JACKSONVILLE PUBLIC EDUCATION FUND - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Director of Marketing and Communications for JPEF
• Director, Marketing & Communications

Amy serves as Director of Marketing and Communications for JPEF. Amy was born in Des Plaines, Ill, and moved to Rock Hill, S.C., and then Dothan, Ala. Her love of reading and writing, fostered by many of her public school teachers, led her to Troy University, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism. Amy began her newspaper career as an intern with the Bainbridge, Ga., Post-Searchlight, where she continued as a staff reporter and assistant editor. In her career she's worked for several newspapers, including most recently the Cullman, Ala., Times, where she was a regional editor and worked closely with other editors in the Southeast covering social justice issues. Amy has a long career with nonprofit organizations, most notably serving as Director of Marketing and Communications for the Georgia Municipal Association for more than 20 years. A life-long learner, Amy earned her Masters' Degree from Kent State University in Communication and Marketing, returning to school at the same time her daughter was starting college at Jacksonville University. Several of Amy's family members are educators and her daughter has followed in their footsteps, becoming an 8 th grade language arts teacher. Through her work at JPEF, Amy hopes to support teachers like her daughter in closing the opportunity gap for low-income students and students of color. Within the community, Amy has volunteered with the Ronald McDonald House, Pride Rings in Stone Mountain (PRISM) and served on the boards of the DeKalb History Center, the Georgia Press Association Education Foundation, the Alabama Press Association Education Foundation, and the Rotary Club of Cullman Board of Directors.

Job Titles:

• Vice President and Head of HR, Deustche Bank
• Vice President and Head of Human Resources for Deutsche Bank 's Jacksonville

Ashley is the Vice President and Head of Human Resources for Deutsche Bank's Jacksonville, FL and Cary, NC locations. She has 15 years leadership experience in Human Resources specializing in business advisory, leadership development and coaching, talent and performance management, and employee relations. Ashley began her HR career in the Automotive Industry focusing on leadership development and business advisory. Ashley joined Deutsche Bank in 2012 as a HR Business Partner for the Jacksonville, FL campus. In 2014 Ashley joined the Employee Relations team supporting the US Region, in 2016 was promoted to the HR Site Lead in Cary, and in 2018 further expanded responsibilities becoming the Head of HR for the Jacksonville, FL and Cary, NC locations. Ashley has a Bachelor's Degree in Communications from the University of North Florida and a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Jacksonville University. Ashley is a Senior Sponsor for the Jacksonville Ambassadors and serves on the Board for the Jacksonville Public Education Fund and the Jacksonville Women's Leadership Forum.

Job Titles:

• Vice Chair

Buck Williams, CFP®, CEPA® is a Founding Partner | Financial Advisor with Coastal Oak Wealth Advisors. Buck has been named as a Forbes America's Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisor in 2022 and 2023. Prior to joining Coastal Oak Wealth Advisors in 2024, Buck brings 13 years of experience from UBS, Merrill Lynch and Fidelity Investments. Buck is passionate about helping successful families, executives, foundations, endowments and corporate entities with all of their financial needs. Buck's community involvement is centered on the things he is most passionate about: youth development, education, and the outdoors. In addition to serving on the Board of JPEF, he is actively involved with the Sanctuary on 8th Street serving as Treasurer on the Board of Directors. His other involvement includes being a past chairman and current member of the Troop Committee for Boy Scout Troop 26 at St. Mark's Episcopal Church. Buck is a member of the St. Vincent's Shircliff Society and also a graduate of the Weaver Philanthropic Initiative Class of 2015. Buck, a 4th generation Jacksonville native, graduated from the University of Florida where he earned his bachelor's degree in Food and Resource Economics and a minor in Business Administration. Buck and his wife Susannah currently reside in Ortega with their 3 daughters Bebe, Cameron and Palmer and their yellow lab Bertie.

Job Titles:

• Director of Finance and Administration
• Director, Finance & Administration

Carly grew up in southeastern Wisconsin and is the product of a public school education. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Madison in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in French and International Studies. In 2006, Carly joined the Teach for America corps in the San Francisco Bay Area teaching 4th grade at DJ Meyer Elementary School in San Jose and then 6th grade English Language Arts at KIPP Bayview Academy in San Francisco. During that time, she earned her California Preliminary Teaching Credential through Alliant International University. In 2008, Carly moved to Jacksonville where she worked as an Assistant Director at Huntington Learning Center, where she managed operations and tutored students. Carly joined the JPEF team for the first time in March of 2010 as Operations Associate and later became Finance Manager. In 2014, Carly moved back to the midwest and made the decision to stay home with her children before returning to JPEF as Finance Manager in 2017. While in Jacksonville, Carly served on the Teach for America Jacksonville Alumni Board and volunteered as a mentor with Achievers for Life at Matthew Gilbert Middle School and Take Stock in Children at First Coast High School.

