Key Biscayne resident Diego Ojeda has joined the Make-A-Wish Southern Florida Board of Directors to help direct and govern the philanthropic organization. 

“It’s rewarding to be part of a group dedicated to positively impacting children and families coping with life-threatening health issues,” Ojeda said on Monday in a press release. “We’re able to bring joy by granting wishes, and research shows the experiences we provide are an important supplement to traditional medical treatment.”

Make-A-Wish Southern Florida grants life-changing wishes for critically ill children in 22 counties, including Miami-Dade. Ojeda, who is the president of the real estate development and management company Rilea Group, will focus on fundraising for the wishes, which the nonprofit has already accomplished 15,000 times since 1983.

Ojeda, an old-school key rat, told the Independent it’s the “magic” of Make-A-Wish that drew him in. He pointed to research that’s shown how the organization improves mental and emotional well-being, and even lowers general anxiety for young patients.

Using his skills as a real estate agent who convinces people to invest in Miami, Ojeda now hopes to use those skills to spread the message of Make-A-Wish in the area. He said the organization plans to provide 550 wishes for children during the 2027 fiscal year.  

Ojeda is committed to helping the organization “reach and grant a life-changing wish for every medically-eligible child in our territory,” Norman Wedderburn, president & CEO of Make-A-Wish Southern Florida said.

Ava Menkes is a senior reporter with the Independent, covering local government and accountability. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with degrees in journalism and political science, and minors in history, European studies and Eastern European/Central Asian studies. She is originally from Asheville, NC, and has interned with theRaleigh News & Observer,Wisconsin Watchand Isthmuscovering state politics. She also worked withThe Nation,and served as managing editor of her university’s paperThe Daily Cardinal, leading 2024 presidential coverage.  


Ava Menkes is a senior reporter with the Independent, covering local government and accountability. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with degrees in journalism and political science,…
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