Board of Directors
Board Of Directors
Chair
Velma Monteiro-Tribble, Director of Grants And Programs, Florida Blue Foundation
VELMA MONTEIRO-TRIBBLE
Velma Monteiro-Tribble is currently the Director of Grants and Programs at the Florida Blue Foundation. In her executive position, she is responsible for carrying out the vision, mission, strategic direction, management and supervision of the philanthropic giving decisions and investments across the state of Florida for the Foundation and Florida Blue. Prior to this position she was the Chief Operating Officer and Assistant Treasurer at Alcoa Foundation in Pittsburgh, PA and New York, NY directing all facets of the business with a $500 million dollar global budget. Velma also served as an executive with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation working primarily on initiatives and partnerships in Latin America and South Africa.
Velma has received numerous awards for her work, among them, the Urban Bankers Leadership Award and the National Woman of Achievement Award from the National Business and Professional Women Association. A respected author she is currently under contract to complete her book on women aspiring to take on leadership roles in the Corporate Suites.
Currently Velma serves on several nonprofit boards, including Florida State College System Foundation, Jacksonville Urban League, Jacksonville Women’s Giving Alliance, and the Jacksonville Ritz Chamber Players. She is past chair of the Advisory Board for the Morehouse College International Leadership Center and has served on the boards of Seton Hall University, Highmark Foundation, Tampa Bay Community Foundation, and WQED Public Broadcasting, and other local, national, and international boards.
Velma holds a B.S. degree from Stillman College, and a nonprofit management certificate from Case Western Reserve.
Vice Chair
Timothy J. Conner, Partner, Holland And Knight
TIMOTHY J. CONNER
Partner, Holland and Knight
Timothy J. “Tim” Conner, Partner Holland & Knight, is a trial lawyer who practices in the area of general civil litigation, with a focus on local government contracting and bid protest, admiralty and maritime law, media and communications, health care, ERISA, commercial litigation, insurance, product liability, and personal injury, including claims of toxic and occupational exposure. He has tried multiple matters in numerous types of proceedings from federal courts to state circuit and county courts, as well as a variety of administrative proceedings, and has handled matters throughout the United States.
Prior to joining Holland & Knight, Tim was a partner with Gabel & Hair. He served as a Law Clerk to The Honorable Judge John H. Moore II, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division from 1988-1990. Tim has an extensive, and impressive, list of published articles, speaking engagements and professional memberships which he is happy to talk about when asked.
Tim earned his B.A. with distinction from the University of Kentucky and his law degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law. He is a member of the Florida Bar and is admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Florida. In addition to his professional affiliations, Tim is a member of the Downtown Jacksonville Rotary Club, a Board member of the Downtown Jacksonville YMCA, and the Jacksonville Chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa Alumni Association of which he is a former President and from 1995-1996 presided as Chair of the Scholarship Committee.
Treasurer
Maria Hane, Executive Director, Museum of Science and History
MARIA HANE
Executive Director, Museum of Science and History
Maria Hane is the Executive Director of the Museum of Science & History of Jacksonville. In her 4-year tenure at MOSH, she has completed more than $1.75 million in capital improvements including the new state-of-the-art Bryan-Gooding Planetarium which opened in November 2010. The museum’s newest permanent exhibit, JEA PowerPlay: Exploring our Energy Choices, opened in April 2013 along with the fully renovated JEA Science Theater.
Under Maria's direction, MOSH was the first in the state to host the award-winning RACE: Are We So Different? exhibit engaging more than 45,000 people in a community-wide dialogue on the origins, and the fallacy, of the cultural-based concept of race. She is a founding member of Cultural Fusion, a collaborative network of arts and cultural organizations in Jacksonville leveraging the power of the collective to lead change in the community.
Prior to her position at MOSH, Maria served as Deputy Director of Operations at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens and as the Director of Written Communications for Jacksonville Mayor John D. Delaney. During her 19-year tenure in the non-profit and public service sector, she has served in key positions with extensive experience in volunteer and board development, communications, governance and strategic planning.
Maria serves on the Boards of the Florida Association of Museums, Non Profit Center of Northeast Florida and Visit Jacksonville and is an active member of Leadership Jacksonville Class of 2002 and the Jacksonville Women’s Network.
Maria graduated summa cum laude from the University of North Florida with a Bachelor’s of Art in Communications.
Secretary
Michael Freed, Shareholder, Gunster, Yoakley And Stewart, P.A.
MICHAEL FREED
PARTNER, GUNSTER, YOAKLEY AND STEWART, P.A.
Michael Freed is a trial lawyer with a wealth of experience in the courtroom and arbitrations, administrative proceedings and other forms of dispute resolution. As an attorney, board certified in business litigation, Mike’s practice spans a wide range of substantive legal disciplines and specialized industries. He serves as counsel for a variety of companies, with regular involvement in personnel matters, labor relations, contract negotiations, insurance, risk analysis and strategic planning. Mike is a member of the Florida, Washington, D.C. and Maryland bars and is admitted to the U.S Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit and the U.S. District Courts of Northern, Middle and Southern Florida.
