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Megan Ah Sam
Chief of Economic Self Sufficiency at Florida Department of Commerce- Energy Roundtable
- FloridaCommerce LIHEAP
- FloridaCommerce LIHEAP
- FloridaCommerce CSBG
- FloridaCommerce WAP Invoice Overview
Megan Ah Sam serves as the Chief of Economic Self Sufficiency within FloridaCommerce. With over 7 years of extensive program management experience within the agency, Megan began her career in the Division of Strategic Business Development, there she assisted in various Small Business Development programs and soon transitioned to the program manager for the Florida Homeowner Assistance Fund Program awarding more than $540M to Florida’s most vulnerable homeowners. As the current Chief of the Bureau of Economic Self Sufficiency, Megan oversees the team responsible for the implementation, disbursement, management and reporting for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Community Services Block Grant Program (CSBG), and the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP).
Bacilia Angel
Lead Advisor at Melioria Advisors- Thriving in the Era of Digital Transformation
- Thriving in the Era of Digital Transformation
- Building Stronger Community Engagement Partners
- Building Stronger Community Engagement Partners
Bacilia Angel is a visionary leader, renowned for founding Includus Fund and Meliora Advisors. With a deep commitment to social justice and community empowerment, Bacilia has dedicated her career to advancing opportunities for underrepresented groups. Her expertise in strategic philanthropy and community engagement has driven significant social impact, earning her recognition as a trailblazer in the field. At Includus Fund, Bacilia has pioneered innovative funding models to support grassroots organizations, while at Meliora Advisors, she has guided nonprofits, government, healthcare organizations and corporations in achieving sustainable growth and
meaningful change. Bacilia's leadership is marked by her ability to build coalitions, foster inclusivity, and champion transformative initiatives that resonate at both local and national levels.
Bacilia possesses a diverse skill set, excelling in areas such as process
engineering, data analytics, performance management, coaching, Lean Six Sigma, program and project management, innovation, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her expertise makes her the go-to person for tackling complex challenges, driving strategic initiatives, and effecting positive change within organizations. Bacilia leads with authenticity and fearlessness, inspiring those
around her to embrace their true selves.
Michael Beard
Founder & President of Elevated LeadershipMichael Beard is an energetic and captivating speaker in the Leadership and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion space. With over 2 decades of leadership experience, he is focused on developing new ways to exceed the cultural and community productivity limits of for-profit and nonprofit corporations and all levels of educational institutions. He is the President and CEO of Elevated Leadership and their platform involves creating meaningful workshops that facilitate safe constructive conversations that promote the development of trust within the organization. His belief is that a team is not a group of people that work together, it’s a group of people who trust each other.
As a product of Florida A & M University and the University of Florida, Michael has had the opportunity to manage corporate and municipal staff from the lens leadership diversity. He has been tapped for leadership training at Bloomberg, Head Start Conferences throughout the US, Universities, North Central Florida Center for Community Enrichment, My Village Project, and many more. Michael is also certified by Cornell University as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion trainer.
His work life is balanced through his most rewarding job of being a husband to a lovely wife, Dawn, and father to two incredible boys, Deylynd and Terrell.
Terry Bearden
Project Director – Organizational Capacity Building of National Community Action Partnership- Celebrating 60 Years of Community Action Panel Discussion and Luncheon
- Board-focused: Cultivating Board Engagement for Mission Achievement
- Beyond Requirements: Performance Management in Community Action
Terry Bearden is the Project Director – Organizational Capacity Building for the Partnership. She began her Community Action career as a frontline worker and mid-level manager at a local Community Action Agency in Pine Bluff, Arkansas more than two decades ago. Her 18-year tenure at the Arkansas Community Action Agencies Association culminated in her serving as the executive director for 3 years. She recently transitioned to being a certified National ROMA Advocate, after serving for many years as a Nationally Certified ROMA Master Trainer and as a founding board member, including several terms as vice president and president, of the Association of Nationally Certified ROMA Trainers (ANCRT).
Within the Community Action network, Terry has served on numerous task forces, work groups, coalitions, commissions, and boards of directors. She has spoken and led workshops at many local, state, regional, and national conferences. Terry is a certified University of Connecticut Family Development Credential instructor and portfolio advisor, graduate of the University of Central Arkansas Community Development Institute, board member of the Arkansas Coalition of Housing and Neighborhood Growth for Empowerment (ACHANGE), and member of the Arkansas Public Policy Panel Citizens First Congress Economic Justice Caucus.
