Project LEAD

Developing Leaders. Strengthening Organizations. Building Community.

 

What is ProjectLead?
ProjectLEAD is a unique professional and leadership development program designed to prepare emerging and established professionals for meaningful service on local non-profit boards of directors and in other community leadership roles.

Through six interactive workshops led by experienced community leaders, participants gain practical leadership skills, expand their networks, and prepare to make a lasting impact. 

The benefits extend beyond the boardroom:

  • Professional Growth: Strengthen skills in governance, strategic planning, finances, fundraising, leadership, and more.
  • Stronger Leaders, Stronger Teams, Stronger Community: Bring new perspectives, valuable connections, and enhanced leadership skills back to your workplace.
  • A Pathway to Service: Receive United Way Emerald Coast's endorsement and support connecting with meaningful service opportunities upon graduation.

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Ideal Candidate
ProjectLEAD is designed for established professionals and emerging community leaders who are:

  • Ready to Grow: Professionals looking to strengthen their leadership skills, expand their networks, and take the next step in their personal or professional development.
  • Community-Minded: Individuals passionate about making a difference and eager to contribute their talents to local non-profit organizations.
  • Current or Future Board Members: Those interested in serving on a board of directors or committee, as well as existing board members looking to become more effective leaders.
  • Committed to the Experience: Participants willing to actively engage in all six workshops and explore future opportunities for community service. See our calendar here.

No previous board experience is required - just a desire to learn, lead, and make an impact!

Upon graduation, United Way Emerald Coast helps connect participants with board and committee opportunities at non-profit organizations across Okaloosa and Walton counties.

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How to Apply

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Applications are open through Friday, November 20, 2026 at 5 PM CST.

If selected for the program, a modest tuition fee of $500 is required to help cover the cost of materials and program support. Invoices will be sent upon acceptance, with payment due at least one week prior to the first workshop.

Applicants are encouraged to ask their employer to support tuition as a professional and leadership development opportunity. Need help making the ask? Use or personalize our sample requests (Word or PDF)

United Way Emerald Coast is committed to ensuring that cost is not a barrier for anyone interested in learning about board service. Applicants are encouraged to seek financial support from their employer, either partially or in full. A limited number of scholarships (up to $250 each) are available. Scholarship requests are considered independently from the applications.

For more information, please contact Kelly Jasen at 850.812.3382 or kelly@united-way.org.

View our Class III Graduation Booklet here!

Andrew Kindle, Okaloosa County EMS, Community Paramedic

Annalise Dedicke, Frances Roy Agency, Non-profit Account Manager

Brittany Curry, Fresh Start for Children & Families, Program Manager

Caitlin Ball, Community Bank, Office Manager

Catie Feeney, Walton County Emergency Management, Operations Coordinator

Chrissy Hartley, Dream Team Realty, Realtor & Property Manager

Ed Hartley, Lee Nissan, Manager

Erika Peterson, Okaloosa County School District, Intervention Coordinator

Gerard Bhagwatsingh Jr., Fort Walton Beach Police Department, Police Officer

Gina Duke, Florida Power & Light, Senior Arborist

Jackie Blue, Odom Hotelz, Corporate Director of Sales

Jacob Lassiter Hill, City of Fort Walton Beach, Golf Course Director

Jae Baldizzi, RELI Marketing, Owner

Jared Sheffield, Gaia Initiative, University of New Haven, Director/Adjunct Professor

Jay Azzaretto, Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Destination Stewardship Coordinator

Jessica McCormack, McCormack Tax, Owner & Accountant

Jetta D. Meadows, Gary Bess Associates, Senior Project Manager, Evaluation & Compliance

Joe Gordon, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Lieutenant

Josh Cottrell, Adams Sanitation, Residential Field Supervisor

Julie Kauffmann, Okaloosa County Clerk of Circuit Court, Senior Specialist, Court Financial Services

Katie Cagle, Renasant Bank, Branch Manager, BO

Katie Healey, City of Crestview Police Department, Animal Control Supervisor

Lesli Harding, Eglin Federal Credit Union, AVP Branch Operations

Makiko Simmons, CHELCO, Manager of Accounting

Marlene Verdejo, PenAir Credit Union, Branch Manager

Mary Kohan, HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, Assistant CFO

Mia Mortensen, United Way Emerald Coast, Graphic Designer

Miranda Cross, Antioch Elementary School, Childcare Coordinator

Nicci Meng, Gathering Church, Director of Membership Connection & Outreach

Phillip Kent, Walton County Sheriff’s Office, Sergeant/Crime Prevention Unit

Seth Ewing, Operation Tabletop, Executive Director

Shannettra Francis, City of Niceville, Public Information Officer

Shaun Foster, United Fidelity Bank, Business Development Officer

Stephanie Jones, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, Senior Financial Advisor, VP

Tiffany Ruckel, The Mind Card, Executive Director

Tarajoy Hill, Okaloosa County BOCC (Destin–Fort Walton Beach Meetings + Events), Event Coordinator

Ted Toedte, Walton County Sheriff’s Office, Crime Prevention Specialist

Torrey Hale, City of Crestview Police Department, Accreditation Manager

Tyler Wood, CHELCO, Communications Specialist

View our Class II Graduation Booklet here!

