Fifty-seven local leaders selected for esteemed program
(WEST PALM BEACH, FL) Tuesday, June 10, 2025 – Fifty-seven esteemed professionals have been accepted into the 2025-2026 Leadership Engage Program, Leadership Palm Beach County’s flagship program. Leadership Engage, presented by iTHINK Financial, is a highly selective 10-month program that unites community leaders and offers participants a transformative learning experience and a powerful network, with the intent to better Palm Beach County.
Participants, who come from diverse industries and backgrounds, will gain a deeper understanding of their own leadership styles as well as understand the ways in which they can make significant improvements in the community.
The 57 class members were selected for their leadership and service in their professional and civic lives. They will meet each month from September through May to explore program topics such as agriculture, education, public safety, and healthcare. Class members will also divide into smaller groups and work on their chosen “Engage Forward” projects, the Leadership Palm Beach County civic engagement initiative benefiting local non-profits and aimed at tackling challenges facing the region.
The mission of Leadership PBC is to educate and unite leaders to build a better community, and the 57 new class members look forward to furthering this mission. See the full list of Engage Class of 2026 participants below.
Naasson Cortney Allen, NCA & COMPANY
Anthony Altieri, Lynn University
Diane Andre, Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners
Donna Biase, Best Foot Forward
Nelmarie Bowe, DPR Construction
Tzufit Boyle, H2M Architects + Engineers
Elsira Bravo, Families First of Palm Beach County
Layren Calvo, Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches, Inc.
Michael Carsillo, Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue
Jordon Cheifet, Cummins Cederberg
Rachel Duewer, Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches
Edwin Ferguson, The Ferguson Firm
Michelle Fleming, Palm Beach County School District
Donna Goldfarb, Bob Goldfarb Custom Clothing
Johnnie Hubbard, Andrea C. Cameron Foundation
Emily Jablonski, Baptist Health South FL
Cecil Jackson, Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office
Andy Jadoo, Town of Palm Beach
Teresa Johnson, Palm Tran
Jeff Kadel, MLPBC
Kathie (Kate) Keller, Hanley Foundation
Leroy Kelson IV, School District of Palm Beach County
Brian Kennedy, Shutts & Bowen LLP
Paige Kornblue, ESPN
Kristine Kreidler, Town of Lantana – Lantana Public Library
Mikayla Kress, Thrive Therapy of Palm Beach
Sarah Kudisch, The Gardens Mall
Christopher Linteris, Wonder Food Group, Inc
Mimi May, City of Lake Worth Beach
Dana Middleton, City of Palm Beach Gardens
Carmencita Mitchell, Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches
Salome Mondelus, Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Mike Morgan, Consultant
Thomas Mullin, Bilzin, Sumberg, Baena, Price & Axelrod, LLP
Kristopher Nickerson, Garcia Companies
Minoka Nugent, Riviera Beach Community Redevelopment Agency
Jonathon Ortiz-Smykla, Center for Creative Education
Stephanie Papaycik, School District of Palm Beach County
Angela Perez, NextEra Energy, Inc
Desiree Reavis, Kastle Systems
Heather Ries, Fox Rothschild LLP
Melanie Roger, Zeus Consulting Services Corporation
Ryan Rossi, William Raveis Real Estate
Sophie Schneeberger, The American Dream TV Network
Deborah Searcy, Florida Atlantic University
Kyle Soch, Larmoyeux & Bone
Serena Spates, City of Riviera Beach
Sandra Stella, Grassi
Rahul Sudhakar, Florida Power & Light Co.
Sunny Thayer, Window Gang
Jennifer Thomason, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County
Katie Velotta, Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce
Erica Morgan West, Smith County Farms
Van Williams, Palm Beach State College
V. Danielle Williams, Palm Beach County School Board
Tijuana Williams, Atkins Tender Loving Care
Florencia Ziemke, Evexia Medical
About Leadership Palm Beach County
Leadership Palm Beach County, Inc., is an educational 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization designed to foster awareness of community issues and promote efficient communication and cooperative relationships between existing and emerging community leaders. LPBC’s stated mission is to educate and unite leaders to build a better community. Initiated in 1983 through a collaborative effort of the local Chambers of Commerce, LPBC has prepared nearly 3,000 adult and youth graduates for enhanced community leadership roles. Learn more about LPBC at LeadershipPBC.org.