Executive Committee

Melissa Jordon, A.B. ’14, J.D. ’16

President

Partner, Hamilton Miller & Birthisel, LLP

Melissa Jordon, Esq., is a Partner at Hamilton, Miller & Birthisel, LLP and a proud double Cane of the University! Originally from Connecticut, Melissa transitioned to making Miami her home while she completed her studies at the University of Miami’s joint “3+3" Honor Program in Law. She has the distinction of being the University’s first female graduate of the program. While at the University, Melissa was committed to the Model United Nations Team and served as head delegate in her junior year. Melissa also participated in campus activities and associations including the Political Science Honor Society, for which she served as an officer in 2013 and president in 2014. Melissa graduated summa cum laude with her bachelor’s degree in history and political science. As a student at the University of Miami School of Law, Melissa served as a senator on the Student Bar Association government throughout lawschool and as dean of the Senate in her final year. Melissa was actively engaged through the Law Ambassador Program, International Moot Court Board, Charles C. Papy, Jr., Moot Court Board, Street Law Program, and the International and Comparative Law Review. As an Alumna, Melissa continuously serves as a committee member of the annual Law Alumni Association Homecoming Golf Tournament and currently serves as the Vice President of Communications for the University of Miami Law Alumni Board of Directors.

Upon graduation from theUniversity of Miami School of Law with Latin honors in 2016, Melissa began her legal career at one of the oldest law firms in South Florida, Walton Lantaff Schroeder & Carson, LLP. Here, she handled a large volume of first and third party insurance disputes for various domestic carriers. In 2020, Melissa became the youngest attorney at the firm to be elevated to Partnership. Melissa continued her career in 2021 as Senior Counsel at Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman, LLP., where she represented various London Market Insurers in a vast array of large loss multi-million dollar insurance coverage and litigation disputes in Florida and throughout the U.S. At Hamilton Miller & Birthisel, LLP, Melissa’s practice currently focuses on first and third party insurance coverage and defense matters, first party property disputes, and bad faith litigation. She is licensed to practice law in Florida, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Melissa also had the honor and opportunity to complete a Secondment with Canopius, an insurance syndicate that is part of the Lloyd’s of London Insurance Market in Spring 2024

When not zealously representing her clients, Melissa is committed to bettering her community. In addition to serving her Alma Matter, she spends much of her free time serving on both charitable and professional boards and organizations. Melissa has been committed to service on the Miami-Dade County Bar Association since 2017. She currently has the honor and privilege of serving as the President-Elect of the Miami Dade Bar Association Board of Directors. In addition, Melissa has been a long time supporter of Chapman Partnership- a local charitable organization dedicated to empowering the homeless- she currently serves as the Council Chair for NextGen; the young professionals group benefiting the charitable mission of Chapman Partnership. In her free time, Melissa is an avid golfer, enjoys spending time with family, friends, swimming, and tasting her way through the many restaurants Miami has to offer. She enjoys playing recreational sports and a favorite pastime of hers is attending live sporting events. She is a die-hard ’Canes football fan and makes an effort to attend every home game.

Brianna Hathaway, A.B. ’16

Immediate Past President

Attorney, Lomax Legal

Brianna is a litigator at Lomax Legal who handles civil and criminal matters at the firm. She began her career at Jones Day, a prestigious law firm that consistently ranks as one of the top 10 law firms in the world. As an associate in Jones Day’s Business and Tort Litigation practice, Brianna represented clients in a variety of complex commercial litigation and class action matters. She also maintained an extensive pro bono practice: advocating for civil rights plaintiffs, representing survivors of human trafficking, and engaging in policing reform initiatives as part of the firm's Constitutional Policing and Civil Justice Reform Initiative and Hate Crimes Task Force. Following her time at Jones Day, Brianna completed a federal clerkship with Judge Darrin P. Gayles of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Brianna earned her J.D. from New York University School of Law in 2019. At NYU Law, she participated in numerous clinics focused on racial justice and criminal justice reform, such as the Criminal Defense and Reentry Clinic and the Civil Rights Clinic: Challenging Mass Incarceration. Through her clinical experiences, Brianna worked with esteemed legal organizations, such as the Brooklyn Defender Services, the Parole Preparation Project, and the American Civil Liberties Union. She also served as an executive board member of NYU Law’s Student Bar Association. As an undergraduate student at the University of Miami, Brianna dedicated herself to several student organizations, was elected to serve as the Student Government President, and was inducted into the Iron Arrow Honor Society, the highest honor attained at the University. Prior to her new role in the University's Young Alumni Leadership Council, she was the President-Elect and Co-Chair of the Strategic Engagement Committee. Brianna is also an active member of the Miami community, serving as a member of Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc.’s Young Professionals Committee, a committee chair for the Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. Bar Association, and was a fellow for Dade Legal Aid’s Class VI Leadership Academy.

