Stephen M. Ross to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from Palm Beach State College at its 2026 Emerald Torch Awards Gala

Philanthropist Stephen M. Ross, founder and chairman of Related Companies, will be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at Palm Beach State College’s 2026 Emerald Torch Awards Gala at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa in Manalapan.

Hosted by Honorary Co-Chairs Richard S. Bernstein, founder and chief executive officer of Richard S. Bernstein & Associates Inc. and a Palm Beach State College alumnus, and Ambassador Robin S. Bernstein (ret.), the elegant oceanfront celebration will bring together community leaders, supporters and champions of education for an evening of dining, dancing and celebration. Tickets are sold out, however you can still make a gift by visiting the Emerald Torch Awards Gala webpage. 

The gala will honor Ross, along with the following three distinguished PBSC alumni who will be presented with Emerald Torch Awards in recognition of achievements that embody the excellence and transformative power of a Palm Beach State education: Alexiou Gibson, CEO and president of The Transformation Factory; Palm Beach County Mayor Sara Baxter; and Clara Acero, executive director of Kingdom Charitable Trust.

“We are proud to recognize Mr. Ross and our exceptional Emerald Torch Award recipients for their visionary leadership, professional achievement and deep commitment to strengthening our community,” said PBSC President Ava L. Parker, J.D. “This year’s gala promises to be our most spectacular yet as we gather at the iconic Eau Palm Beach, one of South Florida’s premier luxury destinations. Renowned for its breathtaking oceanfront setting and unparalleled elegance, it provides an extraordinary backdrop to celebrate these remarkable individuals and their lasting impact on PBSC and our community.”

Lifetime Achievement Award

Stephen M. Ross is the founder and chairman of Related Companies, a global real estate and lifestyle company he established in 1972. Under his leadership, Related has developed major mixed-use, residential, retail and office projects and has grown into one of the nation’s leading real estate enterprises. Ross also is the founder and chairman of Related Ross, which focuses on the continued development and inclusive economic growth of South Florida, and he is the principal owner of the Miami Dolphins.

Ross’s philanthropy reflects a longstanding commitment to expanding educational opportunity and strengthening communities. At PBSC, he created the Stephen M. Ross Emerging Scholars Program through an $8 million commitment from Ross and the Related Ross Foundation. Launched in 2024, the comprehensive initiative supports students from historically underinvested West Palm Beach communities as they move from middle and high school through college and into careers. The program provides college-readiness programming, academic advising and counseling, summer enrichment opportunities, early-college experiences and full scholarships to PBSC.

Through the initiative, graduates of Palm Beach Lakes and Forest Hill Community high schools are eligible for full scholarships to Palm Beach State, helping remove financial barriers to postsecondary education and building a stronger local workforce.

Emerald Torch Award recipients

Alexiou Gibson (PBSC alumnus)
Alexiou Gibson is the founder, CEO and president of The Transformation Factory, a Florida-based health and wellness company known for its flavored sea moss gel products. Gibson founded the Black-owned business after his own health journey inspired him to adopt healthier habits and seek ways to make wellness products more accessible. The company earned national attention after securing a $600,000 investment deal on the Season 13 finale of ABC’s Shark Tank.

At PBSC, where he earned his associate’s degree, he completed a NASA internship and was selected as one of 48 community-college students from 25 states to participate in a NASA program in Huntsville, Ala., where students designed and built a prototype Mars-rover vehicle. His leadership and perseverance have earned recognition including the Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Award, Apple Innovation Award, Buick Engineering Award and Global Citizen Award. Gibson was also awarded an honorary Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in entrepreneurship from PBSC in 2023.

Sara Baxter (PBSC alumna)
Sara Baxter is the mayor of Palm Beach County and the District 6 county commissioner. A second-generation Palm Beach County resident, Baxter represents a district that includes communities in western and central Palm Beach County. She was elected to the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners in 2022 and brings to public service experience as a small-business owner, health care professional and community leader.

Baxter graduated from PBSC with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. In 2011, she and her husband established Foreign Auto Specialists, an automotive repair business. Her experience navigating the challenges of starting and operating a small business motivated her public-service work, including efforts to reduce unnecessary regulatory barriers, support local businesses, improve transportation and road conditions, and promote opportunity for Palm Beach County residents.

Clara Acero (PBSC alumna)
Clara Acero is the executive director of Kingdom Charitable Trust, a West Palm Beach-based philanthropic organization that supports charitable initiatives and works to create meaningful, lasting change in the community. In her role, Acero leads the organization’s efforts to advance its philanthropic mission through strategic grantmaking, partnerships and community engagement.

Before becoming executive director, Acero served as a grants liaison and special project manager for a national agency focused on education, prevention and intervention services for at-risk girls. She holds a master’s degree in data analytics, a bachelor’s degree in biology with honors from Florida Atlantic University and an associate’s degree from PBSC. She remains committed to civic engagement and strengthening opportunities for individuals and families in Palm Beach County.