Job Titles:

• Ex Officio

Charlotte was born and raised on Jacksonville's westside and is deeply invested in her community, particularly in our children's education. She attended Joseph Stilwell Jr. High (now the Joseph Stilwell Military Academy of Leadership) and graduated from Ed White High School (now known as the Edward H. White Military Academy of Leadership). After graduating from the University of North Florida, magna cum laude, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science, Charlotte began her teaching career at Stilwell. Before that, she was a homeschool mom, and also spent many years as a substitute teacher. She has had the privilege of instructing students all of the district in many of the classrooms around our city. As an educator, Charlotte has a first-hand appreciation for the joys and challenges that are common to all students and teachers. As a Magnet Coordinator, Charlotte developed an in-depth understanding of academic and discipline data, the budget process, market development, ESE training, and student incentive promotions, and the need for parental involvement. In 2014, Joseph Stilwell became a dedicated magnet school. Because of Charlotte's experience as a "magnet school mom" - her own children attended Duval County Magnet Schools - she knew that successful schools require invested parents. She founded the Leadership Booster Club at Stilwell to develop community support and raise money for the magnet program. The Booster Club has played a vital role in funding the school's leadership program. As the former parent liaison, she also oversaw parent groups such as SAC and PTSA. One of Charlotte's children is a proud Stilwell cadet.

Job Titles:

• Chief Human Resources Officer
• Chief Human Resources Officer, Dental Care Alliance

Claudia Sáenz Amlie is the Chief Human Resources Officer at Dental Care Alliance. She has over 25 years of experience as an executive HR leader in various industries, in both private and public companies. Before joining DCA, she served as Chief People Officer of Pet Paradise and NewDay Veterinary Care, a high-growth, premium pet care and health provider with operations across the southeast and central United States. She previously served as the Chief Human Resources Officer of Acosta Inc., a sales and marketing solutions provider for brands and retailers, with over 30,000 employees across North America. Previously, she served for four years as executive vice president and Chief Human Resources Officer of EverBank prior to its sale to TIAA. Her experience in HR includes oversight of talent management and development, employee relations, talent acquisition, compensation, communications and HR information systems. She began her professional career over 25 years ago as a corporate and securities law associate at the law firms of Stearns Weaver Miller, Foley & Lardner and Edwards & Angell in Miami and Palm Beach. Her legal experience includes nine years as chief compliance officer and deputy general counsel of Lighthouse Investment Partners LLC, a hedge fund manager based in Palm Beach Gardens, and as general counsel of a publicly-traded nationwide printing and office products company. She received her B.A. cum laude from Vanderbilt University and her J.D. with honors from the University of Florida. She has served on the Board of Trustees of Episcopal School of Jacksonville for eight years, most recently as Board Secretary. She grew up in Jacksonville and moved back to the area with her husband Karsten and two children more than ten years ago.

Job Titles:

• Treasurer
• Market Executive for North Florida

Coley Jones is Market Executive for North Florida, South Georgia and Gulf Coast for Business Banking at Bank of America. Prior to this he served as Vice President for SunTrust Bank in the Institutional and Government Banking Group. He has also held numerous leadership positions with Wachovia/Wells Fargo Bank. Currently, Coley's clients consist of governmental entities as well as commercial and industrial companies with revenues of $50M-$500M, providing lending, cash management, capital markets and investment services. In his current role with TD Bank, he manages over $250M of the bank's assets. Coley supports his community by serving on the Leadership Development Committee for Leadership Jacksonville. As well as serving on the board of directors for Jacksonville Community Council Inc. and Eldersource as Treasurer. Coley is a graduate of Leadership Jacksonville class of 2014. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, FL, where he met his wife Nicky. Coley and Nicky live in Jacksonville, FL, with their five children.

