Noemi Y. Perez is the President & CEO of The Immokalee Foundation, a 32-year-old, non-profit organization benefiting the children of her hometown of Immokalee, Florida. With a 100% focus on education, career readiness, and professional development, the Foundation offers students the tools, opportunities, and support they need to succeed at each level of their education—whether they choose college, technical programs, or certifications.
Perez began her employment with The Immokalee Foundation in 2008 as a student advocate. Raised in Immokalee and forced to deal with many of the same struggles Foundation students encounter, she uses her experience and connections to help Immokalee’s brightest young people on their journey to meaningful careers and financial independence.
Perez graduated from Hodges University in 2013 with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and a minor in Management. She was also a member of the Class of 2016 of Associate Leadership Collier and was named to Gulfshore Business’s 2016 “40 Under 40” and Business Observer’s 2020 “40 Under 40” lists.
Perez was named Florida College Access Network’s 2022 College Ready Florida Innovator. She was selected for the award based on her leadership in redesigning The Immokalee Foundation’s college-preparatory programs to ensure every student acquires the technical skills, hands-on experience, and credentials that lead to a professional career and financial independence.
For four consecutive years, Perez has earned a spot on the “Naples 100″—Naples Illustrated list of Collier County’s Most Influential Business Leaders. In 2023, just months after receiving a Latino Lideres Award from Latin Times Magazine, she was one of only 10 business leaders selected for Gulfshore Business Magazine’s annual “Top Women in Business” list.
She is also on the Board of Advisors at the Florida College Access Network (FCAN), an Advisory Council member at the Water School at Florida Gulf Coast University, and proudly serves on the Youth Leadership Collier selection committee.
Perez was most recently honored with the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award from the Greater Naples Chamber Leadership Collier Foundation.
She is a member of the 2023-2024 Leadership Florida Education Class where she joins 43 other education leaders from across the state—including superintendents, school board members, educators, Florida Department of Education professionals, education foundation representatives, and other public officials—to intensively focus on the challenges and opportunities associated with vaulting Florida’s K-12 public schools to national prominence.
The Immokalee Foundation subsequently received the 2024 Florida Impact Award — a statewide recognition of a business or nonprofit organization that has created a specific project or body of work whose impact is currently transforming the future of its region or beyond and has the potential to transform Florida as a whole.
Noemi’s leadership most recently led to The Immokalee Foundation’s Career Pathways program receiving national recognition as a 2024 Example of Excelencia from Excelencia in Education. This is the only national, data-driven effort to identify, aggregate, and promote evidence-based practices increasing Latino student success in higher Education.
Her primary ambition is to help others accomplish their goals, whether family, co-workers or community members. She has always believed that, even if you help one person, you have helped the world.
As Perez continues her personal and professional development, she hopes to continue to make connections with others and build relationships to help guide and connect those in need.
