Mandy Alvarez & Yubrant Cardenas
As co-chairpersons of the 2027 CARD Gala, Amanda "Mandy" Alvarez and Yubrant Cardenas are deeply grateful for the opportunity to champion CARD’s mission to empower individuals with autism and the people who love them, as well as to honor Mandy’s longtime professional relationship with the organization.
In her nearly three-decade career as a speech-language pathologist, Mandy’s crowning achievement is serving as founder and director of Integrated Children's Therapy (ICT), where she has built one of South Florida's leading multidisciplinary pediatric therapy practices. ICT is widely recognized and respected as a community that empowers children, supports families, and inspires clinicians to pursue excellence. Through ICT, Mandy has developed groundbreaking social communication programs, trained educators and professionals throughout South Florida, the Bahamas and Mexico, and mentored the next generation of pediatric therapists. In 2023, she was nominated by her alma mater for the Nova Southeastern University's Alumni of the Year, recognizing her lasting impact on the field of communication sciences and disorders.
For Mandy, serving as co-chairperson of this year's CARD Gala is both a privilege and a reflection of a relationship that has spanned her entire professional career. As a longtime friend, collaborator, and passionate supporter of CARD, she has worked closely and tirelessly alongside them to advance multidisciplinary care, educate families and professionals, and expand opportunities for children with autism across South Florida. The importance of this relationship cannot be understated; of the many partnerships Mandy has forged over the years, CARD is one of the most central and enduring. In 2018, CARD recognized her with the Miami-Dade Outstanding Professional Award for her efforts in working towards a shared pursuit: ensuring every child with autism has the opportunity to communicate, connect, and thrive.
Yubrant's journey has been shaped by resilience, determination, and purpose. After immigrating from Cuba with his mother and brother at the age of 19, he learned English and earned a bachelor's degree. Through perseverance and an unwavering work ethic, he built a successful career in information technology, leading complex technology initiatives throughout the United States and Latin America while supporting large-scale corporate operations and internationally recognized events.
Today, Yubrant serves as ICT's Chief Operating Officer, where he plays an integral role in advancing the organization’s mission. His leadership strengthens the operational foundation that allows clinicians to deliver the highest quality care, and his stewardship helps to drive the organization’s continued growth, reach and impact within the autism community.
Yubrant's commitment extends beyond his professional role. As both a parent and an advocate, he understands the importance of access to trusted resources, compassionate support, and a community that walks alongside families. He is honored to serve as gala co-chairperson alongside Mandy, and proud to support CARD’s enduring mission.
Mandy and Yubrant have been married for 19 years and are the proud parents of two teenage sons.
