Breakout Speakers 2025

BREAKOUT SPEAKERS

#SUNCON25

Breakout Sessions 1 – Thursday, July 17, 4:10-5:00pm

Bridging Outlets

Jerail Fennel, M.S., Director of Marketing & Communications – 904WARD
Jerail Fennell is a seasoned marketing and communications professional with over a decade of experience in driving brand growth, enhancing audience engagement, and crafting compelling storytelling. Throughout his career he has successfully developed and executed innovative campaigns across various sectors, including education, non-profits, and public service organizations. Notable accomplishments include leading the “I Am #TeamDuval” recruitment campaign for Ducal County Public Schools, managing digital strategies that boosted social media engagement by 71% at Northeast Florida Health Start Coalition, and spearheading 904WARD’s marketing efforts to increase community impact. He holds a B.A. in Communications from Jacksonville University and an M.S. in Marketing from Florida International University.

Keywords to Coverage: SEO Strategies for Online Visibility and Earned Media

Sherry Sanderford, Director, PR & Thought Leadership – Wounded Warrior Project
Sherry Sanderford is a strategic communications leader with extensive experience in corporate, health care, health technology and not-for-profit communications. She leads the Public Relations & Thought Leadership team for Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). Her team’s purpose is to positively influence the public perception of WWP and to showcase the positive impact the organization has on wounded veterans and families. Sherry received her bachelor’s degree in communications from Florida State University.

Kendra Hand, Content Manager – Wounded Warrior Project
Kendra Hand is a communications professional passionate about mission-driven storytelling. As Content Manager at Wounded Warrior Project®, she leads the digital newsroom team in curating content that highlights impact, inspires engagement, and strengthens awareness of the WWP brand across channels. Kendra blends strategic thinking with hands-on content execution, helping manage the day-to-day tasks that bring content to life.

Inside the Message: Public Information Officers on the Front Lines of Communication

Vic Micolucci, Strategic Communications Executive – Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office
Vic Micolucci is the Strategic Communications Executive at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. He oversees multimedia production, social media, media relations, internal communications and is an advisor to the sheriff. Vic spent 14 years in his hometown of Jacksonville as an anchor and investigative reporter at WJXT-TV4 where he earned numerous Emmy, Edward R. Murrow and Associated Press broadcasting awards. He has also run a DJ and entertainment company for more than 2 decades, playing across the country. Vic graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Telecommunication News and the University of North Florida with a master’s degree in mass communication leadership.

Amanda Videll, EPIO, CPC-PIO, Public Affairs Officer – FBI Field Office Jacksonville
Public Affairs Officer (PAO) Amanda Videll serves as the Field Office Manager for the FBI’s Social Media Team, overseeing digital content quality, crisis management, and social media training for communications professionals across the FBI’s 55 field offices. She also serves as Acting Manager of the FBI’s Multimedia Specialist Program, which provides guidance to the FBI’s multimedia creative team. Prior to this role, PAO Videll led the internal and external communications program for the 40-county Jacksonville Division since 2015, and served as the primary spokesperson for FBI-related matters in North Florida. PAO Videll has received numerous commendations for her efforts to advance the FBI’s global communications program, including being recognized with the FBI’s PR Innovator and Honor of Excellence in the Industry Awards, and the FBI Medal of Excellence. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication from the University of North Florida and a Master of Arts in Digital Telecommunication from the University of Florida.

Alicia Tarancon, Director of Public Affairs – Nassau County Sheriff’s Office
Alicia Tarancon serves as the Director of Public Affairs for the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office, a position she was promoted to in June 2024 after joining the department as a Public Affairs Officer in April 2022. With a master’s degree in International Affairs from Georgetown University (2013) and a B.A. in Communications from George Mason University (2010), Alicia brings substantial media expertise to her role. Her background includes four years as a reporter with Action News Jax in Jacksonville (2018-2022), and she maintains FAA certification as a drone pilot. In her current position, Alicia oversees all aspects of the Sheriff’s Office public communications strategy. She manages the department’s social media presence, ensuring platforms remain updated and engaging for the community. Her responsibilities include comprehensive video production—from shooting to editing—for various departmental initiatives.

