Jose F. Gonzalez serves as Vice President of Strive305 at The Miami-Dade Beacon Council, where he leads initiatives that support entrepreneurs, strengthen small businesses, and expand economic opportunity throughout Miami-Dade County. Gonzalez is a community and economic development leader recognized for building cross-sector partnerships, strengthening organizations, and creating pathways to opportunity through entrepreneurship, workforce development, and strategic collaboration. As an entrepreneur himself and Founder of The Strategic Collective, Gonzalez understands the challenges of building and scaling a business and is passionate about helping founders access the resources, networks, and opportunities necessary for long-term success.
A first-generation college graduate, veteran, entrepreneur, and community leader, Gonzalez has dedicated his career to expanding access to opportunity and helping others achieve economic mobility. His experience spans economic development, nonprofit leadership, higher education, consulting, and military service, providing a multidisciplinary perspective on organizational growth, leadership development, and community impact. Throughout his career, he has built a reputation for aligning diverse stakeholders around shared objectives, navigating complex challenges, and translating strategy into measurable results.
Prior to joining the Beacon Council, Gonzalez served in executive leadership roles with the Mexican American Council (MAC), a South Dade nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to arts, education, technology, workforce development, and economic opportunity for underserved youth and families. Serving first as Director of Finance and Strategic Initiatives and later as Director of Operations and Strategic Initiatives, he directed organizational strategy, financial planning, fundraising, grant development, government relations, and operational transformation efforts. During his tenure, he secured multi-year grant funding, modernized organizational systems, strengthened internal infrastructure, expanded strategic partnerships, and advanced initiatives that positioned the organization for long-term growth and sustainability. He also led high-profile fundraising and community engagement efforts that increased organizational visibility, expanded stakeholder investment, and strengthened the organization’s impact throughout South Miami-Dade.
Through The Strategic Collective, Gonzalez advises organizations on strategic growth, organizational development, operational excellence, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building. His work focuses on helping organizations strengthen infrastructure, improve performance, develop sustainable growth strategies, and execute initiatives that produce measurable and lasting results.
Prior to his nonprofit leadership experience, Gonzalez served in advancement and development roles at the University of Miami, where he supported fundraising initiatives, donor engagement strategies, executive communications, and relationship management efforts that advanced institutional priorities.
A proud veteran of the United States Navy, Gonzalez served supported force protection, antiterrorism, physical security, and mission readiness initiatives, including efforts alongside Naval Special Warfare units and partner nation forces to strengthen interoperability and operational effectiveness. Throughout his service, he led teams in high-pressure environments, managed complex operations, coordinated interagency efforts, conducted risk assessments, and supported mission-critical objectives across multiple operational environments.
Gonzalez earned both his bachelor’s degree and Master of Science in Leadership and Management from the Miami Herbert Business School. During his time at the University of Miami, he remained actively involved in the student veteran community and supported initiatives focused on veteran leadership and professional development. He further expanded his expertise by earning a SHRM Human Resources Certificate.
Among his leadership accomplishments, Gonzalez earned First Place in the Miami Leadership Challenge at the Miami Herbert Business School. Developed by the University of Michigan, the nationally recognized corporate crisis simulation places participants in high-stakes business and media scenarios that require strategic decision-making, leadership, communication, and execution under pressure.
Gonzalez was also recognized as a 2025 Go-Getter by Brickell Magazine in collaboration with the Miami Herbert Business School, honoring emerging leaders making meaningful contributions to their professions and communities.
A graduate of Leadership Miami Spring Cohort 47, Gonzalez served as Team Lead for a community impact initiative supporting families experiencing homelessness. Working alongside community partners, donors, volunteers, and stakeholders, he helped mobilize more than $160,000 in community impact and advance a trauma-informed playground initiative designed to create a safe and supportive environment for children and families in transition.
Throughout his career, Gonzalez has remained committed to creating opportunities that strengthen individuals, organizations, and communities. Whether leading economic development initiatives, supporting entrepreneurs, building strategic partnerships, developing future leaders, or advancing community impact projects, he is driven by a belief that sustainable growth occurs when people, purpose, and performance are aligned. His work continues to reflect a commitment to service, leadership, and creating pathways that empower others to succeed.