President

Born in Toronto, Canada, Yoni Bornstein has been a driving force in real estate investing and successful entrepreneurial ventures for over two decades. As one of the founders and President of the Wynwood Community Enhancement Association, Yoni has been at the forefront of community development in Miami's Wynwood Norte area, where he has acquired 60+ properties over the last 10 years valued at more than $100 million and plans to develop over 500 residential units within his various partnerships in the coming years.

Yoni's business portfolio extends across Canada and the U.S., with ownership of restaurants, hotels, warehouses, commercial properties, and land for single-family, multifamily and mixed-use developments. His primary focus is on property acquisition and creative development planning, where his natural ability to close deals and partnerships with international investment groups have led to numerous successes.

In addition to his role in Wynwood, Yoni is developing an estate home community in Palm Beach Florida, multiple single-family communities in Haines city Florida, and an additional single-family community in Fort Pierce, further showcasing his visionary approach to real estate.

Yoni's contributions to the community go beyond business. He was appointed by Mayor Francis Suarez to serve on the Public Benefits Trust Fund and the Parking Benefits Trust Fund boards for Wynwood Norte, where he helps to guide key initiatives to benefit the local area. He is also involved with several charitable committees and organizations, having received accolades from the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce and De Hostos Senior Center for his philanthropic work. Yoni's leadership continues to shape the future of Wynwood Norte and beyond.

Email: ybInternational@gmail.com

Vice President

Cathy Leff, Executive Director, and Director Emerita of the Wolfsonian-FIU, is a seasoned cultural professional and creative entrepreneur with more than four decades experience working at the intersection of culture and community-building. In 2018, she assumed the leadership of  the 35-year-old Bakehouse, its community of 100 working artists, Board of Directors, and other stakeholders on a 5-year strategic plan, which prioritized the renovation of the organization’s former Art Deco-era bakery as a model center of contemporary cultural production and the addition of affordable housing for artists to its underutilized 2.3-acre campus. Leff also focused on diversifying the artist community, building subsidy funding to ensure affordability for artists, while also building a team and expanding the organization’s programmatic offerings.

Prior to arriving at Bakehouse, Leff worked with Harvard Graduate School of Design from 2017 to 2019 on its Future of the American City | Miami initiative, an experience that impacted her thinking about Bakehouse’s greater role in the community, including its ability to address affordability, mobility, and  resiliency/sustainability. In 2021, following a community-driven vision plan with Bakehouse’s participation, the City of Miami approved the Wynwood Norte Neighborhood Revitalization District, paving the way for Bakehouse to achieve its vision to become a community-embedded, live-work, cultural anchor.

From 1987 until 2014 Leff worked in and on The Wolfsonian, a museum and research center in Miami Beach dedicated to the study and appreciation of the persuasive power of art and design. During her twenty-year tenure as Director, she successfully negotiated the gifting of the then-private collection of Mitchell Wolfson, Jr. and helped integrate it into the public domain at FIU. Under her leadership, The Wolfsonian gained local, national, and international acclaim, generating original and traveling exhibitions, producing books and scholarly publications, and encouraging and enabling new object-based research and teaching. At the request of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, she planned and curated in 2008 and 2009 two national conferences, Webwise, exploring the impact of technology and the Internet on the future of museums and libraries.She then led a team at the Wolfsonian in creating one of  the first local digital collections, securing a $5M grant from the Knight Foundation to invest in developing the digital platform and infrastructure that would provide access to the collection to anyone, anywhere..

Before the Wolfsonian, Leff served as Vice President of The Wolfson Initiative Corp, a family office, focusing on real estate acquisitions, redevelopment, and external issues related to launching The Wolfsonian. From 1991 until 2014, she was Publisher and Executive Editor of The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts, a scholarly publication dedicated to examining the visual and material culture from 1885 until 1945, which she integrated into the Wolfsonian in 1997.

From 1976 to 1987, Leff served as Assistant Director of the City of Miami Community Development Department, where she worked on physical and economic development projects in some of the City’s most underserved neighborhoods. She also administered the City of Miami’s Art-in-Public Places Program and oversaw its cultural programs, helping launch the Miami International Book Fair and Miami International Film Festival, among other annual events.

