2026 Officers
PRESIDENT
Robert Selsam holds a degree in Urban Planning from Columbia University School of Architecture. He worked at the New York City Planning Commission, then served as the first Director of Planning of the New York State Metropolitan Transportation Authority. He joined Boston Properties, where he headed the New York office for 25 years. Subsequently, Robert serves as a real estate consultant and also enjoys painting.
VP Government Affairs
Ronald Starkman has been a civic activist in Miami Beach for more than 10 years including serving in leadership positions on the boards of Miami Beach United (MBU) and the South of Fifth Neighborhood Association (SOFNA). At MBU he is currently a Vice President responsible for Governmental Affairs. He was appointed City Commissioners to serve on a number of Miami Beach boards and Committees including the Charter Review Board, the Budget Advisory Committee, the Audit Committee, the Neighborhood Resiliency Projects Committee and the search committee for the Inspector General. Prior to his retirement, Ronald was a senior financial executive at several major corporations including American Express, Lehman Brothers and Borden, Inc.
Treasurer
Former Miami Beach City Commissioner, founder-CEO of Streamline Properties, Inc., is a well-known civic and business leader in Miami Beach with over 30 years experience in the real estate industry as a broker and developer.
Recording Secretary
Adam Kravitz is a local attorney and longtime Miami Beach community activist. Adam is currently serving on the MB Audit Committee and the G.O. Bond Oversight Committee. He is also Treasurer of the Miami Beach Bar Association and President of the Alton Road Homeowners & Residents Association. Previously, Adam was a member of the MB Community Relations Board and the MB Police Citizens Relations Committee.
2026 Strategic Advocacy Committee
Strategic Advocacy
Gayle previously served on the city of Miami Beach Planning Board. Gayle is co-founder and former president of her neighborhood association (WAvNA) where she initiated legislation to prohibit short-term-rentals and limit alcohol service to 2:00 am. She now sits on the city of Miami Beach Parks & Recreation Facility Advisory Board.
Strategic Advocacy
Elizabeth currently serves on the Miami Beach Planning Board, she is the President of the Allison Park Neighborhood Association and is a past member of the North Beach Community Redevelopment Authority as well as the Ad Hoc Advisory Charter Review and Revision Board.
She has a deep love for her community of North Beach and strives to motivate all areas of the beach to their highest and best use. Smarter projects, better safety and cleanliness while maintaining the sense of community and place in our neighborhoods.
Civic leadership and pride of place are paramount for her in Miami Beach.
2026 Communication and Engagement Committee
Co-chair
Roger Goldblatt has a long history of running federal and local campaigns, advocating for many underserved populations, making government accessible to citizens and working at the White House for three presidents. As the Outreach Director for several federal agencies, he has set up town halls in hundreds of cities across the nation, moderated panels on a large array of topics and ran workshops on topical national issues.
Co-chair
Clare McCord has served as a community activist, advocate and leader for over three decades, in both Chicago and Miami Beach. She is a past President of South of Fifth Neighborhood Association, has served on the City of Miami Beach Human Rights Committee as Vice Chair, and as Chair of the Neighborhood Resiliency Projects Advisory Committee. A former Professor at the University of Illinois Chicago, Clare currently works as an executive coach and consultant in leadership and organizational development. Clare believes in the power of people and has dedicated her professional and volunteer career to helping individuals and groups create positive change.
Director of Technology
Hugo Sanchez is an industrial engineer who transitioned into digital marketing after beginning his career in management consulting. He went on to found a digital marketing agency and has since supported numerous nonprofits through his professional work. Hugo also serves on the board of the Miami Sudbury Schools and has been a resident of Miami Beach since 2022.
2026 Directors
Director
Bruce Backman began his career in property management, overseeing apartments and office buildings. After selling those properties, he managed his own investments before relocating to Florida. He is a founding member of the Sunset Harbour Neighborhood Association (SHNA) and continues to serve on its board. Through his work with SHNA, Bruce became actively engaged in civic affairs, regularly appearing before the City Commission to advocate on behalf of Sunset Harbour residents.
Director
Valerie has been a Miami Beach resident for over 32 years and is very involved, respected, well known in my community and in several local organizations, including former President of her neighborhood association (WAvNA). Active advocate for the homeless, to help them get off the street. Her remarkable advocacy and passion of giving back and working toward ending homelessness and to insure that those that are homeless not only have a bed to sleep but a safe roof “over their heads.” A passionate Real Estate Agent since 1999 who absolutely loves her chosen career. She takes pride in truly listening and understanding people’s needs to better serve them with integrity. Proud mother, top producing agent and resident of Miami Beach, her life’s motto is: “My career, what makes me happy is all in sync: putting people in homes is my passion and as important it is to for her buyers & sellers it is equally important in helping the homeless. Originally from Brazil, fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Director
Scott is a Miami Beach native, born and raised in mid-Beach, and now living in South Beach. Scott has been active in City government since 1997, sitting on various boards and committees. In addition to the board of directors for Miami Beach United, he currently sits on the Planning Board and directs the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association.