Foundation Board Secretary/Treasurer

Marianela Hernandez is a veteran professional with a 28 year experience in banking and international capital markets. Soon after earning her BA and MBA graduate degrees from the University of Miami in 1986, Ms. Hernandez began her professional career at The Chase Manhattan Bank N.A. (now JPMorgan Chase Bank) in Caracas, Venezuela. Ms. Hernandez became an instrumental professional in developing the bank’s domestic presence in the local capital markets by establishing the bank’s local brokerage firm and a local national bank (Chase Valores C.A. and Chase Manhattan Bank Caracas subsequently renamed JPMorgan Chase Bank Caracas). She was named the President of both institutions whereby she interacted with local regulators, Venezuelan Securities Exchange Commission and the Venezuelan Superintendence of Banks as well as the JPMorgan Chase’s senior management at headquarters in the United States. Ms. Hernandez was also elected as president of the Venezuelan Banking Association for a two year period and chaired the Capital Markets committee of the Venezuelan American Chamber of Commerce for four years.

In early 2003, Ms. Hernandez moved back to South Florida after JPMorgan Chase closed in Venezuela due to a strategic corporate mandate. In Miami, she worked for three years at Terrabank, N.A. developing the bank’s international client base and real estate activities. Early 2007, Ms. Hernandez became independent and established a family office, under MHPA Group, to manage the real estate and financial portfolios of her family and client base. She has developed a comprehensive real estate portfolio spanning from farm lands, residential and commercial properties, as well as restaurant and hotel properties in the U.S., Venezuela and Dominican Republic. Ms. Hernandez developed, built and currently owns and operates a Holiday Inn Express & Suites in upstate Webster, New York. In 2018, Marianela developed, built, and is majority owner, of the 153 all suite room Staybridge Suites Miami International Airport Hotel and its complex. This hotel is also part of the IHG family of hotels. In addition, she owns and participates in various Charley’s Subs and Grill restaurants in Miami, Florida.

Mrs. Hernandez holds an MBA, MCIS, and BA from the University of Miami. She holds a Florida Real Estate license and is an active participant in the local Miami Dade community events. Mrs. Hernandez speaks fluent English, Spanish and French.