Kevin Hyde, Chair
Partner, Foley & Lardner
Kevin E. Hyde has lived in Jacksonville since 1988. He was elected to the City Council in 2003 and served as Council President from 2005-2006. Kevin is the Managing Partner of the Jacksonville office of Foley & Lardner. He practices labor and employment law where he focuses on resolving workplace disputes, counseling employers on employee relations issues, and training employees and supervisors. Kevin is certified by the Florida Bar as a specialist in the area of labor and employment law. Kevin has long been involved in leadership positions with the Florida Bar. He is a past chairman of the Florida Bar Labor and Employment Section and active in the community. He is an elder with the Lakeshore Church of Christ since 1992. Locally, he serves on the Board of Trustees of the University of North Florida, is a member of the Jacksonville Civic Council, and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Jacksonville Public Library Foundation and WJCT Public Broadcasting. Kevin and his wife Kathi operate a non-profit to provide summer camp scholarships to needy students, www.joelsloancampfund.org. Kathi is a homemaker who volunteers a great deal of her time to the Lakeshore Church of Christ and its children education program. Kevin and Kathi have two adult daughters, Virginia and Michal.
Buck Williams, Vice Chair
Vice President and Private Wealth Advisor, UBS Private Wealth Management
Buck Williams, CFP® is a Vice President-Wealth Management and Private Wealth Advisor with The Beard Williams Group at UBS Private Wealth Management where they focus their time working with 50-60 successful families, executives, foundations, endowments and corporate entities. Buck's community involvement is centered on the things he is most passionate about: youth development, education, and the outdoors. In addition to serving on the Board of JPEF, he is actively involved with the Sanctuary on 8th Street serving as Treasurer on the Board of Directors. His other involvement includes being a past chairman and current member of the Troop Committee for Boy Scout Troop 26 at St. Mark's Episcopal Church. Buck is a member of the St. Vincent's Shircliff Society and also a graduate of the Weaver Philanthropic Initiative Class of 2015. Buck, a 4th generation Jacksonville native, graduated from the University of Florida where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Food and Resource Economics and a minor in Business Administration. Buck and his wife Susannah currently reside in Ortega with their 3 daughters Bebe, Cameron and Palmer and their yellow lab Bertie.
Coley Jones, Treasurer
Market Executive at Bank of America
Coley Jones is Market Executive for North Florida, South Georgia and Gulf Coast for Business Banking at Bank of America. Prior to this he served as Vice President for SunTrust Bank in the Institutional and Government Banking Group. He has also held numerous leadership positions with Wachovia/Wells Fargo Bank. Currently, Coley’s clients consist of governmental entities as well as commercial and industrial companies with revenues of $50M-$500M, providing lending, cash management, capital markets and investment services. In his current role with TD Bank, he manages over $250M of the bank's assets. Coley supports his community by serving on the Leadership Development Committee for Leadership Jacksonville. As well as serving on the board of directors for Jacksonville Community Council Inc. and Eldersource as Treasurer. Coley is a graduate of Leadership Jacksonville class of 2014. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, FL, where he met his wife Nicky. Coley and Nicky live in Jacksonville, FL, with their five children.
Terry Patrick Walton, Secretary
Terry Patrick Walton Consulting
Terry’s experience in career consulting, career development, and executive search services span her 30-year career. Since 2008, she has focused on providing job search, résumés, interview skills, and career strategy coaching for young adults through Terry Patrick Walton Consulting, and recently with Early Stage Careers in New York. She is the author of the book "Yes! The Job is Mine; 4 Steps to Get the Job” and founded 20sEmpowered.com, and previously My Career Catapult, to focus on young adult career development. Her previous experience includes Partner and Consultant with Heidrick & Struggles, an international executive search firm. Terry has a Myers-Briggs (MBTI) certification, Change Leadership certificate from eCornell, and a degree in Psychology from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
Claudia Amlie
Chief People Officer, Pet Paradise
Claudia Sáenz Amlie is the Chief People Officer at Pet Paradise. She previously served as the Chief Human Resources Officer of Acosta Inc., a sales and marketing solutions provider for brands and retailers, with over 30,000 employees across North America. Previously, she served for four years as executive vice president and Chief Human Resources Officer of EverBank prior to its sale to TIAA. Her experience in HR includes oversight of talent management and development, employee relations, talent acquisition, compensation, communications and HR information systems. She began her professional career over 25 years ago as a corporate and securities law associate at the law firms of Stearns Weaver Miller, Foley & Lardner and Edwards & Angell in Miami and Palm Beach. Her legal experience includes nine years as chief compliance officer and deputy general counsel of Lighthouse Investment Partners LLC, a hedge fund manager based in Palm Beach Gardens, and as general counsel of a publicly-traded nationwide printing and office products company.