Terry holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Arkansas – Grantham. She and her husband, Nathan, are rearing their 15-year-old biological granddaughter, Karmyn, whom they adopted following the loss of their daughter, Samantha, to domestic violence in 2014.
Doug Brown
Executive Director of Community Action Program Committee Inc.Doug Brown is an energetic, solution-driven professional who excels at leveraging strategic alliances with the goal of increasing the quality of life for low-income citizens. He has taken his experience in community development banking and housing coupled with his talents in nonprofit management to lead the Escambia county-based Community Action Program Committee, Inc. (CAPC) since 2011. Doug has earned the respect of his community by thoughtfully transforming the agency to understand the economic impact of assisting low-income families move toward self-sufficiency. He has over 25 years of experience serving in leadership roles in the public and Private sector, as well as in Community Development lending with Bank of America and Neighborhood Lending Partners. He has also worked for the City of Jacksonville, heading up the Community Development Division and the Jacksonville Housing Commission.
Civic involvements as follows:
• Florida Association for Infant Mental Health- Board member
• Florida Association of Community Action- Board member
• Achieve Escambia- Leadership Council Neighborhood Lending Partners, Inc.- Board member
• Envision the Future, Inc.- Board member
• Continuum of Care Governance Committee
Doris Davis
Training Program Coordinator at Palm Beach County Community ServicesDoris Davis has over 25 years of experience working with families helping them build better lives. She is a native of the Republic of Panama and grew up as a military child in Germany and Alabama. Doris earned a Bachelor's Degree from Jacksonville State University in 1995 and a Master of Arts from Liberty University in 2006. She currently serves as Training Program Coordinator and a Nationally Certified ROMA Trainer working with Palm Beach County Community Services. Doris currently resides in Palm Beach County with my husband and two kids.
Department of Commerce Division of Community Development
Florida Department of Commerce- Opening Plenary
- Energy Roundtable
- FloridaCommerce WAP Invoice Overview
- FloridaCommerce WAP Invoice Overview
The Division of Community Development Team supports innovative community planning, development, and support for communities and economic incentives for businesses that create new jobs.
Arlene Dobison
Chief Executive Officer at The Agricultural and Labor Program, Inc.In 2018, Arlene Dobison was hired as Chief Executive Officer of the Agricultural and Labor Program, Inc. (ALPI). ALPI is a 501 (c) 3, private, non-profit organization, headquartered in Lake Alfred, Florida. She has over 32 years of Executive Leadership and Management experience in Non-Profit Administration, Fund Accounting, Strategic Planning, Program and Leadership Development, etc. In her six years of ALPI leadership, she has garnered over $120 million and expanded ALPI’s budgets to over three-quarters of a billion dollars, to lift up the disenfranchised, low-income customers and others out of poverty. She brings to the organization a strong commitment to its mission, together with a solid understanding of the population served, along with a clear vision for the future. Through the years, she has advocated for programs and services to enhance the lives of disadvantaged children and families. She has been employed in Community Action, worked as the Senior Manager of Fiscal Services for the South Carolina Governor’s Office, where she managed budgets exceeding $500 million dollars, for more than (60) sub-grantees, in addition to having worked for the Federal Government, as a Head Start Fiscal Reviewer.
In her three decades of leadership, she has received numerous certifications, including: Certified Community Action Professional (CCAP); National ROMA Implementer (NCRI); Service Provider and Community Organizer (CCAMP); Housing Development Financial Professional (HDFP); Past Head Start Monitor; Program Review Instrument for System Monitoring (PRISM) Reviewer (now DANYA); and, UCLA Head Start Management Fellow Graduate.
Finding one’s true purpose is often a challenging pursuit, but she has conquered this challenge successfully. Her most important accomplishment has been the ability to impact the lives of disadvantaged children, individuals, families, and farm workers … “If not me, who? If not now, when?”* Her indomitable passion to alleviate and minimize the effects of poverty on the communities she proudly serves, has always been, and will continue to be, a driving force in her life, both personally and professionally.