Job Titles:

• President and CEO Community First Credit Union
• President and CEO of Community First Credit Union of Florida

D. Samuel "Sam" Inman is president and CEO of Community First Credit Union of Florida. Serving the credit union since 1990, Sam started as an assistant accounting manager, then become the institution's first internal auditor to VP of Finance and then CFO in 1997. In 2024, he was named the institution's seventh president and CEO. Inman has played an instrumental role in growing Community First's assets from $156 million to now more than $2.8 billion. Inman is active in the Northeast Florida community and is passionate about supporting public education and schoolteachers. He serves as chair of the board of the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida and is on the board of the UNF Foundation. Inman is past chairman of its Dean's Education Advisory Council of UNF. Inman has served on various other nonprofit committees and board including the TEACH Symposium for Northeast Florida educators, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida, Learn to Read, Inc. and the University of North Florida (UNF) Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. He has served on the board of the Credit Union Executive Society's Florida Chapter and is a member of the Credit Union Economic Group.

Job Titles:

• Director, Strategic Initiatives

Danté serves as JPEF's Director of Strategic Initiatives. As a dynamic educator, Danté currently supports juniors and seniors who need math credits to fulfill their graduation requirements. Prior to accepting his current role, Danté was a district math specialist for two years, overseeing 5 of Duval County Public Schools' historically underperforming middle schools. During his time in the classroom, he was recognized as Jean Ribault Middle School 2017 Teacher of the Year. With nearly 8 years of education experience ranging from mathematics instructor to district executive, Danté has expertise in data analysis, administration, and resource allocations. Danté also leads community advocacy efforts through his work in the nonprofit sector, having served as President of the Jacksonville Urban League Young Professionals and board member to the Jacksonville Urban League. As a member of the local chapter of Omega Psi Fraternity Incorporated, he has served as keeper of Finance, mentor, and fundraising chair. Danté was recently inducted into the Tallahassee chapter of the New Leaders Council. He earned his B.S. degree in Criminal Justice from Florida International University and holds an MA in Organizational Leadership from Columbia University, Teachers College in New York City. He holds an MA in Public Policy from Jacksonville University. Danté is an avid reader and mindfulness practitioner who also enjoys travel and music-related events.

Job Titles:

• Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Orender Unlimited
• Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Orender Unlimited, LLC

Donna Orender is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Orender Unlimited, LLC, an independent marketing, media, and strategy company. She has more than 20 years of sports business experience. Orender also served as President of the WNBA from 2005 to 2010. Earlier in her career, Donna spent more than 17 years with the PGA Tour, serving as Senior Vice President of Strategic Development in the Office of the Commissioner, where she developed and managed all strategic direction of the PGA including new media, Internet, advertising and brand management. Donna also has experience in television production that began with her work for ABC Sports and SportsChannel. She later founded her own production company, Primo Donna Productions. She recently launched Generation W, a brand focused on educating, inspiring and connecting women and girls. The inaugural conference, held in April 2012, featured over 25 national speakers and 700 attendees. She currently serves on the boards of the Monique Burr Foundation for Children, the V Foundation for Cancer research, co-chairs the UJA Sports for Youth Initiative and the board of W.O.M.E.N., a mentoring organization.

Job Titles:

• President of Delta Sigma Theta Jacksonville Alumnae Chapter
• Retired, Campus President FSCJ

A member of Woodlawn Presbyterian Church since relocating to Jacksonville from New York in 1972, Dr. Barbara Ann Darby retired as president of the North Campus and the Nassau Center of Florida State College at Jacksonville in July 2015. She held this position since 1998. Dr. Darby received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Hunter College in New York, a Master of Education degree from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Florida. She received her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of North Florida. In 2021 she was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from UNF. Among her leadership roles, Dr. Darby has served as president of Delta Sigma Theta Jacksonville Alumnae Chapter; president of the Links, Inc., Bold City Chapter; and chair of Leadership Jacksonville. She currently serves on the board of directors for the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, and has served on the board of directors for Kids Hope Alliance, City Rescue Mission, City Year Jacksonville and Volunteers in Medicine. She gives God, the Center of her life, all praise and glory for whatever she has accomplished.

Job Titles:

• Ex Officio

Dr. Christopher Bernier was sworn in as Duval County Public Schools Superintendent on July 1, 2024. With nearly 128,000 students and 11,000+ employees, Dr. Bernier is leading the sixth largest school district in Florida and 18th largest in the United States. His priority as Superintendent is to lead with a student-centered philosophy and ensure that the district's strategic plan outcomes will meet the academic and social emotional needs of our students and drive the economic engine of our community. Dr. Bernier plans to prioritize the district's budget to ensure that the district is fiscally responsible and good stewards of taxpayer dollars.

