Nestor Plana and Tila Falic-Levi have been appointed to the Florida International University (FIU) Board of Trustees by the Florida Board of Governors. Their five-year terms will begin on January 7, 2026. Plana replaces Dean C. Colson, while Falic-Levi takes over from Chanel T. Rowe.
FIU Board of Trustees Chair Carlos A. Duart commented on the appointments: “We are proud to welcome Mr. Nestor Plana and Ms. Tila Falic-Levi to the FIU Board of Trustees. Both bring distinguished leadership experience and a strong commitment to service, education, and community engagement. Their perspectives and expertise will strengthen the board as FIU continues to advance its mission and impact.”
Nestor Plana is the Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Independent Living Systems (ILS). He has more than three decades of experience in healthcare leadership across both public and private sectors. Under his guidance, ILS has become one of the largest privately owned Hispanic healthcare companies in the United States, focusing on health and social care for vulnerable groups.
Plana’s previous roles include founding President and Chief Operating Officer at Beacon Health Plan, executive positions at Mercy Hospital Systems, chairmanship at United Home Health Care, and participation in Florida’s Long-Term Care Committee.
His achievements have been recognized with awards such as Ernst & Young’s Health and Life Sciences Entrepreneur of the Year (Florida) in 2016 and Health Evolution Partners’ Health Care Innovator of the Year. He was also named one of Miami’s Top 50 Business Leaders by U.S. Business Report in 2022.
Plana said about his new role: “I am honored to join FIU’s Board of Trustees and support the university’s growth and excellence. FIU plays a vital role in shaping the future of our community, and I look forward to contributing to its continued success.”
Tila Falic-Levi is known for her work as an educational leader, community advocate, and nonprofit board member based in Miami. She is founding president of Jewish Culture High School (JCHS), where she has overseen strategic planning and academic development.
Falic-Levi serves on the board of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, working on national education initiatives related to memory and public engagement. As a granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, she focuses on preserving democratic values and combating antisemitism.
She has received national recognition for her leadership including being listed among The Jerusalem Post’s “Young ViZionaries.”
“I am honored to join FIU’s Board of Trustees and support an institution that values education as a foundation for leadership and civic engagement,” said Falic-Levi. “FIU’s role in strengthening communities through education and public service is deeply meaningful to me.”
