Wendy Unger nominationMIAMI BEACH COMMISSION FOR WOMEN
NOMINATION FORM FOR "WOMEN WORTH KNOWING"
2008
INFORMATION ABO T NOMTfus:F.
Name:. Wendy Unger
Address /Phone(s): 5750 Collins Ave. Miam( Beach, FI.
305 $61 - 0607
Place of birth: New York City, New York
Miami Beach resident? yes # years? 53
Miami Beach workplace? Yes # years? 30
Profession: Sales. and Marketing
Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce
Her family built and operated the Royal Palm Hotel In Miami Beach.; she inherited the
Inclination for community services from her grandparents and parents.
Interests and activit(es beyond the home and/or workplace:
Sailing, arts and crafts, fundraising
What has nominee done to better the community (on a local, state or national level)?
1) MB Relay for Life -volunteer worker since the event began In 2002 ~ ~ ~
2) Active volunteer member Miami Beach ]aycees -she was part of the grass roots group that
helped women become members of a national organization that originally catered to men only.
Her group went to the Supreme Court in order to help women become members of national
organizations such as the Jaycees; that were up to that time "for men only".
3) Founding member of MBCC Womens Council -volunteers her time to create events such
Lunch with a View;' celebrating women leaders.
4) Diabetes Research Institute -fundraiser for organization
5) Mlamf Beach Festival of the Arts -volunteer worker
7) Mentor at the UM business school - a volunteer since graduating from MB Hlgh
8) MB senior high -active member of the MB alumni association.
9) Committee member for 50~' year Treasure Island School, Miami Beach.
10) See attached Bfo
Name: Dona Zemo
Contact #(s): 305 672 1270
Relationship to nominee: friend and business colleague
# of years: 27
WINDY >s. UNOtR
~a700 Collins Avonuo #1?.-A
Miami. Desch RL 33140•):310
(300) as01-060T
Ontcos (300) 061-t1604
lraxs (3063) a361.19>i>3
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In 1955, I started 2nd Oracle at Treasure Island Elementary School, as a Charter Student, in lass the very first
day that the school opened. I am Htvoived in Community Service because I Inherited the indination from my
parents and grandparents, all of whom were alto involved in service to our. dty. For the City of Miami Beach itself,
I was appointed to the Commission on the Status of Woman for two periods in 1981-85 and 1991-92.
After I graduated from the University of Miami with a bachelors degree in English, Drama and Education, I
worked for Jordan Marsh Florida, i had originally intended to teach Drama or work in Theatre; however, my stage
became the selling floor and then the Sales Classroom at Jordan Marsh. While I was working there, I started
volunteering with the United Way of Dade County.
1 worked wfth and for my family at my Grandfathers Royal Palm Hptel. During those years (1975-82,) I was very
involved in the City of Miami Beach. In an effort to help promote the hotel, I was invohred as a member of the
Miami Beach Chamber and Miami Beach Jaycees. Through my work with the Jaycees, I took on the
responsibUity of alerting the first Women's Jaycee Chapter in our City. h gave young women a chance to do
things on a citywide level to help our community. VYe were the organization that made, distributed end decorated
our city with moro~than 10,000 yellow ribbons to bring attention to the Middle East Hostages In the 'SO's. Also
though this involvement, l gained the experience in public Relations and Marketing that I have used In'my career.
I worked for Flagler Federel Savfrsgs and Loan. Assocaton from 1982 to 1888 as Community Relations 8pedalist,
where I was in dtarge of 27-branches and seeing that the Branch Man , ers were Involved in their communities.
One of the major responsibilities of my job was to represent the assodn in 14 Chambers of Commerce in
Miami-Dade County. t also had a. chance to volunteer as part of my job to expose Flagler to the Community.
1 started working for the Miami Bead? Chamber of Commence in 1988 as Program Manager, where I wotkeclwwith
volunteers, committees, events and the membership department. During that period, l also co-chaired the
Chambers Lducation Committee where I founded and cheirod the Annual Career Shadowing Day for seven
years.
When I left the Chamber, I was the Business Development Officer for Jefferson (now Coloniaq National Bank.
While I worked for Jefferson on Key Biscayne, I was an alive school volunteer at Key Biscayne Elementary
School and MASt Academy. 1 was a member of the Rotary Club of Key Biscayne and I nerved for one year as
Secretary of the Club; and 1 also had the oppoRunity to help them with their Annual Art Festival advertising and
public relations. 1 continued to help wilts the Art Festhral for four years after I IeR Key Biscayne and the Rotary
Club.
As my next venture, I worked for the Association for Retarded'Citizens oT South Florida far 5 years. While at
ARC,1 was in charye of the volunteere and the fundraising and apedal events. While therox 1 helped to start the
organization s first fundraising auction. i was also a 'Loaned Execastive' for the United Way, during whfdt time,
traveled throughout Miarrll-Dade County representing ARC and the United Way. pne of my accounts was the
City of Miami Beach. where I helped with the Clt~'s United Way campaign. I also had the opportunihr to serve
Mlamt Dade County as Vice Chair of National Volunteer Week. That year, we started the Volunteer Feir held in
Miami-Dade County for National Volunteer Week.
1 am back workirp with the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce since July 1998. 1 have been selling Chamber
membership and advertising in Chamber publications. Also, as a sideline, I am Raffle Cady, responsible for
solioivng donations to use for raffle prizea at Chamberfundionsond then selling the tickets and giving away the
prizes.