WAYMON ARMSTRONG

Chair, Engineering & Computer Simulations Inc. (ECS)

Waymon Armstrong is Co-Founder and President of Engineering & Computer Simulations Inc. (ECS). Since its inception in 1997, the firm is dedicated to utilizing PC-based game technology in an advanced distributed learning environment. Before starting ECS, Waymon directed computer-modeling activities at a multimillion-dollar Program Management and Engineering Firm, and served as a project manager for large-scale crisis response teams.

Waymon attended the University of Central Florida. He serves on the Metro Orlando Military Affairs Advisory Committee, Digital Media Alliance of Florida, Valencia Community College’s Digital Media Technology Advisory Committee, Otronicon Advisory Board, Executive Committee Sunshine Chapter of AUSA, Missionary Ventures International, The College of Elders at the First Presbyterian Church of Orlando, and the Orlando Chamber of Commerce E Team. Waymon was named as a 2007 and 2009 finalist for Entrepreneur of the Year from Ernst & Young for the State of Florida. In 2010 he was awarded the SBA Region, State and National Small Business Person of the year.

JOHN M. MARTINEZ

Vice Chair, J.P. Morgan Private Bank

John Martinez is an Executive Director in the Orlando office of J.P. Morgan Private Bank. In this role, he helps high net worth individuals and their families build, preserve, and manage their wealth for themselves and future generations.

Prior to joining J.P. Morgan, John served as a Director in the Public Finance Group at PNC Capital Markets and established the firm’s Florida office. He was responsible for transacting all facets of municipal bond issuance. Previously, he co-founded Benchmark Securities, a municipal trading and underwriting broker-dealer, and was a Vice President of Gardnyr Michael Capital. During this time, he was appointed by the Governor of Florida to fill a vacancy on the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, where he fulfilled the remainder of the term and represented District 3. Before working in financial services, John practiced law with Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, P.A. in Orlando. He earned a B.A. degree from Wake Forest University and a J.D. from the Florida State University College of Law. He is a member of the Florida Bar and holds the FINRA Series 7, 24, 53 and 63 licenses.

A native of Orlando, John is involved with a variety of community organizations, sitting on the Board of Directors for the Central Florida YMCA, the Leroy Collins Institute, Prospera, and the Orlando Museum of Art. Additionally, he serves as the Chairman for both the Orange County Sustainability Advisory Board and the Central Florida Fair. He and his wife, Helen, live in Orlando with their two daughters.

ASHLEY HILL, CPA

Treasurer, Ravago Americas LLC

Ashley N. Hill has more than ten years of accounting and auditing experience. She joined Ravago Americas LLC as the Director of Accounting in June 2021. Ravago is the number one service provider in the global market for polymers, rubbers and chemicals.

Previously she served as a Senior Manager with KPMG LLP, where she worked with clients in the restaurant and real estate industries, helping them navigate SEC and Sarbanes-Oxley reporting issues. During her time with KPMG, she served as the Senior Manager in charge of recruiting for the Orlando audit practice, co-chair of KPMG Network of Women (Orlando), and co-chair of the KPMG African-American Network (Orlando).

She has also previously served as past Treasurer and current member of the Greater Orlando Chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants and as a volunteer for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. Currently she serves on the finance committee of LIFT Orlando and is a member of the Certified Public Accounting Education Minority Assistance Advisory Council with the Florida Board of Accountancy. Ashley earned an MBA and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Florida A&M University.

SHARI DINGLE COSTANTINI

Secretary, Ascendancy Partners, LLC

Shari Dingle Costantini is an entrepreneur, with 30 years of experience in strategic leadership, building teams, raising capital, and strategic acquisitions. Before exiting the company she founded, Avant Healthcare Professionals, it grew an average of 38 percent annually from inception in 2003 through 2021 and is recognized as an industry leader in international healthcare staffing. With revenues in excess of $160 M Avant achieved scale obtained by only 1% of staffing companies. Costantini and Avant have been recognized by Inc. 500/5000 seven times, 50 Fastest-Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies in North America three times, E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year Winner 2017, 100 Most Influential People in Staffing, SMART Award Winner 2017 and Florida Companies to Watch 2012.

Costantini mentors companies that are scaling, building infrastructure and raising capital. She is active in the community and serves on numerous boards. Her non-profit board service includes the Entrepreneurs Alliance of Orlando, Junior Achievement, the Orlando Economic Partnership; the Rollins College Center for Advanced Entrepreneurship. Shari was a founding board member and served as the chair of regulatory affairs for the American Association of International Recruitment for nine years.