She received her B.A. cum laude from Vanderbilt University and her J.D. with honors from the University of Florida. She has served on the Board of Trustees of Episcopal School of Jacksonville for eight years, most recently as Board Secretary. She grew up in Jacksonville and moved back to the area with her husband Karsten and two children more than ten years ago.
Poppy Clements
Community Volunteer
Poppy Clements is a native of Jacksonville, Florida. She attended boarding school at The Taft School in Watertown, Connecticut. Her post-secondary education includes a Bachelor of Arts degree from Vanderbilt University and a Master of Science degree in Education from Wheelock College. Mrs. Clements returned to Jacksonville in 1994 and has served on the boards of The Baptist Health System Foundation, The Bridge of Northeast Florida, City Year Jacksonville and the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens. She currently serves on the board of Wolfson Children's Hospital. She is married to Rob Clements, and they have four children: Ann, Curry, Ross and Phoebe.
Lisa Cochran
Chief Information Officer VyStar Credit Union
Lisa is a transformational technology executive with diverse experiences across the healthcare and financial services industries. She joined Vystar as the Chief Information Officer in July 2021, bringing 25+ years experience leading technology organizations at global banks including Citi and Bank of America, as well as small and mid -size organizations. Lisa focuses on simplifying technology and reducing friction for members by making technology simpler and easier to use. Lisa began programming computers at the age of 12, and is passionate about closing the digital divide in under served communities where STEM education isn’t readily available.
Dr. Barbara Darby
Retired, Campus President FSCJ
A member of Woodlawn Presbyterian Church since relocating to Jacksonville from New York in 1972, Dr. Barbara Ann Darby retired as president of the North Campus and the Nassau Center of Florida State College at Jacksonville in July 2015. She held this position since 1998. Dr. Darby received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Hunter College in New York, a Master of Education degree from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Florida. She received her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of North Florida. In 2021 she was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from UNF.
Among her leadership roles, Dr. Darby has served as president of Delta Sigma Theta Jacksonville Alumnae Chapter; president of the Links, Inc., Bold City Chapter; and chair of Leadership Jacksonville. She currently serves on the board of directors for the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, and has served on the board of directors for Kids Hope Alliance, City Rescue Mission, City Year Jacksonville and Volunteers in Medicine. She gives God, the Center of her life, all praise and glory for whatever she has accomplished.
Ashley Drugg
Vice President and Head of HR, Deustche Bank
Ashley is the Vice President and Head of Human Resources for Deutsche Bank's Jacksonville, FL and Cary, NC locations. She has 15 years leadership experience in Human Resources specializing in business advisory, leadership development and coaching, talent and performance management, and employee relations. Ashley began her HR career in the Automotive Industry focusing on leadership development and business advisory. Ashley joined Deutsche Bank in 2012 as a HR Business Partner for the Jacksonville, FL campus. In 2014 Ashley joined the Employee Relations team supporting the US Region, in 2016 was promoted to the HR Site Lead in Cary, and in 2018 further expanded responsibilities becoming the Head of HR for the Jacksonville, FL and Cary, NC locations.
Ashley has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from the University of North Florida and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Jacksonville University. Ashley is a Senior Sponsor for the Jacksonville Ambassadors and serves on the Board for the Jacksonville Public Education Fund and the Jacksonville Women’s Leadership Forum.
Rev. Mark L. Griffin
Pastor and Chief Executive Officer
Mark L. Griffin is an accomplished minister and accountant. Griffin has been the Pastor of Wayman Ministries since 1995. Under his leadership, the church has grown from 75 to more than 1,400 members. Since 1995, Wayman Ministries has grown from a small, Sunday morning worship ministry to a two-campus ministry that includes two additional corporations, Wayman Community Development Corporation and Wayman Academy of the Arts, Inc. Currently, the ministry and its related corporations employ well over 100 people.
