As Vice President & Executive Director of Miami Community Ventures, Sheri Colas-Gervais leads Miami-Dade Beacon Council’s launch of Miami Community Ventures. Based on an award winning economic development model, this initiative connects low income structurally unemployed individuals, with living-wage jobs and a sustainable career pathway. Through a mix of corporate and community partnerships, wrap-around support services, and on-the- job training; Miami Community Ventures is creating sustainable economic change throughout Miami-Dade County’s underserved communities. Previously, Colas-Gervais served as Vice President Economic Development and Urban Initiatives for Miami-Dade Beacon Council, stimulating job creation, investment, and prosperity building with a focus on our small to mid-sized businesses and urban communities. Colas-Gervais’ track record includes growth achievements in both the entrepreneurial and corporate sectors in the U.S. and the Caribbean. Sheri held national and regional leadership positions for Fortune 500 corporations and brings P&L management expertise for business development, brand management, and strategic planning, with an extensive background in consumer package goods and manufacturing. Prior to joining the Beacon Council, Colas-Gervais served as principal for her business growth consultancy which serviced small businesses and initiatives for corporate clients, with social impact as a priority. Before entrepreneurship, Ms. Colas-Gervais worked for global consumer products corporations, on business development for brand portfolios, exceeding both growth and business targets. Sheri is bi-lingual and bi-cultural, with extensive international engagement. Sheri Colas-Gervais earned an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute. Colas Gervais is committed to her profession and passionate about education, as she personally supports youth scholarship and entrepreneurship in underserved communities.