Griselle Marino, Doctor of Ministry (h.c.)

Griselle Marino, Doctor of Ministry (h.c.), is a public affairs executive, community advocacy leader, Certified Chaplain, and multi-Emmy Award-winning journalist whose career has centered on public service, civic engagement, cultural understanding, crisis communications, and the protection of public trust.

She currently serves as Director of the Miami-Dade County Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board under the purview of the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners, where she works closely with elected leadership, advisory board members, community organizations, municipalities, consular representatives, chambers, nonprofit partners, faith-based leaders, and residents across one of the most diverse counties in the United States.

In her current role, Marino leads initiatives that strengthen civic participation, elevate Hispanic and immigrant communities, promote public engagement, and connect government with residents through culturally competent outreach, policy awareness, public programming, and community-centered communications. Her work requires sound judgment, diplomacy, knowledge of County government, public records compliance, Sunshine Law awareness, meeting procedures, stakeholder engagement, and the ability to manage sensitive community issues with professionalism and respect.

A Certified Chaplain and recipient of an Honorary Doctorate in Ministry for advocacy and journalism, Marino brings a faith-informed approach to public service rooted in compassion, dignity, dialogue, and service to others. Her work aligns strongly with interfaith and community-building efforts, particularly in a county where religious, cultural, ethnic, and linguistic diversity are central to civic life. She has supported initiatives involving faith-based and community leaders through the Miami-Dade County Office of Community Advocacy and recently participated in the National Day of Prayer program hosted by the Christian Family Coalition in collaboration with the City of Doral, joining fellow community and faith leaders in offering prayers for healthcare workers and local communities.

Marino’s background also reflects a strong commitment to public safety, human dignity, rehabilitation, and community trust. Her experience in emergency management, public affairs, advisory boards, public records, and community advocacy has given her a deep understanding of how government institutions interact with residents during moments of crisis, trauma, loss, recovery, and transition. Her communications and advocacy work has included issues related to domestic violence, human trafficking, gun violence, immigrant communities, healthcare outreach, and public accountability — all areas that require sensitivity, discipline, discretion, and strong institutional judgment.

Prior to directing the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board, Marino served for more than seven years as Communications and Media Director for the Office of Community Advocacy, overseeing communications strategy, public engagement, and external affairs for 12 Miami-Dade County advisory boards and the Goodwill Ambassadors Program. In that office-wide leadership role, she directed bilingual messaging, supported legislative coordination, strengthened digital transparency, promoted community programming, and ensured compliance with public records and Sunshine Law requirements.

Over the course of nearly 20 years of public service with Miami-Dade County, Marino has served under nine Chairs of the County Commission in executive communications and advisory roles, including as Director of the Media Division of the Board of County Commissioners and as Media and Public Affairs Manager for Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and Emergency Management. These roles required strategic communication in politically sensitive environments, coordination with elected offices and County departments, media relations, emergency messaging, policy awareness, and the ability to communicate clearly with diverse audiences under pressure.

Marino also brings a strong cultural affairs and arts-centered background. Her career has consistently intersected with culture, heritage, public storytelling, ceremonial programming, community recognition, and the preservation of diverse voices. Through her work with the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board, County advisory boards, municipal partners, chambers, consulates, civic organizations, and community events, she has helped promote cultural identity, heritage programming, public ceremonies, recognitions, proclamations, and community initiatives that celebrate Miami-Dade’s multicultural character. Her experience in journalism, public affairs, protocol, and community advocacy gives her a strong foundation for leadership in cultural programming, arts outreach, institutional partnerships, and public-facing cultural initiatives.

Earlier in her career, Marino established herself as a respected broadcast journalist, interviewing global leaders and covering major events in modern history. Her journalism career included interviews with Mikhail Gorbachev, Prince Albert II of Monaco, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Lord Charles Spencer, among others. Her investigative reporting and public affairs work focused heavily on Hispanic, immigrant, human rights, and community issues, earning local and national recognition and contributing to congressional and international human rights discussions.

Marino is a two-time Emmy Award winner and five-time Emmy nominee. She was inducted into the Florida International University School of Communication + Journalism Hall of Fame, a distinction recognizing professional achievement, industry impact, and service to the field. She is also a recipient of the In the Company of Women Award in the Communications and Literature category and will receive the Hispanic Women of Distinction Award in 2026.

Beyond her County role, Marino serves as Director of Advocacy and External Affairs for the Global Innovative Foundation, supporting initiatives that address domestic violence, human trafficking, gun violence, survivor support, and community empowerment. She has volunteered for decades with the American Cancer Society, including leadership roles with Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and Men Wear Pink. She also serves on the Advisory Board of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses and the Dean’s Advisory Board of the FIU School of Communication + Journalism.

Marino holds degrees from Miami Dade College and Florida International University and completed postgraduate studies at FIU’s College of Law Legal Studies Institute. Fluent in English and Spanish, she brings a rare combination of government experience, public affairs leadership, legal studies, media expertise, cultural competency, faith-based service, and community advocacy.

Her professional mission is rooted in principled leadership, institutional continuity, public trust, civic participation, cultural respect, and service-driven governance.