Denise is a Senior Vice President at Capital City Bank Group and the Director of Star University, managing a team of 10 at Capital City Bank to develop professional development and training programs for bank associates. She has been in the Corporate Learning & Development Profession for 30 years, is a Business and organizational Leadership Consultant serving entities across the community in organizational strategy, leadership development and retention. For the past 20 years, Denise has served on several boards and committees of organizations throughout the area and has a particular focus on serving with entities who work on behalf the people with cognitive and developmental disabilities.

Liz Dudek’s career in Florida’s state government has spanned over 40 years across a variety of senior management positions including Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration and Deputy Secretary of Health Quality Assurance. As Secretary, Liz oversaw one of the largest Medicaid programs in the nation. Under her administration, the Agency successfully implemented the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care program and the establishment of the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse. Liz has worked extensively with health care facilities, providers, and insurers. She began her career working with the developmentally disabled population. She was instrumental in dismantling two troubled state institutions and finding secure, appropriate placement for the institutions’ residents. She has a working knowledge of regulatory requirements of Medicaid, Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Department of Management Services, and facilities. She is a statewide, respected leader in health care regulation and insurance.

Cindi Goodson is the President and CFO of the Flightline Group and RedHills Powersports. Flightline is a regional aviation sales and service company providing aviation services, aircraft sales, parts, avionics and aircraft maintenance services to the southeast region of the U.S. Red Hills powersports is a leading recreational power sport dealership in the community. Cindi has served as the treasurer of KEYS (Keys to Exceptional Youth Success) for 12 years and is now a senior advisor.

Cindi graduated from Florida State University in 1985 with a BS Degree in Accounting and received her CPA certification. She is an avid runner and is involved with Special Olympics of Leon County. She is married to Bart Goodson and they have one son, Brantley.

Steve is CEO of Birdsong Housing. He served as former Executive Director of Florida Housing Finance Corporation, the state’s housing finance agency that administers several multi-family development programs for affordable rental housing, including housing for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, and other vulnerable populations. He has served on the Board of Directors of the National Council of State Housing Agencies, the Affordable Housing Advisory Council of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, and as Chair of the Florida Council on Homelessness.

Ryan Andrews has lived in Tallahassee for over 33 years, and currently runs the Andrews Law Firm, a litigation firm that handles complex business litigation, personal injury litigation, and civil rights litigation. For the past decade Ryan has litigated ADA cases on behalf of individuals with disabilities, participating in several cases that resulted in the change of antiquated policies and procedures that have increased the safety of individuals with disabilities, as well as the access to services and programs for those individuals. His career as an attorney has been dedicated to helping those in need and those who could not help themselves.

Katie Ballard is a Florida State University graduate and seasoned political consultant who has worked in Tallahassee for nearly two decades. Her professional experience, combined with her personal connection to the developmental disabilities community, has shaped her commitment to improving the systems that serve individuals with unique abilities and their families.

As the sister of a person with developmental disabilities, Katie understands firsthand the challenges families face when navigating complex programs, services, and support systems. These experiences have given her valuable insight into the barriers encountered by individuals with developmental disabilities and have fueled her passion for creating a more accessible, responsive, and effective system.

Katie lives in Tallahassee with her husband and their three daughters.

Melanie Black is a third-generation Floridian who has dedicated her life to serving others and building more inclusive communities. She earned both her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and her Master’s degree in Reading from Florida State University before beginning her career as an elementary school teacher.

Today, Melanie is a stay-at-home mother to her two daughters while continuing her lifelong commitment to community service. She and her husband, Greg, have been married for 12 years and are passionate about creating opportunities for individuals of all abilities.

Melanie understands firsthand the life-changing impact organizations like Independence Landing can have on individuals and families. Growing up with a sister with special needs, she experienced the importance of inclusion, meaningful relationships, and a supportive community from an early age. That personal connection has inspired a lifetime of advocacy and service.

For many years, Melanie has volunteered with numerous nonprofit organizations that support individuals with special needs and promote inclusion for all. In addition to her volunteer work, she is actively involved in several community organizations and serves on a variety of boards throughout Tallahassee.

Serving on the Board of Directors of Independence Landing, Melanie is honored to help create a welcoming community where adults with special needs can build meaningful relationships, gain independence, and thrive. She is passionate about ensuring that every individual is valued, included, and given the opportunity to live a fulfilling and connected life.

Allison S. Carvajal Has over 37 years of experience in legislative and governmental relations. Prior to joining Ramba

Consulting Group, Ms. Carvajal was the owner of Carvajal Consulting and Management, a government relations firm representing numerous clients before all levels of state government. Current activities include the management of legislative programs for several statewide organizations as well as private companies.

Ms. Carvajal began her career with the Florida Legislature in the Senate Appropriations Committee while attending graduate school at the Florida State University in Public Administration and Political Science. While attending graduate school she also worked with various Governmental Consultants representing clients before State Government.

In 1996, 1998 and 2002 Ms. Carvajal temporarily relocated to the St. Petersburg area where she worked for the Republican Party of Florida as a field representative. During her tenure with the Republican Party, Ms. Carvajal gained extensive knowledge in the aspect of campaign management. Ms. Carvajal continues to maintain her presence in the political arena.