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Breakout Sessions 2 – Friday, July 18, 9:30-10:20am

Bridging AI Barriers: PRESS Forward

Marcia Gomez, President – Blank Canvas Communications, University of Miami Faculty
Marcia Gomez is a veteran communications professional with over 20 years of experience, specializing in delivering impactful solutions across the arts, higher education, and non-profits as president of Blank Canvas Communications, LLC. As a full-time lecturer at the University of Miami’s School of Communication, she enriches future PR practitioners with her deep industry knowledge. Gomez has been a vibrant part of the Miami PRSA chapter for nearly two decades, serving as its president in 2015.

Expanding her influence, Gomez also leads Boost PR Labs, offering workshops for PR professionals on AP Style, news releases, pitching tips and using AI in PR. Through Boost PR Labs, she ensures PR professionals stay at the forefront of industry trends and technological advancements. Gomez holds two master’s degrees: Integrated Communications Advertising and Public Relations (Now Global PR program) and e-Commerce from Florida International University and Barry University, respectively.

Bridging Health Barriers

Jennifer Chapman, Vice Chair of Communications – Mayo Clinic
Jennifer Chapman is an entrepreneurial executive with a proven track record of effective in-person and remote hands-on leadership in communications, public affairs, community relations, government affairs, economic development, social media, business development, recruiting and fundraising. Currently, Jennifer serves as a Vice Chair of Communications for Mayo Clinic.In this role she leads several cross-functional client-facing teams supporting the strategic communications of Mayo Clinic’s three Shields (Practice, Research, Education), People Experiences, Care Pathways, AI/Automation/digital transformation, Mayo Clinic Platform, Mayo Clinic’s Center for Digital Health and Mayo Clinic International. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and her MBA from Nova Southeastern University.

Dan Leveton, Manager, Internal and External Communications, UF Health Jacksonville
Dan Leveton is a communications professional with over three decades of experience in multiple areas of communications including media relations, public relations and external/internal communications, television news producing and reporting, and newsroom management. Dan has held multiple positions of leadership both in health care and journalism, with an extensive background in writing articles and scripts for television, newspapers and public relations. He is also an adjunct professor teaching advanced writing and media courses, currently at the University of North Florida.

Kena Lewis, APR, Fellow APR, Assistant Vice President, Public Affairs & Media Relations, External Affairs – Orlando Health
Kena Lewis, APR, Fellow PRSA, is a seasoned communications professional with a diverse background in news, public affairs, marketing and public relations. She is currently the Assistant Vice President of Public Affairs and Media Relations for Orlando Health, a not-for-profit healthcare organization with $12 billion of assets under management that serves the southeastern United States and Puerto Rico. In that role, Mrs. Lewis directs the healthcare system’s public affairs and media relations team and provides lead support on issues management and crisis communications.

Mrs. Lewis holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a Master of Arts degree in Communications with an emphasis on Mass Communication from the University of Central Florida.

Bridging the Philanthropic Gap

Deirdre Conner, CEO – The Tributary: A Northeast Florida Journalism Collective
Deirdre Conner is Publisher & CEO of The Tributary, which serves Floridians with fearless news in the public interest. She helped to found the outlet in 2021 in response to the local news crisis; today, the organization has partnered with more than 100 media organizations throughout Florida and published investigations that have changed policy and saved lives.

Deirdre started her career as an award-winning print journalist, spending nearly a decade covering education, race equity, and issues affecting children and seniors. Prior to returning to journalism, she was a capacity builder with extensive experience in the nonprofit sector. She led programmatic initiatives, civic engagement campaigns, advocacy coalitions, and communications at the Jacksonville Public Education Fund. As Vice President of the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida, she worked with organizations to champion their causes, problem-solve alongside them, and empower them with the tools and confidence to move to the next level of impact, training and coaching thousands of nonprofit staff and board members across the region in governance and leadership, program design and evaluation, and communications. Deirdre is a native of Miami, and earned a B.A. in Sociology and Anthropology from Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania.

