Board of Directors

Nonprofits First is governed by a Board of Directors made of business and community leaders representing the communities we serve. They are active in fundraising, increasing partnerships, creating opportunities for service and growth, providing advocacy and developing community relationships. They raise awareness of Nonprofits First by identifying venues for marketing and public relations, recruiting new board members, and participating in special events and projects.

Katia Saint-Preux

Chair

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Katia Saint-Preux

Ms. Saint-Preux manages all volunteer programs at Florida Power & Light Company. She works closely with the company business units to engage employees in meaningful projects. She also works closely with the External Affairs team and non-profits to make an impact. She has been with the company for four years.

She earned her degree in Marketing with a minor in business management from Northern Kentucky University. She is passionate about volunteering and giving back to the communities where we live and work.

Florida Power & Light Company
Florida Power & Light Company is the third-largest electric utility in the United States, serving nearly 5 million customer accounts or an estimated 10 million people across nearly half of the state of Florida. FPL's typical 1,000-kWh residential customer bill is approximately 25 percent lower than the latest national average and, in 2016, was the lowest in Florida among reporting utilities for the seventh year in a row. FPL's service reliability is better than 99.98 percent, and its highly fuel-efficient power plant fleet is one of the cleanest among all utilities nationwide. The company received the top ranking in the southern U.S. among large electric providers, according to the J.D. Power 2016 Electric Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction StudySM, and was recognized in 2017 as one of the most trusted U.S. electric utilities by Market Strategies International. A leading Florida employer with approximately 8,900 employees, FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Florida-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE), a clean energy company widely recognized for its efforts in sustainability, ethics and diversity, and has been ranked No. 1 in the electric and gas utilities industry in Fortune's 2017 list of "World's Most Admired Companies." NextEra Energy is also the parent company of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, which, together with its affiliated entities, is the world's largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun. For more information about NextEra Energy companies, visit these websites: www.NextEraEnergy.com, www.FPL.com, www.NextEraEnergyResources.com

Katia can be reached on LinkedIn.

Peter Cruise

Vice Chair

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Peter Cruise

PETER L. CRUISE, Ph.D. is an Affiliate Associate Professor and Founding Executive Director of the LeRoy Collins Public Ethics Academy at Florida Atlantic University. Both his academic and professional careers have been focused on improving the ethical climate in public sector programs and organizations. Since graduating with his Ph.D. in Public Administration from FAU in 1995, he taught ethics and organizational behavior in both undergraduate and graduate students in universities such as California State University-Chico, Golden Gate University, Louisiana State University and Mary Baldwin University. Before beginning his academic life, his professional career started in West Palm Beach in the early 1980s, working at St. Mary’s Hospital, and the Palm Beach Blood Bank, and later at Martin Memorial Hospital in Stuart. In addition to many published articles, he is the co-editor of the Handbook of Organization Theory and Management: The Philosophical Approach (2nd Edition, 2006). In April 2015, he was selected by the faculty the College of Design and Social Inquiry at Florida Atlantic University as a Distinguished Alumnus. In March 2018, he was appointed Palm Beach County Ethics Commissioner. In April 2024, he was appointed by the Mayor and City Commission to the City of West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority. He currently serves on Boards of Directors for the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches, the Palm Beach County Medical Society’s Council of Ethical & Judicial Affairs, and Leadership Palm Beach County.

Gina Ardillo, CPA

Treasurer

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Gina Ardillo, CPA

Ms. Ardillo has twelve years of tax experience concentrating in services to the tax-exempt sector. She is a senior manager with Crowe LLP, where she serves healthcare organizations, colleges and universities, private foundations, and various other not-for-profit organizations. In addition to being well-versed in the IRS Form 990 Series, Gina corresponds with the IRS and state taxing authorities on behalf of her clients. Gina has provided consulting services to her clients on a number of issues impacting tax-exempt organizations, including in the areas of unrelated business income, section 4960 excise tax and implementation of other provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and 501(r) compliance. Gina has presented educational seminars on topics specific to exempt organizations, both internally for her colleagues and externally for her clients and other local organizations.

As a West Palm Beach resident, Gina enjoys giving back to her community. Gina has served on the Board of Directors and Finance Committee of Nonprofits First since 2019 and has been volunteering weekly in cat adoptions at Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League since 2020.

Ms. Ardillo is a member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants (OSCPA), and Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA). A graduate of Ohio State University, Ms. Ardillo is a Certified Public Accountant in Ohio and Florida.

