Dr. Adela Ghadimi, 2024-2025 CSWG Chair, is in her fifth year of service on the CSWG and serving a second term as Chair. She is the Executive Director for United Faculty of Florida, leading organizing strategies and efforts across the state for 25,000 faculty and 8,000 graduate assistants across 34 chapters. She engages in additional union work with affiliates FEA, NEA, and AFT. She is also a doctoral candidate in the Askew School of Public Administration and Policy at Florida State University. Adela is in the inaugural cohort of the Obama Leaders USA program, where she partners with other leaders of excellence from across the country to accelerate positive and lasting change in their communities while strengthening participatory democracy. The proud daughter of immigrants, Adela is the first in her family to be born in the US and has always taken great pride in wanting to serve others in any way she can. Above all, equity and inclusion encompass everything she does, whether performing diversity training for nonprofits and union leaders through consulting work through her LLC, or within her doctoral research. Before beginning her doctoral work and relocating to Tallahassee, Adela lived in Washington, DC, and worked in education policy and government relations She has prior professional experience in nonprofits, grassroots organizing, and political campaigns. Adela was a 2021 fellow of the US Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) Next Gen Global Leaders Network and now serves the state of Florida USGLC board. Local community engagement is incredibly important to her. She previously chaired a CSWG committee for three years. Adela previously served on the Tallahassee Affordable Housing Commission and completed service on the 2020 Leon County Complete Count Census Committee. Adela serves on the National Board of Directors of the New Leaders Council (NLC), a national nonprofit focused on training and uplifting proximate place-based leaders across industry and sector in communities nationwide. Before serving on the NLC Board of Directors, Adela served two years as a Vice Chair of NLC’s NPC, two years as National Advancement Co-Chair, was the Chapter Director of NLC Tallahassee, and remains a LEAD Trainer, traveling every January to train new fellows across the country as they start their fellowship year. Adela recently finished up her Doctoral program at Florida State University in Summer 2024 and has a Master’s degree from the London School of Economics in International Relations. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Miami, where she triple majored in International Studies, Political Science, and Geography. She has an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from Harvard University.
Dr. Jazmyne Simmons-Bryant, 2024-2025 CSWG Vice-Chair and Health & Development Committee Chair, is a proud native of Tallahassee. She is a faculty member in the School of Allied Health Sciences, Division of Health Science at Florida A&M University (FAMU). Simmons earned her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Communication with a specialty in Health Communication from the University of Miami. She holds a Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in Behavioral Science and Health Education from FAMU’s Institute of Public Health. Jazmyne also possesses Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Criminology from the University of South Florida. Simmons has conducted research at Moffitt Cancer Research Center and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She is committed to using evidence-based research to improve the lives of disproportionately impacted populations. Her research interests lie at the intersection of sexual and racial minority health and interpersonal and mass communication. To date, her research has been awarded nearly $50,000 in federal and institutional funding. Most recently, Simmons served as Co-Principal Investigator for a clinical trial (NCT03898063) funded by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities. This funding was awarded via the University of Miami Clinical and Translational Science Institute to investigate effective interventions for HIV prevention and care. Beyond her academic pursuits, Jazmyne enjoys developing meaningful mass-mediated content. Before pursuing her doctorate, she produced and hosted a local television talk show, The Jazmyne Show. When Jazmyne is not working, she can be found watching black-and-white television, coloring, and spending time with family. She is the daughter of Mr. Craig Simmons and Dr. Mary Simmons. Jazmyne is married to her high school sweetheart, Tevin “T.J.” Bryant and they have a beautiful two year old daughter, Theory, and a chocolate-tri English bulldog named Time. Simmons is also an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Amanda Leighty, 2024-2025 Economic Security Committee Chair
Gillian Gregory, 2024-2025 Education Committee Chair was appointed to the CSWG in 2023 and is serving her second year as the Education Committee Chair. Prior to her appointment Gillian volunteered as a Community Committee Member on the Education Committee. She is also a Program Director with FSU’s College of Education, where she serves as a Principal Investigator (PI) and co-PI. Since joining FSU in February 2022, she has helped award $1.247 million in grants. She has implemented various instructional reforms, including those that align with improved literacy outcomes, graduation rates, and accelerated opportunities for all students. Over her 28-year education career, Commissioner Gregory has also worked in the Florida Legislature in education policy and has successfully launched both a district online K-12 school and the district’s 1:1 initiative, on-boarding a Learning Management System and Students Information System for over 50 schools. In her free time, she mentors youth, navigates a divided Seminoles and Gator household, and works as a personal assistant to her children, chauffeuring them between soccer and dance practices. We are so lucky to have such a dedicated individual as a member of the CSWG!
