Distinguished Alumni Achievement Awards

7 NSU University School Since Maya Ezratti graduated from NSU University School in 1994, she has become an entrepreneur, relationship coach, businesswoman, and executive—often wearing more than one hat. Ezratti is the chief dating officer of Rewarding Relationships, a business she started six years ago to help singles find and maintain better relationships. “It’s a business I started on my own, helping people have amazing love lives,” she said. “I work with our clients to remove fear and desperation from their lives, so that they gain confidence. I teach clients how not to make fear- based decisions—with the ultimate goal of helping them have great relationships.” Ezratti is also director of community affairs at GL Homes of Florida, where she works with residents and city and county officials on behalf of one of South Florida’s largest home builders. She has worked for the company for 22 years. Ezratti arrived at University School in the sixth grade. “When I saw the school’s television broadcast studio, I knew I’d found my home.” As a student, she participated in speech and debate, drama, school plays, swimming, theater, and National Forensic League tournaments. “USchool gave me confidence to be who I am,” she said. “Our arts program was second to none. We had excellent teachers. As a multilinguist, my English became phenomenal because of University School, and I was well prepared for my college experience.” After graduation, Ezratti studied broadcast journalism at Boston University, where she was a 2009 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award for Service to Profession. She continues to make appearances on television and radio, speaking on the topics of dating, love, and relationships. “My dream is to host my own television show with a weekly guest panel.” Shepard Broad College of Law Michael A. Fischler , M.B.A., J.D. (’78), is an established South Florida attorney and president of Fischler & Friedman, P.A., law firm in Fort Lauderdale. Fischler earned a Juris Doctor and a Master of Business Administration at NSU. He received a Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in business and psychology at Jacksonville University. Fischler began his law career as an assistant state attorney at the Broward County State Attorney’s Office where he led the economic crime, consumer fraud, and civil division. He worked at a private firm, and later as a sole practitioner, before forming Fischler & Friedman, P.A., in 1992. His areas of expertise include business and corporate law; civil and commercial litigation; wills, trusts, and estate planning; probate and guardianship law; and circuit court and family mediation. Fischler has held leadership positions within the following organizations: the Boys and Girls Clubs of Broward County, Junior Achievement of South Florida, B’nai B’rith Justice Unit 5201, Association of South Florida Mediators and Arbitrators, and Broward County Bar Association Bench and Bar Committee. He is also a member of NSU’s President’s Associates and an NSU adjunct professor. “NSU provided me with the opportunity to secure J.D. and M.B.A. degrees, gaining practical and theoretical knowledge in law and business, which I use every day,” said Fischler. “NSU introduced me to many community leaders and companies since I graduated, which led to establishing some very meaningful relationships.” Some of his fondest memories at NSU include having his mother as a classmate. His father, Abraham S. Fischler, Ed.D., joined the then-fledgling Nova University in 1966 and served as president of NSU from 1970 to 1992. “I remember sharing the Parker Building with the germ- free (but not odor-free) mice that were part of the cancer research program,” said Fischler, who is a member of the second graduating class of NSU’s law school. “It is truly amazing and inspiring to see how NSU has grown since I graduated and the extraordinary impact it has had on communities around the world,” he said. “The number of programs and educational opportunities offered to diverse populations and the campuses and partnerships established over its short history is remarkable. NSU is a first-class educational institution of which all alumni should be proud to support.”