MARK BREWER

President/CEO

Mark joined the Foundation in 2000 and has earned respect for building community partnerships that meet issues head-on and produce measurable results. He has worked with hundreds of individuals, families, and corporations to establish philanthropy plans, endowments, funding strategies, and planned gifts. More than 150 regional nonprofit boards have enlisted Mark’s assistance through the Foundation with strategic and scenario planning initiatives that included the use of endowed investments to sustain their organizations. He is a well-known national speaker on the independent sector, philanthropy’s role in America, venture philanthropy strategies, and the independent sector’s public policy role. In his leadership role at the Central Florida Foundation, Mark frequently advises private and corporate foundation grant makers across the region and plays a public policy advisory role on strategy and advisory boards around the state of Florida.

Mark began his career in the media as a reporter, anchor, and journalist. His background includes more than a decade as a management consultant in the private and independent sectors, leading merger, and acquisition strategies for cross-sector initiatives. Later, as a licensed investment professional, he assisted clients with estate and planned giving strategies. Mark holds a bachelor’s degree in Business, a master’s degree in Public Administration with a specialty in Nonprofit Management and is a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy ®. His graduate studies include work in policy and law at Walden University.

Mark has played a leadership role in national and community initiatives. His service focus is on organizations that grow philanthropy or play strategic grant-making and public policy roles.

At the national level, Mark has chaired strategy initiatives and think tanks. At the state level, Mark is a past Chair of the Florida Philanthropic Network, a statewide association of grant makers working to strengthen philanthropy through research, education, and public policy, and is a past Chair of the Community Foundations of Florida, the statewide association of community foundations. In the Central Florida region, Mark serves on the Orlando Economic Partnership board, a public-private partnership, working to create quality jobs, economic growth, broad-based prosperity, and a sustainable quality of life for the region, and the College of Community Innovation and Education (CCIE) Deans Advisory Council at UCF. He is also a Foundation for Orlando’s Future board member.

Most recently, Mark was named one of Orlando Business Journal’s CEOs of the year for 2021 and identified as one of Orlando Business Journal’s 2021 Power Players. The program identifies 50 Central Florida business leaders who are helping grow and innovate the way business is done throughout Metro Orlando.

ACHAL AGGARWAL, ESQ.

Park Square Homes

Achal Aggarwal is an attorney who grew up in Orlando. He attended the University of Miami School of Law where he earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) and attended the University of Miami School of Business Administration where he received a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree.

As someone who grew up in Orlando, Achal is excited and eager to give back to the community that raised him. His family has been engaged in philanthropic work in Orlando for many years and Achal is thrilled to continue the legacy of philanthropy.

CARLOS CARBONELL

Echo Interaction Group

Carlos Carbonell is a widely recognized leader in Central Florida’s business, nonprofit, political, and civic landscape. A successful technology entrepreneur, Carlos harnesses years of entrepreneurship, tech, nonprofit, civic, and political engagement in the region on behalf of the community and his clients.

Carlos founded Echo Interaction Group, a tech company that has worked on hundreds of mobile app projects and currently offers a software platform to rapidly deploy Augmented Reality-enabled apps. Echo was awarded a Don Quijote Award for Hispanic Business of the Year; named Top App Developer Company in Orlando by Clutch and named a Gator100 company (as one of the fastest growing University of Florida alumni-led companies).

In 2020, Carlos was named one of Florida’s 500 most influential business executives by Florida Trend magazine. He was twice named one of Orlando’s 50 Most Powerful People by Orlando Magazine, awarded Business Leader of the Year by the Metropolitan Business Association, a finalist for Central Floridian of the Year by the Orlando Sentinel and one of Orlando’s 40 Under 40 by Orlando Business Journal.

Carlos is an esteemed national speaker on the topics of technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation. He is a regular contributor to the Orlando Sentinel, and has been featured in Entrepreneur, Wall Street Journal, Orlando Business Journal, as well as Fox, NBC, CBS, ABC Univision, and Telemundo affiliates. He has spoken at numerous conferences including SXSW, one of the top interactive conferences in the world.

He is currently active in the following organizations:

• Orlando Economic Partnership – Board of Directors, Executive Committee
• Orlando City Foundation – Board of Directors
• VR/AR Association – Orlando Chapter Advisory Board

After the Pulse tragedy, Carlos was appointed by Mayor Buddy Dyer to serve on the One Orlando Fund, which distributed over $30M to victims’ families and survivors. He also co-convened the One Orlando Alliance, a coalition of over 30 LGBTQ+ organizations still active as a non-profit today.

His past board commitments have included:

• StarterStudio/Canvs – Former Board Member
• One Orlando Alliance – Founding Board Member and former chair
• Firespring Fund – Former Board Member
• Valencia College – Former Advisory Board Member
• Full Sail University’s Mobile App Development Program – Former Advisory Board Member

SEAN DEMARTINO

Coastal Construction

As President of Coastal Constructions’s Central and North Florida Division, Sean DeMartino leads business operations including acquisition, administration and execution.