Janice Brunson

Secretary

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Janice Brunson

Janice Brunson is a Commercial Lender with Valley Bank, a financial institution with over 91 years of experience. Valley Bank has 41 branches in Florida with the Regional headquarters located in West Palm Beach. Janice is a Florida native and has been in commercial banking in Palm Beach County for more than 20 years. She is an Alumni of Leadership Palm Beach County, a member of CREW/Treasure Coast, and volunteers her time to the ARC of Palm Beach County. Janice currently serves as a Trustee of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches.

Checree Bryant

Board Member

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Checree Bryant

With a robust background in leadership coaching, organizational development, and behavioral consulting, Checree Bryant is a distinguished professional celebrated for her transformative impact across various sectors. Her diverse experiences have cultivated a unique and innovative approach to enhancing leadership. Checree is the visionary behind Actuate Consulting, a forward-thinking enterprise, dedicated to elevating organizational performance through executive and team coaching. Checree, known affectionately by her clients as "The Transformer," holds a Master's degree in Organizational Leadership and is a certified DISC Behavioral Consultant through the renowned John Maxwell Team. Her dedication to continuous learning supports her dynamic coaching methods, which utilize exclusive resources to maximize leadership performance and organizational success. As a board member for Nonprofits First and a distinguished member of the Leadership Palm Beach County class of 2023, Checree plays a pivotal role in advancing both community and corporate leadership initiatives. Her personal passion for whitewater rafting showcases the resilience and adventurous spirit she infuses into her engaging and motivational training sessions.

Amelia Jadoo

Board Member

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Amelia N. Jadoo

As Executive Director of the Palm Beach County League of Cities, Amelia N. Jadoo serves as the liaison and advocate for all 39 municipalities in Palm Beach County. Leading the non-partisan, non-profit organization, she drives collaboration, fosters dialogue, promotes best practices to improve municipal governance, champions Home Rule, and serves as the key point person coordinating with the Palm Beach County Emergency Operations Center during emergencies. Additionally, Ms. Jadoo represents the League at regional, state, and national levels, forging strategic partnerships to amplify the unified voice of Palm Beach County’s municipalities and advance shared objectives. Under her leadership, she spearheads innovative initiatives to enhance member services, oversees the League’s financial and operational functions, and provides strategic direction to staff.

With over 20 years of legal experience, Ms. Jadoo previously served as a municipal attorney, assistant county attorney, and business litigator. Early in her career, she had the distinguished honor of serving as a judicial law clerk to the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Deeply engaged in the Palm Beach County community, Ms. Jadoo is a proud alum of Leadership Palm Beach County’s Engage Class of 2024 and serves on the Local Professionalism Panel for the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit.

Stephen Johnson

Board Member

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Stephen L. Johnson

Stephen is AVP Administration and Marketing for the iTHINK Financial Credit Union and the Foundation Director for the iTHINK Community Foundation. Stephen has been working with credit unions since 1992. He has worked at different levels of the credit union industry starting his career with the second largest credit union in New Mexico where he also served as Branch Manager and Loan Officer, to a Credit Union League where he gained vast knowledge of financial services. His passion for the credit union industry is centered around their “People Helping People” philosophy. Stephen has a B.S. in Psychology from Arizona State University and an MBA in Marketing & Operations from Florida Atlantic University. He also holds a Certified Professional designation with the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) and recently received an Artificial Intelligence certification from UC Berkley. He enjoys traveling, cooking, and baking. Stephen is able to bring a unique perspective to the consumer experience as an active member of the community and as a credit union professional.

Mark Montgomery

Board Member

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Mark Montgomery

Mark Montgomery advises successful families about their complex personal risk and designs and manages risk management programs to mitigate and protect against loss. Mark has 25 years of insurance expertise, 14 of which have been specifically focused on the property and liability risk management needs of affluent families in Palm Beach. Mark has been very involved in Palm Beach non-profits having served on boards or committees of Foundcare, Community Chest, and Rehabilitation Center for Children and Adults, Food for the Poor, Boy Scouts of America, Place of Hope and the Community Partnership Group.

Additionally, Mark is a past President of the Palm Beach County Estate Planning Council. Montgomery earned his MBA and undergraduate degrees from Stetson University. Formerly, he was a Vice President at Marsh Private Client Services and Director at Frank Crystal & Company.

Mark may be reached on LinkedIn.

Melissa Morley

Board Member

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Melissa Morley

Melissa Morley is a Senior Benefits Consultant, a role in which she will spearhead and direct our private and public clients strategic benefit programming and budget planning as it relates to the Client’s employee benefits program, make recommendations as necessary and provide guidance regarding compliance with State and Federal legislation. She conducts meetings and presentations with decision makers and executive staff for the employee benefits program, insurance committees and Board meetings. Her role also manages the RFP and Open Enrollment planning calendar and provides invaluable ERISA guidance for clients.

EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION

Masters in Education – Springfield College, Springfield, MA

Bachelor of Arts in Economics – Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY

Melissa is an experienced employee benefits professional with 20 years of experience in the Human Resources and Benefits industry. During her career, she has worked in multiple roles with large and small private and public employers allowing her the unique opportunity to gain an understanding of the client perspective from different vantage points. Melissa has 17 years working specifically on the broker side in large group space analyzing benefit plans, funding arrangements and insurance carrier data, researching and developing employer tools for comparing programs and managing open enrollments, benefit fairs and wellness programs.

Her communication skills and industry knowledge foster a dynamic relationship with both clients and carriers. Her background in teaching enhances her collaborative spirit that helps create and maintain interpersonal relationships between RSC/Gehring Group, our clients and their employees. She has been instrumental in developing strategies that include various funding arrangements based on client objectives with consideration of the insurance marketplace, budget parameters, benchmarking and legislative compliance.

Deana Pizzo

Board Member

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Deana Pizzo

Deana has been an active supporter and member of the Nonprofits First Board of Directors for six years and has proudly served as Chairperson for the last three years.

Deana is not only an owner and co-founder of I.T. Solutions of South Florida, a Certified Women Owned Business, she is also a hands-on CEO and dedicated to the company mission to help businesses develop cost-effective solutions by implementing and maintaining proper technology to improve their bottom line.

As an industry trendsetter, Deana was featured on the cover of ChannelPro Magazine (August 2017) for her breakthrough managed service offering: Co-Managed I.T. She was nominated for the Women in Leadership Awards (WILA) 2018 and has led I.T. Solutions of South Florida to be named to the Managed Service Provider (MSP) 500 List and the TOP 100 in the Managed Security Category every year since 2018. The company continues to win awards year after year under Deana’s leadership, including being named as one of the 2019 Best Places To Work by the South Florida Business Journal. Most recently, Deana was named to the prestigious 2020 Women of the Channel list by the CRN.

Her desire to give back to the community knows no bounds! Deana has been a Black Ties and French Fries Committee Member for the Center for Child Counseling; an Annual Superheroes Scavenger Hunt Founding Committee Member for Families First of Palm Beach County; and has continued to serve on various committees and most recently on the board of Leadership Palm Beach County since becoming an alumna in 2014.

In addition, Deana is a member of the current Leadership Florida Cornerstone Class 39, a member of the Board of Directors for South Florida Tech, a Corporate member of the BDB, and a Corporate Trustee for the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce.

Deana may be reached on LinkedIn.

Kenneth Rehns

Board Member

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Kenneth Rehns

Ken is a Partner at Ward Damon and the Director of Ward Damon’s Litigation Group. He focuses primarily on business and commercial law, labor and employment litigation, real estate disputes, securities litigation, and complex commercial litigation. He represents several for profit and not for profit companies as outside general counsel. He has built a career representing the interests of individual and corporate clients in a broad range of complex federal and state commercial litigation matters as well as FINRA arbitrations, administrative and government proceedings, labor law matters, and contract and commercial negotiations and disputes.

Before moving to South Florida with his family in 2017, Ken spent nine years as a commercial litigator in New York City, regularly representing clients in high-profile matters around the country. Ken has received recognition as a Rising Star in labor and employment litigation by Super Lawyers Magazine and as a Top Lawyer by Palm Beach Illustrated Magazine.

Ken earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a focus on Economics from the George Washington University in 2005, graduating with honors, and went on to receive his law degree in 2008 from Syracuse University College of Law, again with honors.

In addition to his work with Nonprofits First, Ken also proudly serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network and as a member of the Board of Advisors of the Boys and Girls Club of Boca Raton.

Ken may be reached on LinkedIn.

Virginia Savietto

Board Member

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Virginia Savietto

Virginia Savietto was born in Argentina and moved to Florida with her parents at the age of 13. She has lived in Palm Beach County for over 35 years and is proud to call it home.

Virginia is a creative strategist and problem solver with over 20 years of experience in project management, branding, marketing, and design. She specializes in delivering impactful and visually functional solutions that help businesses, government agencies, and nonprofits connect with their audiences. Her work has earned her numerous national and local awards for creativity and leadership.

Virginia has dedicated over 19 years to serving the residents of Palm Beach County through the Board of County Commissioners. She has cultivated strong working relationships across various departments, divisions, and agencies, fostering collaboration to address the needs of the community. She previously taught adult English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) at Lake Worth Community High School and currently serves as Assistant Chief of Staff for Palm Beach County Commissioner Gregg K. Weiss.