Candice Johnson Pollowitz, B.S.P.H. ’16

President-Elect

Special Projects Assistant, Neuro-development of Words! Programs

Candice Johnson Pollowitz, B.S.P.H. ’16 1st VP, Membership Committee Special Projects Assistant, Neuro-development of Words! Programs Candice Louise Johnson Pollowitz is a Special Projects Assistant working with the NOW! Company to expand global literacy. Prior to her new role, she was the director of student activities and leadership development at Ringling College of Art + Design in Sarasota, FL. After receiving her undergraduate degree from the University of Miami, Candice continued her studies as a master’s student in education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, focusing on student affairs administration and higher education. During her time as a graduate student, she oversaw the Campus Activities Board and supervised the programming assistants in the Campus Activities and Programs office. Candice worked as an intern for residence and student life at SUNY Downstate Medical School in Brooklyn. Her professional career has been devoted to developing students of all backgrounds to achieve their potential and grow as individuals. Candice hopes to encourage students to celebrate and embrace opinions and individuals’ diversity instead of allowing it to divide.

Alina Zerpa, B.S.C. ’17

Co-VP, Digital Engagement

CEO, A TO Z Social Agency

Alina Zerpa is a born and bred Miami girl who has a passion for storytelling and the U. She graduated in 2017 with degrees in journalism and psychology and started her own social media marketing agency in 2020. A to Z Social works with various businesses in South Florida creating content and managing their online presence. When she’s not working or getting ready for football season, she’s probably reading, out dancing, or hanging out with her two cats.

Jacob Munoz, B.B.A. ’20

Co-VP, Digital Engagement

Owner, Franchise Fortune Finders

Jacob Munoz, B.B.A. ’20, is a proud graduate of the University of Miami, where he earned a degree in business management with a minor in sports management. Munoz is also an alumnus of the Hurricanes football team. He aims to bring the same work ethic and team-first mentality that he developed on the field into his professional career. After earning his master’s degree from the University of South Carolina in sport and entertainment, he worked for NFL Films during the 2023-24 NFL season.

Today, Munoz works with the Los Angeles Lakers equipment team and is also co-founder of Franchise Fortune Finders, a consulting firm that helps people explore franchise ownership. He is passionate about helping others take control of their future.

Maddie Guillard, B.S. ’18, M.P.H. ’21

Secretary

Sourcing Manager, AmeriHealth Caritas

Gdb Maddie Guillard, B.S. ’18, M.P.H. ’21, is a proud double Cane with degrees in biochemistry and nutrition and public health from the University of Miami. During her undergraduate and graduate career, Guillard was involved with student organizations, including Greek life, UM Baseball’s Sugarcanes, the Gold Ribbon Club, the Butler Center’s First Year U program, and several honor societies.

She is a Sourcing Manager for AmeriHealth Caritas, where she develops strategies to evaluate, negotiate and manage healthcare services and vendor contracts. Prior to her current role, Guillard worked at UM and UHealth for over seven years in the IT and Supply Chain Services departments.

In addition to her involvement with the University, Maddie is actively involved in the broader Miami community through volunteer work with the Junior League of Miami and The Way Forward Foundation. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, and watching Canes football and baseball.