A construction industry veteran, Sean offers more than 30 years as a builder and construction leader, heading a variety of mid and large-scale projects spanning hospitality, entertainment, corporate office, large public assembly, mixed use, multi-family, aviation, upper level education, and governmental sectors including clients such as Walt Disney, Universal Orlando, LYNX, the Orlando Magic, Hilton, Marriott and Hyatt Hotels. Sean’s efforts and expertise can be seen in some of the most significant and iconic structures in the region, including the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, the Peabody Hotel (now the Hyatt Regency Orlando), the Harris Corporate Headquarters and High Technology Center in Palm Bay, JW Marriott Water Street in Tampa and over 20,000 guestrooms and vacation club units at Disney and Universal. Sean has led the construction of projects in Hawaii and throughout the Caribbean in the US Virgin Islands and Trinidad & Tobago.

Active in civic circles, Sean is involved in a variety of professional and philanthropic organizations including Heart of Florida United Way, Junior Achievement Academy and Junior Achievement of Central Florida and is past chair of the Orlando Economic Partnership. He is wholly committed to Central Florida’s continued development socially, economically and culturally as a best region to work, play and live.

AVANI DESAI

Audit Committee Chair, Schellman & Company

Avani Desai is a Partner and President at Schellman & Company, the largest niche CPA firm in the world that focuses on technology and security assessments. She is also CEO and co-founder of MyCryptoAlert, a push notification and portfolio app for cryptocurrency that she founded in 2017. 

Avani started her career working at a Big 4 accounting firm for over 10 years, where she led a team and oversaw IT Risk Management and Privacy across national service lines. Now at Schellman & Company, she focuses on growth strategies, strategic client and market development, industry analysis, and new services. She has been featured in Forbes, CIO.com, and the Wall Street Journal, and is a sought after speaker as a voice on a variety of emerging topics, including security, privacy, information security, future technology trends, and the expansion of young women involved in technology.

A passionate proponent of strategic philanthropy, Avani sits on the board of Arnold Palmer Medical Center, Central Florida Foundation, and is the co-chair of 100 Women Strong, a female-only venture capitalist based giving circle that focuses on solving community-based problems specific to women and children by using data analytics and big data. Of all her accomplishments, she considers her greatest to be personal rather than professional—she is the proud mother to her 7-year-old son, Sahil, and her 4-year-old daughter, Sareena.

TANYA EASTERLING

Florida Blue

Tanya Easterling is Florida Blue’s Market Leader for Central Florida. In this role, Tanya is instrumental in developing, leading, and executing a hyper-local strategy to meet the diverse needs of members and businesses in each of Central Florida’s coastal communities including Volusia, Flagler, and Brevard counties. She harnesses the company’s strengths and mission-driven approach to develop relevant tools, capabilities, products, and partnerships to make healthcare more impactful and personalized.

Prior to Florida Blue, Tanya was the Area Marketing Director for Chick-fil-A, one of the most beloved fast-food chains in America. Throughout Tanya’s more than 20-year career, she has worked with reputable brands like Target Corporation, the National Conference for Community and Justice, and Walt Disney World to drive key business results while enhancing the position of the brand in local communities through strategic partnerships.

Tanya is passionate about investing time and talent into the community and has been involved with numerous community and civic organizations. She currently serves as Board Chair for the Seminole County Public Schools Foundation and is a member of the Peace and Justice Institute Advisory Council. Tanya is a graduate of Leadership Orlando Class 80, as well as Leadership Seminole Class 25. She was honored in 2011 as a finalist in the Up and Comer category for the Orlando Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business awards as well as the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Vision Magazine “Gem in Our Community” in 2014.

Tanya holds a Bachelor of Arts in public relations and advertising from the University of Central Florida.

ROI EWELL

Ewell & Associates

Roi Ewell is the Founder and Principal of Ewell & Associates, a consulting firm specializing in business strategy, organizational effectiveness, reputation management, and social progress solutions. Roi and his firm offer decades of experience and expertise in senior management roles encompassing public affairs, organizational development, and human resources.

Known as a key advisor to executive teams, Roi has demonstrated his ability to successfully drive high-impact results for a diverse client base and complex operating environments. Before founding his own consulting firm, Ewell & Associates, in 2015, Roi held several senior leadership positions with SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment Inc., and Anheuser-Busch Companies. Most recently, he served as Corporate Vice President of Industry Affairs and Corporate Social Responsibility for SeaWorld. Previously, Roi served as Corporate Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs and as Vice President of Human Resources for SeaWorld San Diego.

Roi has also served as the Senior Group Director of Corporate Marketing and Communications at Anheuser-Busch Companies. For nearly 9 years, Roi has taught business management courses at the University of California-San Diego and media-related courses at Hampton University.

