Children’s Harbor adds healthcare executive Melida Akiti to board

Children’s Harbor has named Melida Akiti to its Board of Directors, bringing a South Florida healthcare leader with more than 30 years of experience in care access, community health and operational transformation. The appointment comes as the nonprofit expands services for teens in foster care, families in crisis and young adults aging out of the system.

Why it matters: - Melida Akiti adds healthcare, social work and community partnership experience to Children’s Harbor’s board at a time when the nonprofit is expanding support for vulnerable children and families in South Florida. - Her background in improving access to care and addressing health disparities may help Children’s Harbor strengthen programs tied to trauma recovery, family stability and wraparound support.

What happened: - Children’s Harbor appointed Melida Akiti to its Board of Directors. - The announcement was made Aug. 3, 2026, in Pembroke Pines, Florida. - Children’s Harbor is a nationally accredited nonprofit that helps strengthen families while providing safe shelter and support to teens in foster care. - Akiti currently serves as Corporate Transformation Executive for Broward Health. - Children’s Harbor said Akiti’s appointment supports the organization as it continues to expand its impact across South Florida.

The details: - Akiti has more than 30 years of experience leading healthcare organizations across South Florida. - Her recent work includes Better Together, a collaboration involving Broward Health, Memorial Healthcare System and community partners focused on primary and maternal care disparities and food insecurity. - Akiti is a licensed clinical social worker with master’s degrees in social work and psychology. - Her current Broward Health role includes oversight of Broward HealthPoint, Broward Health Urgent Care and Care Coordination. - At Broward Health, Akiti also leads efforts to strengthen ambulatory care infrastructure and improve access to quality healthcare. - She previously served as Vice President of Ambulatory and Community Relations at Memorial Healthcare System. - In that role, Akiti led primary care operations, urgent care development, physician recruitment, care coordination and value-based care initiatives. - Her community service includes leadership roles with the Health Foundation of South Florida, ChildNet Broward and Palm Beach County, Hispanic Unity and the Broward Coalition for the Homeless. - Children’s Harbor provides safe residential housing, specialized trauma care, life skills education and support for teens, younger siblings and teen mothers affected by abuse. - The organization was established in 1996 and is based in South Florida. - Children’s Harbor also operates a family support services program that offers free in-home counseling to help keep children out of foster care. - Brown’s Harbor serves young adults ages 18-23 who have aged out of foster care with affordable housing and independent living support. - More information is available here. - The nonprofit also listed a contact phone number: (954) 252-3072. - Children’s Harbor shared an Instagram link: Children’s Harbor on Instagram.

Between the lines: - The board appointment brings in a leader whose career has centered on health equity, systems change and services for underserved communities. - That mix suggests Children’s Harbor is prioritizing leadership with experience across healthcare delivery, nonprofit partnerships and family support. - Akiti’s work on maternal care gaps and food insecurity aligns with the broader needs many children and families in foster care face.

What’s next: - Akiti will join board discussions as Children’s Harbor continues expanding programs and deepening community impact. - Children’s Harbor said it expects her experience to inform strategy, partnerships and future service growth.

The bottom line: - Children’s Harbor is adding a seasoned South Florida healthcare executive whose background fits the nonprofit’s focus on trauma-informed care, family strengthening and support for vulnerable youth.