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Helen & Jacob Shaham, Sheldon T. Anderson, and Florida Power & Light to
receive the Foundation’s highest honors during the 2026 Beacon Awards on Oct. 26 presented by Griffin Catalyst, Citadel, and Citadel Securities
MIAMI, FL (July 24, 2026) – The Miami-Dade Beacon Council and Beacon Council Foundation today announced this year’s distinguished honorees for the upcoming Beacon Awards presented by Griffin Catalyst, Citadel, and Citadel Securities. Helen & Jacob Shaham, founders and owners of The Palace Group of Senior Living Communities; Sheldon T. Anderson, chairman, Grove Bank & Trust; and Florida Power & Light will be recognized for their vision, leadership, philanthropy, and long-standing commitment to the community. Sector awards, Small Business, and One2Watch winners will be announced live during the event on Monday, October 26, and the community is invited to apply and nominate candidates. A full list of award categories and the application can be found at beaconcouncilawards.com.
“The future of Miami is built by people who see opportunity and fearlessly build possibility for all those around them,” said Rodrick T. Miller. “Helen and Jacob Shaham, Sheldon T. Anderson, and Florida Power & Light have chosen to lead beyond their own success, demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to the people, institutions, and pillars of this community. We are very proud to recognize them for the enduring mark they will leave for generations to come.”
Chair of the Miami-Dade Beacon Council and Chief Executive Officer of rbb Communications Christine Barney added, “Legacy and stewardship to the community we all call ‘home’ is what the Beacon Awards are all about. This year’s honorees reflect those values and, through their tireless work and community investment, serve as an inspiration to leave our community stronger than we found it.”
For decades, the Beacon Awards have stood as Miami-Dade’s premier business recognition program, honoring the visionaries whose leadership has helped define the community. This year’s honorees join that distinguished legacy.
The Jay Malina Leadership Award, presented by Baptist Health, is the highest individual honor bestowed by The Beacon Council. The award is named after Jay T. Malina, founder and co-chair of the One Community One Goal initiative that established a master plan and implementation process focused on job creation for Greater Miami.
Helen & Jacob Shaham, founders and owners of The Palace Group of Senior Living Communities, were unanimously selected as this year’s honorees. Visionary philanthropists and community leaders, Helen and Jacob Shaham have dedicated their lives to building award-winning senior living communities alongside a legacy of compassion and dignity to those they serve. Since founding The Palace Group in 1980, they have enriched the lives of residents and employees alike, fostering a culture of compassion and connection. Their extraordinary generosity across the community has made a lasting impact on generations of families throughout Greater Miami.
“We are humbled and deeply honored to receive the Jay Malina Award. Miami has been our home for the last 46 years, and it has been here that we started developing our dream to create the best Senior Living lifestyle opportunities and solutions for America’s elderly, The Palace,” said Helen and Jacob Shaham. “We are very proud that our legacy reflects a lifelong commitment to strengthening and elevating the healthcare, education and philanthropy in the city we love and we call home.”
The Founders’ Award, presented by Dosal Tobacco Corporation, was introduced last year to honor the tri-chairmen whose visionary leadership helped establish The Beacon Council four decades ago and to celebrate individuals whose entrepreneurial mindset, collaborative leadership, and civic stewardship have made a lasting impact on the region’s economic development.
Sheldon T. Anderson, chairman, Grove Bank & Trust, a longtime Board member, past chair (2013-2014), and one of The Beacon Council’s most passionate advocates, embodies the spirit on which the organization was founded. Through his lifetime of leadership, Sheldon has convened business and civic engagement through an unwavering belief in Miami’s future and advocated for education and the arts in the community throughout the many organizations he has served. Known for his strategic vision, integrity, and ability to inspire others, Sheldon is a standout figure in Miami’s business and cultural landscape, mobilizing so many others to champion for and give back to Miami.
“I am deeply humbled to receive the Founders’ Award. As a proud Miami native, I have always believed that the greatest measure of success is using what you have to create opportunity for others. If my work has helped ignite even a small part of the community’s continued growth and success, then I am truly grateful for it.”
New for 2026─The Corporate Catalyst Award
The inaugural Corporate Catalyst Award was created to recognize a company whose leadership and investment are helping accelerate economic opportunity and strengthen communities while positioning Miami for continued growth.
Florida Power & Light is the inaugural recipient of the award, serving as a corporate force for good and a catalyst for business investment, talent attraction, sustainability initiatives, and community advancement. Through strategic partnerships, including close collaboration with The Beacon Council on initiatives such as WonderFL, FPL leads by example in its efforts to create a stronger, more competitive South Florida.
“It is both an honor and a responsibility to receive the inaugural Corporate Catalyst Award, and one we accept with deep gratitude,” said Pam Rauch, vice president, External Affairs and Economic Development, Florida Power & Light. “At FPL, we believe strong communities are built through innovation and collaboration. We are proud to partner with The Beacon Council and so many other worthy organizations who share our commitment to creating opportunity, attracting talent, and positioning South Florida for what’s to come.”
“One of the greatest strengths of Greater Miami is the willingness of our business community to invest in one another and celebrate those who make a lasting difference,” said Pablo Pino, board treasurer and 2026 host committee chair. “This year’s honorees have each helped shape our region in meaningful ways, and we look forward to bringing together the leaders, partners, and organizations who continue to move our community forward.”
2026 Beacon Awards Event Details
The Miami-Dade Beacon Council is proud to welcome back Griffin Catalyst, Citadel, and Citadel Securities as our Title Sponsors of the 2026 Beacon Awards. The signature event will be held on Oct. 26, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami, bringing together more than 600 leaders from across the public and private sectors. To become a sponsor, please contact Dr. Paula Hopkins at phopkins@beaconcouncil.com.
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About the Miami-Dade Beacon Council Foundation
The Miami-Dade Beacon Council is the sole member of the Foundation and has oversight and control over the Foundation’s fiscal and programmatic activities. The Beacon Awards program is a component of the current One Community One Goal (OCOG) initiative to diversify the local economy and promote higher-paying jobs. For more information on the Foundation, click here.
About the Miami-Dade Beacon Council
The Miami-Dade Beacon Council, a 501(C)6, is the County’s official economic development partnership, focused on driving a more sustainable, inclusive, and competitive economy for Greater Miami. Since 1985, The Beacon Council has attracted more than 160,000 new jobs and $8.4 billion in investments to the region. The awards are managed by The Beacon Council Foundation a 501(C) 3, a Florida not-for-profit organization created exclusively for charitable and educational purposes. For more information, visit The Beacon Council’s website.
Press Contact:
press@beaconcouncil.com