*Quote by Hilel the Elder, circa 100 BCE
Shawn Drake
Senior Marketing Director of WealthwaveShawn Drake is a Senior Marketing Director with Wealthwave and an Investment Advisor Representative with Transamerica Financial Advisors Inc. located in Jacksonville Florida. Born in Jamaica and raised in Chicago, he relocated to Jacksonville Florida in August of 1997 to attend the University of North Florida where he obtained a bachelor’s in business administration with a concentration in Marketing from the Coggin College of Business. In 2005, Mr. Drake was in search of a change of career and decided to launch into the financial industry on a part time basis helping people and families learn How Money Works. In 2015, that part time desire turned into a full-time career. Now he travels the country carrying the message of financial literacy and empowerment with him. How Do I plan to Make a Difference? “I know that I have been blessed with both the willingness and ability to make positive changes when it comes to financial illiteracy. I envision our communities openly discussing How Money Works and putting an end to the monetary suffering that has been destroying us for generations.”
Sandra Espinel
Trainer, Consultant, Professor at ECE-Beginning Steps Consultant Services, LLFDr. Sandra I. Espinel has 35+ years of Head Start experience, including 13 years of Head
Start/Early Head Start/Childcare Partnership in management systems and services operation, in
her current position of Grantee Specialist for Region IV. She started as a Head Start parent and
began as a Teacher Aide. She was promoted to Teacher within a few years after obtaining a CDA
credential and then to Center Manager of two centers. As Quality Assurance Coordinator and
Trainer for Orange County Head Start, she monitored a program of 1,236 children in all Service
Areas, including program design Management. While working, Dr. Espinel continued her
education and received a bachelor’s degree in public administration. She then earned a master’s
degree in management and leadership. She received an Education Specialist Degree with a
specialization in Early Childhood Education. She defended her dissertation and obtained a
doctorate in Early Childhood Education. Her research study is on “Head Start Teachers’
Perception of their Current Curriculum Used to Teach English as a Second Language for Dual
Language Learners” while providing training and technical assistance to grantees throughout
Region IV in Program Design and Management. Her 35+ years of experience in Head Start
brings a wealth of knowledge of the need for a comprehensive curriculum to teach English to
Head Start children. Dr. Espinel continues to assist Head Start leaders and staff in developing
skills and creating programs that comply with federal regulations and other Head Start
requirements. She is currently a professor on one of the campuses at the only Dual Language
University, Ana G. Mendez, in the State of Florida, teaching Management and Early Childhood
Education courses.
Walter Fordham III
CEO/CIO of SmartQuest Technology, Inc.- Unleash the Power of the 21st Century Executive: Revolutionize Your Organization with AI
- Unleash the Power of the 21st Century Executive: Revolutionize Your Organization with AI
Walter Fordham III is a Florida native with an impactful career spanning from an honorable 6-year service in the United States Marine Corps to leading roles in cutting-edge technology. As CEO/CIO at SmartQuest Technology Inc., Fordham's expertise in artificial intelligence extends across various sectors, with profound influence in the nonprofit realm. His legacy includes shaping custom software solutions that enhance accountability and operations for major corporations, government entities, and Community Action Agencies. A Florida A&M University alumnus, Fordham has spent over two decades equipping major corporations, government agencies, and nonprofits with innovative technical solutions and training. He provides the tools and training that enable self-sufficiency and heighten productivity, ensuring that each client engagement transforms into a dynamic partnership. A respected thought leader, Fordham's pursuit of straightforward, impactful technology solutions positions him as not just a visionary developer, but a transformative partner in the industry.
Denise Harlow
Chief Executive Officer at National Community Action Partnership (NCAP)Denise Harlow serves as the CEO of the National Community Action Partnership, the hub that links the nation’s 1,000 local Community Action Agencies to each other and to leaders looking for solutions that connect Americans to greater opportunity. Community Action Agencies reach into 99% of America’s counties and provide life-changing services that build pathways to well-being and prosperity. With more than 30 year of experience in the nonprofit sector, Ms. Harlow has a deep understanding of the complexities of the human services ecosystem and the challenges faced by community-based organizations and the families they serve.
Prior to her tenure at NCAP, Ms. Harlow was the CEO of the New York State Community Action Association and Sr. Vice President for Capacity Building for the New York Council of Nonprofits. She has a master’s degree in social work from the University at Albany where she was a Fellow on Women and Public Policy at the Center for Women in Government and Civil Society and holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Valparaiso University. Presently, Ms. Harlow holds the position of Board Secretary at the National Human Services Assembly and serves on the national advisory committee for First Nonprofit.
