FFC - Key Persons
Andrew joined FFC in 2022 after relocating to Florida with his family from New York. Having obtained a bachelor's degree in sociology and anthropology from the State University of New York - Oneonta, Andrew began his career working with special needs children and adults in both schools and non-profit organizations. Since finding his new home at FFC, Andrew has served as an advocate and program coordinator, eventually rising to the role of educate program manager.
Andrew has dedicated his career to the service of his community and strives to make a positive impact on those around him. Outside of his work at FFC, Andrew enjoys being at home with his wife and son, and spending time with friends and family.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Member of the Board
- Director / Pediatrician, Founder of Advanced Kids Care Pediatrics
Job Titles:
- Director
- Member of the Board
- Brand Strategist at Winter Park Marketing Firm
Caleb Liptak is the Senior PR & Brand Strategist at Winter Park marketing firm Findsome & Winmore. His expertise lies in helping brands develop, articulate, and communicate the unique value they create.
Job Titles:
- Educate Program Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Senior Manager, Program Operations
With an impressive 30 years of combined professional and lived experience in Child Welfare, Carmen brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to her role. Carmen began her professional journey in 2012 with the Department of Children and Families. Throughout her time at the state level, Carmen's experiences spanned from integrating behavioral health support services with child welfare operations, providing personalized and group coaching to child investigators, mid-level, and executive leadership, focusing on interpersonal conflict resolution and team buy-in, to leading the paperless food-stamp application operations for thousands of Floridians during Florida's Food Disaster Relief recoveries statewide.
Carmen's initial connection with the Foundation For Foster Children stemmed from her volunteer work, leading to her acceptance of a role as an Education Advocate in 2018. Her proficiency in leadership, collaboration, and implementation, coupled with her dedication to service, propelled her to her current position as Senior Manager of Programs and Operations. In this capacity, Carmen oversees three key programs within the organization, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations and strategic alignment with FFC's overall mission and goals.
Beyond her professional commitments, Carmen and her husband have established a transitional home for young girls in foster care. Having graduated from the Department of Children and Families Youth Leadership Academy(FYLA) at the age of sixteen, Carmen has dedicated the past four years to serving as a mentor with FYLA. In her personal time, she finds joy in exploring the world with her husband and cherishing moments with their beloved dog. Carmen's genuine passion for serving others illustrate her commitment to making a meaningful impact.
Frank Altomari, a cherished member of our team, passed away on January 27, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and dedication that will forever inspire us. With heavy hearts, we honor his memory and the profound impact he made during his time with us.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Member of the Board
Job Titles:
- Community Volunteer
- Director
- Member of the Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Treasurer
A certified public accountant, Spooner earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from St. Xavier University.
She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Spooner began her career in 1994 with KPMG in Chicago, where she worked in the Personal Financial Planning Group. In 1997, she joined Deloitte and was with that company for eight years before joining BDO Orlando. In her role as managing partner, Spooner oversees all aspects of the tax practice in BDO's Central Florida offices.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Member of the Board
- Audit Advisory Committee Member With Orange County Public Schools
- Director / Chief Technology Officer, CNL
Kay leads the technology and strategic systems teams that drive improved efficiencies and synergies across CNL. Previously, she was responsible for planning and directing all aspects of the organization's initiatives for developing and launching new funds, while also leading the team responsible for strategic business analytics, competitor, and market research.
From 2010 to 2014, Kay served as CNL's senior vice president, Fund Management & Operations, focusing on asset management support functions for a portfolio of over 200 properties across four different real estate investment trusts (REITs), each specializing in specific asset classes ranging from healthcare, lifestyle and leisure properties to multi-family and office buildings.
Prior to that, she was senior vice president, finance and technology for CNL Lifestyle Properties ("CLP"). In this role, she was responsible for strategic planning, acquisitions and all aspects of CLP's information technology, including the alignment of the organization's technology deployment initiatives with its business strategy. Kay also has served as director of business systems and senior financial systems analyst for CNL Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
Before joining CNL, she supported critical financial applications for Hard Rock Café International as a financial systems analyst.
In addition to serving the Foundation for Foster Children, Kay serves as an audit advisory committee member with Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) and volunteers for Second Harvest Food Bank and Habitat for Humanity.
Kay received her undergraduate degree in accounting from Universidad de Monterrey and a masters of business administration from the University of Central Florida. She was recently recognized as finalist in the 2023 Florida CIO of the Year ORBIE Awards.