Job Titles:

• Manager of Data and Research for JPEF
• Manager, Data and Research

Dr. Connor Oswald is Manager of Data and Research for JPEF. He previously served as Senior Research Administrator at Orange County Public Schools and Associate of Strategy and Innovation at the Texas Education Agency. He began his career as a secondary science teacher first at William M. Raines High School and later as a QEA Funded Jacksonville Teacher Residency fellow at Andrew Jackson Senior High School. Connor earned his Ph.D. in Education Policy and Evaluation from Florida State University; he also has an Masters of Arts degree in Teaching Secondary Science from the University of North Florida and a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Astrophysics from Florida State University.

Job Titles:

• Vice President

As the Vice President of the Jacksonville Public Education Fund (JPEF), Dr. Ronetta Wards diligently works to promote the effective implementation of JPEF's strategic initiatives. Her main aim is to make a substantial and quantifiable impact on the quality of education by managing and supporting the organization's dedicated program team. Collaborating closely with JPEF President Rachael Tutwiler Fortune, Dr. Wards helps ensure the organization's overall operational effectiveness. Building on her experience, Dr. Wards has served in several executive and district leadership roles, as well as school administration positions. These roles enabled her to directly influence student learning and academic achievement. She takes immense pride in her innovative contributions to school-based STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programming, teacher coaching, and professional learning initiatives. Moreover, she is a fervent participant in numerous initiatives aimed at promoting literacy across various content areas and fostering school-community partnerships underpinned by design thinking.

Job Titles:

• Real Estate Professional and Community Volunteer

Ellen is a real estate management/marketing professional (President, Homkor Florida) and community volunteer. She has led several nonprofit efforts in the areas of education and social justice. She serves as Co-Chair of Florida Women's Funding Alliance (an affinity group of The Florida Philanthropic Network), President Emeritus of the Women's Giving Alliance, Founder/President of READ USA, Inc., and serves the boards of City Year, Jacksonville Public Education Fund, Teach For America, Hubbard House Foundation, World Affairs Council, serves the Steering Committees for Beaches Community Fund, Jacksonville Women's Leadership Initiative, Mayor's Youth at Work Partnership, serves the Kids Hope Alliance Literacy Task Force, and serves as a trustee member of Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. She is a leader for Lift Jax (formerly #nopovertyjax), an all sector movement aligned with global, national and state 2030 agendas around the common agenda for eradicating poverty in all of its forms. Ellen collaborates with other nonprofits working to improve literacy, education and health opportunities for low-income youth and families, women and girls. Ellen is married to husband Jim and has three children.

Job Titles:

• President of Allen Land Group, Inc

John J. "Jack" Allen is the president of Allen Land Group, Inc. and Mitigation Solutions, Inc., land brokerage, development, investment and wetland mitigation companies based in Jacksonville, Florida. He previously worked for Barnett Bank, Inc. in national corporate banking. He started his career in commercial real estate sales as an acreage specialist with the original Coldwell Banker Commercial Group (now known as CBRE). He is the founder and manager of numerous investment entities focused on land development activities in northeast Florida. He also owns and operates the Prairie Oaks Farm beef cattle operation in Putnam County. He developed the Northeast Florida Wetland Mitigation Bank, the first totally private, regional offsite wetland mitigation bank in the history of Florida. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University. He has been involved with the following organizations throughout his career: CTO Realty Growth; Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center - Leadership Council; Edward Waters College Foundation, Inc.; Florida Association of Private Mitigation Banks, Inc.; Florida Cattlemen's Association; Florida Planning and Zoning Association - Northeast Chapter; Girls, Inc. - Jacksonville; "guys4GIRLS" Initiative; International Council of Shopping Centers; Museum of Contemporary Art - Jacksonville; National Association of Industrial and Office Properties; Northeast Florida Builders Association; Sanctuary on 8th Street, Inc.; Tiger Academy; University of North Florida College of Arts and Sciences - Dean's Leadership Council; University of North Florida Financing Corporation - Current Chair; and University of North Florida Foundation, Inc.

