been sleeping on his hospital office sofa so he could be with my dad when he passed. We are forever grateful! What has been your most rewarding time? When our youngest son, Cam, was seven, he fell 14 feet from our tree fort and broke his femur. My husband was away at the time, and I felt utterly helpless. But God provided. A neighbor ran over to help, our doctor arrived quickly, and paramedics handled the situation with great care. Despite the pain, Cam’s faith never wavered. As the paramedics placed him in the ambulance, he looked up and said, “Thank you for your help, but now Jesus is in charge.” He spent two months in traction, two months in a body cast and five months out of school, but his unwavering trust in God strengthened my own faith. Do you have a hobby? I love spending time with my husband, watching him play golf. I cherish playing games with my grandchildren, and some pastors say I have a “mall ministry” because I love shopping, meeting new people, and inviting them to church! What advice would you offer other women? Seek scripture and pray. I think that's what God would have us do because we need His answers on how we are to live and how to raise our children. Heather Moraitis Board Member, Institute for Faith and Culture; Former City Commissioner and Teacher Heather Moraitis, former Fort Lauderdale city commissioner and current board member of the Institute for Faith and Culture, is a Woman of Distinction known for her servant leadership, civic impact, and unwavering faith. Holding a master’s degree in education from the University of Florida, she has built a multifaceted career across public office, nonprofit leadership, and Christian advocacy. During her five years on the Fort Lauderdale City Commission—as its only conservative and only woman—she championed initiatives that left a lasting legacy, including working with the commission to bring Inter Miami CF’s soccer stadium to Fort Lauderdale, securing the War Memorial Park partnership with the Florida Panthers, and supporting major upgrades to the International Swimming Hall of Fame and Snyder Park’s pickleball facilities. In March, her husband, former state Rep. George Moraitis, announced his candidacy for U.S. Congress in Florida’s 23rd District, with Heather volunteering to help lead his campaign. Beyond public service, Heather has been a passionate community advocate. As former president of the Junior League of Greater Fort Lauderdale, she helped establish the FLITE Center, supporting young adults aging out of foster care. She is also a founding member of the StrikeForce Giving circle. Heather remains a strong voice in the faith community through her work with the Institute for Faith and Culture, equipping believers to engage cultural issues biblically. She teaches government and politics at Westminster Academy, leads women’s Bible studies at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, and contributes to faith-based publications. What is God’s calling for you? My calling is to be involved in the political process and to make a difference in this world through politics. What charities do you support? She supports organizations such as StrikeForce Giving, Hope Women’s Centers, Alliance Defending Freedom, Westminster Academy and Coral Ridge Ministries. What Bible verse has encouraged you? “But godliness with contentment is great gain,” (1 Timothy 6:6). What has been your most challenging time and your most rewarding time? My most challenging and rewarding time was the exact same season. It was when my husband and I moved to Naples, Italy, when we were 25, and he was serving as a submarine officer in the Navy. As two young adults, we had to learn how to live in a new land, drive in a new land, and understand the language. It was difficult being separated from family with the birth of our first child. She was 18 months when we finally returned. But it was also the most rewarding time. I remember like it was yesterday because all of our senses were so heightened. We traveled hard. We met great people and were involved in a great church community in Naples. Also, there's so much biblical history in that area that our faith grew stronger and we were just immersed in places where Paul had been in the Bible. That was our stomping grounds. Do you have a hobby? I love paddle boarding and I’m trying pickleball. What advice has been most helpful to you or would you like to offer to other women? One of the reasons I'm so passionate about Hope Women’s Centers is my mom got pregnant at 15 and married my dad at 16. It wasn't easy, but they figured it out and eventually they had my two brothers. Before my mom passed, I asked her what advice do you have for the 15-year-old girl who finds herself pregnant? She said, “God will provide. Have the baby.” She also said it was the best thing that ever happened to her. You don't know it when you're 15 and pregnant and scared, but if you give it a chance, give the baby a chance and just trust in God, that same baby could be the baby that takes care of you when you're breathing your last breath. What you think is a burden today is really your biggest blessing at the end. Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, Ph.D. President and CEO, Community Foundation of Broward Dr. Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson is a recognized leader in South Florida’s philanthropic and nonprofit sectors. As President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Broward, she manages over 570 funds and more than $300 million in assets, advancing the Foundation’s mission to build endowments, foster collaboration, and connect donors with meaningful causes. Under her leadership, nearly $85 million has been granted to strengthen nonprofits and improve lives locally. A former university executive, Dr. O’Flannery Anderson transitioned to nonprofit leadership to create more direct and scalable impact. She previously led United Way, where she championed a collaborative model that treated nonprofit partners as subject-matter experts. Her initiatives continue to elevate philanthropy in Broward, including research on gender achievement gaps in education, expanded arts support, and nonprofit leadership development. Active in her community and faith, she is a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church on Las Olas Boulevard. Her values were shaped early by her parents—her father, a Presbyterian minister, and her mother, a special education teacher who created a Sunday school program for children with special needs. Jennifer and her husband, Peter Anderson, a financial planner, have been married for over 16 years. They are passionate about animal rescue and currently share their home with a yellow lab named Pearl, while waiting to adopt another through Lab Rescue of Florida What is God’s calling for you? I think God's calling to me is to be of service to others, to set a good example and to be thoughtful and compassionate on a daily basis. Some days I do better than others. What charities do you support? Peter and I personally have three focus areas: animal rescue - we love dog rescue. We are very committed to the veterans. My husband is incredibly patriotic and involved with different organizations that help veterans, and education. We also have scholarship funds at FAU and NSU, our alma mater. What Bible verse has encouraged you? "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31). What has been your most challenging time? The loss of my first husband 20 years ago was a challenge. While working at FAU and finishing my Ph.D., my first husband passed away 3 weeks before I defended my dissertation, so I lost my husband to a sudden heart attack right before I was going to graduate. That's why I have two last names. Dennis O’Flannery was his name and Anderson is Peter’s. They are both important to me. His death was 20 years ago, but it was a turning point because I had to piece myself back together. I always attribute the ability to do that to three things: to my faith, to the love of my family, and to a great network of friends and neighbors who helped put me back together. t , e t , n s o s o l y - y f - m — a - r - s - - s - n ) y r 7 - t - COVER STORY 25 may 2025 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition Left to right: Catherine Moraitis, George Moraitis, Heather Moraitis, Alexis Moraitis De Angelis Peter Anderson and Jennifer O'Flannery Anderson (Continued on page 26)
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