Local community and business leaders work together to advance our mission to ensure public schools are places all 91¶¶Òõ can thrive.
John is Managing Director at Fifth Third Bank. Prior to joining Fifth Third, John worked as Managing Director for the North/Central Florida Region of Wells Fargo’s Wealth Management Group for 20 years, and spent 13 years at Citigroup. He has earned his Business Management Degree from State University of New York at Old Westbury and also obtained his Certified Financial Planner Designation through the Denver College of Financial Planning. John sits on the Board of the Heart of Florida’s United Way and is currently on the 2012 Campaign Cabinet. John lives in Windermere with his wife and two children. Recently, John has earned his First-Degree Black Belt in Tai-Kwon-Do and has completed both the Disney Marathon and Disney Half Marathon.
Donna Mirus Bates has been with Universal Parks & Resorts for more than 20 years in a variety of marketing positions. Donna is responsible for working with the local site CMOs and marketing leaders in Orlando, Hollywood, Japan and Beijing to ensure global connectivity and consistency across key business areas including Corporate Communications, Licensing Partnerships, Global Promotions, Corporate Marketing Partnership Development and Management, Comcast/ NBC Universal Symphony and Brand Assurance. Donna holds a B.S. in Advertising/Public Relations from the University of Central Florida and is also a graduate of the Crummer Management Program from Rollins College and Leadership Orlando. Donna serves on the Board of Visitors advisory board for UCF’s Nicholson School of Communication, and on the Board of Directors for the Orlando Repertory Theatre. Donna was the 2014 inductee into the Nicholson School of Communication Alumni Hall of Fame. Donna lives in Orlando, FL with her husband Matt and their 2 daughters.
Community impact is Nekelia's passion and it has transcended into building lifelong relationships. City Year is dear to the Starbucks Corporation and this partnership is imperative to supporting young people finding their way! Nekelia is a servant leader, mother of two and married for 20 years. Her background includes obtaining a BS in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the Metropolitan State University of Denver, a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She enjoys the experience of unlocking the leader's mindset, igniting inspiration and seeing the growth, impact and development of our youth. Nekelia galvanizes leaders whether it's towards contributing to our community promise or challenging the status quo through collaboration and fostering a culture of professional development.
Joel joined the Orlando Magic in October of 1995 and is leads media operations, strategic communications, media releases, publications and statistical material, while also coordinating media interviews with players, coaching staff members and front office personnel. Joel also oversees the team’s digital content team and official website, and the team’s broadcasting and community relations departments. Joel relocated to Orlando from the University of Florida, where he worked in the sports information department for over nine years. While at UF, Joel spearheaded media/public relations for basketball, while also assisting with football and the men’s spring sports program. A graduate of the University of Iowa and a native of Wilmette, Ill and outside of work, Joel has been involved with Teach-In and has served as a youth basketball and baseball coach while also a certified Little League umpire. Joel also serves on the advisory committee for the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation.
Marcia is the City of Orlando’s first Chief Service Officer, appointed by Mayor Buddy Dyer to lead Orlando’s Cities of Service effort by developing and implementing a citywide plan, Orlando Cares, to increase volunteerism and target volunteerism to address Orlando’s greatest challenges. Marcia serves as Orlando’s Director of the Office of Community Affairs and Human Relations. In this role, she is a member of Mayor Buddy Dyer’s senior staff and director of the city’s Human Relations efforts. She assists the Mayor, the Orlando City Council and city staff in developing and implementing the city’s community mission. Marcia joined the city staff as the city’s first Director of Neighborhood Services and served as Mayor Buddy Dyer’s Interim Press Secretary. Marcia is a wife and proud mother to her two daughters, Nia and Imani, who are alumni of Emory University and the University of Florida. Ms. Goodwin’s passions are her faith, her family and her community.
Dr. Grant Hayes is a professor and Dean of the College of Community Innovation and Education at the University of Central Florida. Dr. Hayes has spent the last 30 years as an innovative leader, teacher, professor, and administrator who is noted for empowering faculty and 91¶¶Òõ to seek creative solutions to some of the most pressing educational issues. Dr. Hayes is a professor of counselor education and served in numerous leadership positions in higher education over the span of two decades. Dr. Hayes has published extensively, conducting research in a variety of areas including technological applications in counselor education, counseling children and adolescents, and character education/moral development in schools and youth settings. He is a fellow of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and is a past member of the board of directors of the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (AACTE), the board of examiners for National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the executive advisory board of the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED), and the board of directors for the Association of Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC), where he received the Meritorious Service Award. He is a past president of the Counseling Association for Humanistic Education and Development(C-AHEAD) and the recipient of the association’s Humanistic Processes Award.
