Board Of Directors
Michael Huskey, LJ 2016
President
Bryan Taylor, LJ 2021
President-Elect
Lori Smith
Secretary/Treasurer
Will Smith, LJ 2011
Immediate Past President
Nelrae Pasha Ali
LJ 2022
Sunil Ancha
LJ 2020
Shylie Bannon
LJ 2026
Amy D’Olimpio
LJ 2017
Jarret Dreicer
LJ 2018
Karen Feagins
LJ 2016
Kemal Gasper
LJ 2019
Sunny Gettinger
LJ 2012
Melissa Fulmore Hardwick
LJ 2024
David Johnson
LJ 2024
Chris Kennelly
LJ 2016
Terri Lewis
LJ 2018
Lawrence Luksha
NextGen 2019
Maxine McBride
LJ 2011
Jason Peoples
LJ 2023
Madelen Salter
LJ 2021
Sabrina Marcos Smith
NextGen 2019
Cleve Warren
LJ 1985
Andi Williams
LJ 2019
Tina Wirth
LJ 2016
Marlo Zarka
LJ 2020
PAST LJ BOARD PRESIDENTS
- 1978 – The Honorable Frederick Schultz*
- 1979 – Albert Ernest
- 1980 – W.O. Birchfield*
- 1981 – Robert Schellenberg*
- 1982 – Frank Surface*
- 1983 – Douglas Milne
- 1984 – Courtenay Wilson
- 1985 – John G. McGiffin, III*
- 1986 – W.A. McGriff, III*
- 1987 – Julie Buckingham
- 1988 – James Rinaman*
- 1989 – J.F. Bryan, IV
- 1990 – Kenneth Eilermann*
- 1991 – William Brinton*
- 1992 – Espie Patrinely*
- 1993 – A. Quinton White
- 1994 – Alton Yates
- 1995 – Don Padgett
- 1996 – Carlton Jones
- 1997 – Carol Spalding
- 1998 – Joanne Sawyer*
- 1999 – Wade Barnes, M.D.
- 2000 – Peggy Bryan
- 2001 – Barbara Darby
- 2002 – David Robertson*
- 2003 – Barbara J. Drake
- 2004 – Madeline Scales-Taylor
- 2005 – Michael J. Shalley
- 2006 – Linda Larkin Smith*
- 2007 – John Bottaro
- 2008 – Sandra C. Ramsey
- 2009 – Ben Bishop
- 2010 – Steve Canty
- 2011 – Nancy Kilgo
- 2012 – Jerry Mallot
- 2013 – Justin Terry
- 2014 – Stephen Goldman
- 2015 – Deborah Moore
- 2016 – Charles Hedrick
- 2017 – Karen Mayfield
- 2018 – Mobeen Rathore
- 2019 – Clark Robertson
- 2020 – Rosa Beckett and Chuck Hedrick
- 2021 – Bruce Fafard
- 2022 – Kathy Miller
- 2023 – Michael Howland
- 2024 – Linda Lindemoyer
- 2025 – Cynthia Griffin
LEADERSHIP JACKSONVILLE TEAM
Gracie Simendinger, Chief Executive Officer
Gracie Simendinger joined the Leadership Jacksonville team in August 2022 and is responsible for leading the organization in its mission to educate, connect and inspire diverse leaders to build and strengthen their communities. Since joining Leadership Jacksonville, Gracie has expanded alumni engagement opportunities, refreshed core programs, and introduced innovative approaches that have helped strengthen and modernize the 50-year-old organization.
Before joining Leadership Jacksonville, Gracie served in leadership fundraising roles at Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry (BEAM), United Way of Northeast Florida, and Jacksonville University. Her experience spans major gifts, donor engagement, and philanthropic strategy, with responsibility for portfolios generating more than $5 million annually.
Gracie serves on the Board of Directors for Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry (BEAM) and the JAX Chamber Beaches Division. Her previous community leadership experience includes serving as President of the JAX Chamber Downtown Council (2020-2022), the Women’s Giving Alliance Steering Committee, the JAX Chamber Hightower Emerging Leaders Fellowship Board (Class I), and the ImpactJAX Board, where she served as Chair in 2014. She also chaired the annual Painting of the PawPrints event in 2015 and 2016.
A Denver native, Gracie moved to Jacksonville after earning a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Florida State University. After completing her Master of Education degree at Jacksonville University, she chose to make Jacksonville home and has remained deeply committed to strengthening the community she loves. Outside of work, Gracie enjoys exploring Jacksonville’s local restaurant scene with her husband, Jonathan, planning her next travel adventure, and spoiling their quirky rescue cat, who proves daily that four teeth are more than enough.
