The Coral Gables Community Foundation has announced the appointment of Mauricio Vivero as its new chief executive officer, marking a new chapter for the 34-year-old philanthropic institution. Vivero, a nationally respected expert in nonprofit leadership and social impact strategy, will assume the role following the departure of Mary Snow, who led the foundation for the past decade.
Snow’s tenure saw the Foundation’s community impact grow exponentially—from under $100,000 in annual giving to more than $5 million last year. With Vivero now at the helm, the foundation is positioning itself to deepen its influence locally while expanding its reach across the region and beyond.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Mauricio to the Coral Gables Community Foundation family,” said Foundation Board Chair Michael Walsh, a principal at Evensky & Katz Foldes. “He brings a rare blend of local roots, global perspective, and philanthropic expertise that will be a tremendous asset to our organization. Mauricio’s lifelong commitment to public service and strategic giving aligns seamlessly with our mission to enhance lives—not just in Coral Gables, but across South Florida and the wider world.”
Born in Miami and a graduate of Florida International University, Vivero’s local connections run deep. Yet his professional journey has taken him across the country and around the globe. Over a career spanning two decades, he has overseen more than $200 million in philanthropic grants to causes on multiple continents, ranging from education and healthcare to international development and civil society.
Most recently, Vivero served as head of partnerships for a private foundation in New York and as corporate secretary of the Global Impact Social Welfare Fund. Prior to that, he was the founding CEO of the Seattle International Foundation, where he led efforts to promote international development, gender equity, and democratic governance across Latin America. He also advised high-impact organizations such as Segal Family Foundation, Guidestar and the National Council of Nonprofits.
Earlier in his career, Vivero served in a range of high-level government relations roles, including vice president of the Legal Services Corporation, director of government relations for Independent Sector, and director of grassroots lobbying at the American Bar Association. He earned his law degree from Creighton University.
In a statement, Vivero said he was honored to return to his roots in South Florida and lead one of the area’s most trusted philanthropic institutions. “The Coral Gables Community Foundation has been a force for good in this community for over 30 years,” he said. “It’s a catalyst for meaningful change, and I’m eager to help deepen its impact across education, arts, historic preservation, health and social services, and other critical areas.”
The timing of Vivero’s arrival coincides with a moment of strong momentum for the foundation. Earlier this year, it launched its first-ever Community Needs Assessment, an initiative aimed at identifying and addressing the most urgent challenges facing Coral Gables and surrounding neighborhoods. Last month the foundation awarded a record $3.25 million in college scholarships through its 2025 Scholarship Program—its largest single-year distribution to date. The funds were awarded to 207 students from 76 high schools, a testament to the growing scale and diversity of the Foundation’s donor base.
With more than $15 million in assets under management and over $25 million granted since its inception in 1991, the foundation now ranks among the most impactful civic charities in Miami-Dade County. Its influence extends through discretionary and donor-advised funds, as well as grantmaking programs that support nonprofits working in education, arts and culture, historic preservation, and social services.
In welcoming Vivero, the Foundation’s leadership signaled that his appointment represents both continuity and expansion. “We’ve grown substantially under Mary Snow’s leadership,” said Walsh. “Mauricio’s vision will take us even further—deepening our community engagement while expanding our capacity to lead in regional and even global conversations around philanthropy.”
For more information on the Coral Gables Community Foundation, its leadership, or opportunities to partner, visit www.gablesfoundation.org.
Author: Coral Gables Gazette News Staff
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