Mike is a frequent speaker for continuing legal education presentations on various substantive legal topics and professional ethics. He has appeared on national and local television and radio programs including “The Today Show,” “20/20,” “Good Morning America” and National Public Radio. He has been published, both inside and outside of the legal community, regarding a variety of subjects.
Believing in supporting important causes that affect the community, among other causes Mike is active in speaking out through various forums against child exploitation and human trafficking. He serves as the Chair of the Northeast Florida Regional Council of Leadership Florida. Mike has served on the Clara White Mission Board, on the Jacksonville University Board of Trustees, was president of the National Alumni Association, was a member of Leadership Florida, 2014-2015 and Leadership Jacksonville, 2008.
Mike graduated magna cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., holds a B.A., English and Political Science from Jacksonville University, B.A. and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Law from Edward Waters College.
Board Of Directors Members
Catherine Graham, Administrator Physician Specialty Services, Baptist Physician Enterprise
CATHERINE ANN GRAHAM
Administrator Specialty Services, Baptist Health
Catherine Graham has over seventeen years of healthcare experience with Baptist Health, moving into a leadership position in the Physician Integration division of Baptist Physician Enterprise in 2011 after serving several years as director of Guest Services for Baptist Medical Center. Catherine serves on the system wide Clinical Integration Communication Committee, the Patient Experience Advisory Team and she established and chairs the system wide Business Development Council.
Catherine became Administrator for Physician Specialty Services in October of 2013, taking responsibility for additional physician integration support and practice management functions. She has operational responsibility for Baptist ENT Specialists, Physician Recruiting, Physician Credentialing, Business Development, Corporate Health and Y Healthy Living Centers.
Ms. Graham attended the University Florida and earned her bachelor and masters degrees graduating Summa Cum Laude from the University of North Florida. She completed an Academy Fellowship, and is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Medical Group Management Association. Over the years she has served as co-chair of the United Way Community Resource Volunteer Financial Stability team; on the boards of Guardian of Dreams and the Jacksonville Speech & Hearing Center, the American Heart Association Ball committee, the Duval Coalition Against Tobacco and numerous of her children’s schools’ committees. She chaired the 2005 Baptist Health United Way campaign and was honored in 2006 by Community Connections Celebration of Leadership.
Wanda Lanier, Executive Director, Barnabas Center
WANDA LANIER
Executive Director, Barnabas Center
Wanda currently serves as the Executive Director of Barnabas Center, Inc., where she has been her role since June 2010. Barnabas Center is a nonprofit agency serving Nassau County, Florida that serves as a “safety net” for families in need or in crisis. A multi-service agency that was founded in 1986, Barnabas Center provides food, housing and utility assistance, medical and dental care for individuals and families who are in crisis or struggling due to job loss, health issues, disability, lack of health insurance or other problems.
Wanda is an experienced non-profit executive who has served in leadership roles in several nonprofit organizations throughout her career. Prior to taking her position at Barnabas Center, she served for three years as the Development Director for North Carolina Outward Bound in Asheville, North Carolina. Before this role, she lived in Jacksonville, Florida for 21 years, where she led agencies addressing health care, poverty and homeless issues, as well as managing her own fundraising and grant writing business.
Wanda was the first Executive Director of the Emergency Services and Homeless Coalition of Jacksonville, for which she served for five years. She has also served as the Associate Director of Community Connections of Jacksonville (formerly the YWCA) and Vice President of Community Initiatives for United Way of Northeast Florida. Her career began at Hubbard House, a domestic violence shelter in Jacksonville, Florida.
Wanda is a founding member of the I M Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless in Jacksonville, Florida, and served as an Olympic Torchbearer in the 1996 Olympics for her role in addressing homeless issues in northeast Florida. She is a graduate of Leadership Asheville and Leadership Jacksonville, and is a member of the Jacksonville Women’s Network, Association of Fundraising Professionals and Rotary Amelia Sunrise Club. She has served on numerous nonprofit and public boards over the past 25 years.
Wanda earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Winthrop University, and completed her graduate studies in Sociology at Southern Illinois University.
Lisa V. Moore, IBM Client Sales Executive for DXC Technology, Inc. Alliance (Global Systems Integrator)
LISA V. MOORE
DXC Technologies, Inc. Alliance, Communications & CSI Global
As an information technology sales executive, Lisa has excelled in identifying new opportunities, expanding business in existing accounts, while achieving successful business unit turnarounds within a highly competitive, fast changing industry. Working across multiple industries, Lisa will manage a cross brand sales and services delivery team, focused on a strategic alliance: DXC Technologies, Inc. The team will lead transformational engagements, leveraging Business Analytics, Mobility Solutions Cyber security and Cloud based services: SaaS (Software as a Service), IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service).
Previously, she was the Global Technology Services Sales Leader for Infrastructure Services and worked with the Business Partner community around the world to drive the sale of services including Cloud and Managed Services, Security, Business Resiliency, Networking, and Mobility.