Job Titles:

• Fund Development Manager
• Fund Development Manager for JPEF

Juana Zargon serves as the Fund Development Manager for JPEF. Juana was born in Argentina but raised in Fort Lauderdale, FL. She moved to Jacksonville in 2016 to attend the University of North Florida. Before joining JPEF, Juana made a significant impact as an Exceptional Student Education Teacher, where her dedication and excellence were recognized by her being named a Top 15 Semifinalist for the Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) Teacher of the Year. During her time as a teacher, she also demonstrated exceptional fundraising abilities, successfully securing resources and support for her students and programs. Juana holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of North Florida (UNF) and completed the Educator Preparation Program at Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ). She is currently working on obtaining the Non-Profit Management Graduate Certificate from UNF. Her diverse educational background and hands-on experience in both teaching and fundraising equip her with a well-rounded perspective and a deep understanding of the needs and challenges within the educational sector. In her free time, Juana enjoys reading, spending time with her dog outdoors, and traveling.

Job Titles:

• Chairman

Kevin E. Hyde has lived in Jacksonville since 1988. He was elected to the City Council in 2003 and served as Council President from 2005-2006. Kevin is the Managing Partner of the Jacksonville office of Foley & Lardner. He practices labor and employment law where he focuses on resolving workplace disputes, counseling employers on employee relations issues, and training employees and supervisors. Kevin is certified by the Florida Bar as a specialist in the area of labor and employment law. Kevin has long been involved in leadership positions with the Florida Bar. He is a past chairman of the Florida Bar Labor and Employment Section and active in the community. He is an elder with the Lakeshore Church of Christ since 1992. Locally, he serves on the Board of Trustees of the University of North Florida, is a member of the Jacksonville Civic Council, and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Jacksonville Public Library Foundation and WJCT Public Broadcasting. Kevin and his wife Kathi operate a non-profit to provide summer camp scholarships to needy students, www.joelsloancampfund.org. Kathi is a homemaker who volunteers a great deal of her time to the Lakeshore Church of Christ and its children education program. Kevin and Kathi have two adult daughters, Virginia and Michal.

Job Titles:

• Chief Information Officer, VyStar Credit Union
• Technology Executive

Lisa is a transformational technology executive with diverse experiences across the healthcare and financial services industries. She joined Vystar as the Chief Information Officer in July 2021, bringing 25+ years experience leading technology organizations at global banks including Citi and Bank of America, as well as small and mid -size organizations. Lisa focuses on simplifying technology and reducing friction for members by making technology simpler and easier to use. Lisa began programming computers at the age of 12, and is passionate about closing the digital divide in under served communities where STEM education isn't readily available.

Job Titles:

• Fund Development Director

Monique Stewart is a dynamic and results-oriented professional with extensive experience in strategic planning, leadership development, and community engagement. In her most recent role, she served as the Director of Partnerships & Community Outreach at Duval County Public Schools, successfully leading the development of long-term strategic plans that align with district-wide goals, resulting in significant increases in team efficiency and project success rates. She also secured over $1 million in financial and in-kind donations for public schools, particularly focusing on high-need areas. Prior to that role, Monique was the Associate Director of Engagement at Jacksonville University, where she enhanced alumni support through strategic donor stewardship and annual giving campaigns. Her leadership in developing scholarship funds and donor appreciation campaigns led to notable increases in donor retention and participation. Monique's previous experience also includes serving as Donor Services Manager at First Coast No More Homeless Pets, where she provided critical donor database support and developed successful fundraising campaigns. Monique's tenure at United Against Poverty further showcases her expertise in operational management, stakeholder relationship building, and volunteer program management. Her efforts in implementing process improvements and organizational restructuring resulted in significant increases in operational efficiency and cost reductions. Monique holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration with a minor in Nonprofit Management from the University of Central Florida and received a Master's in Public Policy at Jacksonville University. Her professional development includes participation in the AmpEd National Fellowship, serving as a board member for the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), and obtaining a Certificate in Volunteer Management from Rollins College. She is also an active member of the Jacksonville Urban League Young Professionals Network. Monique is passionate about fostering supportive environments for all community members. She brings a wealth of experience in strategic planning, community outreach, and program development.

