Camila Rocha: Easterseals South Florida CEO looks at Broward expansion

In July, Camila Rocha was appointed Easterseals South Florida’s first Hispanic female president and CEO.

With over 14 years with the organization, Ms. Rocha has led and better-established various departments, including the agency’s education services department and early childhood development’s Head Start centers, finding ways to close crucial service gaps, install new job training programs, and create new internship opportunity partnerships. 

Ms. Rocha said she will continue to enhance Easterseals South Florida’s impact on those living with disabilities or special needs through quality services; expand the organization’s footprint in Broward County; and broaden services for younger adults. 

She told Miami Today that a significant part of her new role will require investing in human talent recruitment, with the goal of making Easterseals South Florida the employer of choice in the sector. She promises a bright future for the organization, filled with growth, inclusivity, and continued excellence in service delivery.

Holding a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogota, Colombia, and a master’s degree in mental health counseling from Nova Southeastern University, Ms. Rocha’s nonprofit experience and journey with Easterseals South Florida began in 2010 as the out-of-school services director. Her leadership was instrumental in the integration of three distinct children’s services departments into a unified education services department, which resulted in one of the agency’s signature programs obtaining the Program of the Year recognition from The Children’s Trust.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, she was awarded the Healthcare Champion Award from the Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2023. She also serves on Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s Health Equity and Special Needs Committee, where she is working on guidelines for families to know the signs of early diagnosis and available resources. 

Easterseals South Florida has been a leading provider of disability services since its founding in 1942. With more than 80 years of service in Miami-Dade County, Easterseals’ mission is to change the way the world defines and views disabilities by making profound, positive differences in people’s lives every day, Ms. Rocha added. 

The agency’s vision is to provide quality services for every stage of life so that children, adults, and seniors can reach their full potential and live dignified lives. It plans to achieve that through the mission, to provide services that address equity and inclusion disparities for individuals with disabilities, by enhancing education, advancing health, expanding employment, and elevating the community.

“Every day, I look forward to continue serving our Easterseals community and lead such a talented and caring team,” she said. “Working along with our board of directors, the leadership team, and all of our team members, my passion and focus remain the same – to further build on our strong foundation and deliver exceptional services that empower individuals with disabilities or special needs to reach their full potential and thrive.”

Ms. Rocha spoke with Miami Today reporter Abraham Galvan.

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