James Haj
President CEO @The Children\'s Trust Of Miami-Dade County
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WORK HISTORY
President CEO @The Children\'s Trust Of Miami-Dade County
Miami, TX, US
Provide strategic leadership for The Children’s Trust by working with the board of directors and stakeholders to establish a strategic plan that includes long-range goals focused on improving the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade. Lead The Children’s Trust in funding and supporting high quality programs delivered by approximately 150 agencies to support 200 programs at sites across Miami-Dade County. Create strategic partnerships with organizations and leaders in the community to support the needs of children and families. This role became more essential during the pandemic as The Trust provided our funded providers with guidance and leadership and worked to take care of our most vulnerable children/youth (homelessness, foster care, unique abilities, etc.). Promote public policy, advocacy & legislative agendas for The Trust and collaborate with the other members of Florida Children Services Councils (CSC) on a statewide agenda. Prepare annual budgets for submission to the Board for review and adoption. Ensure The Trust adheres to all of the State of Florida’s Truth in Millage (TRIM) processes and procedures and investment policies in an amount in excess of $290 million. Ensure that The Trust is a steward of taxpayer funds by decreasing management expenses and increased programs for children and families. This year marks the lowest management expense ratio and the largest budgeted investment in program services in Trust history. The Trust Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) has received the Government Finance Officer Association’s (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in financial reporting for eight years in a row, the highest recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting. Led The Trust vision in updating our IT solutions to gain great efficiencies, allowing us to transition to remote work flawlessly as we continue to help children and families during this time of crisis.
EDUCATION
Florida State University
Bachelor’s Degree, Education
Nova Southeastern University
Post Graduate Studies, Educational Leadership
University of Miami
Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Business Administration and Management
Miami Dade College
Associate of Arts - AA
Harvard Graduate School of Education
Improving Schools: The Art of Leadership, Education
ABOUT JAMES HAJ
James R. Haj joined The Children’s Trust as president and CEO in April 2016. With Mr. Haj at the helm, The Trust has enjoyed one of its most successful periods. Trust investment in programs and services for children and families in Miami-Dade County has risen to its highest levels. At the same time, administrative expenses dropped to their lowest percentage in the organization’s history. He also led The Trust through the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding funding for emergency assistance programs, strengthening neighborhood supports and serving as an essential voice for children and families during unprecedented hardships. During his tenure at The Trust, Mr. Haj’s leadership and knowledge have increasingly been sought to help guide the community\'s future. In 2024, he was named to serve as a voting member on the newly created 30X30 Vision Council by the Board of Miami-Dade County Commissioners. Also in 2024, Mr. Haj was named as a Miami-Dade Beacon Council board member and serves as a required board member of the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe. While leading The Trust, Mr. Haj has received numerous honors and accolades, a testament to his exceptional leadership and dedication. In 2024, he was inducted into the Miami-Dade College Alumni Hall of Fame in 2024, following his 2023 Florida State University Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Education, Health and Human Services, and his induction into the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) Alumni Hall of Fame for his professional achievements and devotion to helping children succeed in the community. In 2024, Mr. Haj also received the following: the inaugural Impact Advocate Award that recognizes an individual who works tirelessly towards positive change in their local communities or statewide; was accepted to the Leadership Florida Class of 2024-25; The Trust received the \"Very Important Partner\" Award for its work with Head Start and Early Head Start Program; was recognized in the 2025 edition of the Florida 500 for his leadership in the philanthropy/ nonprofits sector. A lifelong educator, Mr. Haj started his career in Miami as a teacher, became a middle and high school principal, and eventually worked as assistant superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, before joining The Trust. Mr. Haj received an MBA in Business Management from the University of Miami and a BS in Education from Florida State University. He and his wife, Karen, are parents of three children.
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