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Breakout Sessions 3 – Friday, July 18, 10:30-11:20am

Bridging AI Barriers

Frank Goodin, Associate Instructor – University of North Florida
Frank B. Goodin, II is a dynamic digital communication specialist, Emmy Award-winning independent filmmaker, and AI consultant. Currently serving as a professor in the School of Communication at the University of North Florida (UNF), Frank brings over two decades of experience at the intersection of storytelling, technology, and education. As an AI consultant, Frank empowers individuals and organizations to harness cutting-edge tools for content creation, strategy, and adaptation in a rapidly evolving media landscape. His forward-thinking approach combines a deep understanding of emerging technologies with a passion for cultivating creativity and fostering human connection.

Bridging the Venue

Lyndsay Rossman, Director of Business Communications – Jacksonville Jaguars
Lyndsay Rossman is the director of business communications for the Jacksonville Jaguars, where she leads the corporate communication strategy for the team and its business endeavors. Her efforts in this role support message development and media response and outreach on behalf of the president’s office, sponsorship, ticketing, fan engagement, real estate development, community impact and internal communications to promote programs, promotions, initiatives and innovations.

Prior to joining the Jaguars in August 2023, Lyndsay served as the vice president, marketing for JAXUSA Partnership, Jacksonville’s regional economic development division, where she oversaw the development and sustainability of the Jacksonville region’s global brand to increase jobs and private capital investment and attract talent to relocate to Northeast Florida. She graduated from Appalachian State University with a B.S. in Communications

Miranda Rossum, Public Relations Manager – PGA Tour
Miranda Rossum is the Public Relations Manager at the PGA TOUR, where she is responsible for all communications and public relations for the TOUR’s flagship event, THE PLAYERS Championship, as well as other PGA TOUR events. She oversees media strategy and messaging that showcase the tournament’s worldwide reach and its role in the community. Before joining the TOUR, she was the Community Relations Manager for the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. Miranda serves on the board of the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce and holds a Bachelor of Science in History from the United States Naval Academy.

Tony Allegretti, Partner and Chief Community Officer – Sporting Jax
Tony Allegretti is a partner and Chief Community Officer of Sporting JAX, bringing professional Women’s and Men’s Soccer to North Florida. His work for the Sporting JAX Foundation focuses on community connectivity, with a focus on bringing soccer to areas of our city where the sport is inaccessible.

Allegretti previously served as the Executive Director of the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville. During this time, the direct economic impact of the Cultural Service Grant funded organizations served by the Cultural Council grew from $58 million to $83+ million, and from twenty-one organizations to twenty-seven. Previous to this position, Tony was Director of Downtown Engagement for JAX Chamber. In 2004, Tony won the individual award from the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville for his work establishing the First Wednesday Art Walk. He was also the Founding Director of the Riverside Arts Market and created Community First Saturdays Downtown.

Bridging the Divide

Melissa Ross, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Press Liaison – City of Jacksonville
Melissa Ross is the Director of Strategic Initiatives and Press Liaison for the City of Jacksonville. She focuses on major initiatives prioritized by Mayor Donna Deegan, along with media relations. She currently serves as lead on the mayor’s citywide literacy challenge, Mayor Deegan’s River City Readers.

Prior to joining the administration of Mayor Deegan in 2023, Melissa spent fourteen years as a producer and host at WJCT Public Media, where she hosted the popular local flagship radio show “First Coast Connect,” and the statewide public affairs radio program “The Florida Roundup.” She is the recipient of four Regional Emmy Awards, an Edward R. Murrow Award, and a graduate of Leadership Jacksonville, Class of 2013. Melissa received her bachelor’s degree in communications and journalism from Northwestern University.

Heather Schatz, Assistant Director, Public Affairs – Mayor Donna Deegan and the City of Jacksonville
Heather Schatz is the Assistant Director, Public Affairs for Mayor Donna Deegan and the City of Jacksonville. Prior to being appointed to her current position, Heather spent five years at WJCT Public Media, where she served as an award-winning senior producer for First Coast Connect, The Florida Roundup and What’s Health Got to Do with It? She also contributed to WJCT News, Jacksonville Today, the Jacksonville Music Experience and Edible Northeast Florida, with a focus on the art and artists of Northeast Florida.

Heather got her start in broadcast journalism in New York City, where she spent 10 years at CBS News, producing news and feature stories for CBS Network Radio, CBS This Morning, and The Early Show. After that, she returned to Miami (her hometown), where she worked as the Communications Director for Best Buddies International and the National YoungArts Foundation.

