Lillian Anne Abreu, Ph.D., is an adjunct professor at the University of North Alabama and is currently on sabbatical as she plans her next full-time professional endeavor. She previously served as Assistant Director and Research Associate at the Lillian Lodge Kopenhaver Center for the Advancement of Women in Communication at Florida International University (FIU).

Abreu earned her doctoral degree in Social Welfare from FIU’s Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, where her research centered on social and economic mobility among Hispanic women in the United States. She also holds a Master of Science in Fundraising Management and Nonprofit Administration from Columbia University, a Master of Science in Social Work from Loyola University, and a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Florida State University.

With more than three decades of leadership in social services, nonprofit management, and higher education, Abreu has built a career dedicated to advancing equity, social impact, and organizational growth. She has worked in Florida, Illinois, and New York, empowering underserved communities through program development, research, and advocacy. Abreu brings a strong record of helping organizations achieve strategic goals by leveraging her expertise in fundraising, nonprofit administration, research, and social policy.

In recent years, Abreu has integrated artificial intelligence and data-informed tools into programmatic operations to strengthen decision-making, streamline workflows, and enhance participant outcomes. She also mentors colleagues and students on responsible AI adoption, emphasizing transparency and ethical use of emerging technologies.  Abreu takes pride in collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to design and implement innovative programs that enhance community well-being and broaden access to opportunity.

Lillian lives in Biscayne Park, Miami, where she enjoys an active community life and time with her family, friends, and her rescue dog, Kenny.

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