In the Town of Miami Lakes, Reneé Wilson is the grants and governmental affairs manager who acquires funding for important projects in town. Some improvements are invisible, such as drainage systems buried underground to ease flooding (a $775,248 FEMA grant for the West Lakes neighborhood).
Others are enjoyed by Freebee riders (FDOT grants of $203,500 for Tesla cars and $515,190 to expand service); kids who run around the T-ball field in Optimist Park ($50,000 from Scotts and Major League Baseball) and FDLE grants for police bicycles, radar and traffic safety equipment ($20,016).
For all of the funding Wilson has secured -- 50 awards are listed on the town’s website -- the ultimate goals are the same: To improve the quality of life for Miami Lakers and save tax dollars.
Most recently she obtained federal and state grants to fund nearly half the $14 million cost of the Northwest 59th Avenue bridge and road extension.
Wilson lives in Miramar.
Her 27 years of government service includes being a decorated police dispatcher in Hollywood, when she prevented a suicide. That led to promotions: Crime prevention specialist, then grants and public affairs manager. Wilson joined town staff seven years ago.
She earned a Master of Public Administration from Nova Southeastern University.
Q: Where are you from and what is your background?
A: I’m originally from the beautiful and tropical island of Jamaica. During the late 1970s my family and I moved to South Florida, originally residing in Miami and then the city of the Miramar.
Q: What do you like most about Miami Lakes?
A: I like the locality of Miami Lakes, the accessibility that we have, the green space, the amenities, the proximity to residential neighborhoods, businesses, restaurants, schools and municipal services. Being a small town, most of what we need is within walking distance. I also like working with my team and colleagues to improve and enhance our town for the residents.
Q: What do you dislike about the town?
A: It’s not a dislike but rather an opportunity to further our inclusiveness. I’m always looking at the Census and data for my proposals. … the number of females residing in Miami Lakes is expressed at 52.6 percent of the total population. I also look at the graduation rate in Miami-Dade County. [There] is a significant increase in women graduation [rates] across all racial and ethnic groups. In honor of Women’s History Month, I impart more women to participate in public office and municipal government.
I wanted to look at that, not as a dislike but rather an opportunity to further inclusiveness with our unique demographic. [The town] is positioned to be a pioneer in creating opportunities for equal representation on all levels and hopefully more women will take advantage of the mentorship, advancement and political opportunities that are offered in the town.
Q: What are the demands/responsibilities of your current position and what do you hope to accomplish?
A: [There] are an abundance of competitive funding opportunities to explore on local, foundation, state and federal levels. [Challenges include] the numerous town-wide projects in need of additional funding dollars and the relentless deadlines and compliance factors which accompany each and every funding opportunity and grant award. And there is a post-award phase that follows that. …
What I hope to accomplish [is a] more efficient structure and process by which the town may continue to see the grant funding infrastructure programs in action. I realize that my work is important in significantly impacting and improving the quality of life in our town.
Q: What is your biggest accomplishment, personal or career-wise?
A: Professionally being the highest-grossing grants professional in Miami Lakes since its municipal inception. My biggest accomplishment in my personal life is my faith in God, which strengthens me to accomplish all things.
Q: What would you rather be doing, what is your fantasy career?
A: I would rather be on the humanitarian side of grantsmanship. … I would rather be the wealthy investor operating from the philanthropic point of view, directing the funds and resources to those causes, organizations and people who are most in need. I would love to be that billionaire that sees someone on the news and angel gift them.
Q: What books are you reading, and are there any podcasts you’re listening to?
A: “365 Affirmations from Women Who Changed the World” and “Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race” by Margot Lee Shetterly.
Q: What have you binge-watched on TV?
A: Although I don’t spend much time binge-watching, I do watch “Nightly News with Lester Holt” and “Sunday TODAY with Willie Geist.” My favorite is to also watch documentaries and true-life films about people’s lives.
Q: Where did you last travel to on vacation?
A: My last travel was to the Caribbean, to my birth home of Jamaica.
Seeing that I moved to the U.S. at such a young age, being able to travel and experience the beauty of Jamaica as an adult is a breathtakingly amazing experience. I can now appreciate the rivers, the rainforests, the beaches, the food, the people. The sunsets in Jamaica are like nowhere else in the world. [I went] last summer for my birthday.