Leff has served on many cultural and community boards, including the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, City of Miami and City of Miami Beach Planning Advisory Boards, City of Miami Beach Art in Public Places Committee, Miami-Dade County Cultural Affairs Council, ArtTable, Greater Miami Visitor and Convention Bureau, Cintas Foundation, Lotus House Shelter, Association of Art Museum Directors, and American Association of Museums. She is a member of the International Conference of Museums and emerita member of Association of Art Museum Directors.

Email: cathyleff215@gmail.com

Secretary

As a native Miamian, Robin grew up in North Miami & graduated from NMB HS. Her love of Art and Medical Sciences led her to study both in College, but the encouragement of a mentor inspired her desire to become a Dental Hygienist. She practiced mainly in Hollywood Florida for 34 years before leaving to work beside her husband Wilfred, & co-manage their investment properties. She is a founding member of the Wynwood Community Enhancement Association. 

Email: robin.wynwoodcea@gmail.com

Director

Email: misha@thepropolis.com

Director

Wil Vasquez has been a stakeholder in Wynwood Norte for many years & grew up in the neighborhood, attending local schools. He is a founding member of the Wynwood CEA &  has been a longstanding community advocate. Wil has a profound understanding of the challenges and potential that Wynwood Norte possesses, and looks forward to serving and supporting the Wynwood community as it continues to evolve. 

Email: wwvasq@gmail.com

Director

Email: arnold@thasocialhub.com

Director

Julie A.S. Williamson is an active member of The Florida Bar, through her firm Julie A.S. Williamson, P.A., and as leader of the Corpus Christi Parish Social Work and Legal Services Ministries.  Her previous law firms include Akerman Senterfitt and Greenberg Traurig, where her legal practice focused on real estate planning and transactions, including title insurance, acquisitions, leasing, and financing; she was a certified mediator and has served as an expert witness in multiple pre-trial and trial litigation matters. 

A graduate of Stanford University (B.A.) and Fordham School of Law (J.D., published member, Law Review), she is an elected fellow, and past board member, of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers, a past member of the Georgetown University Law Center Advanced Commercial Leasing Institute Board, Past Chair of The Florida Bar Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, past editor of The Florida Bar’s Florida Real Property Complex Transactions, past president of CREW-Miami, of the University of Miami Citizen’s Board, and of the University of Miami Friends of Music.  She has been selected, for multiple years, for inclusion in Florida Trend's "legal elite"; Florida Real Estate Journal's "Top Women in Commercial Real Estate"; Law & Politics' "Super Lawyers"; The International Who's Who of Business Lawyers, and The Best Lawyers in America (Real Estate).

Recipient of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent’s Award and recipient (with her husband) of Stanford University’s Gold Spike Award, and 2023 recipient of the Jubilaeum Cross Award from the Archdiocese of Miami, she is a member of Miami Dade Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, Miami Salon Group, Funding Arts Network, and Wynwood Community  Enhancement Association.

Mrs. Williamson is a founder and current Chair of Martha/Mary Concerts and the Martha/Mary - Yamaha Concert Series and Student Art Gallery; board member and secretary of the Foundation for New Educational Initiatives (supporting the Miami-Dade County Public Schools) and its representative on the Miami-Dade County 21st Century Schools Bond Advisory Committee.  She is a member of United Way’s Toqueville Society, Miami Dade Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, Miami Salon Group, and Funding Arts Network, is of both Barry University’s President’s Community Leadership Council and Institute for Immigration Studies Advisory Council.   

Mrs. Williamson is currently actively volunteering in multiple roles at Corpus Christi Church in West Wynwood, including its sponsorship with Catholic Legal Services of a monthly Immigration Clinic at the parish. She also volunteers at Florida Cultural Heritage Center, and serves as Trustee and Officer of its parent entity, Colonial Heritage of Florida LLC.; she is particularly proud of the programs of the Heritage Center, the Parish, the Concert Series and Student Art Gallery to benefit Miami Dade County Public Schools and the greater South Florida Community.   