She has a master’s degree in journalism and mass communications with a concentration in cultural reporting from New York University and a bachelor’s degree in public policy from Cornell University.

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Breakout Sessions 4 – Friday, July 18, 11:30am-12:20pm

Bridging the Ordinary

Kent Justice, Anchor, This Week in Jacksonville – News4Jax
Kent Justice co-anchors News4Jax’s 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts weeknights and reports on government and politics. He also hosts “This Week in Jacksonville,” Channel 4’s hot topics and politics public affairs show each Sunday morning at 9 a.m. Civic leaders, business professionals and nonprofit activists spend time in conversation with Kent about the big issues in our area.

Kent also hosts This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition, our podcast focused on economic growth and development. As WJXT’s political reporter, Kent has covered inaugurations, national political party conventions and local races for public office (and everything in between). Kent is a seasoned debate moderator.

Lynn Jones, Associate Editor – Jacksonville Free Press
Lynn Jones-Turpin’s career spans over 25 years in the area of broadcast journalism. Lynn is the Associate Editor and Sales Team Manager for the Jacksonville Free Press. She publishes and reports on local, national, entertainment and travel news impacting the African Diaspora. The Jacksonville Free Press is one of the more than 230 African American newspapers still printing in the country today. Lynn’s production broadcasting experience includes hosting and producing her hit TV Show: The Lynn & Friends Show. With a successful 10-year run, Lynn catalogued over 100 shows to date. Additionally, Lynn holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications. She is the Marketing Director of the local Northeast Florida National Association of Black Journalist (NEFLNABJ) chapter; a 2018 graduate of Leadership Jacksonville; and member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Matt Denis, Reporter – Jacksonville Business Journal
Matt Denis is a retail and small business reporter at the Jacksonville Business Journal. From arts collectives, Brazilian wax chains and Champion Distribution to Wawa, The Yards and ExZooberation, Matt’s covered the entrepreneurial gamut across 18 months grinding shoe leather across Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns Counties.

Matt joined the Business Journal in 2024 after stints as an arts and culture journalist with The Register-Guard in Eugene, Oregon and, on a remote basis, as a lifestyle journalist with The Manual men’s magazine and an investigative reporter with What Now Denver, a restaurant preview site. Whether it’s alongside environmentalist off road racers, under sparks thrown by creative studios, amidst dead artist NFTs or behind the latest culinary craze, Matt is ready to take the ride and deliver the details to readers.

Ric Anderson, Managing Editor – Jacksonville Daily Record
Ric Anderson got his first job in a newsroom at age 14, working as a sports clerk at his hometown paper in Kansas. He went on to be a reporter, editor and executive at newspapers in Kansas, Nevada, Texas and now in Florida, where he is the managing editor of the Jacksonville Daily Record.

Ric has covered sports, government, public safety and other beats as a reporter. His executive experience includes serving as managing editor and editorial editor of the Las Vegas Sun and its sister publications, which won numerous national and regional awards under his leadership.

He joined the Daily Record in 2023 as a reporter covering Jacksonville City Hall, JEA, JaxPort and related entities, focusing primarily on governmental actions that affect local businesses and development in Northeast Florida. He was named an associate editor in 2024 and managing editor in 2025.

Building The Bridge in a Crisis: Combating Misinformation During a Storm

Robyn Felix, APR, Communications & Board Services Bureau Chief – Southwest Florida Water Management District
As bureau chief of Communications & Board Services, Robyn Felix provides strategic leadership for the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s communications and outreach to internal and external audiences, strategic planning efforts and support services to the District’s Executive Team and 13-member Governing Board. Felix has more than 19 years of experience at the District serving in a variety of roles. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications (News) from the University of Florida and is accredited in Public Relations by the Public Relations Society of America.

Guardians of Truth: Why Credentialed Communicators Lead the Way

Kathy Barbour, APR, Fellow PRSA, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer – Brooks Rehabilitation
Kathy Barbour, APR, Fellow PRSA, is Chief Marketing & Communications Officer for Brooks Rehabilitation in Jacksonville, Fla., and a past national chair of the Public Relations Society of America. In her role, she is responsible for ensuring a positive patient and employee experience for the brand and the Enterprise Project Management Office for the system’s project portfolio. Her leadership is instrumental as Brooks leads the future of rehabilitation and extends its national footprint.