Alyssa Riley, Carr, Riggs & Ingram - Audit Manager
Ashley Saba, Florida Blue - Market Development Manager
Bethe Manning, Junior League of the Emerald Coast - President-Elect
Brenda Robinson, Northwest Florida State College - Coordinator Community Development and Leadership Okaloosa
Briley Kennedy, United Way Emerald Coast - Former Development Manager
Brittnee Orr, Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners - Housing Program Manager
Bron Ringstad, Eglin Federal Credit Union - VP Branch Operations
Damien Patrick McNeil, Special Olympics Florida - Regional Director
Deborah Lawson, United Way Emerald Coast - Director of Development
Donna Williamson, Florida Blue- Mid-Market Account Executive
Emmy Epperson, CareerSource Okaloosa Walton - Business Services Program Manager
Emily Criddle, Community Bank of MS - Assistant Vice President
Emily Tash Pickens, Florida Department of Health (DOH) in Okaloosa County - Community Health Improvement Planning Branch Director
Erik Martin Abreu Sr., Step One Automotive Group - General Manager
Jamie Pasour, United States Air Force - Retired
Jordan Davis, City of Crestview - Permitting Specialist
Joshua R. Grace, Crestview Police Department - Lieutenant
Kameko McGuire, New Hope Mental Health and Wellness - CEO/Nurse Practitioner
Kelsey Segalini, The Honor Foundation - Eglin Director of People
Lynn Fehr, MidSouth Bank - Manager
Mariah M. Reynolds, Homelessness and Housing Alliance of Okaloosa & Walton Counties - Coordinated Entry Specialist
Marlayna Goosby, Grow Your Gift Conservatory of Music - Founder
Matt Paul McKenna, United States Air Force - Combat Control Functional Manager
Megan Serafin, Children in Crisis, Inc. Florida - Community Engagement Manager
Melissa Garza, Emerald Coast Association of REALTORS® - Government Affairs Director
Lee Bolton, Florida Power & Light - Senior Customer Advisor
Robbie Truax, ONE Family Property Services - Property Manager
Sean Devlin, Sean Devlin Home + Design - Owner
Teddie Yellow Bear-Baskin, Eglin Federal Credit Union - Financial Education Specialist

View our Class I Graduation Booklet here!

Carrie Brewer, Tidwell Homes - Operation Manager
Chelsea Hermon, United States Air Force - Operations Manager
CJ Davis, 1ShotCreations - Co-Owner
Clay Rikard, CCB Community Bank - Commercial Lender
D. Rose Baldwin, The First Bank - Vice President Consumer Lender
Dakota Scott, Children in Crisis - Volunteer and Event Coordinator
Dana Lee Kane, Community Bank - Assistant Vice President
Danica LaFaire, Fish Window Cleaning - Investor
Denise Creech, Elite Signings and Events Owner, Remote Notary & Wedding Officiant Services
Dustin T. Cosson, Walton County Sheriff's Office - Bureau Chief Criminal Investigations
Ella Payne, Realty ONE Group Emerald Coast - Agent
Erika Vasquez, Community Aid Organization Inc - President
Joshua Bugby, Children in Crisis - Development Director
Laura Triana, Community Aid Organization Inc - Vice President
Mady Scott, CAN Community Health - Practice Administrator
Nicole Malley, Frances Roy Agency - Digital Media Specialist
Rebecca Picnic, Community Bank of MS - Teller & CSR
Regina Y Samy, Hampton Inn and Suites & Home2 Suites by Hilton - Dual General Manager 
Sherry Jones, One Hopeful Place - Community & Public Relations Director
Sierra Marie Elliott, 1st Special Operations Wing - Sexual Assault & Harassment Specialist
Stefanie Fontaine, Bridgeway Center - Director of Growth & Development & CCBHC Project Director
Susan Sharpe, EXIT Realty Anchor South - Broker
VaTema Ivy, Air Force Enlisted Village - Director of Marketing and Community Relations
Wendy Stevens, United Fidelity Bank - Business Development Officer

Thank you to our Project LEAD sponsors and in-kind supporters: 

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