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Rixys Alfonso (born October 22, 1971 in Santos Suárez, Ciudad De La Habana, Cuba) is a Hispanic Activist and entrepreneur. Alfonso is CEO and Chief Visibility Specialist at CauseMo Marketing, LLC in Miami/Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and a nationally recognized advocate for children and adults with disabilities and rare diseases.

An innovator in creative strategy for connecting brands with causes and consumers, Rixys Alfonso founded CauseMo Marketing to drive cause-related initiatives and movement in key markets, and across the country. Alfonso leverages her vast network of diverse contacts to develop customized campaigns and support for her clients, while tapping in her broad range of knowledge and experience in entertainment, media, event management, marketing, fundraising, community development, social media, and public relations.

CauseMo Marketing, a boutique communications firm that knows how to cause consumer movement in key markets and across the country. At CauseMo, clients come to us because we understand their business and how to enhance their intellectual capital to reach key decision-makers in their sales process. We influence the consumer through publicity, image management, positioning, social marketing, and experiential events to raise the overall awareness of your brand and grow your business’.

Having been named a “Hispanic Woman of Distinction” by Latina Style Magazine, one of the nation's leading publications for Hispanic businesswomen, Alfonso was also recognized by Governor Charlie Crist for her commitment to advocacy. Crist appointed her to the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council in 2010, and Governor Rick Scott re-appointed her in 2015. She effectively leverages her role to integrate her leadership, along with her multi-cultural expertise, to give a greater voice to the Hispanic community on issues impacting people with disabilities.

Alfonso was also appointed to serve as Marketing Chair on the FBI Miami CAAA Board of Directors. She has been recognized by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who in closing of her book “For The Next Generation,” acknowledges Alfonso by stating "To fully illustrate the value derived from a life of service and community action, I will leave you with the story of Rixys Alfonso," followed by her story of triumph over adversity.

Throughout her career, Alfonso has played a key role in the production of numerous marquee events & marketing campaigns. Consistently over-delivering for her clients and contacts has kept her at the top of her game, and afforded her the opportunity to help many others. Her commitment to enhancing the community is routinely demonstrated through her key role in the successful implementation of education programs, community awareness forums, youth initiatives, local, state, & federal legislation.

Career

Alfonso, began working at Here's Help in November of 2000 and held several positions during her 10 year tenure. Here’s Help, Inc. (link) is a private, non-profit, comprehensive rehabilitation agency that began providing services to clients in 1969, to prevent and treat substance abuse in South Florida. The organization aims to improve the success rate, help clients remain drug-free, continue their schooling and successfully reintegrate into the community as productive, law abiding citizens. In 2000, the agency launched our Alternative Therapies Program encompassing real-life technology for music and the visual arts. Since then the Here’ Help’s Alternative Therapies Program has been expanded to include treatment modalities to help become drug free and meet essential daily needs, and work toward a brighter future with programs in education, various types of counseling, culinary, music & arts programs, computer literacy, auto mechanics, tattoo removal, and broadcasting.

From March 2010 to February 2013, Alfonso was Director of Corporate Marketing, Public Relations and Communications for the Dan Marino Foundation, Inc., a 501(c) 3 organization was established in 1992 by Dan and Claire Marino, motivated by their experiences in raising their son, Michael, who is diagnosed with autism. The Foundation's mission is "empowering individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities." For over 22 years, the Foundation has served individuals with disabilities in South Florida through therapies, research, education, and employment, and raised more than $47 million to create unique and impact-full initiatives in the community. Among these "first-of-their-kind" initiatives were the Miami Children's Hospital Dan Marino Center, Childnett.tv, the Marino Autism Research Institute, Marino Adapted Aquatics, Summer STEPS Employment Programs, and now, Marino Campus.

Columnist, AroundTown with Rixys, AroundTown Magazine (March 2010 – August 2012) AroundTown CalenZine of the Arts, is a calendar-magazine dedicated to South Florida’s rich cultural tapestry, featuring the sophistication of art and museums, the reverberating sounds of the stage, the excitement of the festivals and special events, and the enrichment.

Volunteer

Florida Developmental Disabilities Council Chair of Communications, Council Member by Gubernatorial Appointment Honorable Governor Rick Scott 2014-2015 FDDC Communication's Committee, Chair FDDC Public Policy & Advocacy Committee, Member FDDC Self Advocate/Leadership Task Force, Member

First appointed by then Governor Charlie Crist in 2010 and reappointed by Governor Rick Scott in 2014. The purpose of the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council is to engage in advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities that contribute to a coordinated, consumer and family centered, consumer and family directed, comprehensive system of community services and individualized supports that enable individuals with developmental disabilities to exercise self-determination, be independent, be productive, and be integrated and included in all facets of community life, according to the federal law that created the Council states that the purpose of the Council is to assure that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families participate in the design of and have access to needed community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance.

Marketing Chair, Board Director FBI Miami Citizens Academy Alumni Association March 2014 – South Florida

The FBI Miami CAAA Board of Directors reflects a diverse network of business leaders representing education, community advocacy, medicine, law, finance and technology throughout the Miami-Dade, Broward and West Palm Beach counties. The Director Emeritus consists of four of the six founding members of the FBI Miami Citizens Academy Alumni Association. The Advisory Board represent experts in the field finance, law and FBI community relations. The FBI Miami CAAA Board, Emeritus and Advisors are committed to providing ethical and sound leadership for effective organizational development and growth.

Advocate National Disabilities & Rare Disorders Advocate May 1997 – Present (17 years plus)|united states

Alfonso’s passion and commitment emerged from a very personal struggle and family crisis centered around her eldest son, Devin. He was born with numerous disabilities. At two years of age, he was given a terminal diagnosis by an orthopedic surgeon. It was at that moment, that Alfonso transformed into a super advocate and lay-researcher. As her son’s biggest champion, she tirelessly sought the most preeminent & innovative medical care to save her son and other children with the same diagnosis. Thus far, Devin has improved with each of his forty-four surgeries and has emerged as a well-spoken self-advocate himself.

Initially, Alfonso’s advocacy via the Titanium Rib Implant led her to U.S. Congresswoman and Democratic National Committee Chair, Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, then a member of the Florida Legislature. After hearing Alfonso’s testimony on Devin’s rare genetic disorder, DWS persuaded Florida Medicaid to pay for him to get treatment in the Titanium Rib Clinical Trial. This led to three other children being able to seek treatment as well.

Advocacy then led her to U.S. Senator Chris Dobbs. Alfonso once again provided testimony on Devin’s rare genetic disorder, and her emotional testimony helped prompt debate on U.S. Senate Bill 830. The bill became known as “The Pediatric Medical Device Safety and Improvement Act of 2007” and it encouraged the development of medical devices for use by children.

Consequently, in 2010, Alfonso initiated a petition to the U.S. House of Representatives that resulted in the passage of Federal House Resolution 1499. The bill honors Dr. Robert Campbell & “Calls on the Food & Drug Administration to continue to support and incentivize other medical advances to save children's lives threatened by rare disorders.”

Awards

Education

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