inspiring innovation
Meet the Ambassadors
Florida’s former CFO, Jeff Atwater, will chair the new Ambassador Council of The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, joining Vice Chair Marti LaTour and nine other leaders in business, law, philanthropy, patient advocacy and more.
The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology Ambassador Council is a group of philanthropically minded individuals who are committed to supporting and advocating for the mission of The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute to advance human health through biomedical research, drug discovery and clinical studies, while providing outstanding educational opportunities to inspire and train the next generation of scientists.
As ambassadors, members help broaden the Institute’s donor base by introducing our mission to new constituents. They steward and strengthen current relationships, build awareness in the community, and champion the Institute’s vision. The Council meets quarterly at the Institute and plays a vital role in helping the Institute grow.
By fostering connections, supporting events and outreach, and helping advance fundraising goals, the Ambassador Council ensures the mission reaches wider audiences. The Council’s goal is to bring lasting impact to the work being done here at The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute.
Ambassador Council Chair
Jeff Atwater
Chair, Financial Services Group, Ballard Partners
Ambassador Council Vice Chair
Marti LaTour
Director of Marketing, A.I.D. Group
Carole Blumberg
Retired
Peter Brock
Owner, Brock Development Corporation
Rebecca Brock
In-House Counsel, The Breakers Palm Beach; President, University of Florida Alumni Association; Chair, University of Florida Law School Board of Trustees
Andrew Comiter
Partner, Comiter Singer
Warren Hudson
Chair, BallenIsles Men’s Golf Association Prostate Cancer Golf Tournament
Chelsea Reed
Managing Director, Republic Capital Group; City Council Member, Former Mayor, City of Palm Beach Gardens
David Rendina
Chief Strategy Officer, Rendina Real Estate Development; President, Rendina Family Foundation
Marcella Scherer
CEO, Marcella Scherer, Inc.; University of Florida Foundation Board Member
Anna Villareal
Founder and CEO of LifeStory Health, Inc.
Scientific Director
Patrick Griffin, Ph.D.
Director of Academic Affairs
Courtney Miller, Ph.D.
Chief Financial Officer
James Lapple
Executive Director of Advancement
Tracy Kerwin, CFRE