In 1995, Pastor Griffin founded Wayman Community Development Corporation, and serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors. This corporation operates two fully licensed daycare centers, three after school programs, Summer Camp, Mentoring Program, Life Change Youth Counseling, Transformations Car Wash, and other community service projects. Funding is provided by various federal, state and local governmental agencies, as well as private donations and service fees.
In 1999, Pastor Griffin founded Wayman Academy of the Arts, Inc., which is an Elementary Charter School. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors. In August 2000, the school opened its doors to 131 Kindergarten through 5th grade students. Now in its fifteenth year of operations, the school has an enrollment of approximately 375 students, and is rapidly acquiring a reputation of excellence educating children from low socio-economic backgrounds. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
In addition to being an accomplished pastor and community leader, Pastor Griffin is also a successful entrepreneur. In 1990, Griffin started his own accounting firm, originally called Mark L. Griffin, Certified Public Accountant, and subsequently renamed to Griffin & Company, CPA’s. For over eleven years, the firm developed a reputation for excellence in auditing, accounting, and tax consulting services. The firm has served clients in the governmental, business, non-profit, church and individual arenas. He eventually closed the firm to focus full time on the ministries of Wayman Chapel A.M.E. Church.
Pastor Griffin graduated from Florida A&M University in 1982 with a B.S. degree in accounting. Two years later, he passed the C.P.A. examination. In 1989, he received his M.B.A. from the University of North Florida. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary. He accepted the call to ministry in 1988, and was an associate minister at St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Jacksonville, Florida until 1992. In 1992, his first pastoral assignment was at Mt. Pisgah A.M.E. Church, Starke, Florida. In 1995, he was assigned to Wayman Chapel, where he continues to serve as the leader of one of the most dynamic ministries in the area, and in January 2007, Pastor Griffin launched inaugural worship services at a second location on Jacksonville’s Westside, the Spirit of Life Worship Center.
As a community leader, Griffin is frequently consulted by leaders and other advocates on issues that affect the citizens of Jacksonville. He served as a Board Member of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools; Past President of the United Community Outreach Ministries, Inc.; Past President of the A.M.E. Church, East Conference Ministerial Alliance; Catholic Charities of Jacksonville, JCCI, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and other various community and civic organizations.
Griffin performs workshops and lectures for numerous church and non-profit groups, including the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the Florida State Primitive Baptist Church Convention, the Institute of Church Administration and Management, and many local church groups and congregations. He is a member of the General Board of the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church, and also serves on the Executive Committee of the General Board. He is also the Accountant for the 11th Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church.
Griffin has been married for 34 years to Dr. Cynthia Roberts Griffin. They have two daughters, Whitney and Crystal; one son-in-law, Tony; and two grandchildren, Marcus and Maya.
John Hirabayashi
President and CEO, Community First Credit Union
John Hirabayashi is president and chief executive officer of Community First Credit Union. Community First is headquartered in Jacksonville with 18 branch locations and $1.5 billion in assets. He has led Community First Credit Union since 1996.
Mr. Hirabayashi previously served as president and chief executive officer at Cal State 9 Credit Union from 1990 to 1996, chief financial officer at Patelco Credit Union from 1989 to 1990 and served in various positions at Pentagon Federal Credit Union from 1980 to 1989.
Mr. Hirabayashi is a member of the boards of directors of the Jacksonville Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, the Jacksonville Public Education Fund, and the Davis College of Business, Jacksonville University, executive advisory board.
Mr. Hirabayashi received his MBA in finance from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and his bachelor’s in finance from the University of Colorado at Boulder and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.
Ronnie King
President, Scratchwerk, LLC.
Ronnie King is certified Software Engineer and owner of Scratchwerk, LLC. Scratchwerk provides software development and testing services, specializing in Java and Guidewire integrations. Ronnie is an active community volunteer and serves as the Chair for the Board of Library Trustees. He has also served on the boards for Mentoring Families and Kids and Hubbard House. King has held leadership positions in several community organizations including National Society of Black Engineers, 100 Black Men of Jacksonville, National Pan-Hellenic Council and the Urban League Young Professionals. He is also a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, and served as president of the Jacksonville graduate chapter. Ronnie studied at the University of Florida where he earned his Associates Degree while playing basketball for the Gators. He later earned his Bachelors in Computer Science from the University of North Florida. Ronnie is also a husband and father of two beautiful girls, Jada and Bostyn.
