Miami-born tech executive David Centner has recently returned to South Florida, where he and his family are becoming an important part of the area’s philanthropic and physical landscapes. After successful corporate exits in New York — his most recent company, Highway Toll Administration, was acquired by Platinum Equity’s $6.5 billion global buyout fund — Centner and his wife Leila are even more focused on humanitarian efforts. With the help of a $40 million donation to the Miami arm of the Newark-based Teachers Village Project – a national move toward building affordable housing for educators – the Centners are instrumental in bringing to Miami a mixed-use project, currently in the design phase and slated to offer workforce rental housing and condos, as well as office space, retail shops and a hotel. The Centners and their foundation support over 50 philanthropic organizations nationally though locally, they focus on a select few: JAFCO, Lotus House Women’s Shelter – their $2 million donation funded the David and Leila Centner Culinary Center – and the Adrienne Arsht Center for Performing Arts, having recently sponsored the Imagination Ball. SocialMiami editor Brett Graff sat down with David Centner and got his take on rising up in tech, giving back to the community and living life in Miami.

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