Maray Rodriguez – President
Maray Rodriguez, SHRM-SCP has many years of experience in Human Resources, Accounting and Sales with a degree in Hospitality Management from FIU Maray is passionate about serving others and using her talents to help build award winning cultures in the workplace.
After winning the Greater Miami & The Beaches HR Manager of the Year Award in 2023, and the Employee Relations Award in 2022, 2023, & 2024 for her work as HR Director at The Standard Spa, Miami Beach, Maray has opened up her own HR Consulting Firm: MaraVida Consulting.
Her mission is to simplify HR with tailored, stress-free solutions that fit each business to build workplaces where people and culture thrive. She is skilled in Employee Relations, compliance, training & development, OSHA, benefits, full-cycle recruiting, conflict resolution, workforce planning, performance management, and HR strategy. She is also committed to curating impactful HR learning programs and networking experiences for the Hospitality HR space which she has done as President of the Association since 2023, having previously served as Vice President the prior term.
Bobbie Mesa – VP / Event Chair
With over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, I am the VP, People and Culture at Acqualina Resort and Spa on the Beach, a luxury brand with over 400 employees. I oversee all aspects of human resources management and strategy, ensuring alignment with the company’s vision, values, and goals.
I hold certifications in human resources (PHR), predictive index (PI), and strategic HR partner (CSHRP), and have strong skills in employee benefits, relations, payroll, compensation, administration, and labor relations. I am passionate about creating a positive and inclusive culture that fosters excellence, innovation, and diversity. I am also an active member for HR Miami, a local chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), where I network and collaborate with other HR professionals and leaders.
Aka Ali-Kerr – Program Chair
Aka Ali-Kerr is presently the HR Director at the Andaz Miami Beach. She is an author and a John Maxwell Certified Coach, Trainer, and Speaker.
She has facilitated workshops, seminars, and coaching to aid personal and professional growth through the study and practical application effective proven leadership methods. Working together, she has moved leaders and their teams in the desired direction to reach their organizational goals.
A dynamic Human Resource leader, she has advanced interpersonal skills that has focused on achieving individual and team objectives. Aka was been able earn respect around the strategic table by understanding the goals and objectives of the business and ensuring that her HR team is aligned with the achieving the business goals.
Aka has a passion and love for people which has been demonstrated for more than 23 years in developing and implementing best-practice strategies in Compensation, Recruitment &Selection, Training & Development, Job Analysis, Industrial Relations and Organizational Design, Performance Management and Employee Relations.
Aka also servers on the board of Academy of Hospitality & Tourism (AOHT).
Svitlana Simohutina – Membership Chair
Svitlana is a seasoned marketer with over 15 years of experience. Currently serving as the Marketing Director and Business Development professional at FastCare.
Throughout her career, Svitlana has held various marketing roles in medical, travel, and manufacturing industries, working with prominent organizations in South Florida.
Svitlana holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, with a major in Marketing and a minor in Finance from Hanze University, The Netherlands. Additionally, she is a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt from FIU.
Svitlana is known for her problem-solving approach, and a commitment to growth and continuous improvement.
Zachary Rosenthal – Membership Chair
Zachary grew up in South Florida and earned a degree in Marketing from the University of Central Florida.
He currently works at EIG Risk, where he partners with employers to strengthen safety culture, reduce people-related risk, and implement proactive risk management strategies. With over 15 years of experience supporting organizations in the hospitality and service industries, Zachary brings a practical, people-focused approach to risk management.
Zachary has been actively involved with SFlaHHRA for several years and previously served as Vice President, supporting the organization through event coordination and member engagement.
Outside of work, Zachary enjoys pickleball, volleyball, traveling, spending time in nature, and playing board games with friends.
Freyda Hyman – Secretary/Treasurer
Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Freyda is a graduate of Brooklyn College where she met her husband of 54 years. She moved to South Florida shortly after getting married. Freyda has been the Secretary for the South Florida Hospitality Human Resources Association since 1989.
Freyda worked for the State of Florida for 35 years. Many of those years were spent recruiting staff for new hotel properties as they opened, and as liaison with the hospitality industry. Her last assignment was the Supervisor of the Business Services Hub of WorkForce One (now called Career Source) in Ft. Lauderdale. She is now retired and has volunteered at The Humane Society of Greater Miami for 15 years.
Freyda is very active in the International Association of Workforce Professionals, having served locally, as State President, as District Rep. for Florida and Georgia, and on the International Executive Board. She is also the Treasurer for the Hospitality Human Resources Association of Broward County. In addition, she serves as the Secretary of her Homeowners Association.