Kerry-Ann Royes

President & CEO, YWCA South Florida, Miami

YWCA South Florida’s mission is to strive to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. YWCA South Florida has combined programming and advocacy to generate institutional change in four key areas: racial justice and civil rights, empowerment and economic advancement of women and girls, early education, and health and safety of women and girls. Royes has led YWCA South Florida since 2017.

EDUCATION: Florida International University (BA), Florida Atlantic University (MBA)

IF I WERE GOVERNOR: I would take an honest and transparent dive into the inequities that continue to plague our communities while also working to create opportunity for equitable solutions. Economic stability is harder to reach than ever in our state, and disparities persist, particularly across racial and gender lines.

READING: This year I have been digging into The Daily Stoic. It offers entries that draw upon historical perspectives and age-old wisdom. I often find myself sharing the day’s readings with team members and friends.

WHAT I’VE LEARNED: Most people are in the middle of the bell curve — trying to do the right thing, take care of their families and mind their business. But it is people on the edges, the outliers with extreme beliefs and behaviors, that make the most noise.