IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area’s Board of Directors is a passionate group of women who believe in the power of coming together to make a difference in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. Bringing diverse experiences, energy, and heart to their roles, they lead IMPACT 100 with dedication and a shared commitment to providing a positive member experience and helping our local nonprofit partners create transformative change.
Martha Holden is a proud Pensacola native who is happy to serve in her hometown community. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a Master of Business Administration from UWF and went on to live in Yorktown, San Diego, Jacksonville, and North Georgia before returning home. Martha held positions in Human Resources, Training and Quality Management where her work involved creating and auditing procedures to improve efficiency and drive higher standards. Back in Pensacola, she directed the UWF Center for Economic Education while teaching Economics and Management. Now she and her husband, Alan, operate real estate investment and general contracting companies. They enjoy spending time with their grown children, traveling, and doing outdoor activities. Martha has a long and varied history in nonprofit organizations, leading military support groups, advocating for children with the Guardian ad Litem program, serving in Kiwanis, and teaching DivorceCare. She is an active member of First Baptist Church of Pensacola and their choir. Martha has been a member of IMPACT 100 for 10 years where she has served on the Grants, Communications, Ambassador and Membership Committees. She is especially proud of her IMPACT 100 heritage – 3 generations of Impact-ful women!
Stephanie Clark was born and raised in the upstate of South Carolina, earning a Bachelor of Arts in History from University of South Carolina-Spartanburg (now USC Upstate) and a Master’s in Library & Information Science from the University of South Carolina while working in her hometown public library. She spent almost 15 years in the Northern Virginia/DC Metro area, beginning her career in federal grants management before returning to more traditional roles in academic and public libraries. Along the way, she pursued a Master’s in Public Administration at Virginia Tech. Stephanie relocated to Pensacola in 2015, joining the UWF Libraries, where she has been Dean of the Libraries since 2019. She is active in committee work for professional associations, primarily focused on mentoring, continuing education, and scholarship funding. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys the beach, exploring local art galleries, gardening, traveling, and has recently taken up weaving. She has been a member of IMPACT 100 since 2016.
Linda Bowers moved to Pensacola in 2019 after being raised in the “Last Frontier”, Anchorage, Alaska. She has grown to love Pensacola and its welcoming community. Linda has a BBA Accounting degree from University of Alaska Anchorage and had been a licensed CPA (now retired) for over 30 years. As a previous member of the National Board of Directors of Volunteers of America, Inc. she had been a member of the Governance Committee, Education Sub Committee, Audit Committee, and the Affiliate Relations Task Force. Linda has a strong commitment to community, youth and service. She was Board Chair for Volunteers of America Alaska, a Girl Scout leader for many years, and on the scholarship committee for YWCA Young Women of Achievement. Linda and her husband of 52 years, Charles, own and operate a contracting firm. They travelled extensively while doing business in Alaska, Hawaii, Cuba and 12 of the contiguous 48 states. She is a proud godmother of an amazing godson. Linda enjoys taking spur of the moment trips whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Debbie Ritchie is a native Floridian and earned a B.S. in Finance from Florida State University. She moved to Pensacola in 1999 from Monroe County (Florida Keys) where she served two terms as an elected member of the Florida House of Representatives, serving as Minority Floor Leader her last two years in office. Debbie currently works as the COO for the Studer Group, a national healthcare consulting company located in Gulf Breeze, FL. Debbie has long been active in community service. Among her involvements, she was Founding President of IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area; serves on the board of the Gulf Coast Kids House and on the University of West Florida Foundation Board. Debbie is honored to have been recognized for her service with several state and local activities. She was named “Quality Floridian” by the Florida League of Cities, Woman Business Leader of the Year, Community Leader of the Year and most recently “Civic Leader” by the Kiwanis Club of Pensacola.
