Latina of Venezuelan-Cuban Ancestry Drives Community Philanthropy

by Phyllis Cambria

Meet Angelica Bertot Santibanez, Hispanic Women of Distinction, Senior Manager, Community Engagement, Public Policy, Amazon

“The ‘imposter syndrome; is a real thing. Just because you don’t look like them, talk like them, eat like them or dress like them, doesn’t mean you don’t belong in that space. Stay strong and be confident that they need someone with your diverse perspective, skills and attitude to move the needle forward.”

Angelica Santibanez
Angelica Bertot Santibanez

In recent decades, there is a word that has become part of our lexicon…Amazon (and we’re not talking about the rainforest). It’s unlikely you can go through the day and not hear someone talking about the company that works with millions of national and international suppliers of goods and services for shoppers looking for great deals on everyday products or who love finding items they never knew existed, but suddenly “must have.”

As the Senior Manager of the Community Engagement, Public Policy division, Angelica Bertot Santibanez is tasked with leading community engagement for the Amazon Public Policy team in the South Florida region working closely with local community stakeholders, business organizations, and civic associations to support the company’s policy objectives.

Prior to working at Amazon, Angelica was the Assistant Vice President and Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Specialist for Bradesco BAC Florida Bank for several years. She had joined the corporate workforce after spending more than ten years in the non-profit arena using her Certified Fund-Raising Executive accreditation to benefit the goals of the Archdiocese of Miami and as Senior Manager of Corporate & Foundation Partnership & External Affairs for City Year Miami.

In addition to her professional responsibilities, Angelica’s background has made her a valuable asset as a volunteer serving community non-profits such as the United Way Miami Women United Executive Council’s Vice Chair. She also has volunteer leadership positions working with or chairing such groups as Live Like Bella Childhood Cancer Foundation, Philanthropy Miami, NextGen Executive Committee for Chapman Partnership, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and with many more organizations that benefit the greater South Florida community.

Her tireless efforts have won her recognition as the recipient of the “In the Company of Women – Young Professional” award by the Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department, Chapman Partnership Take a Walk in Her Shoes Community Champion honoree and she was a South Florida Business & Wealth “Up and Comer Recipient” among others.

Angelica, a Miami native of Venezuelan-Cuban ancestry, graduated from George Washington University and received her Masters from Florida International University.

Angelica and her husband, Jorge Santibanez, an administrator at the Church of the Little Flower (COTLF) St. Theresa School in Coral Gables are die-hard Canes football fans. The couple and their two children, Lexi Grace and Matthias James, also savor beach vacations. A lover of fine wine and a variety of cuisines, Angelica loves to travel and take in the sights or just have a lazy afternoon with a good book.

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