Board Of Directors
Will Smith, LJ 2011
President
Cynthia Griffin, LJ 2011
Immediate Past President
Michael Huskey,LJ 2016
President-Elect
Bryan Taylor, LJ 2021
Secretary/Treasurer
Nelrae Pasha Ali
LJ 2022
Mallory Born
LJ 2025
Irvin PeDro Cohen
LJ 2014
Jarret Dreicer
LJ 2018
Karen Feagins
LJ 2016
Kemal Gasper
LJ 2019
Sunny Gettinger
LJ 2012
David Johnson
LJ 2024
Chris Kennelly
LJ 2016
Lawrence Luksha
NextGen 2019
Maxine McBride
LJ 2011
Madelen Salter
LJ 2021
Lynn Sherman
LJ 2011
Lori Smith
LJ 2017
Sabrina Marcos Smith
NextGen 2019
Cleve Warren
LJ 1985
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. Prior to that, Gracie led the fundraising strategies for Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry (BEAM), an organization that provides crisis resources for families in Jacksonville’s Beaches community. Prior to BEAM, Gracie was a part of the United Way of Northeast Florida campaign team. She managed all high performing industry partners including financial institutions, accounting, law and architecture firms and was responsible for raising more than $4 million a year. Gracie was later promoted to lead the Tocqueville Society (donors $10,000+), increasing her annual portfolio to $5 million. Before United Way, Gracie ran Jacksonville University’s annual fund giving strategies. Gracie is the JAX Chamber Downtown Council Immediate Past President (President 2020-2022), a JAX Chamber Beaches Division board member, and an at-large Women’s Giving Alliance steering committee member. Previous community service roles include two years on the JAX Chamber Hightower Emerging Leaders Fellowship board (Class of 2017), four years on the ImpactJAX board (2014 Chair), and leading the annual Painting of the PawPrints in 2015 and 2016. A Denver native, Gracie moved to Jacksonville after earning a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Florida State University. Upon graduating with a Master in Education degree from Jacksonville University, she decided to stay in Jacksonville because of the great weather and the ability to get plugged in within the local community. In her spare time, you can find Gracie enjoying one of Jacksonville’s amazing restaurants with her partner Jon or brainstorming her next great travel adventure.
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! 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 his a very proud girl dad to Maggie and Joey. He and his “Queen” have called Jacksonville home for a decade and reside in Springfield where they enjoy their front yard food forest and urban garden.
JASMINE LEWIS CHAPMAN, PROGRAMS MANAGER
Jasmine Lewis Chapman is an experienced educator and leader with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Public Relations and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership. Her career has spanned classroom teaching, instructional coaching, and state-level support, where she focused on strengthening civic literacy, building teacher capacity, and creating innovative learning opportunities that support both educators and students. Outside of her professional work, Jasmine enjoys live music, true crime, history, comedy movies, and classic 90’s sitcoms. She treasures quality time with her daughters and their family dog, often taking trips out of town or to the beach to create lasting memories.
SAMANTHA DRESNER, OFFICE MANAGER
Samantha Dresner joined Leadership Jacksonville in May 2024, bringing over two decades of administrative and office management expertise. She is a dedicated volunteer for the American Cancer Society and their Jacksonville Hope Lodge, actively 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 ten years. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring new local restaurants, shopping for plants, and spending quality time with her family and friends.
NATALIA LUPAS, EVENTS AND LOGISTICS COORDINATOR
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. Through his firm, Wiseguy Branding, LLC, he 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.
