{"id":353691,"date":"2026-07-27T14:46:13","date_gmt":"2026-07-27T14:46:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/353691\/"},"modified":"2026-07-27T14:46:13","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T14:46:13","slug":"2026-beacon-awards-honors-leaders-for-extraordinary-community-impact","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/353691\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 BEACON AWARDS HONORS LEADERS FOR EXTRAORDINARY COMMUNITY IMPACT"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Helen & Jacob Shaham, Sheldon T. Anderson, and Florida Power & Light to
receive the Foundation\u2019s highest honors during the 2026 Beacon Awards on Oct. 26 presented by Griffin Catalyst, Citadel, and Citadel Securities<\/p>\n

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MIAMI, FL (July 24, 2026) \u2013\u00a0The Miami-Dade Beacon Council and Beacon Council Foundation today announced this year\u2019s distinguished honorees for the upcoming Beacon Awards presented by Griffin Catalyst, Citadel, and Citadel Securities.\u00a0Helen & Jacob Shaham, founders and owners of The Palace Group of Senior Living Communities;\u00a0Sheldon T. Anderson, chairman, Grove Bank & Trust; and\u00a0Florida Power & Light\u00a0will be recognized for their vision, leadership, philanthropy, and long-standing commitment to the community. Sector awards, Small Business, and One2Watch winners will be announced live during the event on Monday, October 26, and the community is invited to apply and nominate candidates. A full list of award categories and the application can be found at\u00a0beaconcouncilawards.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe future of Miami is built by people who see opportunity and fearlessly build possibility for all those around them,\u201d said Rodrick T. Miller. \u201cHelen and Jacob Shaham, Sheldon T. Anderson, and Florida Power & Light have chosen to lead beyond their own success, demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to the people, institutions, and pillars of this community. We are very proud to recognize them for the enduring mark they will leave for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chair of the Miami-Dade Beacon Council and Chief Executive Officer of rbb Communications Christine Barney added, \u201cLegacy and stewardship to the community we all call \u2018home\u2019 is what the Beacon Awards are all about. This year\u2019s honorees reflect those values and, through their tireless work and community investment, serve as an inspiration to leave our community stronger than we found it.\u201d<\/p>\n

For decades, the Beacon Awards have stood as Miami-Dade\u2019s premier business recognition program, honoring the visionaries whose leadership has helped define the community. This year\u2019s honorees join that distinguished legacy.<\/p>\n

The Jay Malina Leadership Award, presented by Baptist Health,\u00a0is the highest individual honor bestowed by The Beacon Council. The award is named after Jay T. Malina, founder and co-chair of the One Community One Goal initiative that established a master plan and implementation process focused on job creation for Greater Miami.<\/p>\n

Helen & Jacob Shaham, founders and owners of The Palace Group of Senior Living Communities, were unanimously selected as this year\u2019s honorees. Visionary philanthropists and community leaders, Helen and Jacob Shaham have dedicated their lives to building award-winning senior living communities alongside a legacy of compassion and dignity to those they serve. Since founding The Palace Group in 1980, they have enriched the lives of residents and employees alike, fostering a culture of compassion and connection. Their extraordinary generosity across the community has made a lasting impact on generations of families throughout Greater Miami.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are humbled and deeply honored to receive the\u00a0Jay\u00a0Malina\u00a0Award. Miami has been our home for the last 46 years, and it has been here that we started developing our dream to create the best Senior Living lifestyle opportunities and solutions for America\u2019s elderly, The Palace,\u201d said Helen and Jacob Shaham. \u201cWe are very proud that our legacy reflects a lifelong commitment to strengthening and elevating the healthcare, education and philanthropy in the city we love and we call home.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Founders\u2019 Award, presented by Dosal Tobacco Corporation, was introduced last year to honor the tri-chairmen whose visionary leadership helped establish The Beacon Council four decades ago and to celebrate individuals whose entrepreneurial mindset, collaborative leadership, and civic stewardship have made a lasting impact on the region\u2019s economic development.<\/p>\n

Sheldon T. Anderson,\u00a0chairman, Grove Bank & Trust, a longtime Board member, past chair (2013-2014), and one of The Beacon Council\u2019s most passionate advocates, embodies the spirit on which the organization was founded. Through his lifetime of leadership, Sheldon has convened business and civic engagement through an unwavering belief in Miami\u2019s future and\u00a0advocated for education and the arts in the community throughout the many organizations he has served. Known for his strategic vision, integrity, and ability to inspire others, Sheldon is a standout figure in Miami\u2019s business and cultural landscape, mobilizing so many others to champion for and give back to Miami.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am deeply humbled to receive the Founders\u2019 Award. As a proud Miami native, I have always believed that the greatest measure of success is using what you have to create opportunity for others. If my work has helped ignite even a small part of the community\u2019s continued growth and success, then I am truly grateful for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

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New for 2026\u2500The Corporate Catalyst Award<\/p>\n

The inaugural Corporate Catalyst Award was created to recognize a company whose leadership and investment are helping accelerate economic opportunity and strengthen communities while positioning Miami for continued growth.<\/p>\n

Florida Power & Light\u00a0is the inaugural recipient of the award, serving as a corporate force for good and a catalyst for business investment, talent attraction, sustainability initiatives, and community advancement. Through strategic partnerships, including close collaboration with The Beacon Council on initiatives such as WonderFL, FPL leads by example in its efforts to create a stronger, more competitive South Florida.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is both an honor and a responsibility to receive the inaugural Corporate Catalyst Award, and one we accept with deep gratitude,\u201d said Pam Rauch, vice president, External Affairs and Economic Development, Florida Power & Light. \u201cAt FPL, we believe strong communities are built through innovation and collaboration. We are proud to partner with The Beacon Council and so many other worthy organizations who share our commitment to creating opportunity, attracting talent, and positioning South Florida for what\u2019s to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the greatest strengths of Greater Miami is the willingness of our business community to invest in one another and celebrate those who make a lasting difference,\u201d said Pablo Pino, board treasurer and 2026 host committee chair. \u201cThis year\u2019s honorees have each helped shape our region in meaningful ways, and we look forward to bringing together the leaders, partners, and organizations who continue to move our community forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

2026 Beacon Awards Event Details<\/p>\n

The Miami-Dade Beacon Council is proud to welcome back Griffin Catalyst, Citadel, and Citadel Securities as our Title Sponsors of the 2026 Beacon Awards. The signature event will be held on Oct. 26, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami, bringing together more than 600 leaders from across the public and private sectors. To become a sponsor, please contact Dr. Paula Hopkins at\u00a0phopkins@beaconcouncil.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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About the Miami-Dade Beacon Council Foundation<\/p>\n

The Miami-Dade Beacon Council is the sole member of the Foundation and has oversight and control over the Foundation\u2019s fiscal and programmatic activities. The Beacon Awards program is a component of the current One Community One Goal (OCOG) initiative to diversify the local economy and promote higher-paying jobs. For more information on the Foundation, click\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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About the Miami-Dade Beacon Council\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Miami-Dade Beacon Council, a 501(C)6, is the County\u2019s official economic development partnership, focused on driving a more sustainable, inclusive, and competitive economy for Greater Miami. Since 1985, The Beacon Council has attracted more than 160,000 new jobs and $8.4 billion in investments to the region. The awards are managed by The Beacon Council Foundation a 501(C) 3, a Florida not-for-profit organization created exclusively for charitable and educational purposes.\u00a0For more information, visit The Beacon Council\u2019s\u00a0website<\/a>.<\/p>\n


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