Frankie Hernandez
Community Services Block Grant, Program Manager Deputy Chief at Florida Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Self-Sufficiency Division of Community Development- FloridaCommerce CSBG
- FloridaCommerce LIHEAP
- FloridaCommerce LIHEAP
- FloridaCommerce CSBG
- FloridaCommerce WAP Invoice Overview
Frankie Hernandez is the Community Program Manager administering the state’s Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) since October of 2020. He also serves as the Bureau of Economic Self-Sufficiency Deputy Chief within the Florida Department of Commerce. Mr. Hernandez has over 13 years of experience managing and providing support to state and federal programs that positively enhance the lives of many Floridians.
Warren Hougland
Community Action Director of Osceola Council on Aging- Opening Plenary
- Celebrating 60 Years of Community Action Panel Discussion and Luncheon
- Closing Plenary
Warren Hougland is the Osceola County Council on Aging Senior Vice President for the Osceola Council on Aging. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Management from the University of Central Florida. Since the age of sixteen, he has volunteered in senior services. In the first five years with the Osceola Council on Aging, he has held the position of Administrator of a 100-bed assisted living facility, managed a congestive heart failure self-management pilot project, and moved into Health Services Division Manager position with the Osceola County Council on Aging. In the past 16 years, Mr. Hougland has overseen the transition of anti-poverty services into the Council on Aging and led the development of the organization's Community Action Division. Mr. Hougland directs over eight community service programs focusing on self-sufficiency and independence for seniors and low-income families and five health service programs providing healthcare for indigent patients. He has sat on multiple boards that focus on the availability of appropriate health and social services in the community of Osceola County. For the past 13 years, Mr. Hougland has chaired the Emergency Food and Shelter Program Board for Osceola County and recently served as the vice chair for the Florida Community Action Association. As an advocate dedicated to providing services for disadvantaged families and individuals, Mr. Hougland constantly engages in ongoing community partnerships that foster and enable independence and self-sufficiency.
Sylvia Hubbard
Performance Improvement Strategist/Consultant at ICU Educational EnterprisesIntroducing Sylvia Hubbard, a true champion of early childhood education and program management. Sylvia's journey with Head Start began over 20 years ago, not as a consultant, but as a dedicated parent passionate about making a difference. From those humble beginnings, she has risen to become a dynamic leader, working tirelessly across multiple capacities within Head Start.
With a background in serving over 6,000 children statewide through various programs like family childcare homes, Early Head Start, Head Start, and childcare partnerships, Sylvia brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. Her journey from parent to professional showcases her unwavering commitment to empowering children and families.
Her impressive credentials include reviewing grant proposals for the Office of Head Start, ensuring funding goes to the most impactful initiatives. On top of her educational degrees, Sylvia has also pursued further education at Cornell University, obtaining certification in small business entrepreneurship.
As a National Review Consultant for the Office of Head Start, armed with a BA in Human Services and a master's degree in organizational management and leadership, Sylvia is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to evaluating and enhancing program effectiveness.
But Sylvia's dedication extends beyond her professional pursuits. She's a dedicated community servant, excelling in impactful board roles and mastering the art of collaboration, recruitment, and assessment.
So, if you're ready to shake things up and make a real difference in early childhood education, look no further than Sylvia Hubbard. With her heart, humor, and expertise, she's on a mission to reshape the landscape of education, one smile at a time, empowering programs, engaging parents and enriching communities.
"ICU: Igniting Curiosity, Unleashing Potential"
Jonathan Kohn
Division Manager at Orange County Community Action DivisionJonathan Kohn has been the Division Manager for Orange County Community Action since January of this year. Although new to this role and to Community Action, he has extensive experience in the nonprofit and human services sectors and has spent the past two decades designing and implementing impact programs. Before joining Orange County Government, Jonathan was the Vice President of Community Impact at United Way in the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky. In this role, he designed and implemented a powerful collective impact initiative, and he will share his experience and lessons learned with FACA. He knows that his is just one of many stories about the power of Collective Impact, so he encourages others to come to this session prepared to add their own experiences.
Mark Lera
Co-Founder/Trainer/Consultant of American Institute of Business Science- Weatherization Training Series
- Weatherization Training Series
- Weatherization Training Series
- Weatherization Training Series
Mark has earned several certifications from the Building Performance Institute and is a Certified Super Proctor and Trainer, Building Analyst, Envelope Professional, and Healthy Building Evaluator. The National Center for Construction Education & Research also lists Mark as a Certified Master Trainer, Certified Assessment Administrator, and Certified Accreditation Visitor.
