nonprofit dedicated to equine-assisted therapy for individuals with disabilities. From autism and cerebral palsy to emotional healing and sensory integration, discover how horse-assisted therapy is making a difference. Denise shares the science behind equine therapy, the profound bond between horses and humans, and how community part...

The arts have the power to transform communities, foster creativity, and bring people together. But what happens when funding for the arts is scarce? In this episode of Visual Eyes Podcast, host Chris Baker sits down with Kat Sierra, Director of Operations at Funding Arts Broward (FAB), to discuss how her organization is ensuring that artists and cultural institutions receive the support they need to thrive. 💡 In This Episode, We Discuss: ✔️ How FAB provides grants to local artists and organi...

In this powerful episode of the Visual Eyes Podcast, host Chris Baker sits down with Tanya Barett, Executive Director of McDavid Group Charities, to discuss how this nonprofit is making a life-changing impact for the families of fallen law enforcement officers. About Tanya Barett Tanya Barrett is an accomplished Executive Director and entrepreneurial leader based in Jupiter, Florida, with over 25 years of professional experience. As the current Executive Director of McDavid Group Charities, s...

In this episode of the Visual Eyes Podcast, we sit down with Cathy Brown, Director of the Broward Center for Nonprofit Excellence at the Community Foundation of Broward. Cathy shares expert insights on nonprofit success, funding strategies, and the importance of collaboration in the sector. About Cathy Brown: Cathy serves as Director of the Broward Center for Nonprofit Excellence at the Community Foundation of Broward, a new program helping community nonprofits, particularly small, grassroots...

In this episode of Visual Eyes Podcast, host Chris Baker sits down with Morgan Weinblatt, Director of Development at Goodman Jewish Family Services (Goodman JFS), to discuss the power of philanthropy, collaboration, and nonprofit impact in Broward County. Morgan shares her journey into fundraising and nonprofit leadership, detailing how Goodman JFS supports diverse communities through programs such as: ✔ Holocaust Survivor Assistance – Serving over 800 survivors annually with financial aid, h...

In this powerful episode of the Visual Eyes Podcast, we sit down with Justin Nepola, an influential nonprofit leader, philanthropist, and community advocate. From a simple New Year’s resolution to becoming Board Chair of HandsOn South Florida, Justin shares how volunteering changed his life and the impact he’s had on organizations like Military Recreational Divers (MRD) and No More Tears. 🔹 How volunteering led Justin to nonprofit leadership 🔹 The hidden challenges nonprofits face (and how to...

Cresha, the visionary CEO of the South Florida Institute on Aging (SOFIA), joins us to share her remarkable journey and insights into enhancing the lives of marginalized communities. From her roots in Miami to leading impactful initiatives, Cresha's story is one of passion and dedication. We learn about the evolution of the Foster Grandparent Program, originally a collaboration with the Broward County School Board, and explore the transformative work of the AmeriCorps Senior Programs, which p...

Councilmember Ray Martin, a retired 22-year military veteran turned Vice Mayor of Lauderhill, joins us to unpack the incredible impact of nonprofit collaboration on community welfare. Discover how Ray's military background has shaped his insights into the crucial role nonprofits play in addressing the gaps that government support often leaves. He opens up about his memorable collaborations with organizations like ICNA Relief, which provide essential support during natural disasters, and under...

Discover how TSS Photography is revolutionizing the way nonprofits in South Florida tell their stories through the lens of a camera. In our latest episode of Visualize, we're joined by Rachel Sherman, who shares the dynamic strategies her franchise employs to amplify nonprofit causes. From the magic of capturing priceless event moments with facial recognition technology to the clever use of branded photos for social media engagement, Rachel reveals how photography can serve as a powerful mark...

In this episode of Visual Eyes, host Chris Baker sits down with the inspiring Lali Safavi, a dedicated advocate for women-owned businesses and a leader in nonprofit collaboration. Lali shares her journey from the corporate world to nonprofit advocacy, highlighting the impact of women-led initiatives, mentorship programs, and community-driven solutions. Women-owned businesses play a crucial role in shaping the economy, fostering innovation, and driving social change. Lali discusses the challen...

Imagine living with a condition that has been shrouded in stigma for decades. In this episode, Chris Baker sits down with Natalie Tyler from the World AIDS Museum to break down barriers and share her journey in the nonprofit world, focusing on her role in dismantling the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS. Natalie shares her invaluable insights into how the understanding of HIV has evolved and emphasizes the critical importance of knowing one's status. We discuss the upcoming Florida AIDS Walk on Ma...