Roi earned a master’s degree in Personnel Administration from Golden Gate University and a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from Norfolk State University.

Mr. Ewell is affiliated with several community and industry organizations including Rally, the Social Enterprise Accelerator, Orlando Science Center, Jobs Partnership Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Public Affairs Council, Golden Gate University Trustee, US Travel Association National Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Greater San Diego Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Labor and Employee Benefits Committees

EDDIE FERNANDEZ

Fernandez Legal

Eddie Fernandez is Founder and Managing Attorney of Fernandez Legal, a client focused boutique law firm specializing in transactional corporate and commercial real estate legal matters. Prior to establishing Fernandez Legal in 2015, Eddie served as Clerk of Courts for Orange County in 2014, and was an Associate Attorney with Shutts & Bowen, and Akerman LLP.

Born in San Juan, Puerto and raised in Orlando, Florida, Eddie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and an MBA in Accounting, both with honors, from Rollins College and a Juris Doctorate from University of Florida – Fredric G. Levin College of Law.

Eddie’s community involvement include member and past president of Citrus Civitan Club of Orlando; Orange County Domestic Violence Board member; Tiger Bay Club of Central Florida second vice president; Orange County Bar Association Board of Directors, Young Lawyers’ Section; regional council and chair of the Hispanic Business Initiative Fund (HBIF) Inc. Technical Assistance Committee; Central Florida Partnership Young Professional Advisory Council; and Executive Committee member of the University of Florida Law Alumni  Council.

PETER HILERA, CPA

Withum

Peter Hilera has more than 25 years of professional experience providing tax, business and accounting compliance and advisory services. He specializes in IRS representation, multi-state compliance, sales tax consulting, flow-through entities and works closely with private equity groups on mergers and acquisitions for corporate and business clients. His clients include taxpayers in the construction and real estate industry, including general contractors, subcontractors and specialty contractors, providing tax and consulting advice to real estate owners, including retail, commercial and special purpose real estate. He has worked with both cost segregation studies and 1031 tax free exchanges.

Peter holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Central Florida  and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the State of Florida. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA).I n the community Peter is a member of 2017-2018 UCF Real Estate Council and Treasurer of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando.

Peter has authored four publications:

• “Company Transition and Succession Planning for the Construction Industry”
• “Cost Segregation Studies – The IRS View”
• “Tax Relief to Hurrian Victims in Florida Counties”
• “State Sales Tax for Rental, Lease, or License to Use Real Property to Decrease”

IN LOVING MEMORY OF MICHAEL P. JOHNSON

Board Member, 2022-2023

Michael Perkins Johnson passed away with his family by his side on Wednesday July 12, 2023, at the age of 77. Following a courageous battle with cancer, Michael Perkins Johnson died peacefully at home in Windermere, FL. He was born on June 21, 1947 in in East St Louis, Illinois. He attended Rock Junior High East St. Louis High School, North Carolina Central University and Northwestern University. In 1974 he married Elizabeth Moore, and together they had 2 children, Michael Jr. and Paul. Michael worked as a Human Resources executive at RCA, Martin Marietta (now Lockhead Martin), Amoco, and Williams Companies.

He dedicated himself to living a life marked by impact, faith and courageous values driven leadership. He served the community in numerous positions including as a member of the Board of Trustees for Bethune Cookman University, vice chair for the Board of Trustees at North Carolina Central University, and chair for the Board of Trustees at Oklahoma State University-Tulsa; board chairman of the Foundation for Tulsa Schools; board member of the Tulsa Community College Foundation, the Tulsa Community Foundation, and the Amoco Foundation. He also has served as chair for the Metropolitan Orlando Urban League Board and as a board member for the Orange County Branch of the NAACP. Florida’s Governor Bob Graham appointed him to serve on the Orlando Aviation Authority. His numerous awards include the Oklahoma State University Inclusion Leadership Award; the Tulsa Board of Education’s Light Keeper’s Award; the Tulsa Community College Vision Award; the Foundation for Tulsa Schools’ Excellence in Education Award; 100 Black Men of Tulsa Community Service Award; the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame’s Community Excellence Award; the Oklahoma State University Community ICON Award; the Boy Scouts of America Whitney M. Young Award; and the Martin Luther King Commemorative Society’s Keeping the Dream Alive Award – to name a few. He had been a member of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity since 1982, and served as Sire Archon of Epsilon Iota Boule in Tulsa, Okla. He is also a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

He will be greatly missed. Michael is survived by his wife, sons, sister, nieces, and nephews. A funeral service will be held on July 20, 2023 at 11am, at St Luke’s Methodist Church, Orlando FL.

In lieu of Flowers, the family requests donations to benefit students at North Carolina Central University and Bethune-Cookman University.