Job Titles:
- Empower Program Manager
- Program Manager for Empower
Keely is the Program Manager for Empower. With a Bachelor's degree in Public Health from the University of South Florida, Keely's journey was shaped by the collective support of her community as she grew up as the youngest of five children. Initially driven by a desire to build sustainable communities abroad, Keely realized in 2020 the importance of supporting her local community. Starting her career with AmeriCorps' City Year program in Orlando, she quickly advanced from Advocate to Senior Advocate and now Program Manager, driven by a passion to provide the crucial support that individuals in foster care often lack.
Known for pushing boundaries and fostering innovation, Keely excels as a team leader who takes a personal interest in her team members and always seeks to understand the "why" behind actions. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, friends, and family, exploring the outdoors, going to the beach, attending Action Church, baking, and traveling.
Job Titles:
- Community Volunteer
- Member of the Board
- President
Job Titles:
- Director
- Member of the Board
- Director / Director of Business Advisory Services, BBIF
- Director, Business Technical Assistance
Lamont is a seasoned professional with 20 plus years of banking, finance and business experience. His experience includes small business consulting, community engagement, branch management, loan review, commercial lending, credit administration, audit/compliance and CRA.
Lamont currently serves as the Director, Business Technical Assistance with BBIF Florida (Black Business Investment Fund) where he helps support efforts to provide capital and business education to black and minority owned businesses throughout the state of Florida. Prior to this, he was consultant and business development professional focused on helping small to midsized businesses with strategic planning, plan execution, infrastructure development and access to capital. Lamont
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Vice President
- Vice President / Chief Marketing Officer, Cogent Bank
Lara has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. She is currently serving as the Chief Marketing Office at Cogent Bank. Prior to this, she served 14 years as Chief Marketing Officer for Seaside National Bank & Trust and also worked for several national and regional financial institutions.
Lara is active in the community and has chaired numerous committees and events for a wide variety of organizations including: Habitat for Humanity, American Cancer Society, Junior League of Greater Orlando, First United Methodist Church of Winter Park, Young Life of Central Florida, Family Promise of Greater Orlando, Lake Highland Preparatory School and the Country Club of Orlando. Lara has lived in Orlando for over 20 years and is an alumnus of both the University of Florida and Stetson University.
She is a member of Florida Blue Key and was awarded the Sorority President of the Year and was recognized as the Outstanding Female Graduate at her University of Florida commencement ceremony. She was also recognized as one of the 2018 Women of the Year from Orlando Magazine as a co-Founder of the Foundation for Foster Children.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Director / Losey PLLC
- Laura Eidson
As an attorney at Losey PLLC, Laura combines her legal expertise with experience as an insurance executive and business owner to offer insights on clients' business transactions. Her commercial law practice focuses on the legal, strategic, and practical matters of running a successful business. Laura also has a practice focus on art law; she advises artists, art collectors, and museums on the legal and business aspects of their creative endeavors.
A native of Central Florida, Laura has long been a leader in the community. She is a founder of and past board president for the Foundation for Foster Children and serves on the boards of the Friends of the Mennello Museum of Art and the Committee of 100. She is past president of Florida Executive Women, Howard Philips Center for Children and Families Community Leadership Council, and the Independent Insurance Agents Association of Central Florida. Laura is an alumnus of both the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Florida School of Law.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Marketing Executive
- Member of the Board
- Director / Brand Marketing Strategist and Community Leader
Lisa Lawrence is a seasoned marketing executive with over 20 years of leadership experience across renowned organizations, including Darden Restaurants, 4 Rivers Smokehouse, Tavistock and Accenture. Known for her strategic vision and exceptional ability to translate insights into impactful marketing strategies, Lisa has driven growth and innovation in the restaurant, hospitality, and consumer goods industries.
Lisa's expertise spans brand management, community relations, product development, and team leadership. As the Director of Marketing & Community Relations at 4 Rivers Smokehouse, she led strategic marketing initiatives, including product expansions into major retailers like Costco and Amazon, while fostering strong team development and agency collaboration.
At Darden Restaurants, Lisa held several pivotal roles, shaping brand strategies for celebrated fine dining concepts such as Seasons 52 and The Capital Grille, as well as popular casual dining favorites including the Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze and Longhorn Steakhouse. Her leadership extended to advertising, product development, menu strategy, and consumer insights, delivering measurable business results and enhancing guest experiences.