Job Titles:

• Chief People Officer

Job Titles:

• President
• Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville

Rachael Tutwiler Fortune is President of the Jacksonville Public Education Fund, where she leads efforts to close the opportunity gap and ensure every child has access to a high-quality public education. In addition to her role at JPEF, Rachael serves as an Adjunct Instructor of Leadership at the University of North Florida. Rachael previously served as Senior Director of the GradNation Campaign at America's Promise Alliance and as a Program Officer in the Office of the Deputy Secretary at the U.S. Department of Education during the Obama Administration. In these roles, she managed multi-million-dollar Race to the Top grants and supported state and local efforts to advance education reform. Before returning to JPEF, Rachael was an Education Pioneers Fellow at Oakland Unified School District, where she helped strengthen strategic planning for community schools. She earlier led JPEF's ONE-by-ONE campaign, engaging over a thousand stakeholders in creating a shared vision for public education in Duval County. She returned to the organization in 2017 as Executive Vice President and was named President in 2018. Her career began as a Teach For America charter corps member at S.P. Livingston Elementary School in Jacksonville. Rachael serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville and the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations. She also sits on the boards of Baptist Health System and City Year Jacksonville, and on the Florida Education Funders Steering Committee for the Florida Philanthropic Network. In addition, she holds advisory roles with Jacksonville University's Public Policy Institute and the University of North Florida's College of Arts and Sciences. She holds a master's degree in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership from Stanford University and a bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of North Florida. Recognized for her leadership, Rachael was named a Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scouts of Gateway Council in 2023 and one of the First Coast's 40 Under 40 by the Jacksonville Business Journal in 2020. She is an alumna of Leadership Florida's Education Class of 2018 and Leadership Jacksonville's Class of 2022. Rachael is married to Emmanuel Fortune and is the proud mother of their three children, Nicholas, Elle, and Riley.

Job Titles:

• Accountant
• Chief Executive Officer
• Pastor

Mark L. Griffin is an accomplished minister and accountant. Griffin has been the Pastor of Wayman Ministries since 1995. Under his leadership, the church has grown from 75 to more than 1,400 members. Since 1995, Wayman Ministries has grown from a small, Sunday morning worship ministry to a two-campus ministry that includes two additional corporations, Wayman Community Development Corporation and Wayman Academy of the Arts, Inc. Currently, the ministry and its related corporations employ well over 100 people. In 1995, Pastor Griffin founded Wayman Community Development Corporation, and serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors. This corporation operates two fully licensed daycare centers, three after school programs, Summer Camp, Mentoring Program, Life Change Youth Counseling, Transformations Car Wash, and other community service projects. Funding is provided by various federal, state and local governmental agencies, as well as private donations and service fees. In 1999, Pastor Griffin founded Wayman Academy of the Arts, Inc., which is an Elementary Charter School. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors. In August 2000, the school opened its doors to 131 Kindergarten through 5th grade students. Now in its fifteenth year of operations, the school has an enrollment of approximately 375 students, and is rapidly acquiring a reputation of excellence educating children from low socio-economic backgrounds. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In addition to being an accomplished pastor and community leader, Pastor Griffin is also a successful entrepreneur. In 1990, Griffin started his own accounting firm, originally called Mark L. Griffin, Certified Public Accountant, and subsequently renamed to Griffin & Company, CPA's. For over eleven years, the firm developed a reputation for excellence in auditing, accounting, and tax consulting services. The firm has served clients in the governmental, business, non-profit, church and individual arenas. He eventually closed the firm to focus full time on the ministries of Wayman Chapel A.M.E. Church. Pastor Griffin graduated from Florida A&M University in 1982 with a B.S. degree in accounting. Two years later, he passed the C.P.A. examination. In 1989, he received his M.B.A. from the University of North Florida. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary. He accepted the call to ministry in 1988, and was an associate minister at St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Jacksonville, Florida until 1992. In 1992, his first pastoral assignment was at Mt. Pisgah A.M.E. Church, Starke, Florida. In 1995, he was assigned to Wayman Chapel, where he continues to serve as the leader of one of the most dynamic ministries in the area, and in January 2007, Pastor Griffin launched inaugural worship services at a second location on Jacksonville's Westside, the Spirit of Life Worship Center. As a community leader, Griffin is frequently consulted by leaders and other advocates on issues that affect the citizens of Jacksonville. He served as a Board Member of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools; Past President of the United Community Outreach Ministries, Inc.; Past President of the A.M.E. Church, East Conference Ministerial Alliance; Catholic Charities of Jacksonville, JCCI, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and other various community and civic organizations. Griffin performs workshops and lectures for numerous church and non-profit groups, including the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the Florida State Primitive Baptist Church Convention, the Institute of Church Administration and Management, and many local church groups and congregations. He is a member of the General Board of the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church, and also serves on the Executive Committee of the General Board. He is also the Accountant for the 11th Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church. Griffin has been married for 34 years to Dr. Cynthia Roberts Griffin. They have two daughters, Whitney and Crystal; one son-in-law, Tony; and two grandchildren, Marcus and Maya.