Donations may be made online at http://linktr.ee/mpjohnson777

Donations can also be mailed following the instructions below:

North Carolina Central University

Please make checks payable and mail to: NCCU Foundation, Inc. P.O. Box 19363 Durham, NC 27707. Please write on the memo line “Michael P. Johnson.”

Bethune Cookman University

Please make checks payable and mail to: Bethune-Cookman University Office of Institutional Advancement 640 Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard Daytona Beach, FL 32114. Please write on the memo line “Michael P. Johnson Memorial Scholarship”

GITI KHALSA

Pace Wealth Advisors

Formerly the drummer of Seven Mary Three, a platinum recording artist that produced six albums, Giti Khalsa is the atypical drummer who developed a passion for business and entrepreneurship early in his musical career. He left the group in 2006 to become a financial advisor, where he applies firsthand knowledge in the areas of wealth accumulation and preservation. Personally and professionally, he prides himself on being a good listener and collaborator, melding creative thinking with the ability to execute.

Giti currently serves on the board of Urban Think Foundation/Page 15 and the finance committee of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida. He served three terms on Enzian Theatre’s advisory committee, and was formerly on the Board of Governors for the Florida chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

He lives in College Park with his wife Virginia, and their four children.

JORGE MARTINEZ, CPA

Withum

Jorge Martinez is a Certified Public Accountant and Principal at Withum. He has been in public accounting for over thirty years, devoting most of his time concentrating on tax and business consulting services, with an emphasis on growth strategies for mid-market companies. Most of Jorge’s experience derives from helping clients develop business growth, expansion and profit maximization strategies, as well as assisting corporate leaders to recognize business opportunities and utilize those opportunities to grow and expand their businesses to their fullest potentials.

Jorge holds a B.S.B.A in Accounting and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Florida Institute of Public Accountants and is affiliated with several civic organizations including the East Orlando Chamber of Commerce, St. James Catholic Cathedral Finance Committee, Giver Kids the Work Foundation, Rio Pinar Country Club Board of Governors, Lake Nona Estates – HOA Vice President, Florida Independent Automobile Dealers Association, National Independent Automobile Dealers Association, National Center for Simulation and Training and National Defense Industrial Association.

His concentrations include corporations, business and international taxation, financial accounting and business consulting, business succession planning, high technology, modeling simulation, automotive and construction industries.

KARLA MUNIZ

InHealth MD Alliance

Karla is a senior HR executive with over 18 years’ experience in the field and oversees the HR function for InHealth MD Alliance (IMA). In partnership with business and people leaders, she is responsible for planning and executing on Human Capital strategies, organizational effectiveness & design, and talent management strategies. Her experience includes both healthcare and banking. Since joining IMA, Karla has dedicated her efforts in leading their culture transformation, organizational development, employee engagement & retention in addition to expanding the organization’s change Management and Workforce Planning capabilities.

Karla holds a Bachelor’s in Sociology from the University of Central Florida and a Master’s in Human Resources with honors from Rollins College. She is a Human Resources subject matter expert who has shared her expertise at national conferences and has been quoted by CNN and the Wall Street Journal. She is passionate about her involvement in the community and has served on many boards and councils.  She enjoys coaching her team and mentoring young professionals.

ROB PANEPINTO

Florentine Strategies

Rob Panepinto is an innovator who has always challenged the status quo of “good enough.” Rob has helped Orange County become a hub for technology, entrepreneurship, and creativity. He is passionate about the positive impact businesses and business leaders drive for their communities and is an active “civic entrepreneur” serving on multiple civic and nonprofit boards.

Currently, Rob is the Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer for Govo Venture Partners, an early stage fund that invests in innovative companies in regulated industries or selling to governments.

Rob also serves as Director of Strategy and Partnerships for the UCF Innovation Districts and Business Incubation System. Rob is also the CEO of Entrepreneurs in Action, who manage a social venture fund that invests in local social enterprises, helping them create successful businesses and jobs while addressing community and global social needs.

Actively engaged in the Central Florida entrepreneurial ecosystem, Rob is the Co- Founder and Board Chair for the Rally Social Enterprise Accelerator, and a board member of the Orlando Tech Council and Starter Studio.  He is also a Board Member and Past Chair of the Central Florida Foundation, the Chair of the Central Florida Housing Action Team and the Board of Overseers for Rollins College Crummer School of Business. Rob was named as one of the Orlando Business Journal’s inaugural Power Players in 2021.

Previously, Rob was part of the founding executive team for Connextions, helping them grow from a small manufacturing company to become an innovative healthcare technology and services company based in Orlando. Connextions had a majority recapitalization with New Mountain Capital in 2006 and was acquired by Optum Health in 2011.

Rob was a candidate for Orange County Mayor in 2018.

Rob has a BA in Political Science from New York University and an MA in Public Communications from Fordham University.

He lives in Winter Park, FL with his wife, Stacey. They have two daughters, Ali (21) and Sam (19).