Lisa also dedicates her time to service and community leadership. She is a licensed real estate sales professional in the state of Florida and serves as a board member of the Winter Park High School Foundation, the Foundation for Foster Children and the Lochaven Chain of Lakes Advisory Board. Her contributions extend to Orange County Public Schools as a dedicated substitute teacher and volunteer, as well as her involvement in philanthropic initiatives including the Victory Cup Initiative, Young Life, Crave Orlando and the Central Florida YMCA.
Lisa holds an MBA in Strategy, Marketing, and Organizational Design from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Arts in English and Spanish from the University of Virginia. A dynamic leader and storyteller, she combines creativity, analytical rigor, and operational excellence with a deep commitment to personal and community growth.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Member of the Board
- Director of Human Resources at Massey Services
Melissa Meyer is the Director of Human Resources at Massey Services, where she oversees key aspects of the organization's HR functions, including policies, compliance, benefits, workers' compensation, employee relations, performance management, and organizational development. She also spearheads strategic initiatives aimed at retaining top talent, cultivating a high-performance, inclusive workplace culture for more than 2,800 team members across nine states.
Since joining Massey Services in 2005 as an Office Manager, Melissa has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence and organizational growth. In 2014, she transitioned to the Administrative Training team, where her leadership and dedication earned her a promotion to Director within three years.
Melissa holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management and has achieved the SHRM-CP (Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional) credential.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Member of the Board
- Director / Principal, LCA Development
Michelle is a lifelong resident of Orlando. She spent 13 years in leadership roles with the Junior League of Greater Orlando, serving in the capacity of Vice President twice. Through her direct efforts with the League, the Family Support and Visitation Center was created as a warm, home-like setting for children in foster care to visit with their biological parents, in addition to providing parenting classes and support. It has served over 8,000 families since its inception. In honor of her commitment to the community and volunteerism, the Junior League awarded her the 2007 Outstanding Service Award.
After seeing firsthand that these foster children were the most at-risk children in our community and were getting the least amount of support, she teamed up with 3 other Central Florida women leaders spending 2 years researching their specific unmet needs and gaps in support. In 2008, the Foundation for Foster Children was founded. In the last 10 years, FFC has provided critical support for our community's abused, abandoned and neglected children. The mission of the Foundation is to enhance the lives of children in foster care through support and advocacy by creating opportunities for a brighter future.
She has also served on a number of civic and philanthropic Board of Directors, which include; the City of Orlando Historic Preservation Board, Habitat for Humanity of Orlando and Chairman of the Orange County Planning and Zoning Commission. In addition, she is a Leadership Orlando alumnus and has been active in the Greater Orlando Chamber of Commerce.
Michelle has been recognized and honored numerous times for her community impact. Among those, she was the recipient of the SafeCo Neighbor Award and Bank of America Community Hero Award, as well as Florida Commission on the Status of Women Achievement Award. She was also recognized by Glamour® Magazine with their "Best of You 2010" award, in addition to Orlando Magazine's Women of the Year award. She has volunteered for 12 years for the Girl Scouts of America as a Troop Leader developing our young girls into future women community volunteers and leaders.
Michelle manages her family's business and investment portfolio, and she is an alumnus of H. Sophie Newcomb College, Tulane University.
Job Titles:
- Foundation in 2020 As the Program Coordinator
Nadelein joined the Foundation in 2020 as the Program Coordinator. In this role, Nadelein facilitates workshops and activities for youth ages 14-24 to help them build self-sufficiency. Nadelein is originally from Caracas, Venezuela and came to the USA in 2014 to pursue a better future for herself and her family.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Member of the Board
Paul T. Zeniewicz is a dedicated attorney with extensive experience advocating for small businesses, injured individuals, and homeowners. Specializing in litigating insurance claims, he has successfully handled thousands of cases from mediation to trial and appeal. A Detroit native, Mr. Zeniewicz graduated cum laude from Florida A&M University College of Law in 2011 after earning a B.A. in English from the University of South Florida.
Recognized for his passionate representation, Mr. Zeniewicz has been featured in prominent publications such as the Orlando Sentinel and Tampa Tribune. He is licensed to practice in all Florida state courts and federal courts in the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts. His accolades include the Florida Bar's 2023 President's Pro Bono Service Award and recognition as a Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2016 to 2022.