Mark is a long-time resident of Nevada but has conducted dozens of workshops training building
energy contractors and subcontractors across the U.S. for more than 3 decades. He is recognized as a national expert in the Principles of Building Science, Building Energy Systems Integration and
Optimization, HVAC, and other areas of energy. Mark has testified at several legislative hearings on
energy issues in Nevada and has worked with many key energy stakeholders in the Silver State for many
years.
John Martinez
Executive Director of Centro Campesino, Inc.John Martínez is the Executive Director of Centro Campesino, Inc. He has over 30 years of experience working with community-based organizations including ten years of national experience and expertise developing multicultural outreach and capacity-building efforts.
His professional work experience includes leading a community-development corporation, guiding a community action agency, directing a rural USDA-supported enterprise community, leading an urban school-to-work initiative, and serving as the National Director of Workforce Development for the National Council of La Raza (UnidosUS), a Washington, DC-based Civil Right, and Advocacy Organization.
John is a summa cum laude graduate in political science from the University of New Mexico, holds a Master of Science degree from Louisiana State University, and attended the Conexiones International Honors program in Mexico. In 2023/2024, John completed the Harvard Kennedy School’s NeighborWorks America’s Achieving Excellence program.
He is a member of the South Florida Community Development Advisory Board for JP Morgan Chase and Truist Bank, a former member of the Affiliate Council of UnidosUS, and a Senior Fellow on Mexico for the U.S Mexico Solidarity Foundation.
Heather McCallister
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Community Program Manager at Florida Department of Commerce- FloridaCommerce LIHEAP
- FloridaCommerce LIHEAP
- FloridaCommerce CSBG
- FloridaCommerce WAP Invoice Overview
Heather McCallister is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Community Program Manager. She previously served as the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Lead Contract Manager. Ms. McCallister specializes in project management, consulting and contract management. Ms. McCallister’s background includes over 25 years of leadership experience with roles from Team Lead to Executive Director in the student loan and healthcare industries.
Lianna McGowan
Professor at Peace and Justice InstituteLianna McGowan is a professor at Valencia College who teaches the New Student Experience, a class that supports students in finding their purpose, making personal connections, and creating pathways and a sense of belonging. Lianna has spent the past fifteen years in the classroom teaching undergraduates in Idaho, Minnesota, and Florida.
Lianna has a Bachelor of Individualized Studies with a focus on Cultural Studies from the University of Minnesota. She completed her Master of Library and Information Science and Master of Arts degrees concurrently in Information Science and Cultural Literacy Studies. Lianna’s work with the Peace and Justice Institute focuses on curriculum development, teaching, group facilitation, and
teaching mindfulness. A lifelong meditator, she has completed numerous silent retreats and mindfulness training programs, including a cohort-based, intensive five month Mindful Leadership Program with Spirit Rock. She teaches mindfulness in her classroom, for faculty and staff, and for PJI. Her passion is to support teachers and professionals as they explore their inner lives and connectedness with each other. As a teacher and human being, Lianna is committed to living a mindful path at the intersection of vulnerability and strength.
John Mitchell
Co-Founder/Trainer/Consultant of American Institute of Business Science (AIOBS)- Weatherization Training Series
- Weatherization Training Series
- Weatherization Training Series
- Weatherization Training Series
John Mitchell has served as Director of Energy for New England Total Energy as well as The Dean of Education for the Home Performance Institute of New England. John’s responsibility was to oversee the energy division of New England Total Energy. As Dean of Education, with the Home Performance Institute of New England, John developed and had oversight on all home performance training and protocol. John was also the owner and CEO of JLC Green
Technologies is an International Training and Testing Center for Home Performance.
John is a National Speaker for Industry Conferences in both the Energy and Environmental Industries. He is an Ambassador for The Building Performance Industry and is an IREC Master Trainer for HEP/BPI instructions for Energy Auditor and Quality Control Inspector. John participates and conducts Train the Trainers to align and standardize training protocols in the Home Performance Industry. He is a certified Building Performance Institute Certified Super Proctor, Building Analyst, and Envelope Profession and has other related certifications from the National Center for Construction Education & Research.