Caroline Pryor, 2024-2025 Employment & Earnings Committee Chair
Tiffany Martin, 2024-2025 Political Equity Committee Chair, is a thriving leader raised in Gadsden County, Florida, with a passion for service and a love of reading and writing. Beginning her professional career as a Residential Substance Abuse Counselor, Tiffany was met with the reality of providing services to challenging populations that needed long-term services. After some time, Tiffany continued her education, pursuing a master’s in social work at Florida State University, and nearly one year post-graduation, she became the Transitional Living Program (TLP) Manager at CCYS. Here, she developed a long-term residential program from ground zero. Tiffany then transitioned to serve at the Florida Network of Youth and Family Services as Project Manager of Research and Operations. In her personal time, Tiffany volunteers at her local church as the Administrator and serves on the Ministerial Staff, where she has the opportunity to continue to serve those in the Tallahassee community. Currently, Tiffany serves as Children’s Home Society of Florida’s Executive Director for the Tallahassee-Gainesville Community, and she is eager to expand and nurture new connections in our community.
Dr. Michelle Gayle, 2024-2025 Violence & Safety Committee Chair, is an accomplished educational leader with over two decades of experience in Leon County Schools. Dr. Gayle currently serves as the Deputy Superintendent for LCS. Dr. Gayle‘s leadership is characterized by her commitment to equity, excellence, and student achievement, with a particular focus on fostering environments where every student can thrive. Her expertise in curriculum development, data-driven decision-making, and community engagement has earned her recognition as a transformative leader in the field of education and as the 2024 Leader of the Year by Leadership Tallahassee.
Before her current role, Dr. Gayle served as Principal of James S. Rickards High School, where she implemented programs that significantly improved student performance and graduation rates. Her passion for professional development and mentorship has also had a lasting impact on educators throughout the district. Dr. Gayle holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and is a strong advocate for continuous improvement and lifelong learning. Dr. Gayle is currently serving in her fourth year on the CSWG and is Board of Leon County Commission appointment by Commissioner Nick Maddox.
Kimberley Berry is a Principal in Training and Technical Assistance in the Assessment and Evaluation Division at Synergy Enterprises, Inc., a woman-owned small business. At Synergy, Kimberly serves as the Deputy Project Director for the Title IV, Part A (T4PA) Technical Assistance Center, which supports State Education Agencies implementing federally-funded education programs. She has over 20 years of experience providing training, technical assistance, policy analysis, and programmatic and fiscal implementation of federal and state education initiatives. Locally, Commissioner Berry has served the Tallahassee community as a member of two school advisory councils and an active member and past chapter president of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. She is currently the president of the Tallahassee National Pan-Hellenic Council and a member of the Junior League of Tallahassee. She is an unrelenting advocate for providing unlimited opportunities for girls and women as she understands that empowering a woman educationally and economically transforms not only that woman’s life but also the generations that follow.
Micheala Denny,
Kristellys Estanga,
Kiosha Forston,
Ashley Vernelle Gilley is a mother, entrepreneur, and inspirational/motivational speaker. Her journey has been one of resilience, growth, and transformation. At the tender age of 17, just five months after high school graduation, her dreams for the future were shattered, and hope seemed out of reach. Ashley found herself entangled in the criminal justice system, facing a 15-year sentence for drug possession charges. It was a surreal and unimaginable experience that led her to serve five years in a state penitentiary. With unwavering determination and support from her parents, closest friends, and loved ones, after her incarceration she had a renewed sense of purpose, and has been determined to break the stereotype of an “ex-offender.” In April 2021, she proudly graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from The Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. Additionally, in January 2022, she completed my parole sentence, overcoming obstacles and defying the odds. Ashley serves as a Revenue Administrator II with the Florida Department of Revenue, approaching five and a half years of dedicated service to Florida. Each day, she strives to live a life that aligns with God’s plans, embracing the opportunity to share her story and inspire others to overcome adversity. She is the mother to three beautiful children, Christian, Princeton, and Tristynn, and they are her motivators everyday.
