Alice is a graduate of Florida Southern College, a returned Peace Corps Volunteer, a mother, and a life-long learner. She is a resident of Lakeland, FL, but a citizen of the world. She enjoys a challenge. She has written grants, memos, resumes, press releases, love letters, magazine articles, executive summaries, lunchbox notes, professional bios, research […]

Amy Wiggins is a public relations and communications professional who recently learned the meaning of the word proscenium. After finishing her BA at Florida Southern College, Amy worked as the YMCA of West Central Florida’s first Teen Development Director before beginning a career in communications and economic development at the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce. […]

Beatrice Dela Pena is a Senior Director at Government Employees Insurance Company (GEICO) with responsibility for GEICO’s countrywide Spanish operations. Prior to assuming her current role, Dela Pena served as assistant vice president of underwriting for the state of Florida, and previously assistant vice president of GEICO’s Local Office operations. Dela Pena joined GEICO in […]

Brad Crenshaw works for Publix Super Markets as Director of Real Estate Strategy. He has worked at Publix for 11 years and currently oversees new store site selection and real estate development. He was born and raised in Lakeland and is a graduate of Florida State University and Florida Southern College.

Carole has lived in Lakeland since 1996. She served for 15 years as a Vice President at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. During that time she  had executive responsibility for master planning and overseeing construction and opening of the laundry building, the Cancer Center and its first expansion and the B wing and the parking garage. […]

Chuck McDanal is the owner of StudioC and has more than 25 years of experience in a range of roles, from managing an IT department to working as an editor; from directing a large operation to leading an internet startup and creating a 501(c)(3) nonprofit from the ground up. He has extensive experience in process […]

Ileana Kniss was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico and moved to Lakeland, FL when she was 7. As a longtime resident, Ileana is a graduate of Lakeland High School. She went on the earn a BA in Communications from the University of Central Florida. Ileana has more than 13 years’ experience in fundraising/development and community […]

Jason Willey is the Business Development and Special Projects Manager for the City of Lakeland. He is responsible for the City’s internal economic and business development activities. Working closely with developers, contractors, engineers, architects and realtors, much of Jason’s time is spent navigating processes and solving problems. He has a Bachelor of Science in Public […]

Jermaine Thornton began his dance training with lyrical jazz and ballet at Port Saint Lucie High School. After graduation, he received a dance scholarship to Indian River Community College in Fort Pierce, Florida. While there, Jermaine began his formal studies in classical ballet, Graham, Cunningham, and Limon modern dance technique under the instruction of Molly […]

Katherine Fitzwater is Vice President of Marketing and Communications for United Way of Central Florida. Prior to coming to United Way of Central Florida in 2019, Katherine worked for Curious Jane a local advertising agency where she managed print and digital marketing efforts for clients nationwide. With a passion for serving her community, Katherine has […]

Kyle Fedler is Professor of Religion at Florida Southern College. From 2011-2019, he served as the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Florida Southern College where he oversaw all matters related to academics, as well as student life. Before moving into academic administration, Dr. Fedler taught full time at Ashland University and briefly […]

Liz Craven, along with her husband Wes, owns Pro-Ad Media, a Polk County based media company serving the local community for over 26 years. Pro-Ad Media is the home of the Polk Elder Care Guide, Doc Talk Magazine, and Polk Eats Restaurant Guide. Liz lives in Lakeland and is very active in the local community, […]

Pat Steed is the Executive Director of the Central Florida Regional Planning Council which covers the counties of Polk, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, and Okeechobee and the twenty-five cities located within them. She has lived in Lakeland since 1982. Pat has 35 years of management and professional planning experience including serving as Planning Director for Polk […]

Rick Maxey has more than 30 years of experience working in Florida government. He is currently the Assistant Vice President Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland, Florida. At Florida Poly he has also held positions as Assistant Vice President Economic Development and Board Management and Director Government Relations. Prior to […]

Dr. Sallie Stone is a consummate professional with over twenty years of experience in educational leadership and management. She is the founder of Compass Smart Solutions educational consulting providing training, professional development, business coaching and motivational speaking for diverse groups around customized themes. As the owner of Well-done Events! multi-media services Dr. Stone has established […]

Sara Roberts McCarley was born in Lakeland, raised in Davenport and graduated from Florida Southern College. In her career, Sara is dedicated to making a difference. Through her work with Best Buddies International, she developed a program that was implemented in high schools nationwide to enhance the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities through friendship […]

Tiffany Van Wieren leads the Arts in Medicine initiative at the Watson Clinic Foundation, based in the Watson Clinic Cancer Center. Through this program, she orchestrates activities within the center and extends its impacts throughout the community. As a musician, public speaker, consultant, and mother of four, Tiffany, a Florida Southern College graduate, brings over […]

Originally from Tampa, Trinity is a first-generation college graduate with a BA in electronic media from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Her thirst for obscure and esoteric knowledge led her to work on documentary series about such varied topics as the Russian space program and 19th-Century explorers in Egypt. Her devotion to media […]