Already a leader? Want to be a leader? Hearing the stories of two exemplary leadership journeys will help you find the motivation to do more. Join us for Ha’ Derech: Pathways to Leadership, an initiative of the TBS Board designed to encourage and inspire our community. Learn about effective leadership styles and practices in different contexts…in community, business, government, and philanthropy.
Featuring TBS members BRIAN BILZIN and DAN GELBER
Moderated by Johanna Gomez
Open to the TBS community and friends.
In the TBS Chapel, followed by light refreshments.
Be Engaged. Be Inspired. Be Involved!
Our Speakers
BRIAN BILZIN
Brian was born in New York City in 1945 and raised on Long Island. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1967 and earned his law degree from Boston University in 1970. Brian began his practice of law in NYC at Rubin Baum Levin. In 1981, Brian, Marsha and their two sons relocated to Miami to open an office for his NYC-based law firm. The firm’s South Florida presence started with only two staff. Brian and Marsha loved Miami, decided to stay, and immediately joined Temple Beth Sholom where both sons became bar mitzvah. Over the next 17 years, Brian grew the Miami outpost of the firm to about 35 lawyers. In 1998, Brian founded Bilzin Sumberg which has since grown to over 100 lawyers.
Brian’s deep commitment to the community has also become a foundation for the firm’s core principle of giving back to the community. He has held leadership positions in numerous organizations, including Major Gifts Chair, Campaign Chair, and Chair of the Board of The Greater Miami Jewish Federation. He also serves on the boards of Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, a think tank in Washington DC, and the I Have a Dream Foundation. Brian previously served on the board of the Jackson Memorial Foundation
DAN GELBER
Dan served as a decorated federal prosecutor in South Florida for nearly a decade before moving to Washington, D.C. to lead the prestigious U.S. Senate’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations where he worked on counter-terrorism issues and fraud and waste in government.
Dan returned home and was elected to represent Northeast Miami-Dade as a Florida State Representative and Senator from 2000-2010, and was unanimously elected by his colleagues as their Democratic Leader. Dan also served three terms as Mayor of Miami Beach.
Dan practices law with the firm of Gelber Schachter & Greenberg PA and is listed in Best Lawyers in America and is rated as “Eminent Practitioner” in his field in Chambers.
Dan graduated from Tufts University magna cum laude and the University of Florida Law School where he was a national Truman Scholar. He is married to Joan Silverstein, a career federal prosecutor, and they have three kids and two dogs named Buddy and Roxy they are still trying to train (the dogs not the kids).
Dan has been a volunteer Big Brother since 1985, and co-founded a summer camp for children with cancer, where he has volunteered most summers since 1986. He is a member of various organizations including the Board of the Miami City Ballet, and is a member of the federal Judicial Nominating Commission.
Our Moderator
Johanna Gomez
Johanna Gomez is an Emmy-award winning journalist, television personality, and voice over talent. Currently, Gomez is hosting “The Business Traveler” for Reach TV, the largest in-airport TV network and on-air midday host for Power 96.
From 2014-2023, Gomez was the co-host and reporter for ‘6 in the Mix’, a 30-minute live daily lifestyle show on NBC 6 South Florida, which aired Monday thru Friday and featured entertainment highlights along with local events.
Prior to this, Gomez spent more than five years as an anchor and reporter for WPLG Local 10, South Florida’s ABC affiliate network and covered a wide variety of stories at the station. Besides her reporting duties, Johanna produced and created content through the Local 10 Weekender segment, which updated the South Florida community on all activities and current events.
Gomez worked for Fox Sports Sun as a HEAT sideline reporter and contributed to the broadcast during the 2012 and 2013 NBA championship seasons, where she was the recipient of a Suncoast Emmy for the live HEAT championship celebration coverage show.
From 2008-10, Gomez also worked as the In-Ballpark Entertainment Host for Marlins Vision at all Miami Marlins home games.
A native of Manhattan, New York, and born to Dominican parents, Johanna Gomez is a graduate of Florida International University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communication in the school of Journalism. Johanna has three children.