Faces of Change | Lifestyle Media Group

Meet the six South Florida philanthropists who are making a real impact, not just by giving, but by driving positive change.

Ira Baer 

CFO, Baer’s Furniture 

On becoming a philanthropist: 

Philanthropy is in my blood. It started with my grandparents, Melvin and Lucille Baer. Since opening the first Baer’s store in 1945, they have been a shining example of being generous and giving back to your community. I primarily contribute to Jewish and cancer research organizations, but there are many other groups I have supported through the years, since 1989. At Baer’s Furniture, I take the lead on our family’s corporate giving. 

It’s Close to Home: 

My commitment to supporting cancer-related causes stems from a deeply personal experience—my brother is a cancer survivor. Witnessing his journey firsthand opened my eyes to the immense challenges faced by patients and their families. It also underscored the critical need for advancements in cancer research and improved access to care.  

Collaboration & Cooperation: 

We have collaborated with many of our vendors who enjoy participating in our efforts. Volunteering my time is a part of my daily and weekly schedule, as it is for many of the Baer Family. From sponsorships to matching efforts and even things as simple as handing out water bottles or food at charity biking/running fundraisers, it is thrilling to have our entire Baer’s team join the effort.

Ann Monis 

CEO, Transformative Healthcare Solutions 

On becoming a philanthropist: 

When my family immigrated to the U.S. from Israel, I was 9 years old. We arrived with nothing, crammed into a one-bedroom apartment with seven family members. My single mother worked multiple jobs, yet we faced hardships, living without health insurance, food security or basic needs. By 12, I worked to help our household. These struggles instilled resilience and a commitment to ensure others don’t face similar challenges and inspired me to establish the Florida Mental Health Coalition, which improves access to mental health services, and to support organizations like the Boys & Girls Club to address critical community needs. 

It’s personal: 

As a pre-teen volunteering at shelters, I met a boy my age who, despite enduring neglect and abuse in foster care, dreamed of playing in the NFL. After aging out of the system, he faced homelessness and substance abuse and took his own life. This loss deeply impacted me, reinforcing how vital love, stability, and support are for vulnerable populations. Later, while building homes for underserved families, I witnessed how safe spaces restore dignity and hope. These experiences fuel my passion for mental health advocacy and supporting underserved communities today. 

How do you measure the impact of your philanthropic efforts? 

Measuring impact at the Florida Mental Health Coalition (FMHC) combines metrics like individuals served and recidivism reduction with personal stories of transformation. For example, trauma-informed care helped a police officer process a child’s drowning, preventing long-term emotional harm. Similarly, consistent therapy broke a young man’s cycle of incarceration, enabling him to thrive and contribute to his community. Success is found in every life healed, cycle broken, and opportunity created through our work.

Sharon Gustafson-Florescue 

Owner & CEO, Sharon Enterprises LLC 

On becoming a philanthropist: 

I have been involved in numerous charities since 1970 when I first moved to South Florida. Both my father and my late husband, Barry Florescue, passed away far too early at ages 70 and 73, one from leukemia and the other from diabetes, kidney cancer and a rare blood disorder. While I contribute to many different charities, this was what inspired me to become more involved in supporting charities focused on cancer on a more substantial basis.  

Hence, the Foundation: 
My husband was a strong believer in education and started the Florescue Family Foundation, of which I am president. At the Foundation, we donate to many charities that foster educational opportunities for children as well as charities searching for cures for cancers. I presently sit on the board of the Royal Dames of Cancer Research, which supports cancer research at Nova Southeastern University in hopes of finding a cure. I’m proud to say we are a million-dollar charity this year.  

And in her spare time: 
I actively support Junior Achievement, co-founded the Circle of Wise Women, and was honored as their “WOW” Woman in 2022. The Foundation backs events like Uncorked, Glam-A-Thon, and causes such as Boys & Girls Clubs, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, and Habitat for Humanity, driven by a passion for improving lives through education, health, and housing. Whether it’s finding a cure for a devastating disease, offering a child an opportunity for a better education, or building a home for a less fortunate family with Habitat for Humanity, it seems like I’ve done it all! 

