Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida will honor five remarkable women in Broward County who exemplify leadership, integrity and service to the community during the 2025 Emerald Awards on Friday, September 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Four Seasons in Fort Lauderdale.
Guests will have the opportunity to bid on silent auction items and enjoy a pre-luncheon cocktail reception followed by the luncheon that includes the awards ceremony and panel discussion where honorees will share their stories of leadership and community engagement.
“We are proud to honor five community leaders whose professional achievements and service to the community align with our mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place,” said Lisa Johnson, CEO and president of the Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida.
The distinguished honorees who will receive the 2025 Emerald Award are:
Rita Case, President and CEO of Rick Case Automotive Group will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for Philanthropy for her decades long legacy of impact on South Florida. Case, successful entrepreneur, author, businesswoman, philanthropist and jet pilot, is president and CEO of award-winning Rick Case Automotive Group, the nation’s largest retail automotive group that is owned and operated by a woman, operating 12 dealerships in South Florida and Georgia. A 2022 Horatio Alger Award recipient, she was also named the 2024 TIME Dealer of the Year, one of the automotive industry’s most prestigious and highest honors for a dealer and recipient of the 2024 National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers’ Lifetime Achievement Award. Case and her husband Rick, have created, developed and led fundraising initiatives that raised more than $100 million for organizations in South Florida. She co-founded landmark initiatives including Rick Case Bikes for Kids, Rita Case WOMEN Build with Habitat for Humanity and 4EveryKid with Soles4Souls and continues to support them. Case’s initiatives have transformed the lives of children and families through her support of many organizations including the Boys & Girls Clubs, American Heart Association, Broward Health, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, United Way and many more. Through leadership and an unwavering commitment to community, Case exemplifies the power of philanthropy to create lasting change.
Honoree Alisa Bert, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Broward Health, has more than 30 years of experience in healthcare and finance. She has transformed Broward Health’s financial operations and culture. As Chief Financial Officer of one of the country’s largest public health systems, she oversees a $1.9 billion budget and has led initiatives that resulted in multiple credit rating upgrades. A trailblazer who broke gender barriers in healthcare leadership, Bert also prioritizes mentorship, building career pipelines for young professionals and offering internships that lead to lasting careers within the healthcare sector. Bert brings both precision and passion to her work, where her legacy is built not only on financial strength but on empowering others to rise. In addition to her role at Broward Health, she serves as Treasurer of the Broward College Foundation, the Florida Atlantic University/Broward Health Academic Practice Plan, and the Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center’s Board of Directors. She is also a Board member of the South Florida Hospital & Healthcare Association.
Honoree Rebecca Bratter, Deputy Managing Partner for Greenspoon Marder, is a powerhouse in the legal industry and has spent more than two decades driving national strategy, growth and operations at Greenspoon Marder. Active in the community, Bratter founded Kids Can, a nonprofit organization that inspires children to embrace volunteerism and support their peers through acts of service. She also serves on the Performing Arts Center Authority, helping shape the future of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Her dedication to mentorship and public service has earned her widespread recognition. She has been named a “Distinguished Leader” by the Daily Business Review and received the “Managing Partners of the Year” award from Corporate Counsel’s Women, Influence and Power in Law Awards. Bratter’s integrity, influence and dedication make her a powerful role model in both the legal field and the broader community.
Honoree Cindy Mason, Market Leader - Broward County for Florida Blue, is Market Leader for Florida Blue, the state’s Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan, where she oversees operations, sales and marketing strategy throughout Broward County. With more than 20 years of experience in healthcare, she brings a dynamic, people-first approach to leading in one of Florida’s most complex and diverse healthcare markets. Mason’s career includes leadership roles at major healthcare organizations such as Eli Lilly & Company and Kindred Healthcare, where she advanced through six progressive roles to ultimately serve as Market Chief Executive Officer for hospitals and acute rehabilitation units in Fort Lauderdale and The Palm Beaches. Beyond her corporate success, Mason is a passionate advocate for youth empowerment and equity, serving on the boards of Junior Achievement of South Florida and the Urban League of Broward County.
Honoree Julie Price, President and CEO of Arc Broward, is a changemaker in the nonprofit sector. She has dedicated nearly 40 years to creating a more inclusive and equitable community for individuals with disabilities. Rising from Direct Support Professional to CEO of Arc Broward, her career reflects a personal mission to uplift and empower those who are often marginalized. Under Price’s leadership, Arc Broward has delivered innovative programs to help children and adults with disabilities achieve their full potential. Price also serves on numerous state and local boards focused on advocacy, education, diversity, aging services and social equity. She is a powerful role model for young women, showing that leadership is defined by both skill and impact. Price leads not just with skill, but with empathy, showing the next generation that leadership is not just about position, but about impact.
This year’s emcee and panel moderator for the Emerald Awards Broward County is Katie Phang, an accomplished trial lawyer, legal analyst and former host of The Katie Phang Show on MSNBC News. She is the founder and partner of Phang and Feldman and currently serves as a legal contributor for MSNBC. Phang has built a powerful career at the intersection of law and media, offering expert legal commentary across major networks and providing strategic counsel to high-profile clients. A Yale University and University of Miami Law School graduate, Phang also serves as an adjunct professor and mentor, championing women in law and public service.
“These women are all extraordinary role models,” said Johnson. “Their leadership, resilience and generosity are inspiring to our girls and demonstrate the powerful impact women can have in shaping a stronger future.”
Sponsors of the 2025 Emerald Awards include UKG, Public Super Markets Charities, Rick Case Automotive Group, Amazon, Florida Power & Light, HCA Florida Healthcare, FISERV, Comcast, Southern 441 Nissan and LaCroix.
Emerald Award sponsorships start at $750 and individual tickets are $200. To purchase tickets and sponsorships, please visit https://bit.ly/46dV57v.
About Girl Scouts
We are the preeminent leadership development organization for girls who believe that every girl can be a go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, and leader with the power to change the world. More than any other organization in our community, Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida empowers girls ages 5 to 17 with vision and voice—girls who command their future, engage their communities, and inspire others. We offer every girl a chance to practice a lifetime of leadership, adventure, and success. Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida serves more than 6,900 girls in Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee Counties. To explore opportunities to volunteer or partner with Girl Scouts, call 561-427-0177 or visit www.gssef.org.
