From real estate to philanthropy, Ana VeigaMilton, is proving that giving back as a Cuban American leader can be a family tradition
Ana VeigaMilton has spent a good chunk of her life doing philanthropic work that wasn’t limited to writing checks. Since childhood, as a Girl Scout, she was always up for volunteering, which she liked to call “acts of good deeds.”
It taught her the importance of giving back. She also personally experienced the impact of generosity when she received a donor-funded full merit scholarship to the University of Miami named in honor of Isaac Bashevis Singer, a Nobel Laureate who lectured at the university.
As the head of the José Milton Foundation, Ana VeigaMilton has made it her mission to leverage her business success to impact communities while celebrating the powerful stories of Cuban exiles in Miami.
Inspiring the future generations with heritage
Growing up in Miami, Ana always felt proud of her Cuban roots but didn’t realize how deeply her identity molded her until she got involved with the FACE (Facts About Cuban Exiles) Project.
“I grew up in Miami, so I didn’t see myself as Hispanic, especially. But after getting onboard the project, I realized just how much Cuban Americans have contributed locally.” - Ana VeigaMilton
The oral history initiative reconnected her with her heritage and inspired her to make sure younger generations understand the sacrifices and triumphs that built the city around them.
Ana VeigaMilton believes these immigrant stories can inspire gratitude, patriotism, and a drive to succeed. And she’s determined to make them accessible so that young people will actually watch and share.
“Contrary to the stereotypes, I want the world to know that Hispanics do give back to their communities. We give quietly to churches, friends, or neighbors,” Ana explained. “Donating to strangers through large organizations is more of an American tradition. But I believe in both. I have my Cuban roots, but I have also embraced and promoted the American way of giving back.”- Ana VeigaMilton
Ana also believes that this project could highlight the importance of the Spanish language. Sharing her own experiences.
“Growing up, I never liked taking Spanish classes. It always felt like the language of the house, while professional life was in English, right? But I grew to understand that it’s one of the most spoken languages worldwide. I want young people to embrace the power of being bilingual.”- Ana VeigaMilton
Ana VeigaMilton leading by example
Ana VeigaMilton's own story is the perfect example of grit and generosity. She was the first woman in many engineering rooms, but she didn’t notice until someone pointed it out. However, instead of focusing on barriers, she focused on excelling.
When it comes to giving back to the community, Ana credits her mother-in-law, who was very active in charitable work, for setting an example in the family. Her father-in-law, though less involved earlier, decided a few years before he passed away that he wanted to give back to the community that had been so good to them. And that was when he established the José Milton Foundation.
Later, he asked Ana to lead the Foundation, so, naturally, she stepped up, putting her legal know-how and passion for giving back to use. She has since served on the boards of Jackson Health Foundation, the Zoo Miami Foundation, United Way, Red Cross Miami, and many others.
“Once you get involved, you meet more people, join more boards, and your network and impact naturally grow.” - Ana VeigaMilton
Ana believes that involving yourself in the community is the best way to earn trust and understand how things work. She encourages women, especially, to stop waiting to be invited: “If they don’t invite you to the party, throw your own.”
According to her, volunteering is the best approach to gain experience. If one can’t afford a formal education, one can always volunteer, which serves as a means of education. The firsthand experience directly improves skills and teaches invaluable lessons.
Ana VeigaMilton on passing the torch
Her biggest legacy is teaching her kids, nieces, nephews, and now her grandson, to live purposeful lives. They’ve grown up volunteering, supporting scholarships, and making philanthropy part of everyday life.
Ana is especially passionate about STEM education, funding scholarships for students who study science and engineering because she knows firsthand that math is a universal language that opens doors everywhere.
She’s seen how support, both financial and mentoring, can change lives. She once helped a Haitian-American student who went from having no family support to earning a master’s degree and buying his own home. But she hopes to create an organic, community-driven culture of giving that grows beyond her family.
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