Miami (August 1, 2017) - Miami native Matthew Anderson has committed his young career to making his hometown a better home for all its residents. In recognition of his accomplishments, Anderson was named the recipient of The Emerging Leader Award for 2017, presented by the Center for Leadership at Florida International University (FIU) and sponsored by the Alvah H. and Wyline P. Chapman Foundation.
This is a great honor, both in receiving The Emerging Leader Award, and being included in such an impressive pool of finalists, with many of whom I’ve partnered in the community and who were equally qualified for the honor,” Anderson said. “My parents are my role models and I believe it’s important to build on the foundation they provided. They taught me to put 110 percent effort into everything I do. I believe that’s best reflected in my professional track record, involvement in community work and commitment to fundraising.”
The Emerging Leader Award honors South Florida’s successful, next-generation leaders under the age of 40. Nominated by the area’s more seasoned and often honored executives, the 11 finalists this year all are exemplary leaders who foster change and motivate their peers to action. The award’s two previous recipients included Dr. Susan Amat, founder of Venture Hive, and Vance Aloupis, CEO of The Children’s Movement of Florida.
“The future is bright in the hands of a new generation of young leaders such as Matt,” said Mayra Beers, Ph.D., director, strategy and implementation for the Center for Leadership. “The committee found that Matt and his fellow nominees are successful professionals who find ways to give back to their communities in significant and meaningful ways. That bodes very well for South Florida’s future of engaged professionals and civic involvement.”
Born to a prominent banking family, Anderson, 32, attended college at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, worked as a banker in Boston, before returning to Miami to pursue a career in commercial real estate. Matt is a senior associate with the commercial brokerage, Foundry Commercial.
Raised by parents active in the community, a short list of Anderson’s accomplishments include graduation from Leadership Florida/Connect Florida Class VII, co-chairing and leading the United Way Young Leaders to raise over $200,000 in a fiscal year, spearheading the Barton G. Kids Hear Now Foundation’s Run Over Hear 5k, co-founding and serving as past chair of the Beacon Council’s New Leaders Taskforce, and serving as a founding board member of the Ayiti Community Trust.
Anderson will be presented the award at an event in his honor to be held October 11, 2018. The Award is presented through the generous support of the Alvah H. and Wyline P. Chapman Foundation and includes a $1000 gift to the awardee to help further his work in our community.
Anderson lauded The Emerging Leader Award, the Center for Leadership at FIU, and the Alvah H. and Wyline P. Chapman Foundation for their “huge role in making Miami a better place,” he said.
“Like Alvah Chapman, I believe that a successful career goes hand in hand with a successful community.”
About the Center for Leadership
The award-winning FIU Center for Leadership (The Center) explores leadership thought and practice through continuous research; assists in the development of keen self-insight; teaches leadership competencies through open-enrollment and custom, company-specific leadership courses; and offers seminars and other programs. The Center helps corporate partners and executives meaningfully transform their organizations and their societies by equipping better leaders for a better world. Learn more today on our About Us page or by calling 305-348-5323.