Whitney Meyer
Senior Vice President and Chief Community Impact Officer, Jacksonville Jaguars
Whitney Meyer is the Senior Vice President and Chief Community Impact Officer for the Jacksonville Jaguars. She is responsible for the development and implementation of the Jaguars community impact initiatives, including operations of the Jaguars Foundation, Inspire Change and Social Justice Initiatives, and community activities in connection with local development projects.
She previously worked as the inaugural Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at the University of North Florida. In that role she advised University leadership on diversity, inclusion and racial equity pertaining to strategies and policies, learning and research, community relations and the recruitment, retention and admission of faculty, staff and students of color.
Currently, Whitney serves on the Florida Sports Foundation Board, PS27 Foundation Board, JAX Chamber Hightower Fellowship Board, and the World Affairs Council Board. She also is a frequent volunteer for the Friends of Boone Park South.
Marsha G. Oliver, MBA
Vice President, Community & Inclusion at THE PLAYERS Championship
Marsha Oliver is Senior Vice President, Community and Public Engagement at PGA Tour. Previously, she served as the Director of Public Affairs for the City of Jacksonville and as Assistant Superintendent of Communications for Duval County Public Schools for 16 years.
Oliver earned a BA in Public Relations (cum laude) from Florida A&M University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix, where she was chosen to serve as the 2001 Graduate Commencement Speaker. Oliver is as equally committed to her community, as evidenced by her memberships on a number of non-profit boards and organizations including the Women’s Giving Alliance; Leadership Jacksonville (2001); Eartha M.M. White Legacy Board; Community Hospice Board of Directors; Jack & Jill of America, Inc.; the Bold City Chapter of the Links, Inc.; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and others. In addition, Oliver is a certified Community Coach, designated by the Nonprofit Center (Community Foundation of Jacksonville).
An avid runner, Oliver enjoys running, riding her Vespa, and advancing the educational and recreational interests of her 18-year-old son, Joel.
Donna Orender
Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Orender Unlimited, LLC
Donna Orender is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Orender Unlimited, LLC, an independent marketing, media, and strategy company. She has more than 20 years of sports business experience. Orender also served as President of the WNBA from 2005 to 2010. Earlier in her career, Donna spent more than 17 years with the PGA Tour, serving as Senior Vice President of Strategic Development in the Office of the Commissioner, where she developed and managed all strategic direction of the PGA including new media, Internet, advertising and brand management. Donna also has experience in television production that began with her work for ABC Sports and SportsChannel. She later founded her own production company, Primo Donna Productions. She recently launched Generation W, a brand focused on educating, inspiring and connecting women and girls. The inaugural conference, held in April 2012, featured over 25 national speakers and 700 attendees. She currently serves on the boards of the Monique Burr Foundation for Children, the V Foundation for Cancer research, co-chairs the UJA Sports for Youth Initiative and the board of W.O.M.E.N., a mentoring organization.
Marcus Rowe
Vice President and Resident Director, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
Marcus Rowe serves as Vice President and Resident Director at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management where he focuses on delivering a comprehensive approach to managing wealth that begins with listening to a client’s needs and helping to ensure every strategy is grounded in understanding what each client wants to achieve. His access to the investment insights of Merrill and banking convenience of Bank of America helps address the various aspects of clients’ financial lives. He is driven by his passion for delivering excellent service and helping clients pursue their goals.
Community involvement is an integral part of how he interacts with clients and communities. He is enthusiastically involved with volunteering and fundraising for various non-profits in the Jacksonville community as well as internationally. In addition to serving on the JPEF Board, he currently serves as the Board Chair of the Early Learning Coalition of Duval and on the Board of Directors for City Year. His passion has ignited a strong desire to coach, mentor, encourage and inspire young people to help them make a positive impact in their life and in their respective communities.
Susan B. Towler
Executive Director, CSR/Florida Blue Foundation
Susan B. Towler is executive director of the Florida Blue Foundation, established in 2001 as the philanthropic affiliate of Florida Blue. She is also executive director of corporate social responsibility (CSR) for Florida Blue and has responsibility for the company’s philanthropic strategy.
Prior to joining Florida Blue, Towler held previous public relations roles at Robin Shepherd Public Relations, Gulf Life Insurance Company, BancBoston Mortgage Corporation and was president of SEB Communications. She is an accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America.