KAY RAWLINS

Orlando City Soccer Club

Kay Rawlins is a founder of Orlando City and Orlando Pride, and currently serves as Senior Vice President and Club Ambassador. Originally from the UK, Kay has lived in the US for almost 20 years. She owned and ran children’s pre-schools in the UK, served as an educational assessor, lectured on signs and symptoms of child abuse to pre-school educators and also taught parenting classes. The last ten years has seen the rise of Orlando City, playing their first season in Major League Soccer in 2015, adding a women’s team, Orlando Pride in 2016 and a new downtown stadium which opened in 2017.

Kay’s role includes speaking engagements on behalf of the Club, building the alumni network and programs, Chamber and civic group engagement and the Pride Collective. She is a board member for the Central Florida Foundation, 4Roots Farm, Florida Sports Foundation, WISE Greater Orlando, All Women Empowered and is on the Advisory Committee of the US Global Leadership Coalition. Kay gave a talk at TEDx Orlando 2017 and was awarded 2016 Businesswoman of the Year by the Orlando Business Journal, Corporate Ally of the Year 2019 by the Pride Chamber and included in Florida Trend 500 Most Influential Business Leaders in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 and City & State Women Power 100 in 2022.

STEFANIE STEELE

Walt Disney World Resort

As the Senior Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility on the External Affairs Team at Walt Disney World Resort, Stefanie leads the Resort’s CSR strategy and philanthropic giving, focusing on education, poverty, environment, children’s hospital programs and wish granting for critically ill children. She leads a team that brings the magic of Disney into the community and impacts the lives of local children and families through a variety of distinguished programs and distinctly Disney offerings and experiences.

Stefanie has a long history of pursuing equity, access and opportunity for at-risk populations through public policy and charitable initiatives. She has worked in leadership roles in Government Relations for two of the country’s top innovative education leaders – Project Lead The Way and Florida Virtual School – where she worked on legislation that expanded educational opportunities for students across the east coast of the United States, from Florida to Maine. In her ten years of experience in education, Stefanie became a passionate advocate for students and has a deep understanding of the education system – both the challenges and successes that exist within it.

Prior to taking on education policy roles, Stefanie served as Executive Director of the Central Florida Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation where she created fundraising campaigns that gained national exposure and authored multiple community needs assessments used by leading local health organizations. In her time there, she grew the affiliate to the largest revenue state it had ever seen and worked on multiple federal and state public policies that increased funding for breast cancer research and expanded health insurance coverage requirements that people are still benefiting from today.

Stefanie graduated from the University of Central Florida, where she studied Communications and Political Science. She resides in Apopka, Florida, with her husband and their two sons.

REBECCA TRUE

True Capital Advisors

Rebecca True is a financial advisor and President of True Capital Advisors which she founded 10 years ago after eight years as an advisor with Bank of America / Merrill Lynch. Her experience includes asset management, retirement and estate planning, and implementing asset protection and tax mitigation strategies. She advises families, business owners and executives on all aspects of their financial planning and wealth management. Prior to her career as a financial advisor, Rebecca spent 5 years managing technology initiatives for large corporations. During her time as a New York City resident in the wake of September 11th, 2001, she felt the calling to assist families and women by prioritizing their financial concerns and devising strategies to help them feel more secure about their future.

Rebecca has been previously honored as a nominee for Orlando Business Journal’s “Women Who Mean Business – Businesswoman of the Year (2012)” award. She’s also been consistently recognized annually as a Five Star Wealth Manager by Orlando Magazine for overall client satisfaction. She is regularly asked by industry leaders and the media to speak

about investments and diversity initiatives within the financial services industry. Rebecca was a contributing author for “Organizational Survival: Profitable Strategies for a Sustainable Future”, a book commissioned by the International Institute for Learning published by McGraw-Hill where she explored the merits of corporate sustainability creating measurable value for shareholders.

For the past 15 years, Rebecca has been actively involved in the leadership of the Central Florida Women’s League Foundation previously serving as President and on the board of directors for many years. CFWL provides charitable grants and volunteer service to local charities and college scholarships to students. She has also served on the investment committee for Central Florida Foundation for the past 5 years and currently serves as the chair of the Investment Committee. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Economics from the University of South Florida.

MARK BREWER

President/CEO
mbrewer@cffound.org

Mark joined the Foundation in 2000 and has earned respect for building community partnerships that meet issues head-on and produce measurable results. He has worked with hundreds of individuals, families, and corporations to establish philanthropy plans, endowments, funding strategies, and planned gifts. More than 150 regional nonprofit boards have enlisted Mark’s assistance through the Foundation with strategic and scenario planning initiatives that included the use of endowed investments to sustain their organizations. He is a well-known national speaker on the independent sector, philanthropy’s role in America, venture philanthropy strategies, and the independent sector’s public policy role. In his leadership role at the Central Florida Foundation, Mark frequently advises private and corporate foundation grant makers across the region and plays a public policy advisory role on strategy and advisory boards around the state of Florida.

