Meet Our Team
More About Jessica...
Ever since she was a young girl, Jessica wanted to help her community and the children within it. She earned a BS degree in Human Development and Family Science from Florida State University and has spent her entire career working in the non-profit industry. Over 25 years of those years, she served in multiple leadership positions for children and family services, including case management, residential group care, early childhood education, mental health, substance abuse treatment programs, and community solutions programming. During this time, she also obtained a MS degree in Business Leadership from NOVA Southeastern University. Jessica brings a strong balance of a nonprofit heart and a business mindset. She most recently served for 4.5 years in executive leadership for Children’s Home Society, where she administered 14 programs in 11 counties with a 10.5M annual operating budget and over 150 employees. Jessica has served on many boards, committees and work groups to improve the outcomes for children and families in Florida, including her current role on the Board of Directors with First Tee of Central Florida. In her spare time, Jessica enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her fur baby – Harley, listening to live jazz, traveling to Caribbean islands and reading.
More About Cathy...
A goal of Cathy’s is to consistently, and with the highest degree of compliance quality, grow this United Way to heights it’s never reached before, including the achievement of a new UWW Metro ranking and an excess of $4M in revenue, along with, of course, pristine, accurate, and compliant audits and 990 documentation.
More About Nishika...
Nishika is a native of Central Florida and resides here with her two children. She finds joy in helping individual and families within her community who are born with societal disadvantages and fighting an up-hill battle. She enjoys encouraging youth to strive towards goals and making them aware of their potential to achieve all dreams.
More About Tracey...
Tracey spent 24 years with the US Army rising to the rank of Lt. Col with successive assignments in various military assignments. He then was employed for the next 24 years in several positions in post-secondary education ranging from Campus Director, Vice President International operations, Vice President Brazilian operations, Regional Financial Director and Faculty member. Has also established and developed campuses in Orlando, Brazil, and India. He and his family currently reside in Howey in the Hills.
More About Danielle...
More About Thawanna...
I am a proud mom of two amazing sons and a beautiful granddaughter. I firmly believe that all children can learn. We must create environments they feel safe and accepted in. There is no greater feeling than watching the change in little learners. I believe that when teachers are supported with resources and knowledge they can make a difference. Pouring into our little learners will in turn produce productive well rounded confident citizens. I hold a Child Development Associates, Florida Daycare Directors Credentials and a Bachelors of Religious Arts in Biblical Studies. Also a member of Florida Association of Childcare Management.
—
There is Nothing as Powerful as a Changed Mind” Thawanna Newton
More About Angela...
Born in Holland, Michigan, Angela has resided in Lake County since 2000. Angela
Angela regards raising
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More About Veronica...
A graduate of Eustis high school, Veronica also has an AA from Lake Sumter State College. Her non-profit background includes multiple local agencies and her experience in grant writing is growing exponentially. When not writing grants or pursuing additional funding opportunities for our United Way, she enjoys family time and spending the precious moments with her three children and hubby on their local farm.
More About Keia...
She has worked with youth as a mentor, clients in need with funding options, and even helped clients assess the risks and outcomes of many of their decisions, using skills learned from when she was a data analyst. Keia tends to roam both counties in our service area, so you may spot her in Sumterville, Mount Dora, or even the South Lake area, as well as her home base of right here in Leesburg.
More About Connie...
Connie Driver graduated from the University of Central Florida with her undergraduate degree in Social Work. Connie began her position as a Case Manager for United Way through an internship for college, she then obtained a full-time position with the agency. As a social worker, she has a passion for helping meet the needs of those in her community facing hardships. In addition, being bilingual in English and Spanish has made it possible to connect with more individuals from different cultures in her community.
When not in the office or out in the community helping meet the needs of residents of Lake and Sumter counties, Connie enjoys working out, dancing salsa, and spending time with her friends volunteering at church events.
More About Edward...
We value diversity…
At United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of who we are. Our commitment to these values is unwavering – across all of our work in both of our two counties we have the pleasure of serving. They are central to our mission and vision, as well as our community impact. We know that having varied perspectives, backgrounds, and points of view, are able to help generate better ideas to solve the complex problems of a changing—and increasingly diverse—world.