Towler is actively involved in the philanthropic and social responsibility sector. Towler serves on the board of directors for several nonprofits including the Children’s Movement of Florida and Florida Humanities. She is the 2021-23 chair of the Florida Chamber Foundation. Towler is active with the Florida Philanthropic Network where she served as chair in 2016. She is also a graduate of Leadership Florida and served as its 2012-13 chair. Towler served as the 2013-14 chair of Volunteer Florida, the Governor’s Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, and is past chair of the University of Florida Public Relations Advisory Council. She also served as vice-chair for the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens. Towler is an honorary member of Leadership Jacksonville and Florida Blue Key
Towler was named a “Woman of Heart” by Jacksonville Magazine and American Heart Association in 2021; “Woman with Heart” by Volunteers in Medicine Jacksonville in 2017; and a “Woman of Influence” by the Jacksonville Business Journal in 2004. The Girl Scouts of Gateway Council honored her with the “Women of Distinction” award in 2006. Towler was an EVE Awards finalist in 2013. She was chosen in 2018 as a Miami Herald “Influencer.” Florida Trend recognized Towler in the Florida 500 list of the state’s most influential business leaders for the past three years. Towler holds a Bachelor of Science in public relations from the University of Florida. She is married to Jim Towler and they have one daughter, Emma.
Ellen A. Wiss
Real Estate Professional and Community Volunteer
Ellen is a real estate management/marketing professional (President, Homkor Florida) and community volunteer. She has led several nonprofit efforts in the areas of education and social justice. She serves as Co-Chair of Florida Women’s Funding Alliance (an affinity group of The Florida Philanthropic Network), President Emeritus of the Women’s Giving Alliance, Founder/President of READ USA, Inc., and serves the boards of City Year, Jacksonville Public Education Fund, Teach For America, Hubbard House Foundation, World Affairs Council, serves the Steering Committees for Beaches Community Fund, Jacksonville Women’s Leadership Initiative, Mayor’s Youth at Work Partnership, serves the Kids Hope Alliance Literacy Task Force, and serves as a trustee member of Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. She is a leader for Lift Jax (formerly #nopovertyjax), an all sector movement aligned with global, national and state 2030 agendas around the common agenda for eradicating poverty in all of its forms. Ellen collaborates with other nonprofits working to improve literacy, education and health opportunities for low-income youth and families, women and girls. Ellen is married to husband Jim and has three children.
Dr. Diana L. Greene, ex officio
Superintendent, Duval County Public Schools
Dr. Diana Greene became the Superintendent of Duval County Public Schools on July 1, 2018. Prior to her work in Duval, she was the Superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, where she made significant strides forward academically, financially and in terms of its public perception.
Known for her positive nature and engaging personality, Dr. Greene initiated her time as Superintendent in Manatee County by putting forward a leadership plan that consisted of what she named the Five C’s: Calmness, Consistency, Civility, Confidence and Community. Leading by example, Dr. Greene has overseen a district that has improved academically to the point that it received a B grade from the state two of the last three years (2015, 2017), after receiving a C grade the previous three years, even in the face of more rigorous standards. In addition, the Manatee District’s graduation rate rose 5.6% during the 2015-2016 school year, and was 2.8% higher than the statewide graduation rate.
On the financial front, the Manatee District’s fund balance (reserve fund) increased from $17.3 million to more than $25.5 million in the last three years, causing global credit ratings leader Fitch Ratings to raise its financial rating of the District two times in the last three years. Those accomplishments led directly to the passage of two separate countywide tax referendums in a span of 16 months. The first came on November 8, 2016, when Manatee County voters approved the renewal of a 15-year half-cent sales tax to help fund school district capital needs. The second came on March 20, 2018, when voters approved a four-year, one-mill property tax increase to help fund more competitive teacher and staff pay, and to add a half-hour of instruction for students each day. Combined, the referendums are expected to add more than $60 million annually to the District’s budget.
Prior to becoming Superintendent, Dr. Greene served as Deputy Superintendent of Instructional Services in Manatee County. During her 33-year career as an educator, she has spent time as a teacher, assistant principal, principal as well as in curriculum development, staff development and in senior executive leadership. On a personal note, Dr. Greene is the daughter of a father who served in the Air Force, and she grew up living in locations all over the United States and abroad. She is married to James Greene, an independent financial advisor, and they have two sons, Aldon and Joshua.