Nicole B. Bryan, VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMS
Nicole Bryan joined Leadership Jacksonville in June 2015. Prior to being named Vice President of Programs, Nicole served as Programs Director, overseeing the flagship program and New Leadership Summit. Nicole is an active volunteer with the Association of Leadership Programs (ALP). She served on the 2022 National Conference Team and is currently the lead facilitator for flagship programs. ALP is the connection source for community leadership programs in 45 of the contiguous states. Nicole’s prior experiences include co-owning CrossFit West Jax, working for The Community Foundation of Northeast Florida, and Wachovia Bank (now Wells Fargo) in Winston-Salem, NC. She has been active in her church, serving as a small group facilitator as well as serving on a Rector’s Search Committee. At her children’s former school, Nicole served on the Board of Trustees for St. Mark’s Episcopal Day School in various roles, including leading a strategic planning committee that completed and implemented a five-year strategic plan and serving as Board Chair. She also oversaw a capital campaign and co-led a head of school search. Nicole graduated with honors from Hollins University, Roanoke, VA. She has two wonderful daughters, Klare and Bella.
TOM CARON, Fractional Vice President of Strategic Initiatives
Tom Caron (LJ 2024) MBA, CAP, joined Leadership Jacksonville in October 2024. Tom launched a consulting practice in fall of 2024 offering fractional staff capacity to the social sector. His firm specializes in Operational Model Transformation projects ensuring that organizations not only develop but implement their strategic plans. LJ is honored to be one of his first nonprofit partners! To date Tom has helped reimagine our Youth Leadership curriculum, designed and launched our Young Professional program, and now leads our 50th Anniversary efforts. He is our strategic thought partner and utility player supporting everyone on our lean team.
Tom has more than 15 years of nonprofit leadership experience in several markets. He is a proud AmeriCorps and Staff Alumni of City Year. Tom has an MBA from Antioch University and a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy from the American College of Financial Services. Additionally, Tom is a proud girl dad and adores his wife whom he met welcome week of freshmen year at Michigan State University.
SAMANTHA DRESNER, OFFICE MANAGER
Samantha Dresner joined Leadership Jacksonville in May 2024, bringing over two decades of office management and accounting expertise. She has volunteered for the American Cancer Society and its Jacksonville Hope Lodge, participating in events since 2017. Her professional background includes roles as an office manager at a financial advisement firm and an engineering firm. A proud native Floridian, Samantha has called Jacksonville home for the past eleven years. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring new local restaurants, hanging with her dog Lola (a Boston Terrier), and spending quality time with her family and friends.
NATALIA LUPAS, EVENTS MANAGER
Natalia Lupas joined Leadership Jacksonville in February 2025 as an Events and Logistics Coordinator. With 15 years of experience in event coordination, Natalia has developed a strong expertise in planning and executing seamless events. Her background includes roles as an Event Coordinator, Manager, and Catering Director with various organizations. Natalia holds a dual degree — a BA in Banking and Stock Exchange from Babeș-Bolyai University in Romania, and a BS in Management and Rural Development from the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca. Prior to coming to the U.S., Natalia worked as an Organic Farming Consultant at Bioterra, a non-profit organization that promotes organic farming. Additionally, she played a pivotal role in the startup of Ecoinspect, a company focused on certifying organic products. She has called Jacksonville her home for the past 20 years, and the thing she loves most about the city is its vibrant and welcoming people. Outside of work, Natalia enjoys spending time with family and friends. Her perfect day would include a nature walk, a gourmet meal, a visit to an art museum, or exploring a botanical garden.
Ishmail Wise, Admissions and Communication manager
Ishmail Wise joined Leadership Jacksonville in January of 2026 as the Admissions and Communications Manager, where he oversees the organization’s application and selection processes, manages alumni communications, and supports brand storytelling that advances Leadership Jacksonville’s mission of developing and connecting diverse civic leaders. With nearly a decade of experience in branding, public relations, and strategic communications, Ishmail has helped organizations strengthen their public presence and deepen community engagement. Ishmail has partnered with nonprofits, campaigns, and community initiatives to develop digital strategies, manage media relations, and create compelling visual and storytelling content. Ishmail holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations from the University of North Florida and a master’s degree in Strategic Communication: Corporate Communication from Liberty University. Outside of work, Ishmail enjoys spending time outdoors, connecting with family, and fellowshipping with his fraternity brothers in Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