Melvin Philpot
Products & Services Manager Community Outreach at Duke EnergyMelvin Philpot is a Products & Services Manager for Duke Energy in Lake Mary Florida. He has been employed with the company for 41 years. He is currently the Product & Services Manager for the nationally renowned “Neighborhood Energy Saver Program.”
He is active with many local and state organizations where he serves on the following boards/committees:
• Board of Directors, Agriculture & Labor Program Inc.
• Chairman, City of Sanford Martin Luther King Jr. Steering Committee
• Chairman, Board of Commissioners, Sanford Housing Authority
• Chairman, DEO Weatherization Policy Advisory Committee
• Board of Directors, Suncoast Housing Connections
• Secretary, Central Florida Urban League
• Board of Directors, Goldsboro Front Porch project
• Executive Committee, Florida Housing Coalition
• Board of Directors, Rescue Outreach Mission
• Member, Goldsboro Choice Neighborhood Initiative
• Co-founder, Florida Youth Energy Academy
• Member, Duke Energy Florida Diversity Cabinet
• Member, 100 Black Men of Greater Orlando
• Former Central Region Coordinator, Member, American Association of Blacks In Energy
Britt Pomush
Senior Public Affairs Specialist at National Association for State Community Services Programs (NASCSP)- Maximizing WAP by Improved Coordination and Leveraging
- Maximizing WAP by Improved Coordination and Leveraging
- Building Successful Relationships
- Building Successful Relationships
Britt Pomush is the Senior Public Affairs Specialist for the National Association for State Community Services Programs (NASCSP). Before joining NASCSP in 2021, she worked for the Washington State Community Action Partnership as the Finance and Operations Director. She also worked for the State of Washington Department of Commerce as a Program Manager for the Community Services Block Grant for two years and a Program Manager for the Weatherization Assistance Program for three years. Britt received her master’s degree in public administration from the Evergreen State College.
Coreine Rainford
Community Program Manager at Florida Department of CommerceCoreine Rainford is the Weatherization Assistance Community Program Manager within FloridaCommerce, providing oversight for the effective and efficient management of the program across the State of Florida. She is a high-performing, strategic-thinking professional with experience in international relations, marketing, weatherization, and youth development. Highly skilled at relationship-building with people, organizations, and teams, Coreine possesses exceptional writing, presenting, and interpersonal communication skills. She is a motivated initiative-taker with a proven ability to work in demanding situations and strives to provide an elevated level of service to clients. Coreine cares for the development and welfare of people.
Amanda Reddy
Executive Director of National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH)- Celebrating 60 Years of Community Action Panel Discussion and Luncheon
- Creating Healthy Home Environments: A Framework for Local Health Departments, Key Partners, and Communities
- Creating Healthy Home Environments: A Framework for Local Health Departments, Key Partners, and Communities
Amanda Reddy is the Executive Director of the National Center for Healthy Housing, an organization founded on the premise that better housing can be a powerful platform for better health. Amanda describes her path into the field of environmental health by saying that she took a job and found a calling. Over the last 15 years, she has answered that call by working with communities to effectively prevent housing-related illness and injury by implementing evidence-based and equitable policies that improve housing quality. Prior to joining the National Center for Healthy Housing, Amanda was a research scientist with the New York State Department of Health, where she supported a range of programs focused on improving indoor and outdoor air quality in homes, schools, workplaces, and outdoor settings. Amanda has served as a national leader in securing sustainable financing for healthy homes services and developed a talent for making topics like healthcare financing, code enforcement, and economic evaluation engaging. She holds degrees in environmental health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and neuroscience from Mount Holyoke College.
Jeremiah Rivera
Engagement Specialist at United States Department of EnergyJeremiah Rivera serves as an Engagement Specialist the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Community Engagement (OCE) and has nearly 15 years’ experience working in state government, local government and the non-profit sector in Texas and Michigan. Jeremiah’s most recent experience involved community and economic development in Houston and San Antonio through local government outreach and non-profit organization capacity building. He earned his Masters in Public Administration at the University of Texas at San Antonio and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at Texas A&M Corpus Christi.
Currently in Houston, Texas, he enjoys spending quality time with his wife, three pets, gaming, bbqing, (poorly) jogging, and learning more about Houston’s Near Northside community.