Job Titles:

• Certified Software Engineer and Owner of Scratchwerk

Ronnie King is certified Software Engineer and owner of Scratchwerk, LLC. Scratchwerk provides software development and testing services, specializing in Java and Guidewire integrations. Ronnie is an active community volunteer and serves as the Chair for the Board of Library Trustees. He has also served on the boards for Mentoring Families and Kids and Hubbard House. King has held leadership positions in several community organizations including National Society of Black Engineers, 100 Black Men of Jacksonville, National Pan-Hellenic Council and the Urban League Young Professionals. He is also a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, and served as president of the Jacksonville graduate chapter. Ronnie studied at the University of Florida where he earned his Associates Degree while playing basketball for the Gators. He later earned his Bachelors in Computer Science from the University of North Florida. Ronnie is also a husband and father of two beautiful girls, Jada and Bostyn.

Job Titles:

• Senior Director of Data and Research for JPEF
• Senior Director, Data & Research

As the Senior Director of Data and Research for JPEF, Shannon Varga seeks to lead mixed methodological approaches to counteracting the systemic conditions that restrict opportunities for underserved students and lead to disparities in student outcomes across the county. She aims to leverage JPEF's historical partnerships with the community to implement and evaluate data-driven initiatives that cross sectors, improve collaboration of existing community assets, and make a measurable impact on school quality and education broadly in Duval County. Before joining JPEF, Shannon was a Research Assistant Professor at Boston University and the Associate Director of Research and Evaluation for the Community Engaged Research and Evaluation Sciences (CERES) Institute for Children and Youth, housed in the Wheelock College of Education and Human Development. Shannon has spent 10+ years conducting research in the education and youth development space, specifically understanding the complex relation between social capital, relationships, and student outcomes. She was also previously a Postdoctoral Research fellow at America's Promise Alliance where she led research on school and workforce engagement for underserved populations (e.g., emergent multilingual students, justice-involved youth, youth who have interrupted education) and has over 5 years of experience translating this research to national, mixed-stakeholder, audiences. Shannon earned her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology: Applied Developmental Science at the University of Virginia's Curry School of Education and her BA in psychology from Montclair State University. After living in several states on the east coast, Shannon is excited to invest in her new home state of Florida and maximize the impact of the existing community efforts and energy for serving students in Duval County.

Job Titles:

• Executive Director of the Florida Blue Foundation
• Executive Director, CSR / Florida Blue Foundation

Susan B. Towler is executive director of the Florida Blue Foundation, established in 2001 as the philanthropic affiliate of Florida Blue. She is also executive director of corporate social responsibility (CSR) for Florida Blue and has responsibility for the company's philanthropic strategy. Prior to joining Florida Blue, Towler held previous public relations roles at Robin Shepherd Public Relations, Gulf Life Insurance Company, BancBoston Mortgage Corporation and was president of SEB Communications. She is an accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America. Towler is actively involved in the philanthropic and social responsibility sector. Towler serves on the board of directors for several nonprofits including the Children's Movement of Florida and Florida Humanities. She is the 2021-23 chair of the Florida Chamber Foundation. Towler is active with the Florida Philanthropic Network where she served as chair in 2016. She is also a graduate of Leadership Florida and served as its 2012-13 chair. Towler served as the 2013-14 chair of Volunteer Florida, the Governor's Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, and is past chair of the University of Florida Public Relations Advisory Council. She also served as vice-chair for the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens. Towler is an honorary member of Leadership Jacksonville and Florida Blue Key Towler was named a "Woman of Heart" by Jacksonville Magazine and American Heart Association in 2021; "Woman with Heart" by Volunteers in Medicine Jacksonville in 2017; and a "Woman of Influence" by the Jacksonville Business Journal in 2004. The Girl Scouts of Gateway Council honored her with the "Women of Distinction" award in 2006. Towler was an EVE Awards finalist in 2013. She was chosen in 2018 as a Miami Herald "Influencer." Florida Trend recognized Towler in the Florida 500 list of the state's most influential business leaders for the past three years. Towler holds a Bachelor of Science in public relations from the University of Florida. She is married to Jim Towler and they have one daughter, Emma.