Ms. Carvajal’s experience in state government and private sector activities, combined with her participation in political activities provides her clients with a formidable advocate for the advancement of their interests.

Ms. Carvajal resides in Tallahassee with her husband Tony and they have one son.

Anna Casillas is a seasoned human resources leader and the Head of Talent Management at Dragos, a global industrial cybersecurity company. In this role, she designs and implements strategic programs focused on performance, professional development, and employee engagement.

Anna has a master’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s in art history from Florida State University. A Tallahassee native, Anna spent 14 years in NYC before returning home in 2023.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Anna is an active member of LeMoyne Arts, where she regularly takes drawing and painting classes. She also volunteers at the Tallahassee Animal Shelter.

Driven by a passion for inclusion and community, she is honored to serve on the board of Independence Landing, where her sister, Sarah, is a proud resident. Anna and her husband, Chris, are frequent attendees at IL events and Special Olympics competitions – where Sarah competes and Chris coaches golf and soccer.

Undersheriff Cave was raised in Tallahassee and graduated from Godby High School after which he attended and graduated from Thomas University with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. Furthering his education, Ron attained a master’s degree in Political Science from Florida State University, a master’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from the University of West Florida, a master’s Certificate in Public Administration from the University of West Florida, and a master’s Certificate in Public Safety Leadership from the University of Virginia.  He is a graduate of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Senior Leadership and the Chief Executive Programs. Ron is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Session 289 and the Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government. Ron actively contributes to the academic community by serving as an adjunct professor teaching courses in political science and criminal justice and has lectured on various topics related to criminal justice, public policy and administration, the Florida Legislature, and political science.

In addition to being a certified law enforcement officer and a certified correctional officer, Ron holds criminal justice instructor certifications in general topics, firearms, defensive tactics, and vehicle operations. Ron has served both state and local criminal justice agencies in various positions since 1995, with roles including dispatcher, investigator (internal affairs and criminal), deputy sheriff, lieutenant, captain, major, chief over field and statewide operations, director, assistant sheriff, chief of staff and now undersheriff.

Prior to joining LCSO, Ron led the State Law Enforcement Chiefs’ Association as its longest serving president (2010-2015). His record of professional leadership includes service on the File Review Committee and Team Leader for the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation; the Law Enforcement Regional Training Trust Fund Board (chair); Domestic Violence Task Force (chair); the Florida Criminal Justice Training Center Directors Association; the Governor’s Council on Integrity and Efficiency; the Florida Marine Intelligence Unit (president); and as an executive board member for Keep Tallahassee-Leon County Beautiful. Ron also served as an appointed member of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Criminal Justice Executive Institute Policy Board. Ron currently serves on the Tallahassee Community College, Criminal Justice Advisory Committee, board for Choose Tallahassee, executive board for the Big Bend Habitat for Humanity, executive board for The Kearney Center, executive board for Big Bend Hospice, executive board for Independence Landing, executive board for
Tallahassee Sunrise Rotary, and a member of the Second Judicial Circuit, Attorney Grievance Committee.

Ron previously served as the Director of Security and Law Enforcement for the Florida Lottery, overseeing the security and law enforcement functions, and ensuring the integrity of Florida’s then nearly $7 billion lottery system.  In this position, Ron served as the Florida Lottery’s Emergency Coordinating Officer (ECO) and Continuity of Operations (COOP) Coordinator and was responsible for planning, organizing, and directing all activities of the Florida Lottery law enforcement division.

Currently, Ron serves as the Undersheriff of Leon County, and is second in command of the agency.

Ron resides in Tallahassee, with his wife with whom he has one adult daughter and one granddaughter.

April Dietz brings over a decade of project management and consulting experience leading more than 35 public sector initiatives across health, education, and government transformation. Her work spans strategic planning, IT modernization, and organizational change for state agencies and institutions of higher learning, including the Florida Department of Education, the Florida Department of Health, and the Texas Workforce Commission, as well as the Florida State University, University of South Florida, and University of Texas. As ISF’s Marketing and Communications lead, April translates complex public missions into compelling narratives that drive engagement and support. As a parent of a child with special needs, she brings lived experience and a deep commitment to community-centered solutions – making her a passionate advocate for Independence Landing’s mission of empowering adults with disabilities to live independently with dignity and connection.

As a second-generation local realtor, Christie Droz Perkins has spent over 20 years guiding Tallahasseans through their real estate sales, just like her father did. However, there is a greater purpose to what she does. By properly advising Buyers about home purchases and investments that facilitate their ability to resell and refinance when needed, Tallahasseans stay more financially secure. By polishing Sellers’ homes and marketing them aggressively, more funds from their proceeds are re-invested into the local economy. Christie is proud to call this fine city home and enthusiastically enjoys enriching Tallahasseans’ lives with the best real estate sales advice.

