Vice Mayor Jessie Mendal was born in Lima, Peru and arrived with her family to the United States at the age of 7. She grew up near Golden Beach, her father’s business partner once owned a home on Terracina Avenue. When she was 10 years old, she would come visit the community and it left a lasting impression on her.
She graduated from North Miami Beach Senior High and earned a double major in Finance and Marketing from the University of Miami. Upon graduating, she moved to New York. After spending time working in the city at McAndrews & Forbes, Vice Mayor Mendal told her husband that her heart was in South Florida, and they returned to the Miami area to raise a family.
She instructed her mother to keep an eye out for properties in that pretty enclave called Golden Beach, and when one became available, she jumped at the chance. The lot was purchased in 1994 and by 2000 Vice Mayor Mendal moved her family into their newly completed home.
Vice Mayor Mendal prides herself on her family, along with her husband, she has three children (six if you count her childrens’ spouses, which she does). She has five grandkids and a sixth one due in the Spring. If you recognize her last name, it’s no surprise, Vice Mayor Mendal has encouraged her extended family to live in Golden Beach. Her nephew, Jaime Mendal also recently served as a Councilmember in Town.
Vice Mayor Jessie Mendal has also served on boards for various organizations in South Florida, including Scheck Hillel, Jewish Community Center (JCC), Beit David Highland Lakes Shul (BDHLS). Vice Mayor Mendal owned her own jewelry business for 18 years before retiring to be a full-time grandmother.
Vice Mayor Mendal is excited to join the Golden Beach Town Council and some of her most championed causes, not surprisingly, involve family-friendly amenities and programming. She and her family have already been enjoying the new Tennis and Pickleball facilities. Vice Mayor Mendal particularly looks forward to contributing ideas to the new Wellness Center and Kids’ Park.