Mark began his career in the media as a reporter, anchor, and journalist. His background includes more than a decade as a management consultant in the private and independent sectors, leading merger, and acquisition strategies for cross-sector initiatives. Later, as a licensed investment professional, he assisted clients with estate and planned giving strategies. Mark holds a bachelor’s degree in Business, a master’s degree in Public Administration with a specialty in Nonprofit Management and is a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy ®. His graduate studies include work in policy and law at Walden University.

Mark has played a leadership role in national and community initiatives. His service focus is on organizations that grow philanthropy or play strategic grant-making and public policy roles.

At the national level, Mark has chaired strategy initiatives and think tanks. At the state level, Mark is a past Chair of the Florida Philanthropic Network, a statewide association of grant makers working to strengthen philanthropy through research, education, and public policy, and is a past Chair of the Community Foundations of Florida, the statewide association of community foundations. In the Central Florida region, Mark serves on the Orlando Economic Partnership board, a public-private partnership, working to create quality jobs, economic growth, broad-based prosperity, and a sustainable quality of life for the region, and the College of Community Innovation and Education (CCIE) Deans Advisory Council at UCF. He is also a Foundation for Orlando’s Future board member.

Most recently, Mark was named one of Orlando Business Journal’s CEOs of the year for 2021 and identified as one of Orlando Business Journal’s 2021 Power Players. The program identifies 50 Central Florida business leaders who are helping grow and innovate the way business is done throughout Metro Orlando.

MEGHAN WARRICK

Executive Vice President / Chief Financial Officer
mwarrick@cffound.org

Meghan Warrick is the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer of the Central Florida Foundation. She has been with the Foundation since 2004 and is a Certified Public Accountant and a Chartered Global Management Accountant with more than 20 years of experience in accounting, auditing and financial administration in the non-profit sector. Prior to joining the Foundation, Meghan was an audit manager in KPMG LLP’s public services practice and served numerous governmental and not-for-profit clients. She is a member of the American and Florida Institutes of Certified Public Accountants.

Meghan holds both a Master of Accountancy and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Stetson University. She is a former Trustee of the First Congregational Church of Winter Park, is a graduate of Leadership Orlando’s Class 79 and is involved with the School Advisory Councils at her sons’ public schools.

NICOLE DONELSON

Vice President of Philanthropic Strategies and Partnerships
ndonelson@cffound.org

As our Vice President of Philanthropic Strategies and Partnerships, Nicole leads and manages the annual plan for business revenue, growth of assets and fund holder satisfaction. She also works collaboratively with families and individuals in creating impactful legacies and guides professional advisors in offering comprehensive philanthropic strategies to community-minded clients.

Originally from California, Nicole holds a degree in Psychology from University of California, Davis and has almost two decades of nonprofit experience with a focus on business development and relationship building. Prior to her role at the Foundation, Nicole served as Executive Director for the American Diabetes Association with responsibility for four markets across the state of Florida.

Nicole serves on the board of the Central Florida Estate Planning Council, is a member of Florida Executive Women (FEW) and is a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy ®.

Outside of work, Nicole enjoys spending time with her friends and family – which includes her husband and two children. She has a passion for health and fitness and any opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.
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SANDI VIDAL

Vice President of Community Strategies and Initiatives
svidal@cffound.org

Sandi Vidal is just a girl trying to change the world one day at a time. She serves as the Vice President of Community Strategies and Initiatives for the Central Florida Foundation. Within her role at the Foundation, Sandi works on a variety of initiatives including the Sustainable Development Goals, Poverty Alleviation, and Social Justice, and is the Staff Liaison for the 100 Women Strong Giving Circle.  Sandi is a graduate of the University of Miami School of Business with a degree in Business Administration and a die-hard Cane in a house full of Noles. She has over 15 years of nonprofit leadership and over 20 years of Business Management experience. 

Sandi has a passion for public speaking, advocating for solutions to complex social issues. She is also a local Jefferson Award winner for volunteerism, and currently serves on the Nominating Committee for the League of Women Voters of Orange County, as an advisor for the Health Equity Advisory for the East Orange Regional Planning Council, is a member of Mayor Dyer’s Multicultural Board, and serves on the board of ProNet. She has worked on many projects and initiatives in the community including Thrive, BBLI, and leads an international cohort of foundations working on the SDGs. She has been married 33 years to her wonderful husband Eddie and has 3 amazing kids and 2 cats.

