Griselle Marino, Dr. h.c.

Dr. Griselle Marino is a highly accomplished journalist and communications expert recognized for her outstanding achievements and dedication in multiple industries. She is a distinguished alumna of Florida International University (FIU), inducted into the School of Communication and Journalism Hall of Fame in 2022. A multi-Emmy award-winning journalist, she currently serves as the Communications and Media Director for the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners' Office of Community Advocacy, which houses 12 advisory boards representative of Miami-Dade County's diverse population and the Goodwill Ambassadors Program. Her remarkable career spans journalism, communications, public affairs, aviation, and real estate, earning her numerous accolades and making a significant impact.

Her journey began after high school with an 11-year tenure in the airline industry at Miami International Airport (MIA), including roles at Pan American Airways assisting VIPs through Immigrations and Customs, and as an International Concierge at United Airlines Red Carpet Club. These experiences honed her customer service skills and deepened her understanding of delivering exceptional experiences to discerning clientele.

Marino’s involvement in the aviation industry and her passion for languages have contributed to her success. Fluent in English and Spanish, with a working knowledge of French and Portuguese, she is able to connect with diverse individuals and navigate various cultural contexts, amplifying her ability to engage with a wide range of audiences.

Transitioning to journalism, Marino’s impactful reporting earned her two Emmy awards and five Emmy nominations. She has interviewed prominent leaders, including His Serene Highness Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco; late Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev; former Costa Rican President Oscar Arias; late Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa; 16th Surgeon General of the United States David Satcher; and numerous other local, state, and national elected officials. She has covered significant events such as the September 11 terrorist attacks, the 2000 U.S. presidential election, and the Elian Gonzalez legal saga.

While working as a weekend news anchor and weekday reporter, Marino covered the end-of-life legal debate in the case of Terri Schiavo, the death of Pope John Paul II, and the disappearances and murders of Jessica Lunsford and Natalie Holloway. She also secured a one-on-one interview with Lord Charles Spencer, brother of the late Princess Diana.

Education has been a cornerstone of Marino’s journey. She earned an associate degree in Business Administration from Miami Dade College and a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications with a minor in English from FIU, where she contributed as a staff writer for The Beacon, the university’s official newspaper. Marino’s quest for knowledge extended to legal studies at FIU’s College of Law, where she completed two years (43 credits) and gained valuable experience as a paralegal at the office of renowned criminal defense attorney Roy Black. This legal background deepened her understanding of terminology used in newsrooms and legislative agenda items.

Since 2004, Marino has served Miami-Dade County in various public affairs positions, making a positive impact on the county’s communications efforts. Her work experience includes serving as Director of the Media Division for the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners. She also served as Public Affairs Manager at Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department and the Office of Emergency Management. Her first county position was as Public Affairs Officer at Miami-Dade Aviation Department, covering MIA and five general aviation airports. During that time, she assisted the Protocol Division with diplomatic arrivals and special events at the airport. Marino obtained federal and state government clearance.

Marino’s contributions have been recognized in various capacities. She has been invited to several Florida Supreme Court media seminars and served as a panelist, providing expertise in debating controversial legal issues. She was honored by former U.S. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen for her journalistic efforts in reuniting a Hispanic local mother with her two daughters who were abducted to Syria. Additionally, Marino received a Congressional Record Proclamation from Congresswoman Frederica Wilson.

Marino first served as an Emmy judge for the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 2005; she was one of 18 judges from across the country scoring entries submitted for the Lone Star Emmy Awards. Five years later, the Latino Leaders Network, a Washington D.C. organization, named Marino a “Media Latino Leader.”

In 2011, Marino became a member of the Regional Domestic Security Task Force. She traveled to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s Emergency Management Institute in Emmitsburg, Maryland, to receive specialized training on the Joint Information Center structure and the National Incident Management System. This system provides a nationwide template to enable all government, private-sector, and nongovernmental organizations to work collaboratively during domestic incidents. Marino has also received public information training on weapons of mass destruction/terrorist incidents and military base and port community resiliency initiatives.

While at Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, Marino represented the Office of Emergency Management at Turkey Point’s FEMA-evaluated and non-evaluated emergency response training exercises. She has also served as a member of the International Association of Emergency Managers, National Information Officers Association, National Association of Hispanic Journalists, Investigative Reporters and Editors Association, Public Relations Society of America, and National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

In 2017, Marino received a distinction from her alma mater Florida International University and an appointment from FEMA as a Media Relations Reservist in the External Affairs cadre. In 2020, she received the prestigious "In the Company of Women" award for communications and literature. In April 2021, she was celebrated during National Volunteer Week for her leadership and commitment to initiatives such as the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer campaign from the American Cancer Society of South Florida, where she serves as a member of the Board of Ambassadors. In July 2021, she was also appointed to the Dean’s Advisory Board of Florida International University’s School of Communication and Journalism. In 2024, she was honored with the Excellence in Public Service Award, an honorary doctorate in Ministry, and became a certified volunteer Chaplain.

As a volunteer, Marino serves as the Director of Advocacy and External Affairs for Global Innovative Foundation (GIF), a 501(c)(3) organization. GIF is committed to empowering the lives of victims and survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and gun violence through support, education, service, and scholarships. Also in 2024, Marino became an advisory board member of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses.

Marino credits her parents, family, mentors, and friends for supporting her career goals. Her two adult sons serve as constant sources of inspiration and motivation, bringing her the greatest pride and joy.

With a multifaceted career acting as a global ambassador, Griselle Marino continues to leave an indelible mark in her respective fields as a testament to her unwavering commitment to excellence and exceptional talent. From her induction into the FIU Hall of Fame and her Emmy awards to her multiple accolades, Marino’s accomplishments reflect her remarkable contributions and her ability to make a lasting impact. Her dedication to community advocacy, multicultural experiences, linguistic versatility, and lifelong pursuit of knowledge continues to shape her thriving career.