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United Way of Central Florida
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United Way Staff

  • Our Story
  • Our History
  • Our Mission
    • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
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Administrative

United Way of Central Florida

Christina Criser Jackson

President & CEO

(863) 648-1500, ext. 246

Christina is dedicated to inspiring Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties to give, advocate and volunteer by identifying needs and mobilizing vetted resources to create positive, local change.

A graduate of the University of Florida, she has dedicated her life to nonprofit work. With a master’s degree in family, youth and community sciences, Christina is passionate about improving lives and strengthening our community. Starting her career at United Way Worldwide, Christina has served our Central Florida community for over 15 years.

Civic, local, education, and faith driven service is a priority in her volunteer work. She serves on the Indigent Health Care Citizens Oversight Committee. She is a board member of University of Florida Alumni Association, GiveWell Community Foundation, Polk Vision, and Association of Fundraising Professionals Florida Caucus. She is a member of Leadership Polk  Leadership XVI, Leadership Lakeland XXX, and a sustaining member of the Junior League of Greater Lakeland. Christina is also a graduate of the UWW Advanced Leadership Program.

Jes Garcia

Jes Garcia

Director of Executive Operations
United Way of Central Florida
Mary Toland Shaw

Mary Toland Shaw

Vice President of Human Resources
United Way of Central Florida
Peyton Wallace

Peyton Wallace

Reception
United Way of Central Florida

Resource Development

United Way of Central Florida

Ileana Kniss

Chief Development and Marketing Officer

(863) 648-1500, ext. 238

Ileana Kniss was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico and moved to Lakeland, FL when she was 7. As a longtime resident, Ileana is a graduate of Lakeland High School. She went on to earn a BA in Communications from the University of Central Florida. Ileana has more than 15 years’ experience in fundraising/development and community relations working at established organizations such as the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, GiveWell Community Foundation, Lakeland Regional Foundation, Polk State College Foundation and Peace River Center.

Ileana is a past-president of the Kiwanis Club of Lakeland and the Polk County Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals; a graduate of Leadership Lakeland Class XXX; and a graduate of Polk Vision’s Leadership Polk Class VII.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, running, time outdoors and giving back to the community. Ileana enjoys being a boy mom to two boys 16 and 13, and is married to her high school sweetheart, Gregg.

Shawn Beumel

Shawn Beumel

Director of Highlands County
United Way of Central Florida
Tiffany Cratit

Tiffany Cratit

Manager of Individual Philanthropy
United Way of Central Florida
Melissa Innella

Melissa Innella

Senior Director of Individual Philanthropy
United Way of Central Florida
Kelsey Jaffer

Kelsey Jaffer

Grant Resource and Content Manager
United Way of Central Florida
Sydney Lawhorn

Sydney Lawhorn

Resource Development Coordinator
United Way of Central Florida
Jordan LeVine

Jordan LeVine

Senior Director of Corporate Philanthropy
United Way of Central Florida
Chelsea McDonald

Chelsea McDonald

Corporate Philanthropy Manager
United Way of Central Florida
Michelle Patten

Michelle Patten

Corporate Philanthropy Manager
United Way of Central Florida
James Simpson

James Simpson

Corporate Philanthropy Manager
United Way of Central Florida

Community Impact

United Way of Central Florida

Dr. Rod Crowley

Chief Operating Officer

(863) 648-1500, ext. 275 

Rod Crowley has degrees from Washington State University (Bachelor of Science); University of Nevada, Las Vegas (Master of Education); and Southeastern University (Doctor of Education). Rod was a highly successful educator in Washington state, followed by an equally successful career in warehousing and transportation management in Nevada and Florida.

Rod is a member of the Polk Sheriff’s Advisory Council and is Co-Chair of the Polk Vision Food Security Council and has been a nonprofit volunteer and board member and chair for many organizations.  He and his wife Jeanette enjoy hiking, kayaking, pickleball, and cycling and both recently completed the Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon.

Christy Apisa

Christy Apisa

Community Impact Manager
United Way of Central Florida
Adam Lebovitz

Adam Lebovitz

Community Resilience Manager
United Way of Central Florida
June May

June May

Director of Community Resources
United Way of Central Florida
Jessica Pease

Jessica Pease

Community Impact Manager
United Way of Central Florida

Success By 6

United Way of Central Florida

Gretchen Green Ceranic

Director of Success By 6

(863) 648-1500, ext. 264 

Gretchen Green Ceranic has worked for non-profits and public service her entire career. A fourth generation Floridian, she graduated from the University of South Florida and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. Rising to the rank of Major, Gretchen served 10 years as a Communications Officer and Transition Assistance Officer and was awarded the Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal.

Gretchen has served in various leadership roles at Polk County Public Schools, Lakeland Police Citizen’s Advisory Board and as a Guardian Ad Litem. She is a proven leader with a passion for developing programs and establishing relationships that serve the community and positively impact lives.

Ashley Clark

Ashley Clark

Master Teacher
United Way of Central Florida
Makenna Hansel

Makenna Hansel

Success By 6 Coordinator
United Way of Central Florida
Monica Holley-Workman

Monica Holley-Workman

Visitation Coordinator
United Way of Central Florida
Amber Johnson

Amber Johnson

Early Childhood Education Coordinator
United Way of Central Florida
Amber Qureshi

Amber Qureshi

Success By 6 Program Manager
United Way of Central Florida
Ruthie Teets

Ruthie Teets

ReadingPals Program Manager
United Way of Central Florida

Community Wellness

Shirley Balogh

Shirley Balogh

Director of Community Wellness
United Way of Central Florida
Sharon Cheek

Sharon Cheek

Community Wellness Navigator
United Way of Central Florida
Lori Dawson

Lori Dawson

Community Wellness Quality Assurance Auditor
United Way of Central Florida
Nelly Figueroa

Nelly Figueroa

Community Wellness Navigator
United Way of Central Florida
Brenda Grella

Brenda Grella

Lead Navigator
United Way of Central Florida
Amanda Red

Amanda Red

Community Wellness Monitor and Reporter
United Way of Central Florida
Alexa Rodriguez

Alexa Rodriguez

Community Wellness Navigator
United Way of Central Florida
Eileen Scheffel

Eileen Scheffel

Community Wellness Navigator
United Way of Central Florida
Jessica Spain

Jessica Spain

Community Wellness Reviewer
United Way of Central Florida

Marketing

United Way of Central Florida

Katelyn Bruce

Senior Director of Marketing & Communications

(863) 648-1500, ext. 280

Bio coming soon.

Katherine Fitzwater

Katherine Fitzwater

Director of Marketing & Communications
United Way of Central Florida
Jordan Weiland

Jordan Weiland

Marketing Content Strategist
United Way of Central Florida

Finance

Chris Hafer

Chris Hafer

Senior Accountant
United Way of Central Florida
John Hardesty

John Hardesty

Senior Director of Finance
United Way of Central Florida
Brandy Mister

Brandy Mister

Accounting Associate
United Way of Central Florida
Trenton Moser

Trenton Moser

Information Technology Specialist
United Way of Central Florida
Xochitl Rodarte

Xochitl Rodarte

Accounting Associate
United Way of Central Florida
Nydia Rojas

Nydia Rojas

Accounting Associate
United Way of Central Florida
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Our Mission

To inspire our community to give, advocate and volunteer by identifying needs and mobilizing vetted resources to create positive, local change.

Our Vision

To unite our community and empower everyone to achieve their full potential.

Contact Us

BY MAIL
PO Box 1357,
Highland City, FL 33846

BY PHONE
863.648.1500

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5605 US Highway 98 S.
Lakeland, FL 33812

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