BEVERLY GRANT

Executive Assistant
bgrant@cffound.org

Beverly Grant provides administrative support for our President/CEO and Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer. Her areas of expertise include community engagement, organizational development, event planning, and program development. Born and raised in Orlando, Beverly is a proud graduate of Jones High School and graduated with honors from Belhaven University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. She has more than 20 years of experience in executive level support to C-suite leaders in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors. She is also a graduate of Leadership Orlando, Class ‘89. 

Outside of work Beverly enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends and playing miniature golf and board games with her only grandchild, Nicklus. She is mom to her two grown children, Antwann and Arsha and wonderful son-in-law Michael.

ELIZABETH GORDON

Controller
egordon@cffound.org

Elizabeth Gordon assists the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer with the accounting and financial management of CFF, oversees the day-to-day fiscal and accounting operations, and prepares financial reports. Her areas of expertise include managing accounting operations, analytical problem resolution, regulatory compliance, internal controls, process improvement and GAAP accounting principles.

Elizabeth is an island girl at heart having been raised in Puerto Rico and St. Croix. She later moved to Orlando in 2000. She earned a Bachelor degree in Business Administration and a minor in accounting from Catholic University of Puerto Rico and is currently studying for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. Her past experience includes working as an accounting manager at a local law firm.

Elizabeth is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and its Not-for-Profit Section. Outside of work she enjoys cooking, running and spending time with family and friends.

LAURIE CROCKER

Director of Marketing and Communications
lcrocker@cffound.org

With a strong love for language, Laurie ensures the Foundation’s message is clear, impactful and effective. From visual design to telling the stories of our community members, she works to connect our mission to our words.

Originally from New England, Laurie’s called Central Florida home for over a decade. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History & Native and Indigenous Studies from the University of Connecticut. Beginning her career as a teacher and horse trainer, she, over time, was drawn to marketing and communications as she embraced her love of language and storytelling.

In her spare time, Laurie enjoys reading thrillers and historical fiction, spending time with her family and pets, rooting for the Patriots and Red Sox, and engaging in creative writing.

Neil Rios Laverde

Philanthropic Relationship Manager
nrios@cffound.org
Linkedin

Neil Rios Laverde is a part of the Philanthropy team and works closely with the Foundation’s Vice President of Philanthropy on donor services and stewarding relationships with fund holders and nonprofits.

Neil has lived in the city of Orlando since 2005 when he migrated with his family from Colombia. He pursued his higher education at the University of Central Florida and graduated in 2020 with a degree in communications with a focus on nonprofits. Throughout college, Neil worked with nonprofits serving the LGBT+ community in Orlando such as Equality Florida, the Zebra Coalition, and The Dru Project. His work with the community developed his passion for the nonprofit industry and has allowed him to grasp a strong understanding of the industry.

Neil serves on the board of the Contigo Fund, a nonprofit that works on supporting minority-led and focused nonprofits in Florida. When he is not at work, Neil spends his time playing volleyball with Orlando’s OUT sports league, an LGBT+ friendly sports league. He enjoys reading, going to the beach, and dancing to Latin music!

Alissa Mahadeo

Community Investment Manager
amahadeo@cffound.org
Linkedin

Alissa supports the Foundation’s strategic initiatives, giving circles, grant and scholarship processes, and the upkeep of Nonprofit Search.

As a native Floridian, Alissa was born and raised in Orlando, Florida. She graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2019 with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Political Science and Human Services. Her previous experience includes roles with Public Allies, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, and UCF.

In her spare time, you can find Alissa reading, exploring, and finding the best iced coffee in town. She’s passionate about civic engagement, social justice, and the arts.

ELIZABETH GUERRA

Office Administrator
eguerra@cffound.org

Elizabeth Guerra is responsible for hospitality and general administrative functions of CFF.

She earned an associate degree in data entry and completed three years of industrial psychology study in Puerto Rico. Her past experience includes more than 20 years in executive level support to C-suite leaders in both the corporate and non-profit sectors.

Outside of work Elizabeth enjoys traveling, reading and visiting her daughter in California.

SUSAN PONCE

Community Investment Coordinator
sponce@cffound.org

As the Community Investment Coordinator, Susan works closely with the Vice President of Community Strategies and Initiatives and Community Investment Manager to support the Foundation’s strategic initiatives. In this role, she is responsible for the Nonprofit Search database and relationship management with Central Florida nonprofits.

Susan was born in NYC and raised in Argentina. She has spent the last 18 years in South and Central Florida. Before joining Central Florida Foundation, she managed several grants at United Way of Miami-Dade, where she developed a passion for early childhood education, grant management and professional development coordination. Her past experience includes roles with Mindful Kids Miami, NC IDEA Foundation and NC Department of Health and Human Services.

Outside of work, Susan enjoys spending time with family, which includes her two daughters. She loves exploring different beaches, reading, cooking and watching soccer. She is always looking for volunteer opportunities in her community.