Immokalee, FL – Guadalupe Center is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Saman Freedman to its Board of Trustees. A dedicated professional and community advocate, Dr. Freedman brings a wealth of experience in healthcare, philanthropy, and leadership to support the organization’s mission of creating endless possibilities through education in Immokalee.
Born in Tehran, Iran, Dr. Freedman’s journey is one of resilience and perseverance. Her family fled the country during the revolution to ensure she and her brother could receive an education, a right they would have been denied due to their father’s religion. Arriving in the U.S. with only a suitcase, her parents rebuilt their lives from the ground up, instilling in her a deep appreciation for hard work and the transformational power of learning.
Dr. Freedman earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Miami in 2003 followed by completing a Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University in 2007. She went on to open her own practice, Aesthetic Dentistry at Bayfront, in 2018, realizing her vision of delivering a patient-centered care in a welcoming environment.
A committed philanthropist, Dr. Freedman served as Vice President of the Board for the Cancer Alliance Network from 2017 to 2023. She also played an active role as a committee member for YOGACAN and the CAN Signature Event from 2018 to 2023, championing causes that support individuals and families affected by cancer.
Guadalupe Center’s 23-member Board of Trustees is a governing body that advocates for transformative education for students in Immokalee. Trustees set policy, strengthen partnerships, and champion a student-first approach that drives measurable outcomes. Serving more than 2,000 students annually, Guadalupe Center offers high-quality educational programs across multiple campuses in Immokalee.
Meet the Board of Trustees
Guadalupe Center’s Board of Directors is led by William Dempsey (chair), Rich Monaghan (immediate past chair), Alice Arena (vice chair), Gloria Beissinger (treasurer), and Tom White (secretary) in partnership with Guadalupe Center President and CEO Dawn Montecalvo.
Additional trustees include Joseph Baughman, Dan Capes, Bev Cherry, Liz Curtin, Kelly Dee, Darlene DeMichele, Susan Duke, Phyllis Ettinger, Beverly Koren, Lisa McNichol, Maria Trejo, Mark Nagan, John Paro, Deborah Toler, Eric Wallach, Linda Yost, and Dr. Saman Freedman. Trustees emeriti include Phil Beuth, Tom Brand, Bob Coletti, Carl Ehmann, Ed Marchetti, Bunny Salisbury, Roger Vasey, and John Vatterott.