Job Titles:

• Manager, Strategic Initiatives

Taj Johnson is a Miami, Florida native who moved to Jacksonville, Florida to pursue his education. Taj is a proud graduate of the University of North Florida, 2020, and Edward Waters University, 2022, Political Science and Master of Business Administration, respectively and is currently attending Liberty University where he is obtaining his PHD in Business Administration. Taj has previously worked at the University of North Florida, Metropolitan Aviation Authority, the Florida House of Representatives, and with the City of Jacksonville's Kids Hope Alliance where he was involved with Research and Grants. Taj is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity INC. where he serves on the foundation board. In his spare time, he bartends at local restaurants, creates custom rugs, volunteers with youth, and works on political campaigns through his consulting company Tylan King Strategies LLC.

Job Titles:

• Executive Assistant
• Operations Associate

Toyna serves as the Operations Associate and Executive Assistant for JPEF. She was born and raised in Jacksonville Florida but also resided in Tampa, Florida, and Augusta, Georgia, for a short period after graduating from the illustrious Andrew Jackson High School.

Job Titles:

• Ex Officio

Vincent Taylor is a 27-year veteran teacher who shares his love of teaching with the world. He is a math interventionist at Cedar Hills Elementary School, author, and motivational speaker. He serves as the 2025 VyStar Duval County Teacher of the Year. Taylor's teaching journey is a testament to the power of resilience, creativity, and a commitment to growth. As a math interventionist and coach, he supports some of the most talented teachers in the district, encouraging them to share their expertise and inspiring others to excel. Despite his role as a leader, Taylor embraces the opportunity to learn from every classroom he enters, embodying the belief that great leaders are lifelong students. Years ago, he turned his passion for engagement into action by writing a professional development book, "If Instruction Isn't Engaging, I Quit." The book's success catapulted him onto a national stage, where he has presented to over 50,000 educators, helping transform classrooms across the country. His impact extends to children worldwide through his beloved "Cornbread" book series, featuring a highly relatable fourth-grader and positive character-building themes. These books, celebrated by children from the U.S. to Tanzania, bring learning to life. His work has even reached local events like Mayor Donna Deegan's River City Readers, where he shared his message as the keynote speaker.

Job Titles:

• Chief
• Officer
• Secretary
• Senior Vice President

Whitney Meyer is the Senior Vice President and Chief Community Impact Officer for the Jacksonville Jaguars. She is responsible for the development and implementation of the Jaguars community impact initiatives, including operations of the Jaguars Foundation, Inspire Change and Social Justice Initiatives, and community activities in connection with local development projects. Whitney serves on the Florida Sports Foundation Board, PS27 Foundation Board, JAX Chamber Hightower Fellowship Board, and the World Affairs Council Board. She also is a frequent volunteer for the Friends of Boone Park South.

Job Titles:

• Associate, Programs

Yuka (Yukako) Yamazoe brings a wealth of diverse experience in programming and event management to the Jacksonville Public Education Fund. Previously serving as a Program Associate at Japan Society in New York, a renowned nonprofit organization fostering mutual understanding between the US and Japan through art presentations, lectures, and educational programs, Yuka played a pivotal role in the Performing Arts Program. The program curated a diverse array of artists, ranging from world-class contemporary performers to esteemed National Treasures. Among her many responsibilities utilizing her bilingual skills, Yuka adeptly navigated the complex process of obtaining artists' visas, ensuring the smooth execution of the programs at the Society. Her journey into education was ignited by the gift of motherhood, coupled with collaborative endeavors with the education department at Japan Society. Upon relocating to vibrant Florida, Yuka transitioned to the Jacksonville Public Library, where she further honed her skills in logistics, event management, and communication as an Event Specialist. Her tenure at JPL reaffirmed her passion for child education, prompting her quest for an opportunity to play a more substantial role in program development. Yuka is thrilled to join the Jacksonville Public Education Fund, where she eagerly anticipates contributing her expertise to the organization that provides invaluable information and support to young learners and their families. With her diverse background and unwavering commitment to education, Yuka is poised to make a meaningful impact in her new role to help foster educational opportunities and nurture the growth of future generations.