Fort Lauderdale, FL – March 4, 2026 – The Community Foundation of Broward is proud to announce its 2026 Board officers and welcome four new Board members who will help lead its work to champion local philanthropy. The hands-on, 21-member Board of Directors guides the Foundation’s grantmaking, shapes its leadership efforts and helps grow endowed resources to ensure the Community Foundation’s impact goes on forever.

Since its founding in 1984, more than 150 Broward business executives, policymakers, philanthropists, community advocates and other local leaders have volunteered to share their expertise and insights while serving on the Community Foundation Board.

The new Board officers, elected at a December 2025 meeting of the full Board of Directors, are Chair Jonathan K. Allen, Vice Chair Burnadette Norris-Weeks, Secretary Eric J. Vainder, Treasurer Bertha Henry, Member At-Large Ramona Lacy Fowler, and Member At-Large Trevor Fried. 

Jonathan K. Allen, Chair – Director of Broward County’s Water and Wastewater Services Business Operations Division: 

Allen serves as Director of Broward County’s Water and Wastewater Services Business Operations Division. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Florida A&M University and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Kansas. Allen has held past positions as City Manager, Assistant City Manager, Public Works Director and other roles for five local governments in Kansas and Florida. He is an active member of the New Mount Olive Baptist Church, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., National Forum for Black Public Administrators and other civic/professional organizations.

Burnadette Norris-Weeks, Vice Chair – Partner in Austin Pamies Norris Weeks Powell, PLLC, founder of the Women of Color Empowerment Institute, Inc.: 

Norris-Weeks is a partner in Austin Pamies Norris Weeks Powell, PLLC. She serves as counsel to various governmental entities, including cities in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties. Norris-Weeks is a Past Chair for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity of Broward. She is founder of the Women of Color Empowerment Institute, Inc. and also serves as a member of the Federal Judicial Nominating Conference for the Southern District of Florida.

Eric J. Vainder, Secretary – Senior Market Executive for Northern Trust: 

Vainder is Northern Trust’s Senior Market Executive for Broward County. Since joining Northern Trust in 1998, he has closely advised high-net-worth families, individuals and foundations in all areas of wealth management. Prior to his current role, Vainder served as Senior Managing Director of a Private Client Advisory Team based in Miami. Eric's community involvement includes serving as Chairman of the Board of Easter Seals of South Florida; Board Member of the Overtown Youth Center; Chairman of the United Way's Professional Advisors Committee in Miami-Dade; Advisory Board Member for Philanthropy Miami; and Member of the Nationwide Gift Planning Advisor Council for the American Cancer Society.

Bertha Henry, Treasurer – Former Broward County Administrator:

Henry has a longstanding career in public service, with more than 30 years of experience in public administration. In 2022, she retired as Broward County Administrator. As the county’s top executive officer, Henry managed a nearly $6 billion budget and directed more than 7,000 employees from more than 60 county agencies. Henry began working for Broward County in 1996, serving as an assistant to the county administrator. She later became Miami’s assistant city manager of finance administration. In 2000, she returned to Broward County to serve as deputy county administrator for eight years prior to her appointment as county administrator. In 2017, she was honored with the International City/County Management Association Career Excellence Award. Bertha has a bachelor’s degree in government and a master’s degree in public administration from Florida State University.

Ramona Lacy Fowler, Member At-Large – Executive advisor to health care organizations:

Fowler is an Executive Advisor to health care organizations. She has consulted with hundreds of hospitals, health systems and academic medical centers as well as GPOs, technology companies, physician practice companies and health plans. Fowler was co- founder and Managing Partner of Prism