About Erin Marvasti

People often ask why I spend so much of my life serving our community.

The answer is simple. I never planned for it. It just became part of who I am.

Pedro and I have been together since right after high school. Like so many young couples, we dreamed of having children. We also experienced the heartbreak of losing pregnancies, and there were times when we wondered if becoming parents would ever happen for us.

Then life surprised us.

We were given the opportunity to adopt Pedro’s five-year-old niece, Sara, due to an unstable environment. We could not accept the thought of her entering the state system when we were right there with a safe, loving home ready for her.

It was overwhelming in the most real way and with school starting in just two weeks. No time to prepare, just the responsibility of making sure she felt safe, steady, and loved. And just like that, I became the mom I had always desperately wanted to be.

I still remember walking into Boulevard Heights Elementary to register her for school. At the time, it seemed like an ordinary day. Looking back, it was one of the most important days of my life.

From the moment we walked through those doors, we were welcomed with kindness. The teachers, staff, and other parents embraced us in a way I'll never forget. As a young mom trying to figure everything out, their encouragement meant more than they probably realized.

It also reminded me of my own mother.

Growing up, I watched her volunteer, give back, and always find time to help others. Without even realizing it, she was teaching me what community looked like. Somewhere along the way, I found myself following the same path.

I started by helping wherever I was needed. One volunteer opportunity became another. Before long, I was serving on committees, joining the School Advisory Council, leading the PTA, and becoming deeply involved in our neighborhood.

Boulevard Heights wasn't just the school my children attended. It became an extension of our family.

Then life surprised us again.

After years of believing our family might be complete, we welcomed our son, Christian, and later our daughter, Ariella. Our home, once quiet, became wonderfully busy, and our family was complete in a way we never could have imagined.

Today, Sara is a full-time student at Broward College. Every now and then she'll tell me, "You were my miracle."

I always smile because I see it differently.

She was ours.

Sara gave us the gift of becoming parents and unknowingly set me on a path that has shaped the last twenty years of my life. I honestly don't know where that first walk into Boulevard Heights Elementary would have led if she hadn't been holding my hand.

Christian has always had a passion for soccer. We put him on the field when he was just two years old, starting with the Driftwood Dragons before moving on to the Hollywood Wildcats, PSG, and now FTL United, where he competes nationally and internationally. Watching his dedication, resilience, and work ethic has been a lesson in itself. If you've ever wondered where my competitive side comes from, you've probably never spent a weekend at a soccer tournament.

Then there's Ariella, our "mini me."

She is creative, compassionate, and always thinking about how she can help someone else. She loves art, music, and giving back. Like her brother and sister, she grew up volunteering alongside our family. Community service wasn't something we talked about around the dinner table. It was simply how we lived. Whether we were organizing food drives, holiday events, neighborhood cleanups, or community celebrations, my children were always right there beside me.

Looking back now, I can see how every chapter of my life prepared me for the next.

The heartbreak taught me gratitude.

Becoming Sara's mom opened the door to a life of service.

Our schools introduced me to a community that became family.

And every volunteer opportunity reminded me that even small acts of kindness can have a lasting impact.

Today, I continue serving through my nonprofit work, my real estate career, and the organizations and neighborhoods that have become such an important part of my life.

I've never believed leadership is about having a title.

It's about showing up.

It's about listening.

It's about helping people when they need you and leaving your community a little better than you found it.

None of this would have been possible without Pedro, our three incredible children, and a community that welcomed us with open arms all those years ago.

I will always be grateful for that.

And I hope I've been able to give even a small part of it back.


Today, I’m asking for the opportunity to continue serving the community that has given my family so much. District 5 deserves a commissioner who listens, understands our neighborhoods, and advocates every day for the people who call this place home.

• Enhance neighborhood safety with stronger resident-law enforcement partnerships
• Support seniors, families, and youth with accessible programs and community resources
• Champion transparency and open communication so residents always know what's happening
• Ensure every District 5 voice is heard at City Hall

• Invest in infrastructure and public spaces to make Hollywood cleaner, safer, and more connected
• Strengthen local businesses and encourage smart economic development that benefits our community
• Make thoughtful land use decisions that benefit residents today and prepare our community for tomorrow.
• Streamline permitting and support small businesses and entrepreneurs

• Lead with integrity, accountability, and a focus on long-term solutions
• Build inclusive policies that respect the diverse voices and cultures of Hollywood
• Ensure every decision reflects the values and priorities of the people of District 5
• As your neighbor and your commissioner, I will be accessible, approachable, and committed to listening and responding to residents.