United Way Staff

Administrative

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

Director of Executive Operations

Peyton Wallace

Reception

Resource Development

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

Director of Highlands County

Melissa Innella

Senior Director of Individual Philanthropy

Kelsey Jaffer

Grant Resource and Content Manager

Sydney Lawhorn

Resource Development Coordinator

Jordan LeVine

Senior Director of Corporate Philanthropy

Chelsea McDonald

Corporate Philanthropy Manager

Michelle Patten

Corporate Philanthropy Manager

James Simpson

Corporate Philanthropy Manager

Community Impact

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

Community Impact Manager

June May

Director of Community Resources

Jessica Pease

Community Impact Manager

Beth Yale

Community Impact Assistant

Success By 6

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.

Pam Armstrong

Master Teacher

Ashley Clark

Master Teacher

Makenna Hansel

Success By 6 Coordinator

Monica Holley-Workman

Visitation Coordinator

Amber Johnson

Early Childhood Education Coordinator

Amber Qureshi

Success By 6 Program Manager

Ruthie Teets

ReadingPals Program Manager

Community Wellness

Shirley Balogh

Director of Community Wellness

Kathy Cameron-kidd

Community Wellness Navigator

Sharon Cheek

Community Wellness Navigator

Lori Dawson

Community Wellness Quality Assurance Auditor

Nelly Figueroa

Community Wellness Navigator

Amanda Red

Community Wellness Monitor and Reporter

Eileen Scheffel

Community Wellness Navigator

Jessica Spain

Community Wellness Reviewer

Marketing

Katherine Fitzwater

Vice President of Marketing & Communications

(863) 648-1500, ext. 243

Katherine may have been born in Gainesville, but she is a Lakelander through and through. She has a bachelor’s degree in advertising from University of Florida and has worked in public relations and marketing since 2013 before joining the UWCF team in June 2019.

Katherine, a recipient of six American Advertising Federation of Polk County awards, has been a proud United Way supporter for years and is an active member of the Young Leaders Society. She is also a graduate of Leadership Lakeland Class XXXIV and serves on the board of the Junior League of Greater Lakeland.

Lance Ferguson

Communications Coordinator

Jordan Weiland

Marketing Content Strategist

Finance

John Rounds

Chief Financial Officer

(863) 648-1500, ext. 267

John, a Winter Haven native, graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (accounting major) and a Master of Business Administration. He is a Certified Public Accountant, as well as a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Florida Government Finance Officers Association.

John has over 11 years of experience working with not-for-profit and related organizations. Before joining UWCF, he worked as the Deputy Chief Financial Officer for a State of Florida agency and as an auditor serving numerous not-for-profit organizations.

Chris Hafer

Senior Accountant

John Hardesty

Senior Director of Finance

Brandy Mister

Accounting Associate

Trenton Moser

Information Technology Specialist

Xochitl Rodarte

Accounting Associate

Nydia Rojas

Accounting Associate

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

VISIT US
5605 US Highway 98 S.
Lakeland, FL 33812

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