Jennifer Starkey 

Senior Vice President/Regional Vice President , TD Bank 

On becoming a philanthropist: 

At a young age, I witnessed the kindness of strangers. My mother, a young single mom with two children and another on the way, faced tough times. She worked as a bank teller and received clothing, food and support from coworkers, customers, and the community. She also volunteered with the junior women’s club and raised money to help others. Growing up surrounded by such acts of philanthropy, I knew I wanted to follow this path of giving. As soon as I started working, almost 40 years ago, I participated in our employee giving campaign, giving to United Way. After having our family, I also saw the importance of not only giving of treasure but also of time and talent. I try to volunteer or serve on a board or committee with each organization for which I have a passion in addition to the monetary contribution. 

But it extends beyond money…: 

Real support includes the sharing of time, talent, and treasure. And throughout my life, there were times when I could give more talent and time than treasure. All are vital to a not-for-profit’s success. When I served on the board of the National Association of Women Business Owners, I had the pleasure of going to Washington, DC, to speak to congressional representatives and senators about the needs of women-owned businesses which included access to capital, technology improvements, and tax and reporting relief. Additionally, it was a pleasure to speak to the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to suggest additional ways to get the word out on the programming and funding opportunities for business owners offered by the SBA. 

Words of wisdom to aspiring givers: 

I always say if you are going to give your time and money, it should be to an organization that is doing work you care about. My daughter Samantha is just starting her career after completing her advanced degrees in public health, but she wanted to start on her philanthropic journey. She loves animals, so she applied and was accepted to become a volunteer at the Miami-Dade Humane Society. I am so proud of her for continuing the family tradition of giving back. 

Giuliana Hirshson 

Vice President, PNC Investments
On being a philanthropist: 

I support several causes, including the Royal Dames of Cancer Research, Slow Burn Theatres and Beaux Arts Fort Lauderdale. In the case of Slow Burn Theatres, the impact they make in the community extends beyond the stage by providing valuable employment opportunities for local actors, designers and artists, fostering creative growth in South Florida. Through outreach programs such as senior workshops with $10 show tickets, sensory-friendly performances for neurodivergent audiences, and special pricing for students, Slow Burn ensures the arts are accessible to all, making live theater an inclusive and enriching experience for the entire community. 

Giving time as well as money: 
Royal Dames of Cancer Research is a nonprofit which is all volunteers.?Knowing that the volunteers’ hard work is helping to raise funds brings me the satisfaction of knowing that we are giving back to society and, hopefully soon, to the world. It was founded by a group of women who believed the cure for cancer could only be found through research and began to support the Rumbaugh-Goodwin Institute, now located at NSU. RGI’s patented therapeutics are showing great promise in treating many types of cancer and most recently, Glioblastoma. We continue the founder’s legacy by having fundraising events throughout the year.

The art of the matter: 
At Beaux Arts, we all volunteer to encourage an understanding and appreciation of the arts. Beaux Arts supports Museum on the Move, an innovative new education program that brings 6,000+ Broward County sixth graders to NSU Art Museum Fort for an interactive tour and learning experience. Beaux Arts also hosts an annual Spring Honoree Luncheon to help garner support for future art education initiatives at NSU Art Museum. We support the museum by contributing to its ongoing operations and?enhancing its educational programming and outreach. Through our formal fundraisers and informal activities, we form friendships and have fun while pursuing our goals. 

Danielle Gaudreau 

Designer, The Pretty Nomad
On becoming a philanthropist: 

Fashion has always been my way of empowering and connecting with others, but it never felt right to focus only on myself. Time, to me, is far more valuable than money, and I dedicate as much of it as I can to causes that truly matter. My focus is on fostering self-worth, providing opportunities, and supporting education—helping others realize their potential and creating meaningful change in the world. I’ve been actively involved in philanthropy since I was a teenager, driven by the belief that true success comes from giving back.  

What it’s all about: 

A challenge I’ve seen in the areas I support is that there’s never enough. “Will shelters ever be a thing of the past, or will there always be homeless dogs?” “Will cancer ever be a thing of the past?” “When will all children finally have equal opportunities, regardless of their background?” These questions weigh heavily because the need is constant and often overwhelming. That’s why I keep pushing to do everything I can to make even the smallest difference. 

Walking the walk: 
Beyond financial contributions, I organize rescue efforts, host events, mentor others, and use my platforms to raise awareness. It’s about what you do when no one is watching, the connections you build and the relentless commitment to making even the smallest difference in bettering the world. 

Words of inspiration: 
Long-term, I hope to create a ripple effect—a movement where individuals are empowered to uplift others and advocate for the causes they believe in. I want to inspire people to take that first step, because the first step is always the hardest. But once you start, you’ll realize?this?is what it’s all about—showing up, making a difference, and knowing that even the smallest actions can create lasting change.