MARK BREWER, CAP®

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 focuses 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 as Chair of the College of Community Innovation and Education (CCIE) Deans Advisory Council at UCF and is a member of UCF School of Public Administration Nonprofit Advisory. He is also a past member of Foundation for Orlando’s Future and Orlando Economic Partnership, a public-private partnership working to create quality jobs, economic growth, broad-based prosperity, and a sustainable quality of life for the region, boards of directors.

 

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.

SARAH PEREZ

Executive Assistant to the President and CEO
sperez@cffound.org

As Executive Assistant to the President and CEO, Sarah works closely with the executive team, providing high-level administrative and strategic support. She serves as a trusted liaison among Foundation stakeholders, leadership, and community partners.

Sarah grew up in the Central Florida area, attending Orange County Public Schools and graduating from Rollins College with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. She began her career as a music educator before transitioning into nonprofit operations, serving as Operations Manager at a small arts-education organization for nine years.

Outside of work, Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, reading fiction of all kinds, and visiting local coffee shops.

MEGHAN WARRICK, CPA, CGMA

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.

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.

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 Italy.

NICOLE DONELSON, CAP®

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.

NEIL RIOS LAVERDE

Philanthropic Relationship Manager
nrios@cffound.org

Neil Rios Laverde is a part of the Philanthropy team and works closely with the Foundation’s VP of Philanthropic Strategies and Partnerships on donor services and stewarding relationships with fundholders 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!

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.

ALISSA MAHADEO

Community Investment Manager
amahadeo@cffound.org

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 Bachelor 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.

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.

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. She guides all communications, including special projects such as our First You Talk podcast, and initiatives, such as our 100 Women Strong strategic giving circle.

Laurie holds a Bachelor of Arts in History, with a focus on Native & Indigenous Studies, from the University of Connecticut, and is Adobe Certified in Visual Design. Working as an elementary teacher for ten years before transitioning to content creation and management, she specializes in creating clear, concise messaging for complex topics and ideas.

Originally from New England, Laurie’s called Central Florida home for over a decade, finding great fulfillment in her family’s ability to create roots here in Orlando. Her husband serves as a local attorney, her stepson is a proud Knight, and her younger son is an active player in the local Little League program. In her off time, you can find Laurie reading, writing, or hanging out with her beloved cat and dog.