Latina Cuban-American Volunteers and Facilitates Community Housing Lending
Meet Erbi Blanco-True, Hispanic Woman of Distinction, Community Development Manager Iberia Bank/First Horizon Bank
“The role of Hispanic women in today’s culture is to show our strength, our fierceness and our fortitude to be inspiring role models for all girls; they should know that no matter where they were born, what they look like, or what background they’re from, they belong.”
Although Erbi Blanco-True has been a banker for over 30 years, community development has been her passion since 2002 when she was appointed President of Neighborhood Lending Partners of South Florida, a consortium of banks that finances affordable housing. Since then, she’s been an expert in the CRA (Community Reinvestment Act), a federal regulation which ensures that banks meet the credit needs of low-and moderate-income residents and neighborhoods.
Erbi has been actively engaged in several community service activities throughout her career including currently serving on the Women’s Leadership Council for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami, where she is the chair of their annual fundraising event “Hard Hats & High Heels.” She also serves as Treasurer, Board and Executive Committee Member of Casa Familia, a non-profit developing an affordable housing community for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
She has been very involved with the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce for many years, where she currently serves as Group Chair, Board and Executive Committee Member. She’s also the Chairwoman of the Bank Advisory Board for AAA Scholarship Foundation, a nonprofit which provides K-12 scholarships for low-income kids. Erbi has also been a “Women United” member of United Way of Miami-Dade for over 15 years.
Erbi cites her mother, who emigrated from Cuba without a formal education or financial resources, as one of her role models. Despite Erbi being born with cystic fibrosis, her mother never treated her differently, was very supportive, and encouraged Erbi to work hard and study so she could achieve the American Dream. In turn, Erbi became dedicated to educating herself, earning her bachelor’s degree at Barry University, and her Master’s in Business Administration from Florida International University, while always working full time. Her success in the banking field, leadership skills, and dedication to community service made her an extraordinary role model for others to follow.
In addition to her other service activities, Erbi is on the board of the Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust, a government agency established to ensure the equitable participation of Blacks in Miami-Dade County’s economic growth; and served as Chairwoman of the Miami-Dade Affordable Housing Advisory Board for several years, appointed by the Mayor.
Erbi has been married for 20 years to Alex True, a former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and current Captain at American Airlines, and they’ve always lived in Coral Gables, FL. Her son, Kevin, is an attorney who lives in Savannah, GA. They have been very fortunate to be able to travel extensively around the world, but now mostly enjoy visiting national parks within the United States, having a special love for outdoor activities such as hiking, bicycling, skiing, and kayaking.
We are proud to announce the 2021 Hispanic Women of Distinction and the Latina Pioneer of the Year. 2021 Honorees:
MELIDA AKITI, VP Ambulatory & Community Service, Memorial Healthcare Systems (Broward)
YINETH SANCHEZ ASLAN – GEICO Staff Counsel, Law offices of George L. Cimballa, III
(Broward)
MARIA S. ANTUNA – CEO Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County – (Palm Beach)
ERBI BLANCO-TRUE – Community Development Manager, IBERIABANK, First Horizon Bank (Miami)
THAYRA “Tye” HAUSHEER – Volunteer Community Leader AARP Florida (Miami)
HEIDI ALZATE KAUFMAN – Founder/President Heidi Alzate Consuting (Broward)
JACQUELINE LOPEZ-DEVINE – Chief Clinical Officer/Chief Nursing Officer, Trustbridge ( Palm Beach)
JESSICA MARRA – Attorney, Law Firm of Kelley Kronenberg – (Broward) JAENE MIRANDA – Pres/CEO Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County (Palm Beach)
LUBBY NAVARRO – School Board Member Miami-Dade County/Director of Government Affairs Memorial Healthcare Systems (Miami)
KIMBERLY VALENTIN – Hospice Liasion Amedisys Hospice (Broward)
CAROLINA VEIRA – Dir. Community & Corporate Partnerships IMC Health (Miami)
Juliette Ashley Valle, 2021 Hispanic Woman of Distinction Up & Comer Award
JOIN US on September 10th to honor these fantastic women! Tickets $95 per person, table sponsorship $1500. For more information, sponsorship opportunities and updates visit www.hispanicwomenofdistinction.com or on Facebook.
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