As a dynamic communications professional with more than 25 years of experience, Barbour has led teams for nationally renowned organizations including Mayo Clinic, Acosta, Florida Blue and Baptist Health South Florida. Her expertise ranges from integrated marketing to media relations, employee communications, strategic planning and crisis management.

Barbour has won national and state awards for her work including the PRSA Bronze Anvil Commendation and the Florida Public Relations of America Golden Image Award. Barbour also received the prestigious honor of the Best of the Blues Marketing and Communications Award from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. She speaks about a variety of marketing and communications-related topics to national and local audiences.

Barbour received her accreditation in public relations in 2005 and was inducted into the prestigious PRSA College of Fellows in 2020. Currently she serves as a Co-Chair for PRSA’s Educational Affairs Committee. Barbour is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives; holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources Management from the University of North Florida; and a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations from the University of Florida. She continues to serve in leadership capacities for the Public Relations Society of America, is a mother to two boys, a SCUBA dive master and a 140.6 Ironman triathlete.

Mickey G. Nall, APR, Fellow PRSA, Professor-in-Residence, Public Relations – University of Florida
Mickey is that rare senior public relations talent who after nearly 40 years in strategic communications went back to school, literally, to become a professional in-residence academic instructor at his alma mater, University of Florida (UF). He calls it his career encore and has spent the past seven years dedicated to achieving academic excellence on behalf of hundreds of students in the public relations program at UF. He has developed undergraduate and graduate courses, reimagined and reinvigorated Florida’s Alpha Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and founded the Florida Public Relations Association first student chapter at Florida – CHOMP. Along the way he has positioned students as leaders in student-run organizations (under his leadership now seven PRSSA National Committee members, three of whom have been President were his students) while earning major industry awards citing his bringing ethical, professional practices into the classroom.

Mickey’s return to the classroom came after 38 years in the profession. He spent more than 22 years at Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide (Ogilvy Group, WPP) in the Washington, DC, New York and Atlanta offices, where he served as managing director of Ogilvy for the southeast US. His client list is a who’s who of the nation’s top brands, including, The Coca-Cola Company, UPS, Ford Motor Company, The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Intercontinental Hotel Group among others. He has won numerous PRSA Silver Anvil awards as well as PRWEEK awards on behalf of clients. He is a former national chair and CEO of the Public Relations Society of America (2013), President of the Florida Public Relations Association (1989) and recipient of PRSA’s highest individual award, The Gold Anvil (2022) recognizing lifetime achievement in public relations. Mickey received his graduate degree at UF, is accredited (APR) and a member of the PRSA College of Fellows (Fellow, PRSA). He was recognized as an alumnus of distinction by UF/CJC as well as induction into the Hall of Fame (2009). He was awarded the Order of the Phoenix by the PRSA Georgia Chapter and member of the Georgia Public Relations Hall of Fame in 2009. He served for nine years as co-chair of the PRSA Educational Affairs Committee which oversees PRSA’s Certification in Education of Public Relations (CEPR). He is a long-serving trustee of the Commission on Public Relations Education (CPRE).

Jennifer Trefelner, APR, CPRC, Director of Communications and Development – Diocese of Palm Beach
Jennifer Mellville Trefelner, APR, CPRC, is the Director of Communications and Development for the Diocese of Palm Beach. Jennifer has earned her Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) and is a Certified Public Relations Counselor (CPRC), in addition to being a member of the Counselors Network. Jennifer also obtained her Crisis Communication Certification through the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and has a HarvardX edX Exercising Leadership: Foundational Principals Certificate and completed the University of Notre Dame’s Reformed Leaders’ Program.

Jennifer is the Editor of the National PRSA APR Newsletter content and a member of the PRSA National APR Marketing Committee, plus the APR Chair for the PRSA Sunshine District, the APR Co-Chair for the Palm Beach Chapter, and the Accreditation Chair for the Treasure Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association. She was also selected as a Marketing Committee member for Palm Beach Atlantic University, a Disruptive Leadership Advisory Board Member for Stetson University, and NCEA NNC Committee.