Email: jaswlaw@gmail.com

Director

Alexis Bogomolni is the Founder and CEO of ABH Developer Group. As a fourth-generation builder and developer, Alexis has a deep understanding of the industry and is passionate about developing and executing ABH's strategic vision, while overseeing the company's day-to-day operations.

Under Alexis' leadership, ABH has rapidly become the largest stakeholder in the Wynwood Norte Revitalization District, one of Miami's most exciting and sought-after locations, having assembled a total of 180,000 square feet since 2021. The firm is poised to deliver over 750 units across 15 communities, reflecting his exceptional ability to identify and capitalize on emerging trends. He takes a hands-on approach to exploring and pursuing new development and acquisition opportunities, leveraging his vast network and industry knowledge to further ABH's reach and profitability.

In addition to driving ABH's growth, Alexis is dedicated to supporting the revitalization of the Wynwood Norte district. He works closely with The Wynwood Community Enhancement Association (Wynwood CEA), a guided effort by the community and diverse neighborhood stakeholders, to help further its mission to restore and grow the Wynwood Norte district’s housing stock, make neighborhood improvements and enhance the quality of life for current and future residents. Alexis and his team at ABH have committed to a long-term partnership with the Revitalization District's Public Benefits Trust Fund to drive tangible impact and success.

Alexis brings a wealth of expertise in acquisitions, asset management, and real estate development. Prior to founding ABH, he gained valuable experience at boutique firms in New York City before joining MG3 Group, where he worked alongside his father in all aspects of the business. He received a dual B.S. degree in Finance and Management from the New York University Stern School of Business and Minor in Technology and Real Estate. For more information on ABH and its projects, please visit https://abhre.com.

Email: alexisbogo@abhre.com

Pro Bono Legal Attorney

Steven J. Wernick is an experienced land use attorney and maintains a multi-disciplinary practice throughout South Florida. He has significant experience representing real estate developers, property owners, and other real estate industry clients – skillfully navigating the intricacies of local government regulations and the development approval process to help clients deliver on great projects and revitalize urban core neighborhoods.

Steve’s work in recent years has been most prominent with projects under development in Wynwood, Miami’s emerging arts district undergoing a significant transformation into a 24/7 live, work, play neighborhood that has become an epicenter for global art tourism and expansion of Miami’s tech hub. Starting with his work for Goldman Properties on a portfolio of adaptive reuse projects and the award-winning Wynwood Garage, Steve has worked with local and national developers on entitlements for over 7 million square feet of new retail, office, multifamily and hospitality development constructed in Wynwood over the past decade.

Previously, Steve worked as special counsel for the Wynwood Business Improvement District (BID) in the creation and adoption of the Wynwood Neighborhood Revitalization District (NRD-1), recognized by the American Planning Association with the 2017 National Planning Award in Economic Development. Additionally, he has secured zoning and development approvals on multifamily office, and hospitality projects within the City of Miami, Bay Harbor Islands, North Miami, Miami Beach and other waterfront communities in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties. Steve was intimately involved in securing entitlements for the Miami Design District Retail Street Special Area Plan – including infrastructure improvements, nonstandard covenants and a regulating plan to facilitate over 1 million square feet of development of luxury retail, art and civic space.

Steve has built a reputation as a trusted advisor for creative zoning tools to support neighborhood revitalization in South Florida’s emerging neighborhoods. As a trained urban planner and credentialed by American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), Steve has the ability to communicate with diverse community stakeholders, and experience shepherding code amendments and overlay districts to unlock the potential for mixed use redevelopment. In 2021, Steve secured approval from City Commission for adoption of the Wynwood Norte Neighborhood Revitalization District (NRD-2), including land use map amendments and rezoning of 140 acres to spur development of multifamily housing and millions of dollars in reinvestment in one of Miami's oldest neighborhoods. 

Steve is regularly asked to speak at conferences and to media outlets on evolving trends in planning and zoning and is cited by courts and secondary law sources nationwide, including Powell on Real Property and Land Use Planning and the Environment: A Casebook (2010).

Email: swernick@daypitney.com