History Fort Lauderdale will hold its 27th annual History Makers fundraiser to celebrate South Florida’s arts, corporate, education, philanthropy, and media communities on Nov. 15 at Galleria Fort Lauderdale. The event will honor Kelley Shanley, president and CEO of Broward Center for the Performing Arts, and Galleria Fort Lauderdale, represented by Melissa Milroy, senior marketing manager, and Mark Trouba, general manager. The fundraiser is a yearly event that recognizes individuals and companies who have made notable contributions to the growth of Fort Lauderdale.
“We are thrilled with the incredible advance support from our sponsoring companies and individuals who support our mission to record and preserve our Broward legacies,” Patricia Zeiler says, executive director of History Fort Lauderdale. “This year’s History Maker honorees, Kelley Shanley and Galleria Fort Lauderdale have made an incredible impact on how we work, live and enjoy our quality of life in Broward County and their leadership has set the bar for the future. We’re excited to connect our community for a celebration of their success.”
During his 25-year tenure at the Broward Center, Kelley Shanley accomplished remarkable achievements that will be recognized at the History Makers fundraiser. Under his leadership, the Broward Center significantly expanded its reach and impact, focusing on education and community engagement. Shanley oversaw the revitalization of the iconic Parker Playhouse, investing in an award-winning partnership with Broward County Public Schools, and completed the ambitious $60 million Encore! project, transforming the entire Broward Center campus. As a result, the center saw an increase of more than 110,000 annual visits and $14 million in additional revenue each year. Shanley’s arts and business impact in South Florida has been widely recognized, with honors such as the Carbonell Awards’ George Abbott Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts and the Downtown Council of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce’s Downtowner of the Year.
“Under Kelley Shanley’s leadership, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts has expanded and transformed into a cultural jewel, fueling our region’s arts and economic growth,” Zeiler says.
Galleria Fort Lauderdale is set to receive the Legacy Business Award at the upcoming History Makers fundraiser hosted by History Fort Lauderdale. This shopping destination has a rich history dating to its inception as the Sunrise Shopping Center in 1954. It has evolved into an enclosed mall that attracts shoppers, diners and socializers. The present management of Galleria Fort Lauderdale has transformed it into a valuable community ally by hosting impactful historical exhibits, charitable fundraisers, educational initiatives and special events. The mall has made significant contributions of over $1.5 million to numerous organizations such as History Fort Lauderdale, Art and Culture Center/Hollywood, Children’s Diagnostic and Treatment Center, Kids in Distress, Leadership Broward Foundation, ArtServe, HANDY, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida, Henderson Behavioral Health, and others.
“The landmark Galleria Fort Lauderdale, represented by Melissa Milroy and Mark Trouba, continues to be a valuable ally, uniting the community and supporting charitable causes. Together, we are building a vibrant cultural landscape and preserving our rich history,” Zeiler says.
Over the years, the History Makers fundraiser has recognized remarkable individuals and organizations, including Ted Drum and the Drum, Clark and Cox families, Denison Yachting, the Marine Industries Association of South Florida, the Forman family, “Alligator Ron” Bergeron, City Commissioner Steven Glassman, developer Dev Motwani, H. Wayne Huizenga, Chris Evert and Jimmy Evert, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Winterfest, and Susan and Buddy Lochrie.
Tickets for History Fort Lauderdale’s 27th-anniversary History Makers fundraiser are $125 each and available online at bit.ly/HFLHistoryMakers2023. For more information about History Fort Lauderdale, please call (954) 463-4431 or visit historyfortlauderdale.org.