Dr. Judy Mandrell is married to Dr. Gerald Mandrell. They have been married for thirty-nine years, and are the Pastors of Life Changers Church of God in Christ. She hosts her radio show “REAL TALK WITH JUDY LIVE RADIO SHOW”. The Founder of “REAL TALK SISTER GIRLS NETWORK,” designed to bring together women of different ages, ethnicities, political affiliations, and economic statuses. She is the Executive Director of Dream Builders Greatness Center, Inc., a NONPROFIT 501C(3), which encompasses the Dream Builders Greatness Youth Leadership Summer Camp, Afterschool Program, Leaders and Navigators Academy and the Family Affairs Program designed to strengthen the family system and to help families to make “HOME SWEET HOME” again. She is the Chief Executive Officer of Dream Builders Greatness Child Development Center. All the programs are designed to empower, motivate, inspire, and help the individual and the family to bring forth the greatness and gifts they possess and help them dream and work on making their dream a reality. She’s in partnership with the Tallahassee Peacemakers, South City Foundation, The Life Center, The Tallahassee Police Department, The Leon Sheriff Department, Life Changers Church of God in Christ, and other organizations for the betterment of Tallahassee and the awesome people in the community. She is a renowned speaker in both the religious and social community. For 20 years, she worked for the Florida Department of Children and Families. She graduated from Florida A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in social work. She received a Master of Executive Leadership and a Doctorate of Christian Leadership from Clarity International Christian University. She’s a certified John C. Maxwell Coach, Teacher, Trainer, and Speaker; a Leadership Tallahassee Class 36 graduate and a 2019 Tallahassee Democrat’s 25 Women You Need to Know. She’s a member of the Tallahassee Branch of NAACP, serving on the Executive Board of Directors and Women in the NAACP Committee Chair; the Big Bend Homeless Coalition Board of Directors; Spiritual Advisory Committee for the Tallahassee Healing Prayer Ministries; and Tallahassee-Leon County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls. Dr. Mandrell has received many honors and accolades for her leadership and service.
Dr. Mandrell’s motto: “If I can help somebody, then my living will not be in vain.”
Carla McClellan was appointed to serve on the CSWG in 2023 and currently serves on the Education Committee and previously served on the Political Equity Committee last year. As a former mental health case manager for children who found themselves in Florida’s Department of Children & Families and/or Department of Juvenile Justice, Commissioner McClellan was also previously part of the data and evaluation team for Native American Health Center. She then founded the Tallahassee Lassie Pet Care, in which she has a dedicated team of employees. She has also created the Active Retiree Program during their 8th year in business. The highlight of her life is volunteerism and philanthropy, especially mentoring young ladies who have lived through traumatic experiences or troubled times. She is passionate about many topics, especially women and girls, small businesses, equality, politics, resilience, and community-building. During her free time, she spends quality time with her two dogs and cat and enjoys traveling between St. George Island and the Great Smoky Mountains. We are so excited to have such a devoted member joining as a member of the CSWG!
Dr. Wachell (Shelly) McKendrick is originally from Miami where she grew up loving the
beaches, high school and Miami Dolphins’ football games (especially the 17-0 Dolphins!). In the late 70s she would come to Tallahassee and school at FSU, leave to travel as a former military spouse then be drawn back again in 2001. She is one who enjoys serving, as evidenced by her chosen profession of Social Work. She served for 17 years as a Professor in Social Work at the Florida A&M University. Her love for the Tallahassee community intersects with her service currently as a member of Rotary International (Northside) and Board member on various nonprofit organizations serving girls and women (among them Girls 2 DIVAS, Black Women Empowerment Collective). Her professional life in the clinical area of Substance abuse treatment, trauma, and violence spans 36 years. She has worked as a Counselor, Facility Coordinator, Clinical Supervisor, Quality Assurance Director, and currently as Executive Director of Turn About, Inc. and a Surveyor for the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) in the substance abuse treatment field.
Her research interests also include increasing awareness of domestic violence issues among college students and understanding psychosocial factors that impact student success. She has written and published articles on these topics. In her spare time, Dr. McKendrick enjoys spending time and playing with her three grandchildren, traveling, and all aspects of football.
Kay Meyer is a dynamic leader and passionate advocate for women and families in Tallahassee. Kay previously served as the 23-24 Chair of the Economic Security Committee and is her second year on the CSWG.
Commissioner Meyer currently serves as the Interim Executive Director of 211 Big Bend. Her work ensures that essential crisis intervention and emotional support services are accessible to those in need. Under her leadership, 211 Big Bend has expanded its reach, making a profound impact on the lives of countless individuals and families.
Kay’s dedication to her community is further reflected in her involvement with the CSWG, where she champions initiatives that address critical issues such as gender equality, education, and economic empowerment. Her work with the CSWG underscores her deep-seated belief in the importance of creating opportunities for women and girls to thrive.