In addition to her real estate career, Christie has served as a two-time Director of the Tallahassee Board of Realtors and currently contributes to the Contracts and Forms Committee. She sits on the Board of Directors for Choose Tallahassee and has coordinated charitable initiatives including rent sponsorship for a Ukrainian refugee family and seasonal giving campaigns through Christmas Connection. A lifelong local and proud graduate of Leon High, Christie remains passionate about enriching the lives of her fellow Tallahasseans—not just through real estate, but through active civic engagement and leadership.

Tony grew up in Venice, Florida before attending Florida State University. He is a proud Eagle Scout. While obtaining his undergraduate degree at Florida State University he worked for various non-profits and causes, eventually directing a student run group that raised money, supplies and awareness for Haiti Relief after the 2010 Haitian earthquake. In recognition of his dedication to others and to the university, Tony was selected as a member of The Florida State University Homecoming Court the year of his graduation.

Tony attended The Florida State University College of Law where he was a member of the Business Review Journal and the President of the College Trial Team, competing in litigation competitions against top law schools across the nation. Tony is a Firm Partner with the law firm of Brooks LeBoeuf Foster Gwartney and Hobbs, representing injured clients across Florida seeking compensation for injuries sustained due to the negligence of others.

Brett Vice President of Ketcham Realty Group in Tallahassee. He has over 20 years of commercial real estate experience, holding both real estate appraisal and broker licenses. Brett is the founding member and current chair of the Everhart Excellence Foundation, which is dedicated to supporting Getchen Everhart School, Tallahassee’s premier school for children with significant disabilities. In this role, he has raised and spent in excess of $500,000 over the years. Brett is the father of a child with medical and developmental disabilities of a complexity that will likely require a higher degree of care than Independence Landing is designed to provide. Nonetheless, Brett is a dedicated and active supporter of IL because he feels strongly that more housing choices are necessary for individuals with developmental disabilities.

After serving as Executive Vice President and Founding Chief Scientific Officer at Geisinger for more than ten years (2010-2021), Dr. Ledbetter returned to Florida first at UF-Jacksonville and more recently at FSU College of Medicine, where he continues his NIH-funded research on the genetic basis of autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders. Previously he held academic and leadership positions at Baylor College of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, where he was the Robert W. Woodruff Professor of Human Genetics, and the University of Chicago where he was the Marjorie I. and Bernard A. Mitchell Professor and Founding Chair of the Department of Human Genetics (1996-2003). He is a graduate of Tulane University and earned his Ph.D. at the University of Texas-Austin. He is an internationally recognized expert in Genomics and Precision Medicine, having discovered the genetic causes of Prader-Willi syndrome and Miller-Dieker syndrome and focusing his ongoing research efforts on discovering the genetic causes of childhood neurodevelopmental disorders including autism. He has been a pioneer in the translation of new genomics technologies into clinically useful genetic tests for early diagnosis and intervention, including telomere FISH, chromosomal microarray (CMA), and most recently, exome and genome sequencing. His current research interest includes determining the clinical utility of genome sequencing in healthy newborns to determine if it is feasible as part of routine newborn screening.

Sara Merrill is a native of Tallahassee and a graduate of Presbyterian College in South Carolina with a degree in Elementary Special Education. She served as a Special Education teacher and tutor for over 15 years in North Carolina, Georgia and Florida. She later became the event director for Maclay School, leading many fundraising initiatives. She has been married for 28 years to her husband, Jeff. They have two sons, one with developmental disabilities. Her board experience includes roles at Goodwood Museum and Gardens, St. John’s Episcopal Church Vestry, and the Maclay School Alumni Association. She now is an active community volunteer serving a number of valuable causes.

Mary Stafford serves as the Vice President/ Senior Business Development Officer with Prime Meridian Bank, bringing over two decades of invaluable banking expertise to the Tallahassee community. Her commitment to community service is evident through her active involvement in various non-profit organizations including Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Independence Landing, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Joy Squad, United Prayer Summit and Killearn Methodist Church events. Mary has also dedicated numerous years to supporting causes such as March of Dimes, Downtown Business Association and Choose Tallahassee.

Mary’s philanthropic spirit extends to her love for animals, as she ardently supports local rescues and the Leon County Humane Society. Family is at the core of her inspiration, with a devoted husband, Parke, and three children- 25 year old daughter and sons aged 18 and 16.

Beyond her professional and charitable endeavors, Mary finds solace in the outdoors and treasures moments of relaxation along the coast during her free time.

Meredith Brock Stanfield serves as the Legislative Policy Director for the Florida Professional Firefighters, where she leads legislative and public policy efforts to advance the health, safety, and well-being of Florida’s firefighters and emergency responders.

Before joining the Florida Professional Firefighters, Meredith held leadership positions with several State of Florida agencies, building extensive experience in public policy, government affairs, and strategic planning. She currently serves on the CareerSource Florida Board of Directors, helping guide statewide workforce policy and investment initiatives, and on the Florida Rehabilitation Council, where she works to strengthen vocational rehabilitation programs and improve opportunities for Floridians with disabilities.

A graduate of the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in political science, Meredith is passionate about public service and expanding opportunities that help individuals lead independent, meaningful lives. She lives in Tallahassee with her family.