Doug Cohen, Cindy Mason, Ken Jones, Darien Lovett, Ron Drew, Juan Saavedra
Event honored community leadership and raised essential resources to help those experiencing homelessness rebuild their lives.
December 9, 2025 – Broward Partnership hosted its annual “Breakfast for Champions of the Homeless” on Friday, December 5th at the Broward Partnership Central Homeless Assistance Center in Fort Lauderdale. Presented by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce Downtown Council, this beloved event has marked the start of the holiday season for the past 24 years, raising over $1.2 million to support individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Broward County.
Each year, the Partnership recognizes an individual or organization that exemplifies its mission to reduce homelessness. This year, Jean McIntyre, Director of Economic Development for the City of Pompano Beach, Broward Partnership Board Member and Event Chair, received the Champion of the Homeless Award. Broward Partnership Founding Board Member and Vice President of the Leo Goodwin Foundation Elliot Borkson Esq. praised McIntyre for her unwavering leadership, dedication to community advancement, and long-standing advocacy for individuals experiencing homelessness.
The morning featured a delicious breakfast prepared by Chef Nicole Fey, LLC; a festive holiday atmosphere; and a memorable program featuring an impressive lineup of Celebrity Waiters—that included community leaders, elected officials, and top executives who volunteered their time to serve attendees and raise awareness for Broward Partnership’s work. Broward Partnership CEO, Tom Ruthardt emceed the event, energizing the crowd as he introduced the Celebrity Waiter teams:
- Elliot Borkson Esq., Vice President, Leo Goodwin Foundation; Rose Pontorno; Senator Nan H. Rich, Broward County Commissioner; and Mitch Rosenstein, Founder & Principal, Green Mills Group
- Dean Trantalis, Mayor, City of Fort Lauderdale; Pamela Beasley-Pittman, Commissioner, City of Fort Lauderdale; and Ben Sorensen, Commissioner, City of Fort Lauderdale
- Kip Hunter, CEO, Kip Hunter Marketing; and Andy Cagnetta, CEO, Transworld Business Advisors
- Dan Lindblade, CEO, Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce; Denise Jordan, EVP, Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce; and Debbie Danto, COO, Danto Builders
- The Honorable Ron Klein, Esq., Partner, Holland & Knight; Janna Lhota, Esq., Partner, Holland & Knight; and Lamar Fisher, Broward County Commissioner
- Jean McIntyre, Economic Development Director, City of Pompano Beach; Ken Jones, CEO, HCA Florida Northwest Hospital; and Maggie Gunther, VP of Marketing & Communications, Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance
- Juan Saavedra, Senior Manager & Business Development, Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance; and Felipe Pinzon, President & CEO, Hispanic Unity of Florida
- Sandy-Michael McDonald, Assistant County Administrator, Broward County; and Jonathan Keith, PA, Broker Associate, ONE Sotheby’s International Realty
- Timothy Curtin, Executive Director of Community Services, Memorial Healthcare System
- Ana Sasmiresan, Founder & CLO, Transformation Through Conversations; and Astha Chopra, Chief Strategy & Technology Officer, BLU by ThriveWell
- Don King, General Manager, Holman Honda
- Kareen Boutros, Executive Director, Broward Workshop and City of Sunrise Commissioner Latoya Clark
- Dodie Keith-Lazowick, Owner & Chairman, KEITH
Each Celebrity Waiter team designed a uniquely themed table, adding festive spirit and creativity to the event. The Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce Downtown Council earned the Best Decorated Table Award, while the City of Fort Lauderdale was recognized for a table design that directly benefited Broward Partnership clients.
The event was made possible through the generosity of its premier sponsor, Memorial Healthcare System along with sponsors Comerica, Holman Enterprises, JM Family Enterprises, Leo Goodwin Foundation and founding Board Member Elliot Borkson, Rita Case and Rick Case Automotive, Ryan Mining, Cigna, McDonough Enterprises and Board member Ed McDonough, Riverside Hotel and Board Members Diane D’Angelo and Alan Hicks, Belgian Boys, Brooklyn Water Bagels, Board Member Diane D’Angelo, Board Member Jerrold McRae, Fisher Phillips and Board Member Cathy Stutin, City of Pompano Beach and Board Member Jean McIntyre.
About Broward Partnership: Founded in 1997, Broward Partnership is dedicated to reducing homelessness by promoting independence and self-worth through advocacy, housing, and comprehensive services. To date, the organization has supported more than 36,000 individuals, offering critical resources such as healthcare, housing assistance, employment training, and food security programs to help clients achieve stability and independence. For more information, please visit bphi.org.
