Only four advisory board members in the U.S. were selected for the 2011 NAF leadership awards. Sherry was the only one from Florida and the only one of the four recipients serving an Academy Advisory Board focused on Information Technology.
“The support, leadership and mentorship that business professionals like Sherry provide are critical to bringing to life career-related material our academy students study. She is an outstanding example to the 3,000 advisory board members serving NAF academies across the country,” says JD Hoye, President of the National Academy Foundation.
The AOIT prepares students for career opportunities in programming, database administration, web design and administration, digital networks, and other areas in the expanding digital workplace. Ms. Giordano also attended the NAF’s three-day Institute for Staff Development, which includes in-depth workshops and site visits to increase the learning and professional development of career academy educators.
Miami Central High School teachers Cindy Thienard, Lead AOIT Teacher, and Pamela Bausher, Academy Teacher, nominated Sherry for the NAF award.
“Sherry Giordano’s character is of the highest quality I have ever seen. She is both humble and considerate of others. I enjoy her ability to share knowledge and assist the students and teachers in our academy program. She demonstrates excellent leadership skills and ambition and should be commended and recognized for her dedication to the AOIT academy program,” said Cindy.
Pamela adds, “Just like the pebble in the pond, the ripples from Sherry Thompson Giordano’s guiding hand and heart has changed currents and opened doors for countless young men and women in Miami-Dade County Public Schools.”
ITWomen president Victoria Usherenko said, “ITWomen is proud to have been one of the first participants on the AOIT Board and Sherry’s work reflects our commitment not only to the Miami AOIT students but for the meaningful impact the NAF program brings through career-themed academies.”
Ms. Giordano is the immediate past Chair for the Miami-Dade AOIT Advisory Board. She currently sits on the Miami-Dade and Broward County AOIT Advisory Boards and is the Vice Chair of the National Foundation Academy’s South Florida Tri-County Advisory Board.
The NAF Summit brings together educators, policymakers, political leaders, corporate partners and foundation representatives to improve educational outcomes through the NAF Academies.
About NAF:
The National Academy Foundation (NAF) is an acclaimed network of career-themed academies that open doors for underserved high school students to viable careers. For nearly 30 years, NAF has refined a proven model that provides young people access to industry-specific curricula, work-based learning experiences, and relationships with business professionals. NAF academies focus on one of four career themes: finance, hospitality & tourism, information technology, and engineering. NAF’s national graduation rate of 90% testifies to the effectiveness this effort. Visit www.naf.org. Click here for more information on the Academy of Information Technology (AOIT).
About ITWomen:
ITWomen is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to provide:
• Innovative programs for networking, mentoring and professional development
• Education and training informed by future trends in skill sets and employment
• Increased visibility and recognition for women’s contributions to technology
• Outreach to encourage young women in high school to enter technology and engineering fields.
Visit www.itwomen.org
About S.F.T.G. Associates Int’l.:
S.F.T.G. Associates Int’l is a 12-year-old business management consulting firm based in Miami, Florida, that offers a proven approach to creating tangible and sustainable value. S.F.T.G. Associates has extensive experience in working with non-profit and for-profit start-ups and on-going organizations to effectively develop and plan long term strategies, and provide leadership in the implementation and execution of the provided plans.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Pasquale Giordano
305-205-6545
sherry@sftgassociates.com
MIAMI, April 1, 2011 – Sherry Thompson Giordano, co-founder of the business management consulting firm S.F.T.G. Associates Int’l and Executive Director of ITWomen, has been honored for her contributions in science and technology to the Miami-Dade County community.
Ms. Giordano is one of 12 women recognized by the Miami-Dade Park and Recreation Department (MDPR) and the Miami-Dade County Commission for Women at the 23rd annual awards celebration, In the Company of Women, held March 31, 2011 at the Biltmore Hotel.
In the Company of Women Awards Ceremony recognizes women that were nominated by the community and chosen by a panel committee of judges to be honored for their outstanding accomplishments as residents of Miami-Dade County. These distinguished women were recognized for having exemplified Professional Development, Community Responsibility, Leadership and Vision, Contribution to Women’s Progress, and Promotion of Pluralism throughout their careers and lives.
As Executive Director of ITWomen, Ms. Giordano initiated and manages the ITWomen Role Model Speakers Program, which brings IT and Engineering professionals into classrooms and educational programs to encourage girls 8 to 18 to pursue technology and engineering careers. She is also responsible for executive partnerships with the leading businesses and nonprofit organizations in South Florida.
During Ms. Giordano’s acceptance remarks she encouraged all at the Ceremony to volunteer as a role model – just once a year. She stated, “If you positively change one child’s attitude and outlook – you have hit a home run!”
Sherry Giordano was selected by ITWomen in 2005 to provide executive management services.
About the Miami-Dade Park & Recreation Department
Nationally accredited, a three-time winner of the National Gold Medal Award, 2009 Florida Governor’s Sterling Award winner for excellence in management and operations, MDPR is the third largest county park system in the United States.
About the Commission for Women
The Commission for Women is part of the Office of Community Relations located in the Office of the County Manager. Its 26 members are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners to serve in an advisory capacity to them, to the community and to all agencies and persons in Miami-Dade County “with respect to all matters pertaining to the status of women.”
About S.F.T.G. Associates Int’l.
S.F.T.G. Associates Int’l is a 12-year-old business management consulting firm based in Miami, Florida, that offers a proven approach to creating tangible and sustainable value.
S.F.T.G. Associates has extensive experience in working with non-profit and for-profit start-ups and on-going organizations to effectively develop and plan long term strategies and provide leadership in the implementation and execution of the provided plans. For more information please go to www.sftgassociates.com
About ITWomen
ITWomen is a not-for-profit, grass-roots organization dedicated to advancing women in IT and engineering in South Florida, from Miami-Dade to Broward and Palm Beach counties. The mission is to increase the number of women in technology and engineering careers, foster career advancement through professional development and education, and provide a supportive network for women in technology. For more information please go to www.itwomen.org