As an IBM Sales and Distribution Territory Sales Executive for the South Georgia and Florida territories, Lisa lead a team of client executives that served more than 3,000 clients and over 300 IBM Business Partners from South, Central & North Florida / South Georgia.
Lisa has been with IBM for 29 years serving in multiple leadership roles. She spent 16 years in Raleigh, NC before moving to Jacksonville, FL in 2005. Her primary mission is to help companies leverage information technology to become more productive and competitive globally.
She is a graduate of the Northeast Florida Leadership Program, Leadership Jacksonville, and served on the Mayor’s Advisory Board, the Board of Directors for the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Junior Achievement Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors for JCCI (Jacksonville Community Council Inc.) and recently honored as a Women of Influence by the Jacksonville Business Journal.
She has won numerous awards from IBM including: The Sales Excellence Award(s), Manager’s Leadership Award(s), and USA Customer Satisfaction Award(s).
Heather R. Fincher, Community Affairs Officer, Wells Fargo
HEATHER R. FINCHER
Community Affairs Officer, Wells Fargo
Heather Fincher currently resides in Jacksonville, Florida and serves as Community Affairs Officer for Wells Fargo, where she is responsible for managing the strategic and tactical delivery of the Wells Fargo Foundation donations and volunteer efforts at the North Florida level. She is also responsible for maintaining the reputation of Wells Fargo and building numerous relationships with key partners and stakeholders in the community she serves.
Previously, she served as Development Manager for the American Lung Association in Jacksonville where she was responsible for the major events and donors of the organization. During her time at the American Lung Association, event sponsorships and participation grew by upwards of 40% and donations for the signature event, Fight for Air Climb Jacksonville, hit an all-time high.
Heather formally served as Vice Chair on HandsOn Jacksonville’s Board and was also a member of their Development and Governance Committee.
Heather has been a Jacksonville native since 1992 and received her Bachelor of Science in Communication at the University of North Florida. Her passions include the arts, especially vocal performance, and education with a focus on Duval County public schools.
Katie Ensign, Senior Program Officer, Jessie Ball Dupont Fund
KATIE ENSIGN
Senior Program Officer, Jessie Ball duPont Fund
Katie Ensign serves as Senior Program Officer for the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, a national private foundation located in Jacksonville, Florida, with assets of $300 million and an annual grants budget of approximately $15 million. Katie oversees the Fund’s grantmaking in Florida, South Carolina, Alabama, and Georgia.
Prior to joining the Fund in 2010, Katie served as President and CEO of Florida Philanthropic Network and Vice President of Programs for the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida. Ms. Ensign is a graduate of Executive Leadership Florida. In 2009, she was appointed to the Advisory Council for Economic Security by then-Secretary George Sheldon of the Florida Department of Children and Families. In 2015, Katie was appointed co-chair of Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry’s Nonprofit/Government Interface Sub-Committee.
Katie serves as co-chair of the Wilson Foundation, a private family foundation; member of the program committee of LISC Jacksonville; member of the steering committee of 1,000 in 1,000and member of the steering committee for Strategic Partnerships for the City of Jacksonville.
Ms. Ensign holds a BA in Psychology from Denison University.
Deno Hicks, Managing Partner, Southern Strategy, Jacksonville Office
DENO HICKS
A Jacksonville native, Deno Hicks has spent his professional career in the private sector working in the engineering and consulting industry, and since 2009 as the Managing Partner of Southern Strategy Group’s Jacksonville office.
Deno has since gained experience in successfully representing a variety of industries and complex issues including land use/development, transportation, telecommunications, education, health care, outdoor advertising, water utilities, and the environment.
Throughout his professional career, Deno has directed his attention to public policy and offered himself as a public servant. Deno served the Bush Administration as a Florida Liaison to the Department of Political Affairs of the White House. In 2004, Deno was elected as the Republican State Committeeman in Duval County, and Chairman of Congressional District 4, where he served a four year term. During his tenure, Deno served in many leadership roles from fundraising to managing “Get Out the Vote” Campaigns in support of candidates. In 2005, Deno was appointed initially by Governor Jeb Bush to the Florida Greenways and Trails Council where he is still active. Deno has also received appointments by the Governor where he had served as a Nominee to the Electoral College, as a Delegate to the 2008 Republican National Convention, member of the 4th Circuit Court Judicial Nominating Commission, and one of the Governor’s 10 Appointees to the Executive Board of the Republican Party of Florida. Locally, Deno served on the Planning Commission for the City of Jacksonville, the completed Zoning Code Re-Write Committee for the City of Jacksonville, and former member of the City’s Charter Revision Commission.
Deno’s commitment to his community is represented through the many professional and civic boards and committees in which he has served, including the Board for National Association of Office and Industrial Properties, Society for Marketing Professional Services, Family Support Services of Northeast Florida, K9’s For Warriors, Dreams Come True, Hendricks Day School, and as a Trustee for Florida House, our State’s Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Deno received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Florida, and where he has served as Chairman of his College’s Advisory Council.
Sam Inman, Chief Financial Officer, Community First Credit Union