In addition to her nonprofit work, Kay has a successful background in entrepreneurship, having run a thriving photography business. This experience has honed her skills in marketing, communications, and business development, which she now leverages to benefit her community-focused endeavors.
Kay’s vision is to continue advocating for policies and programs that uplift women and girls, ensuring a more equitable future for all.
Janel Robinson believes that a world free from gender-based violence is possible. As the Violence Prevention Coordinator at FSU’s Center for Health Advocacy and Wellness, she leads initiatives to combat sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking on campus. She coordinates the university’s Green Dot Bystander Intervention program, creates innovative programming on consent, healthy relationships, and trauma-informed care, and builds awareness month campaigns. Before this role, she served as the Program Coordinator for FAMU’s Center for Interpersonal Violence Intervention and Prevention, leading FAMU’s educational efforts on culturally responsive violence prevention and bystander intervention. Nell’s dedication to a violence-free future has been recognized through several accolades, including Tallahassee Democrat’s 25 Women You Need to Know and the Oasis Center’s Unsung Shero Award.
Ashley Rodgers
Natasha Sutherland, recently served as Communications Director, spokesperson and then Senior Advisor to Yes on 4, Florida’s 2024 abortion rights ballot initiative campaign. She’s the Deputy Director of Florida Watch, a non-profit serving as an in-state hub for issue-advocacy, narrative development, and coordination. She’s a first-generation American, former educator, military spouse, and a triple alumna of the Florida State University. Natasha is serving in her first term as a CSWG Commissioner on the Health & Development Committee and was appointed by the Board of Leon County Commission by Commissioner David O’Keefe.
With years of experience in communications and political advocacy, her mission is to drive meaningful change through strategic messaging and campaign leadership. She’s partnered with diverse organizations, along with grassroots and elected leaders, to strategize and build consensus around initiatives that shift the political landscape towards improving the lives of all Floridians, no matter their background.
She’s helped craft and execute comprehensive communication plans that amplify state advocacy efforts, while leveraging skills in writing, social media communications, and press coverage. She’s been quoted in NPR, POLITICO, The New York Times, the Associated Press, The Nation, USA Today, Florida Politics, Stateline, and many other local, national, and international media outlets, where she secured thousands of earned media hits and ensured positive reputation management for her clients.
Reenee Williams-Walters, Commissioner Williams-Walter currently serves on the Economic Security Committee. She is a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in music, entertainment, and corporate roles, found her passion for creating positive change. Through her robust experience, she has transitioned out of the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry and now finds her love in the nonprofit world. As Rapid Response Coordinator for CareerSource Capital Region, Reenee assists businesses with proactive strategies to prevent and minimize employee layoffs and business closures. Reenee is also a dedicated board member for various organizations known as “the P.L.U.G.,” connecting people to resources and fostering ultimate growth. Beyond her impactful career, she enjoys adventurous travels with her family, ministry work, and conquering white water rapids.
Dr. Inika Williams, for over a decade, Dr. Inika Williams has worked with communities to improve service delivery systems supporting children and youth. She is the Associate Director of Policy with Attendance Works, a national nonprofit think tank that advances student success through policy and practice. Dr. Williams is responsible for developing and executing a national public policy agenda, working closely with government and advocacy leaders to advance student outcomes. Her previous professional roles include serving as the Director of Pre-Collegiate Programs at Florida State University. She acquired over $1.3 million to build pipeline tutoring and mentoring programs to prepare underrepresented students for higher education. She also served as Statewide Director of the College Reach-Out Program and Project Director for a $1.6 million federal initiative to develop school-based mental health programs and services in the Florida panhandle with the Florida Department of Education. Dr. Williams serves on the board of directors of the Big Bend Habitat for Humanity, the Guardian Ad Litem Foundation, the Tallahassee National Pan-Hellenic Council, PACE Center for Girls Leon, and was appointed to the City of Tallahassee/Leon County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls. She is a member of Leadership Tallahassee Class 39 and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Fostering learning opportunities for young people is a personal passion for Dr. Williams, who has expertise in youth development and programming. She has been recognized as one of the “25 Women to Know in Tallahassee” by the Tallahassee Democrat, a “Future Five” award recipient by Access Tallahassee, and awarded with the Alpha Kappa Alpha Valerie Bryant Justice Award for her commitment to women and children. Williams completed her doctoral studies in educational leadership, recently earning her M.S. and Ed.S in Counseling from Florida State University and her B.S. in Education from Florida A&M University.