Board of Directors

Karen has lived and worked in Lake and Sumter Counties for more than 40 years. Her 28-year career in education began in the Sumter County School District and continued to Lake-Sumter State College first as a mathematics faculty member then as an administrator, currently serving as the Dean of General Studies. She is passionate about helping members of the Lake County and Sumter County communities live better lives through education. Her hobbies include reading, kayaking, and camping.

Heath Nailos is a partner with the firm of Boyette Cummins & Nailos. His professional practice areas include personal injury, insurance disputes and civil litigation. Personally, Heath has been involved in and a supporter of numerous charitable organizations in the Lake County community, having served, or continuing to serve, as a Board member of Cornerstone Hospice, UF Health Leesburg Hospital Foundation, South Lake Community Foundation, South Lake Chamber of Commerce, and Project Scholars/Pig on the Pond. Additionally, Heath is actively involved in The First United Church of Clermont and is a proud Gator Booster at the University of Florida.

Founder and president of the Sunshine Community Foundation, Ellen is a teacher whos career includes an internship with the National League of Cities, and experience in non-profit corporations including the Smithsonian, Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the National Science Foundation, and The Graduate School, USDA.

She has worked as a grant writer, fund raiser, program specialist, teacher and consultant.

Work and travel to five continents has given her a greater appreciation of the importance sustainable development and environmental and natural resource economics, fueling her desire to develop ecological, sustainable communities through smart partnerships that optimize local and regional resources.

Emily Madak is a Customer Service Manager at Publix Super Market. She is also volunteer coordinator for Publix District 5 where she leads the organization of aid to the Special Olympics and local organizations suggested through United Way of Lake & Sumter Counties (UWLS).

Emily is a recipient of the Mr. George Community Service Award which recognized her as an outstanding member in the community through her volunteer efforts and giving. She personally volunteered over 250 hours and organized hundreds of Publix volunteers whom volunteered over 1700 hours as a group.

Emily has also personally given financial support to UWLS over her thirteen years with Publix. She began working closely with UWLS through volunteer efforts since 2015. Through those efforts, she has formed relationships with several of the organizations in our area. Emily led the 2017 UWLS campaign for Publix, attended and helped organize the “Seeing is Believing” tour, learning more of how the money is used and some of the parties that receive funding.

Emily is also a member of Life Church Assembly of God where she is currently serving as a choir member, praise team singer, and working with youth through music coaching.

A Lake County native, B.E. has been employed with LifeStream Behavioral Center since 1996, and currently hold the position of Director of Development, which includes grant development and management, coordination of special events, community outreach, cultivating donors, and serving as a government liaison. I also manage LifeStream’s housing and homeless services continuum. His background includes developing and implementing youth prevention/early intervention programs, academic programs, and Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) programs for local government. B.E. has a successful history of securing and managing grants and contracts from local, state, federal, corporate, public and private funding sources. He currently serve on several state, local, and nonprofit boards.

As a seasoned real estate professional, I understand that buying or selling a home is more than just a transaction: it’s a life-changing experience. That’s why I am dedicated to providing exceptional, personalized service for all of my clients. I take great pride in the relationships I build and always work relentlessly on the client’s behalf to help them achieve their real estate goals. My philosophy is simple: Clients come first. I pledge to be in constant communication with my clients, keeping them fully informed throughout the entire buying or selling process. I believe that if you’re not left with an amazing experience, I haven’t done my job. I don’t measure success through achievements or awards but through the satisfaction of my clients.