Mark Beausoleil (Chairman): Mr. Beausoleil is the First Senior Vice President and Director of Retail Banking Sales and Service at Valley National Bank, with responsibility for 200 branches in four states including Florida. Mr. Beausoleil has a strong focus on sales, service and operational efficiency as well as employee engagement in community projects. He is an active Board Member with Brook USA, a Board of Directors member for the Miami Rescue Mission and is Board Chairman for CARE Elementary School.

Dr. Linda Washington-Brown: Dr. Brown has a wealth of educational experience, with a PhD in Theology, a PhD in Nursing and an EJD in Law. She is currently serving as Associate Dean of the Broward College RN to BSN Program as well as the ARNP for the Broward Outreach Clinic, administering health care to homeless men and women. She has vast experience in the health care field, has earned numerous awards for her service, and has been published in a variety of healthcare publications. She has received multiple grants of up to $60,000 for her research and she has been invited repeatedly to serve on the HRSA Grant Program Peer Review. Dr. Brown serves on the Board of Directors for Miami Rescue Mission.

Roger M. Gordon: Mr. Gordon is a strategic planning, finance and banking professional with over 30 years experience in the Miami community. Mr. Gordon was an Adjunct Instructor with Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida for eight years . He has served over 30 years and continues to serve on the Miami Rescue Mission Board of Directors. Roger has a history of civic involvement, including serving on the Miami Dade County Public Schools Citizens Advisory Committees from 1990 to 2003 in many leadership positions.

Sara Herald: Ms. Herald, an attorney with Bilzen Sumberg and former advisor to Florida Governor Jeb Bush and Fortune 500 executive. She has served as the Vice President of Institutional Advancement and External Affairs at Barry University. She has long been an advocate for underserved children and was the Director of Children’s Home Society for over six years while also serving as the Social Service Policy Transition Coordinator for Governor Jeb Bush. She served as Interim District Administrator for the Florida Department of Children and Families. After eight years in public service, Sara became the Chief Administrative Officer for Regions Bank for seven years. Sara has served on numerous community boards, including Miami Dade Children’s Trust, Overtown Youth Center, Alonzo Mourning Charities, YWCA of Greater Miami, Baptist Hospital and is currently serving on the Board of Breakthrough Miami and the Orange Bowl Committee.

Barbara Hinterkopf: Ms. Hinterkopf was co-owner of Kristine Michael Boutique for twenty- three years but made time to serve in leadership positions for Junior League of Miami and was on the Board of Kristi House serving victims of domestic and sexual abuse. She was actively involved with Charlee of Dade County, helping to provide resources and support that help abused, abandoned, and neglected children and at-risk families reach their full potential and she served on the Foster Care Review Board. For the past four years, Barbara has volunteered with the literacy program, READ ON, Miami, Inc., which serves at-risk children in Coconut Grove and Overtown.

Bridget L. McKinney: Mrs. McKinney works for the MDCPS as principal of Sky Lakes Elementary School. She was formerly an administrator overseeing charter schools. Prior to her promotion to the District Office, she was the principal at Allapattah Middle School, responsible for the oversight and management of the operational budget, curriculum, faculty, office staff and students. She is well versed in developing and implementing policies, programs, curriculum activities and budgets in a manner that promotes the educational development of each student and the professional development of staff members. Ms. McKinney supports over 100 classroom teachers in implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum for the students at Allapattah Middle School. She coordinates ongoing technical training and professional development classes for her staff. She is a strong advocate for developing the potential of underserved children through literacy initiatives.

Dr. Mia Y. Merritt: Dr. Merritt is President/ CEO of M&M Motivation and serves as Executive Director for the Orange Bowl Leadership Academy. She has provided workshops, seminars and keynote speeches around the country to organizations such as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Miami -Dade County city managers, FIU executive staff and University of Miami Public Relations Department. Dr. Merritt has a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education, a Masters Degree in Exceptional Education and a Doctorate Degree in Organizational Leadership. She has been an Assistant Principal at Skyway Elementary School and a teacher at Brentwood Elementary School. Dr. Merritt is a Minister and was awarded the 2011 African American Achiever’s Award. She was honored by Legacy magazine as one of South Florida’s 25 Most Influential and Prominent Black Women in Business and leadership for 2013. She is the author of 15 books on spirituality, personal development, prosperity, self-empowerment, and adult education.

Katrina Peebles: Mrs. Katrina Peebles is a driving force in The Peebles Corporation’s ongoing business development, political fundraising, community relations, corporate brand building, as well as historic preservation and design. In her more than 20 years’ experience, Mrs. Peebles has spearheaded development of the company’s highly regarded, top-performing tax appeal division, as well as organized high profile events and fundraisers for political leaders including, but not limited to, President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton. Mrs. Peebles is former Vice President of Villa Viscaya, former President of The Women’s Cancer League, Co-Founding former President of The Recreation Wish List Committee of WDC, and has served as a member of Miami City Ballet, Cancer Link, United Way, Lighthouse for the Blind, and the Women Who Care Committee – NYC.

Marty Steinberger (President): Ms. Steinberger is founder and president of READ ON, Miami, Inc., an incentive-based literacy program which has inspired underserved children in Overtown and Coconut Grove. for eight years, after originally founding and coordinating the program at West Laboratory Elementary for seven years. She established the All Sport Booster and REACH (Ransom Everglades Athletes Can Help) programs at Ransom Everglades School. She has served on the College Assistance Program (CAP) Board, Junior League TASK committee and is currently on the Board of Directors for Miami Rescue Mission.

Jeff Sullivan: As Executive Pastor at Granada Presbyterian Church in Coral Gables, Jeff ‘s role is to oversee the finances, facilities, communications and organizational culture. He has served the Miami community for 15 years as an elementary school teacher and pastor. His prior experience includes Youth Pastor at Granada, Pastor at Kendall Bible Baptist Church in Miami, Founding Board Member of Fight Hunger, Homestead, and elementary school teacher at Christ Fellowship Academy at Palmetto Bay, Florida.

Christopher Simmonds: Mr. Christopher Simmonds serves as the Principal of CARE Elementary School. His role is to oversee all aspects of the school to ensure the program’s success. Mr. Simmonds was a former teacher and vice principal at Miami Springs Adventist School before his transition to CARE. He has over 15 years of experience in education and holds degrees in education, communication, and business finance. Mr. Simmonds is an advocate for children and enjoys helping his community by educating at-risk youth, public speaking engagements, and mentorship. He works to educate, edify, and empower young people through literacy enrichment, technology, and discipline.

Karen Throckmorton: Ms. Throckmorton, a retired lawyer, earned her law degree and Masters in Law at the University of Miami School of Law where she taught for 12 years and received the Faculty Teaching Award.  At the law school, she founded the STREET LAW program, a legal education outreach to several local high schools. She directed the Center for Ethics and Public Service which initiated dozens of community outreaches. Her focus in community service is on helping children: many years on the Board of Children’s Home Society; fostering infants in her home; Chairing the Guardian ad Litem and Teen outreach programs through the Junior League of Miami; and ten years as a Cub Scout den mother. She has volunteered in the literacy program, READ ON, Miami, Inc. for years in both Coconut Grove and at CARE.

Gus Vega: Managing partner of TotalV View Advisers and is a certified financial planner with Raymond James Financial Services. Before establishing Total View Advisors, Gus was a private wealth advisor at Ameriprise Financial for 18 years. He is a member of the Financial Planning Association and Knights of Columbus. He is a founding member of the L.I.V.E. Foundation, a member of the University of Miami Citizen’s Board and mentorship program.