Dr. Kelly Coker, ex-officio
Chair, Duval County School Board
Dr. Kelly Coker is a committed educator in the Jacksonville community who continually works to use her knowledge and resources to make our schools better for children. She was elected as the District 1 School Board Member in August of 2020 and proudly serves her constituency in the Arlington, Regency, and Oceanway communities.
Dr. Coker began her career as a middle school teacher with the Duval County Public Schools. Over the next 27 years, she went on to serve as a Principal of two middle schools, Executive Director of Middle Schools, Region Superintendent of K-12 Schools, Region Chief of High Schools, and, most recently, Assistant Superintendent. During her career, she expanded school choice options for all children, oversaw a 29-million-dollar budget, and led multiple divisions across the school district. Working with parents, local business leaders, and school principals, she was able to establish new workforce development programs, expand dual enrollment options, and achieve record high district graduation rates.
Dr. Coker is a 4th generation Jacksonville native who has lived in School Board District 1 her entire life. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida, a master’s degree from Jacksonville University, and a doctoral degree from the University of North Florida. Dr. Coker currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, where she is chair of the Education Committee. She is also on the Leadership Team for Leadership Jax and serves as a Co-Chairperson for their Education Day Program. In her continued commitment to education, she serves on the Adult Literacy Alliance Board and is also a member of the Jacksonville Women’s Network. She and her husband of 30 years continue to live in the neighborhood where she grew up. They are the proud parents of a daughter who is a graduate of Duval County Public Schools and The University of Virginia, who is now attending The University of Virginia School of Law.
Julia Mayeshiba, ex officio
2023 Duval County Teacher of the Year
Julia Mayeshiba is the 2023 VyStar Duval County Teacher of the Year. An algebra and physics teacher at Andrew Jackson High School, Ms. Mayeshiba has been teaching for four years.
Mayeshiba graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science degree and then received a Master’s Degree in secondary education from the University of North Florida in 2019 while serving as an AmeriCorps Teacher Resident. Along with being a WozED Certified STEM Trainer, she is a Robert Noyce National Science Foundation Teaching Fellow.
She began teaching at Andrew Jackson High School in 2019 and since then has initiated an after-school tutoring system for math and physics students; served on the Positive Behavior Intervention Support Team to implement school-wide incentives to reward good student behaviors; and forged ongoing partnerships with STEM 2Hub and WozED to initiate a school-based drone technology program. She is also the Senior Class Sponsor.
Mayeshiba said what inspires her as an educator is, “transforming my students’ self-image surrounding math and science. As a teacher I not only have the power to see the best in all my students, but I also have the power to bring it into a light that students can see for themselves. By building relationships and getting to know students individually, I can see each student’s potential and speak to it every day and in every interaction.”
Rhianna Scyster, Board Service Fellow
Research and Policy Analyst at Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center
A St. Petersburg native and lover of books, Rhianna is also a fervent advocate for equitable practices and policies in K-12 education. She currently serves as the Research and Policy Analyst at Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center. Prior to accepting her current role, Rhianna was an ESE teacher for 3.5 years and most recently serves as the Student Data and Evaluation Manager at Cathedral Arts Project. During her time as an undergraduate student at the University of North Florida, Rhianna served as a Student Ambassador for the College of Education and Human Services and was also awarded a two-year scholarship from the Florida Funds Minority Teachers. She most recently presented at the WJCT TEACH conference, where she provided insight on the intersection of equity and policy in education. In 2020 she was awarded the Minority Fellowship from Jacksonville University, where she will earn her master’s degree in Public Policy. During her time as a fellow, she has earned an internship and recognition from former Duval County School Board Chairman, Darryl Willie. She was most recently recognized on Florida Black Expo’s list of Top 20 Under 40 and received the Alumni Achievement Award from UNF’s Black Alumni Association for her contributions to the field of education. Through hands-on experience with students of varying exceptionalities, Rhianna has become an expert on understanding the impact of empowering differences and increasing diversity. She has been a guest speaker for the 2021-22 Teach for America cohort, 2022 City Year Leadership Panel, and was most recently elected as the President of the Jacksonville Urban League Young Professionals. Rhianna is dedicated to improving her community through justice work, policy development, and servant leadership.