Anna Saintil
Florida Supreme Court Mediator and Arbitrator/Professor at Peace and Justice InstituteAnna Saintil is a scholar and practitioner in mediation and is a certified Florida Supreme Court Mediator in the areas of Circuit Civil, Appellate, County and Family. She is also a Florida Supreme Court Qualified Arbitrator. Anna is actively involved in the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Florida Courts system. Her extensive experiences as a dispute resolution professional and advanced training in conflict navigation, has allowed Anna to develop and present various training programs.
Anna Saintil is a full-time tenured Valencia faculty member and has served as Faculty Assembly President and the first College-wide Faculty Ombuds Representative. She is a proud member of the Peace and Justice Institute.
Pattye Sawyer
Executive Director of Pinellas Opportunity Council, Inc.Pattye L. Sawyer is a social service professional with over 25 years of experience with community-based and not-for-profit organizations in the Community Action, affordable housing, community health, hospice, marketing, and public relations industries.
In April 2020, Ms. Sawyer assumed leadership of Pinellas Opportunity Council, Inc. (POC) as its Executive Director. Building upon the long-standing legacy POC has built in the community, she works alongside her team to further enhance the organization’s strong commitment to helping alleviate poverty, revitalize local communities, and promote the self-sufficiency of Pinellas County individuals and families.
Jaget Shah
Founder and CEO of Shah Software, Inc.Mr. Shah is the founder and now the CEO of Shah Software, Inc. His company provides software for Client tracking to Community Action Agencies and other nonprofits across the US. His company also provides software for Transit for Scheduling and Dispatching and other transit related functions.
Mr. Shah grew up in Bombay, India and has a degree in Pharmaceutical and Chemical Engineering.
After migrating to US in the mid-1990s, Mr. Shah earned a Masters in Computer Science from Texas Tech University.
His first experience with the Community Action world was when he worked as a volunteer for a local community action agency in 1996 writing a software to manage their LIHEAP program. This agency is still using the NewGen system for over 25 years and counting and is currently using the same version that is used by the Florida CAA network.
Mr. Shah has trained scores of CAAs in using the Newgen system to manage CSBG, LIHEAP, Case Management services. He is passionate about his work and loves to develop new ideas.
Awais Sheikh
Senior Advisor at Meliora Advisors- Thriving in the Era of Digital Transformation
- Thriving in the Era of Digital Transformation
- Building Stronger Community Engagement Partners
- Building Stronger Community Engagement Partners
Awais Sheikh is a strategic advisor that has shaped modernization efforts for large scale public, private, and nonprofit organizations, including numerous civilian and military Federal agencies, through establishing trusted relationships with senior leaders, and leading diverse teams to execute transformation efforts. Awais served as the Head of Strategic Planning and Execution Management focusing on strategic growth for the largest Public Sector sales organization within Amazon Web Services, advising executives overseeing multi-billion dollar revenue targets. Previously, he served as the Capability Development Lead for MITRE’s Business Innovation Capability, MITRE’s approach to delivering approaches such as design thinking and lean startup to internal and sponsor customers through research, development of 4 toolkits and collateral, and providing subject matter expertise for MITRE and our sponsors. Mr. Sheikh also has experience in business process management and agile strategy and coaching. He is a published expert in the areas of business innovation and design thinking and the winner of the Eugene M. DeLoatch Legacy Award winner at the 2019 BEYA STEM Conference for his career and nonprofit accomplishments.
Consuela Thompson
Executive Director of Georgia Community Action Association- Celebrating 60 Years of Community Action Panel Discussion and Luncheon
- Organizational Culture and Change
- Organizational Culture and Change
Consuela Thompson has more than 15 years of leadership, project management, and organizational development experience in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. As the CEO/Lead Consultant for The Community Academy, Inc., Ms. Thompson has designed, implemented, and evaluated TTA materials, assisting organizations with capacity-building knowledge and resources. Ms. Thompson has strong skills in leading, developing, and maintaining programs and establishing collaborative partnerships. She has a sincere passion for service and a firm commitment to empowering individuals, families, and communities through community engagement and civic leadership programs and providing services for culturally diverse groups seeking tools, resources, and services to improve their quality of life. Ms. Thompson acquired a Bachelor in Sociology and a Master of Public Administration. She is currently attending Georgia State University to obtain a PhD in Sociology. She serves as the executive director of the Georgia Community Action Association (GCAA).
