Co-chairs lead influential group of Miami’s most generous givers

Frank Gonzalez, Neisen Kasdin and Alexandra Villoch

Frank Gonzalez, Neisen Kasdin and Alexandra Villoch are co-chairing United Way Tocqueville Society, a 870-member elite group of Miami’s most generous givers who contribute nearly $18 million to empower residents and help fight for a stronger Miami. Gonzalez, Kasdin and Villoch are building a cabinet of 32 influential business leaders and philanthropists who make it a priority to lead by example, give at the highest levels and encourage others to do the same. Gonzalez is a returning co-chair for this group.

In 2019, Tocqueville Society members will continue to give, advocate and volunteer to ensure that children receive the best possible start in school and life, families are able to set a path to financial stability, people have access to health screenings, and older adults receive the food and attention they need to live independently in their homes.

Frank Gonzalez is the principal-in-charge of the audit department at Morrison, Brown, Argiz and Farra Miami, where he leads the firm’s financial institutions and SEC practices. In addition to serving as a Tocqueville Society co-chair and the advisory council of the United Way board, Gonzalez has been on the Area Stage Company board of directors since 2011 and serves as the CINTAS Foundation treasurer since 2006. He received the “Power Leader in Banking and Finance” award from the South Florida Business Journal in 2016. Gonzalez earned his master of business administration in accounting and finance from the University of Miami and his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Florida International University.

Neisen Kasdin is managing partner at Akerman LLP Miami, where he practices in the areas of land use and zoning and public-private partnerships. In addition to serving as a Tocqueville Society co-chair, Kasdin serves as governor of the Urban Land Institute, the City National Bank board of directors and is vice-chair of the Miami Downtown Development Authority board of directors. He served as past chairman of the Beacon Council board of directors and the New World Symphony board of trustees. Kasdin was recognized by Chambers USAand The Legal 500 as one of the leading land use lawyers in Florida. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University and his law degree from the University of Florida Levin College of Law.

Alexandra Villoch is regional publisher for the east region of the McClatchy Company and president and publisher of the Miami Herald. She supervises the Miami Herald, El Nuevo Herald and Bradenton Herald in Florida; the Macon Telegraph and Columbus Ledger-Enquirer in Georgia; the Biloxi Sun Herald in Mississippi; the Lexington Herald Leader in Kentucky; and the Centre Daily Times in State College, Pennsylvania. In addition to serving as a Tocqueville Society co-chair and on the United Way board, Villoch serves on the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce board of governors and the executive committee of the Miami-Dade Beacon Council board of directors. Villoch earned her master’s degree in business administration and her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Miami.

The Tocqueville Society was named after a French historian who recognized, celebrated and immortalized the voluntary spirit he witnessed in America during the 1800s. Since 1991, United Way of Miami-Dade’s Tocqueville Society honors those individuals who demonstrate an extraordinary sense of philanthropy and give $10,000 or more every year.

About United Way Tocqueville Society

UnitedWay Tocqueville Society brings together a distinguished group of individuals who share a keen devotion to this community and to its future generations. Each makes a gift of $10,000 or more annually to help build a stronger Miami. Tocqueville Society was named after French historian, Alexis de Tocqueville, who recognized, celebrated and immortalized the voluntary spirit he witnessed in America during the 1800s. To learn more, visit unitedwaymiami.org/join.

About United Way of Miami-Dade

Since 1924, United Way of Miami-Dade has been an innovative force in the community, successfully responding to emerging needs and transforming people’s lives. Today our work is focused on education, financial stability and health – the building blocks for a good life. We invest in quality programs, advocate for better policies, engage people in the community and generate resources. To learn more, give, advocate or volunteer, visit unitedwaymiami.org,facebook.com/UnitedWayMiami,twitter.com/UnitedWayMiami or instagram/UnitedWayMiami.