Committed to community service, he volunteers as a Guardian Ad Litem attorney and with organizations like Orange County Public Schools and Special Olympics. In his free time, he enjoys supporting Detroit sports teams.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Director / the Walt Disney Company
Purvi Jayswal has over 20 years of experience in finance and revenue management. She is currently a Manager of Merchandise Pricing at The Walt Disney World Company, where she leads a team that is responsible for promotions and pricing analysis supporting the domestic Disney Theme Parks merchandise line of business. Before joining Disney, Purvi worked at The Boeing Company in various roles. In these roles, she was responsible for a wide range of responsibilities, including developing and implementing financial and operational strategies, managing budgets and forecasts, and conducting financial analysis.
Purvi has a Bachelor's degree in Aviation Management as well as a Bachelor's degree in Finance from Southern Illinois University. She also has an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis, with a concentration in Finance.
She is excited to join the board in their endeavors to make a difference in the Orlando community
Job Titles:
- MPA - Executive Director
- Visionary Leader
Raquel, a visionary leader, has dedicated nearly a decade of her professional journey to the Foundation for Foster Children, leaving an indelible mark on the organization's growth and impact. Joining in April 2014 as the Education Program Manager, Raquel swiftly ascended through the ranks, showcasing her expertise in program design, strategic planning, and research.
In November 2017, Raquel's exceptional knowledge of Foundation program operations, combined with her educational background, led to her promotion as the Senior Manager of Program Operations and Risk Management. Recognizing her ability to craft innovative solutions, Raquel was appointed Director of Programs and Operations in December 2018. Her commitment and transformative leadership resulted in yet another promotion, becoming the Senior Director of Program and Operations in December 2021. The pinnacle of her journey within the Foundation was achieved in October 2023 when Raquel was appointed as the Executive Director. Raquel earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from Bethune-Cookman University. She holds a Master of Public Administration Degree, a Master of Nonprofit Management Degree, and a Graduate Certificate in Fundraising from the University of Central Florida. As an Adjunct Professor at Bethune-Cookman University in the Department of International and Public Affairs Studies, Raquel shares her expertise with the next generation of leaders. Additionally, she serves as a consultant to the University and local nonprofits, bridging academia and real-world impact.
Raquel's journey into the world of child welfare began eight years prior to her tenure at the Foundation. Starting as an intern at the Children's Advocacy Center of Volusia & Flagler Counties, Raquel worked with child victims of sexual abuse, setting the stage for her commitment to making a difference in the lives of vulnerable children. Her roles as a Dependency Case Manager, Family Advocate, and Program Coordinator in various organizations equipped her with a diverse skill set and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by children in need.
Awards and recognitions attest to Raquel's exceptional contributions. The B-CU 40 under 40 award from Bethune-Cookman University in 2016 acknowledged her as one of the institution's youngest, brightest, and most accomplished graduates. In 2017, she earned UCF's 30 under 30 award, recognizing outstanding alumni who "reach for the stars" in their professional and personal lives. Most recently, in 2023, Raquel earned the Florida Blue Sapphire Award, where Raquel was recognized for her leadership, innovation, and excellence.
Originally from St. Thomas, the United States Virgin Islands, Raquel was raised in Orlando. Beyond her professional achievements, she finds joy in research, reading, and spending quality time with her three children, Marissa, Riley, and Mason, and her husband, Maurice. Raquel's journey is a testament to her unwavering commitment to fostering positive change in the lives of children and families.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Member of the Board
Sarah joined the Foundation for Foster Children in 2020 after graduating from the University of Central Florida with a master's degree in social work. At UCF, Sarah first received her bachelor's degree in social work along with a certificate in Children's Services. During this time, she interned at an organization to support survivors of child abuse during and after their investigation. Then while working on her master's degree, she interned at a mental health counseling agency working with people of all ages and backgrounds.
Sarah first started at FFC as an Advocate, and later served as Senior Advocate. She is now the Executive Assistant working alongside all the departments and continuing to live through her purpose.
Sarah has dedicated her professional life to working with those who have experienced foster care. She has a passion for helping youth & young adults and making a positive impact on her community. In her personal life, Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband and baby, and their families. She enjoys being outside, creating new experiences, and learning about those around her.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Member of the Board
Beyond her professional pursuits, Shakira enjoys photography, running, traveling, and trying new Pinterest recipes.
Shakira eagerly embraces her development journey and looks forward to growing in her role. With her diverse skill set and creativity, she is committed to applying her talents to effect positive change in communities and beyond.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Member of the Board