In June 2024, Virginia was elected unopposed as the School Board Member for District 2 and was sworn in on November 19, 2024. As a member of the Palm Beach County School Board, she is committed to educational excellence, student success, school safety, mental health advocacy, fostering equity in education, and ensuring students are well-prepared for life after graduation.

Driven by her passion for helping others, Virginia works to connect diverse groups with resources and services that make a meaningful difference. She has actively contributed to numerous boards and committees, championing initiatives that strengthen the local community.

Virginia is also passionate about soccer and supports initiatives that use sports to inspire and improve quality of life for both children and adults. A devoted fan of Messi, she actively participates in efforts to promote the benefits of sports throughout the community. Additionally, she is committed to dachshund rescue, volunteering her time to foster and transport dogs in need.

Virginia is a graduate of Lake Worth High School. She holds two Bachelor of Science degrees in Graphic Design and Legal Studies, as well as a Master of Arts in Project Management, Business, and Marketing.

She is the proud mother of her 13-year-old son, Luca, who attends Palm Springs Middle School in District 2, and enjoys spending time outdoors with him, family, and friends, along with her dachshund, Mikey.

Jennifer Sullivan

Board Member

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Jennifer Sullivan

Jennifer Sullivan is the Vice President of the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, headquartered in Lake Worth Beach. She is part of the executive leadership team for one of the country's largest local arts agencies committed to developing, maintaining and promoting a thriving arts and cultural sector in The Palm Beaches.

As VP, Jennifer manages a staff of marketing professionals and program managers responsible for promoting cultural tourism in the county; advocating for funding and other important issues for the sector; raising awareness for the Council and its mission; supporting fundraising, membership and grantmaking efforts; and developing programs and services for cultural organizations and creative professionals across all disciplines. She recently led the organization through a strategic rebrand, and launched a crowdfunding campaign to create the Artist Relief Fund, which provided small grants to over 100 artists who lost work due to COVID-19.

Jennifer has spent two decades in the public relations and marketing industry, and has held senior positions at the O’Donnell Agency, Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties and Ideabar, an advertising agency owned by Cox Enterprises.

Jennifer is a graduate of Florida Atlantic University where she received a degree in English Literature and certificates in Ethnic Studies and Women’s Studies. A Florida native, she resides in Royal Palm Beach and serves on the boards of Nonprofits First (vice chair and chair of Marketing Advisory Committee); the West Palm Beach Arts & Entertainment District; and on the advisory committee for the Wounded Veterans Relief Fund. Previously, she was a board member for Leadership Palm Beach County and the Carbonell Awards for excellence in regional theater. Jennifer is also member of Leadership Palm Beach County’s Engage Class of 2016.

Jennifer can be reached on LinkedIn.

Philip DiComo

Board Member Emeritus

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Philip DiComo

Philip DiComo is a shareholder at Nason Yeager. Mr. DiComo serves as outside general counsel to a variety of both commercial and not-for-profit corporations across various industries and tax statuses. He also concentrates his practice in the areas of emerging companies, entertainment and licensing, mergers and acquisitions, and executive employment arrangements.

Mr. DiComo is widely recognized for his vast knowledge in nonprofit governance, policy and practices. In 2014, he earned the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®) professional designation from the Richard D. Irwin Graduate School of The American College. The designation positions him as a leader in the philanthropy sector and qualifies him to help charities achieve financial success and donors to maximize their philanthropic giving.

People are sometimes surprised when they hear Mr. DiComo’s journey to becoming a lawyer. His early career was in media where he worked for nonprofit public television and radio stations for 15 years. Then, while working full-time in broadcasting during the day, he attended law school at night.

A Florida native, Mr. DiComo enjoys simple pleasures like getting up early, sitting outside with his coffee, listening to and watching the birds. He also enjoys reading, working in his yard and is, of course, a fan of all Florida Gator athletics.

Phil DiComo - Shareholder Attorney - Nason, Yeager, Gerson, Harris & Fumero P.A. | LinkedIn

Jessica Cecere

Advisory Board Member

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Jessica Cecere

Jessica Cecere is the former Chief Executive Officer of Nonprofits First, Inc. She has been involved in nonprofit leadership for more than 35 years. Ms. Cecere is also an entrepreneur, consultant, and active community volunteer. She has served on over 15 nonprofit boards of directors and currently serves on 3. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Florida State University in 1986. She is a professional Board/Governance training expert, a former Certified Consumer Credit Counselor, and a former Certified Counselor for both the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and NeighborWorks America.