She has earned more than 80 processional awards including PRSA Best of Sunshine/Sunshine District Radiance Awards/Awards of Commendation/Palm Beach Palm Awards/FPRA local and state-Level Golden Image Awards/ Awards of Distinction/Judges Awards, plus has been named Communicator of the Year for a Non-Profit, a Special Event, Crisis Communications, and Professional Development.

In addition, Jennifer has volunteered for numerous other organizations in her community and throughout the United States to support a variety of non-profits. She has also completed more than 30 professional speaking engagements in the US, and has produced more than 20 professional articles, webinars and podcasts in her career.

Breakout Sessions 5 – Friday, July 18, 2-2:50pm

Bridging AI Barriers Panel Discussion: AI and the Future of PR

Katy Keene, Founder and Principal Consultant – Keene Lane Co.
The founder and principal consultant of Keene Lane Co., specializing in aligning people, processes, and technology to help small and mid-sized businesses streamline their marketing operations, boost efficiency, and drive revenue growth. With over a decade of experience in marketing strategy and business operations, Katy brings a unique blend of creativity and structured problem-solving—rooted in both her corporate background and hands-on experience in design and innovation. Her expertise in marketing automation, process optimization, and technology integration empowers businesses to execute their strategies with clarity and confidence.

Bo Breuklander, Principal – Brueklander Communications
Bo Breuklander is a strategic communicator, responsible AI advisor, and educator who helps communications leaders, teams, and entrepreneurs reduce workload, improve confidence, and enhance strategic decision-making through AI and automation. He works with organizations to navigate change, streamline operations, and optimize communication strategies through implementation support, hands-on training, and self-paced learning. His approach is rooted in trust, clarity, and action. While Bo helps leaders and teams navigate existing challenges, he empowers them to drive future transformation.

As the founder of Breuklander Communications, Bo partners with startups, associations, educational institutions, and Fortune 150 companies in technology, manufacturing, fintech, and banking, guiding them through transformation and growth. Beyond consulting, Bo is an adjunct instructor at the University of Tampa, teaching public relations, media writing, and business communications. He also supports member operations at Embarc Collective, Florida’s premier tech startup hub, giving him a front-row seat to the evolving tech entrepreneurship landscape.

Bo holds a master’s degree in strategic communications management from the University of South Florida, a bachelor’s in mass communications from Oklahoma State University, and a Change Management Professional Certification from Prosci.

Bridging Your Neighborhood

Katie Mitura, Chief Marketing Officer – Visit Jacksonville
Katie Mitura is the Chief Marketing Officer at Visit Jacksonville. A native western New Yorker, Katie relocated to Jacksonville in 2004 and immediately fell in love with the city. She began working for Visit Jacksonville that Fall, answering phones in the Super Bowl Communications Center, fielding requests for information from around the world. 20 years later, Katie directs marketing, advertising, communications, social media, and digital content efforts for Visit Jacksonville. Over her time at Visit Jacksonville, she has been focused on several major initiatives you might know including the Jax Ale Trail, Kids Free November, and the Jax Coffee & Donuts Trail.

Katie is a board member of the Timucuan Parks Foundation, an active member of the Jacksonville Women’s Network, and has served on various marketing and communication committees for community efforts across Jacksonville. She has served on VISIT FLORIDA’s marketing council for the past 4 years.

Emily Moody, VP & Chief Experience Officer – Phoenix Jax
Emily Moody is a third-generation Jacksonvillian who returned to her hometown in 2003 with a bold vision for transformative placemaking through arts and culture. A creative entrepreneur and community builder, Emily has played a vital role in shaping Jacksonville’s cultural landscape—founding the pioneering boutique Anomaly, the award-winning live music venue Underbelly, and launching First Friday in 5 Points to foster local engagement.

As co-founder of Wolf & Cub, a beloved concept shop reopening this year in the Phoenix Arts & Innovation District, she continues to create spaces where commerce and creativity thrive. Emily also spent nearly a decade at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, where she produced dynamic events that deepened community connection through the arts.

Today, as Chief Experience Officer at the Phoenix Arts & Innovation District, Emily is leading efforts to revitalize 8.3 acres in Jacksonville’s North Springfield neighborhood. Her work centers on regenerative placemaking—connecting arts, culture, and community to reimagine underutilized spaces and ignite inclusive economic and creative growth.

