Noelle Muniz, 29

Noelle Muniz had a successful start to her career in entertainment public relations in Los Angeles and later in Tampa at Tucker Hall. But she always had an itch for doing nonprofit work.

In May, Muniz heard about an opportunity with Because of Ezra, a local nonprofit that funds research for children battling neuroblastomas and other childhood cancers. Because of Ezra was struggling to find an assistant director to work closely with its board, which is split between Los Angeles and Tampa. “No one else could fill this role,” she says, “It was a no-brainer. I had to take it.”