Scott Kuhn is the Executive Director of Business Banking at Chase Bank, where he has dedicated 25 years to fostering financial growth and supporting businesses. A proud alumnus of the University of Central Florida, Scott graduated in 1999 and has since built a distinguished career in the banking industry. His leadership and expertise have been instrumental in driving success and innovation within the business banking sector.
Beyond his professional achievements, Scott is a devoted family man. He has been happily married to his beautiful wife, Eileen, for over 20 years. Together, they have two wonderful sons, Blake and Nathan, who are the center of their world. Scott and Eileen share a deep commitment to giving back to their community and making a positive impact globally. Their philanthropic efforts reflect their dedication to helping others and improving the world around them.
Scott is also an active member of the Horizon West Rotary, where he collaborates with fellow members to support local and international initiatives. Additionally, he serves as a board member of City Year Orlando, contributing his expertise and passion to support educational and community development programs. His involvement in these organizations underscores his dedication to service and community engagement, further highlighting his commitment to making a difference both personally and professionally.
Catherine is the Managing Partner and Founder of the law firm Losey PLLC. She represents clients across industry sectors, including health care, hospitality, staffing, technology, retail, banking, and financial services. Catherine has lectured on workplace issues for industry groups, bar associations, and judicial education programs. She has authored numerous pieces on workplace legal issue compliance and workplace litigation-avoidance techniques. Catherine graduated cum laude from the University of Florida College of Law where she served as Executive Symposium Editor of the Florida Law Review. During law school Catherine served as a law clerk to the Honorable Steven D. Merryday in the Middle District of Florida. Catherine graduated summa cum laude from the University of Florida with a B.A. in English. During her undergraduate studies she studied abroad at Cambridge University and received a certificate in Victorian literature. Catherine has a special interest in volunteering her time to assist women and children in need. She has served as a guardian ad litem and advocate for children who were suspected victims of parental abuse, neglect, or abandonment.
BIO COMING SOON
Nina Rawal is a graduate of the University of California, Davis School of Law. Nina later obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Estate Planning from the University of Miami Graduate School of Law. She focuses her practice on estate planning, estate administration, and creditor protection matters. Nina assists clients with their pre-death estate planning and wealth preservation through the creation of wills, revocable trusts, irrevocable trusts, and the use of lifetime gifting. She helps clients further their charitable inclinations by creating charitable trusts and charitable foundations. In addition, Nina helps financial institutions and individuals navigate a wide range of fiduciary disputes, including trust, estate, and probate disputes.
Dr. Maria Vazquez is deputy superintendent for Orange County Public Schools, where she oversees all academic, administrative, and operational functions related to teaching and learning for the A-rated school system. As deputy superintendent, she plays a critical role in developing practices that have boosted the graduation rate to an all-time high; narrows achievement gaps for 91¶¶Òõ of color; increases the percentage of high-performing schools; expands access to Advanced Placement and dual-enrollment courses; and strengthens supports for teachers. Her tenure in Orange County also includes positions as chief academic officer; area superintendent; senior director for exceptional student education and multilingual services; executive area director of the West and Southwest Learning Communities; principal; assistant principal; and teacher. Vazquez has a doctorate and a master’s from UCF and a bachelor’s from USF. She is an alumna of the Future Chiefs leadership development program.
Mr. Sprouls is Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer for Universal Parks & Resorts, the division of NBC Universal responsible for all theme park, resort and development activities. He oversees Human Resources, Legal, Business Affairs, Risk Management, EHS, Corporate Communications and External Affairs for the Group. John is a member of the U.S. Commerce Department’s Tourism and Travel Advisory Board, U.S. Travel Association’s Board of Directors and the U.S. Travel Association CEO Roundtable. He is President of the Universal Orlando Foundation. He also serves on the Board of Trustees for the University of Central Florida, and a board member of the University of Central Florida Foundation. John holds both a BA (History) and a J.D. from Seton Hall University. He resides in Windermere, Florida with his wife and three children.
