Candice Louise Johnson Pollowitz is the Clinic Operations Manager for The Morris Center and NOW! (Neuro-development of Words!) Programs in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, where she oversees organizational operations and collaborates with leadership to champion global literacy and neurodevelopmental support.
An alumna of the University of Miami, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Health, Candice furthered her expertise by obtaining a Master of Education (M.Ed.). Her multi-disciplinary background bridges healthcare operations, education, and community administration. Previously, she served as the Director of Student Activities and Leadership Development at Ringling College of Art + Design in Sarasota, Florida, and has held key student affairs roles at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and SUNY Downstate Medical School in Brooklyn.
Deeply committed to leadership and service, Candice actively gives back to her alma mater as a member of the Young Alumni Leaders Council and as an administrative reviewer for the university's 30 Under 30 program. Throughout her professional and volunteer career, she has been dedicated to cultivating inclusive environments, streamlining organizational workflows, and empowering individuals of all backgrounds to achieve their full potential.
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.
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.
Sharod Hinton, B.B.A. ’18
Secretary
Senior Data Analyst
Sharod Hinton, B.B.A. ’18, is a proud graduate of the University of Miami, where he earned a degree in Business Technology and Finance. He has since applied his expertise across multibillion-dollar organizations in the technology, hospitality, and consumer packaged goods (CPG) sectors, driving meaningful business impact.
During his time at the University of Miami, Sharod was deeply engaged in campus life. He participated in numerous student organizations and co-founded a professional development organization aligned with the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). He is also a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. His commitment to service extended beyond campus through active involvement in volunteer initiatives throughout the greater Miami community. In recognition of his leadership and contributions, Sharod was inducted into the Iron Arrow Honor Society, the University’s highest honor.
Following graduation, Sharod has remained actively involved with the University of Miami alumni network through DC Canes, where he currently serves as Vice President of Programming.
