Fort Lauderdale, FL– 5 February 2025 – Seafarers’ House at Port Everglades is pleased to welcome Launa Carbonell as executive director, following the departure of Jennifer Stewart, who will return to her fundraising roots this month.
Launa Carbonell joins the organization with extensive experience in regional government and management, most recently as Acting Transit Manager, Marketing, Communications and Customer Relations for Broward County Government. In this role, she oversaw marketing, communications, and customer relations for a team of more than 50, building a team focused approach to the department. That focus on teamwork expanded to her role in the community, where she built relationships and collaborated with the South Florida business community and transportation sector, working alongside Port Everglades, Port Everglades Association, and other maritime industry partners.
“Seafarers’ House is thrilled to welcome Launa to our team. She brings a real passion for our maritime community and understands the importance of the economic engine seafarers drive here in Broward County,” said Seafarers’ House President Cliff Berry II. “Launa’s been an advocate and a supporter of the maritime community in South Florida, and her skills and experience match where the organization is going as we move into this next phase of our journey.”
The new Seafarers’ House facility in Port Everglades became fully operational in 2024. Designed to meet the needs of modern seafarers and port community, the center includes traditional services like a chapel and quiet space, as well as expanded international convenience store, a café for hot meals, training and meeting facilities for the local business community, recreation and wellness spaces, and more. As Executive Director, Launa will oversee operations and management of the center and its retail partners, as well as the programmatic work of Seafarers’ House.
“I am excited to join Seafarers’ House at this next phase of its mission,” said Carbonell. “With the new center, the organization has the opportunity to really expand and redefine the role a seafarer’s center can play in the business community. I’m looking forward to building new partnerships to support our seafarers and the local community.”
Carbonell takes over the position from Jen Stewart, who joined Seafarers’ House in 2016 as development director before being promoted to executive director in 2021. During her tenure, Stewart oversaw a $4 million capital campaign, as well as construction and completion of the new facility. With the building fully operational, Stewart leaves Seafarers’ House to return to her roots in fundraising.
“Seafarers’ House reaches an unprecedented number of seafarers each year,” said Seafarers’ House President Cliff Berry II. “Over the last several years, Jen has led the organization through an incredible transformation, modernizing the way the organization meets the needs of seafarers. We are truly grateful for her leadership, strategic vision, and dedication to our mission and our community.”
Carbonell is a graduate of Barry University, where she earned both her MBA and bachelor’s degree in business administration. She also is a graduate of Global Oved Dei Seminary & University as a C-Suite Executive Chaplain and holds a Project Management Certification Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt among many other certifications.
ABOUT SEAFARERS’ HOUSE
Seafarers’ House at Port Everglades is an award-winning non-profit organization supported by the faith-based community as well as by labor, business and civic leaders with a mission “to offer refuge, resources, renewal and respect to the maritime community through multi-faith service.” Open throughout the year, Seafarers’ House is a safe, friendly place where mariners can connect with their families, relax, or get emergency assistance. With the help of its supporters and volunteers, Seafarers’ House offers many services for seafarers’ and the port community. Seafarers’ House annually hosts nearly 150,000 visits by cruise and cargo ship crewmembers. For additional information visit www.seafarershouse.org.