Michael Haskins, Executive Director – Springfield Preservation and Revitalization
Michael Haskins is the Executive Director of Springfield Preservation and Revitalization, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the neighborhood advocate for Springfield, a historic neighborhood in Jacksonville’s Urban Core. He has over a decade of experience in community organizing and development, education, and nonprofit leadership.

In his current position, he focuses on the preservation and revitalization of the Historic Springfield District, home to over 5,500 people and 200 businesses. That focus includes working with developers, government agencies, and elected officials to facilitate community input on proposed land use and zoning changes; improving government services in Springfield, especially in the areas of infrastructure investment, crime and safety, and green space activation; grantmaking to small businesses and other forms of direct investment in Springfield’s commercial corridors through public realm management programs to beautify the community; and community building through events. He oversees the Springfield Area Merchants and Business Association, which provides business development and peer-to-peer mentoring services to Springfield businesses; the Springfield Cleanup Corps, which performs beautification and small-scale infrastructure improvement projects in Springfield; and directs the team that hosts Jacksonville PorchFest, the largest single-day music festival in the City of Jacksonville as well as 20+ other events throughout the year.

Leah Roesler, Executive Director – San Marco Merchants Association
Leah Roesler is a community branding advocate and neighborhood marketing strategist with a passion for strengthening Jacksonville’s local identity. As Executive Director, and Immediate Past President, of the San Marco Merchants Association, she leads initiatives that support over 120 small businesses through strategic marketing, event programming, and community partnerships. Under her leadership, SMMA has seen an increase in membership and significant growth in event attendance and sponsorship, including the San Marco Beer Fest.

Leah also serves as Business Development Manager at JAA Architecture, where she oversees client engagement, marketing, and brand development. She co-founded and led Cascade Outdoor Design for 12 years, applying her strengths in creative strategy, client relations, and brand development to grow a successful business. She now brings that same insight and initiative to neighborhood revitalization and place-based storytelling.

In addition to her neighborhood work, Leah spent over a decade involved with the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association (FNGLA), serving in various leadership roles and marketing initiatives at both the local and state level.

Active in the arts and civic life, Leah sings with the Don Thompson Chorale, where she is Cultural Liaison, and River City Chorus, serves on the San Marco Centennial Committee, and is a member of the Rotary Club of Jacksonville. She holds a B.S. in Horticulture, International Agriculture from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Laken Chaney Gudzak, Director of Marketing and Communications – Downtown Vision (DVI)
Laken Chaney Gudzak is the Director of Marketing and Communications at Downtown Vision (DVI,) the nonprofit Business Improvement District for Downtown Jacksonville. A Jacksonville native, Laken brings years of hands-on experience in strategic marketing, digital content creation and public relations. She leads DVI’s communications strategy, spearheading marketing and PR efforts to position Downtown as a vibrant place to live, work, visit and invest.

Laken plays a key role in promoting DVI’s signature monthly and seasonal events, including First Wednesday Art Walk and Third Thursday Sip & Stroll Presented by PNC Bank. Additionally, she has led several successful campaigns such as Jax River Jams Presented by VyStar Credit Union, Jax River Jams After Dark, the Riverwalk To-Go Cup Program, Jazz Fest After Dark, the DTJax e-Gift Card program, the NextStep Ambassador fundraising campaign, the rebrand for Downtown’s Nightlife District, the announcement of PlacemakingJax’s presenting sponsor and counting. She oversees DVI’s digital ecosystem, managing DTJax.com and related microsites, curating content for @DTJax, @theelbowjax and the Downtown Dwellers across social media platforms, and tracking analytics to guide strategy. Laken also directs print production, advertising and graphic design, while managing press outreach, media relations and PR agency partnerships, ensuring consistent and strategic messaging across audiences to place Downtown Jacksonville on the online stage, regionally to nationally.

A proud graduate of the University of North Florida, Laken holds a B.S. in Communication with a focus in Public Relations. She is passionate about storytelling, building community and championing the growth of Downtown Jacksonville.

Scaling with Purpose: Brooks Rehabilitation’s Rise from Local to National Reach

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