Monique Trice
Product and Services Manager at Duke EnergyMonique Trice is a Product and Services Manager at Duke Energy with several years of experience helping income eligible customers save energy and reduce expenses through the installation of energy efficient measures in their homes. Monique manages Income Eligible Weatherization Assistance Programs for Duke Energy’s Florida, Ohio, and Kentucky jurisdictions.
Monique is a native of Cleveland, Ohio who attended Cleveland State University and received her undergrad degree in Urban Studies with a concentration of Housing and Neighborhood Development. Monique understood the importance of serving the community and continued her education and obtained her master’s degree in Public Administration.
She wears several hats at Duke Energy, as she serves as the Chair of an Employee Resource Group, Advocates for African American. She is a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Council and yearly volunteer for the Youth Energy Academy. She is also a member of American Association of Blacks in Energy. Monique services as Secretary on the Board of Pinellas Opportunity Council.
Whenever there is a free time to be had you can find Monique spoiling her Shih-Poo Fizel, loving on her husband and her daughter.
Natalie Vazquez
Senior Program Manager at Palm Beach County Community Services DepartmentNatalie Vazquez is the Senior Program Manager for the Palm Beach County Community Action Agency (PBCCAP), and oversees grants and programs, such as the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), Family Self Sufficiency Program (FSSP), and others.
Natalie is a certified Results-Oriented Management and Accountability (ROMA) trainer, and provides training and technical assistance to other Community Action agencies across the state of Florida. She is also a Six Sigma Green Belt and has participated in the National Community Action Partnership’s Learning Communities. Natalie is a board member of the Florida Association for Community Actions (FACA) and has served in different capacities, including as chair of the Training and Development committee.
Tamara West
Technical Advisor at Florida Housing Coalition- The Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act (HOTMA) Compliance and Best Practices
- The Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act (HOTMA) Compliance and Best Practices
Tamara West is a Technical Advisor with the Florida Housing Coalition and provides training and advise to local governments and nonprofit organizations in Florida. Tamara has twenty years of experience with administrating and implementing state, federal and local housing grants awarded to local governments. Tamara has expertise in finance, budgeting, housing, and community development to include CDBG, HOME, ESG and ERA. She is knowledgeable of SHIP program implementation and has a long record of successfully guiding local government through annual audits and compliance reporting. She was recognized for launching numerous emergency rental and mortgage assistance programs.
She was previously the Housing & Neighborhood Development Manager of Polk County and a Finance & Grants Manager with Hillsborough County. In these roles she was responsible for leading efforts to partner with housing developers and nonprofits to further affordable housing. She has Finance degree from the University of South Florida and master’s in public administration from Troy University.
Lavon Williams
Deputy Director of Orange County Community and Family Services DepartmentServes as the Deputy Director for the Community and Family Services Department of Orange County government. She brings a background in public administration, urban planning, economic development, social services, event planning, neighborhood outreach and community building. In her twenty-seven years with Orange County, she has worked closely with community leaders and volunteers, teaching leadership skills and strategies. Her undergraduate studies were completed at the University of North Florida. She continued her education at Florida State University where she obtained a Master’s in Public Administration and a Masters in Urban Planning. Lavon is also a graduate of Florida A&M University, College of Law and is an attorney.
LaTanya Wynn-Hall
President & CEO of Wynning Team, LLCLaTanya Wynn-Hall is the President/CEO of Wynning Team, LLC. She had a 30 year Social Services Career overseeing Head Start and Foster Care Programs (1992-2022).
She holds a Master’s of Science Degree from the University of Florida and a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree from the University of Virginia. She was recognized as a Jacksonville Business Journal “Woman of Influence” (May 2022). She was the winner for News4JAX 2021 “Pinnacle” Award for Lifetime Achievement; she was an Eve Award Finalist (August 2019); she was selected as the 2018 Florida Head Start Association “Administrator of the Year”. Her Head Start Program was featured in the New York Times (February 2019) and program was interviewed on the NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (April 2019). She has served on the National and Region IV Head Start Associations Board of Directors; Early Learning Coalition Board; Family Support Services of North Florida Board; WJCT Board of Trustees; and Bethel Baptist Church Trustee. She is a Leadership Jacksonville Alumni (Class of ’99). She considers herself as a “Change Culture Coach” where she combines her experience as a Division 1 student-athlete and coach and Executive building/re-building programs. She is married to Ernest Hall and is the proud Grandmother, “Gammie” to 4 beautiful grandchildren!