Alyssa Dominguez | Contributing Writer
A former FIU employee is suing the university, alleging he was fired for speaking out against racial discrimination.
David Byrd, employed at FIU Foundation from 2022 as director of constituent relations and project success director, sued Florida International University and FIU Foundation in October 2024 due to “a hostile work environment and race discrimination” by his supervisor at the time Senior Vice President for University Advancement and CEO, Pablo Ortiz.
Byrd, who is an African American individual and not Cuban or of Cuban descent, falls under the protections of Title VII and the Florida Civil Rights Act.
According to the complaint, Byrd was allegedly fired after expressing concern about certain racial comments that Ortiz had stated on various occasions including board meetings.
“I want good Cubans who are alumni,” Ortiz allegedly stated according to the complaint (p.3). In addition, Ortiz allegedly displayed preferential behavior towards Hispanic, specifically Cuban or of Cuban descent, employees.
Moreover, Byrd alleged Ortiz made staffing changes to reinforce discriminatory practices claiming that “He terminated the two Black/ African Americans and non-Hispanic members and moved one Hispanic, Cathy Torres, into a marketing position of which she had no experience.”
In addition to that, it was also alleged in the complaint (p.3) that Ortiz moved a Hispanic family friend with little to no experience at the position, Susie Castillo, into the Director of Corporate Relations position.
FIU Foundation’s Chief Alumni Relations Officer Sara DuCuennois hired Ortiz’s daughter, Alexandra Rokaw, to the position of Director Alumni Relations Central.
This claim is said to push Ortiz’s agenda forward since these individuals fit the profile of being “good Cubans” and “good Hispanics” according to Byrd’s lawyer, Gina M. Cadogan.
After opposing these comments and the alleged preferential treatment, Byrd spoke up, stating Ortiz’s behavior was not “inclusive language”. Less than three months later, he was terminated.
Susie Castillo and Alexandra Rokaw are still employed at FIU at this time. But, as of June 2024 Pablo Ortiz has become Chief Academic Officer at Barry University.
At the time of the article, a mediation hearing is set for May 28, 2025, at 10 a.m.
PantherNOW reached out to Pablo Ortiz via email and David Byrd via linkedin for comment but has not received a response.
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