Belle Bear has been a lifelong community volunteer and philanthropist. She has actively served on several community boards and contributed countless service hours to her favorite charities. She was a founding board member of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Northwest Florida. She was a board member for Catholic Social Services, now known as Catholic Charities, and remains an honorary member of their board. She has served as president of the ARC Foundation Board and as a board member for FavorHouse, Girl Scouts, the YMCA of Northwest Florida and the Women’s Board of Sacred Heart Hospital. She is a Sustainer with the Junior League of Pensacola and has been awarded the Joan Gonzalez Award for her outstanding contribution to the League and the Community. She continues to support each of these agencies by hosting events, recruiting volunteers and contributing her time and resources to the various projects and activities of each. Belle was recently awarded the “Best Behind the Scenes Volunteer” by Independent weekly newspaper.
Dr. Sanders Woffard Anderson, an Alabama native, Navy veteran and retired pediatrician, was commissioned into the Navy Medical Corps in 1978 and spent 24 years in service of her country. She graduated from Xavier University with a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Med Chemistry, a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, and completed a Pediatric residency and Adolescent Medicine fellowship in the Navy. In 2013, she was a Summa Cum Laude graduate from Memphis Theological Seminary with a Masters of Art in Religious Studies. In retirement, she spent more than twenty years leading medical mission trips to Romania, Bulgaria, Haiti, Ghana, Uganda, India and Costa Rica. Sanders has been instrumental in raising support for children in need of medical care, unavailable in their countries. She is the author of a children’s book, I Am a Tree: O’ If I Could Talk, This is What I Would Say: The Salvation Story as Told by Trees. She has been an IMPACT 100 member since moving to Florida in 2018. She has also been an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority for 48 years and currently serves on the Pensacola Delta Enrichment Board. Sanders served on the Romanian American Mission Board for almost two decades. In addition to being a missionary, she is a Sunday School and Bible Study teacher at Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church. Married to a Navy veteran, Lewis, they enjoy traveling together. She is blessed with two beautiful and talented daughters, Robyn and Ashley.
Liz Broder grew up in Huntsville, Alabama. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration from Auburn University and an MBA in Business and Hospital Administration from the University of Dallas. Liz spent 16 years in progressive nonprofit hospital administrative roles and the last 20 years of her career in corporate health system management. Her last role was System Vice President of Labor Management for Common Spirit Health, specializing in operational and financial improvements. After retiring in 2022, Liz broadened her volunteer involvement. She spent the last four years on the Sisterhood Board of Temple Beth El and is now the Immediate Past President. She is a board member of Set Free Foundation, which is an organization providing mental health services for survivors of human trafficking. She has also supported the Council on Aging by delivering Meals on Wheels. Liz joined IMPACT 100 in 2018 and moved from Pensacola to Navarre in 2019. She is married and has one daughter who is a social worker and a new member of IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area. Liz loves playing pickleball, mahjong, boating, and spending time at the beach with her family and friends.
Delayna Blankenship is a retired Air Traffic Controller with the Federal Aviation Administration. Her ATC career spanned the Gulf Coast to eventually work at Pensacola TRACON in 1999. As a Controller she was also actively involved in Quality Assurance, Training, and Plans and Procedures for the FAA. She regularly briefed hundreds of pilots and helped negotiate procedures and airspace on many projects at Whiting Field and NAS Pensacola. She is a native of Austin, Texas and the child of a Naval Officer. She lived in Hawaii and London before returning to Texas. She attended UT Austin and UT Dallas obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She worked in the corporate area until being enticed by Air Traffic. After retiring from the FAA, she became active in the Pet Partners Therapy Dog Program for several years with her daughter and their Doberman, Annie. She also started Green Between LLC and has been developing her rental property portfolio. She enjoys the project manager aspect of organizing and working with her team in various remodeling projects. She joined IMPACT 100 in 2020. She has a son, daughter, and step-daughter that has two delightful boys. She enjoys time with family, friends, her Dobermans, bootcamp, and all things active and outdoors.
Mesha Boyle brings a strong foundation in organization, leadership, and community engagement. She married her husband Scott and moved from Mobile, AL to Pensacola in 1997. For over 25 years she dedicated herself to raising her family as a full-time stay-at-home-mom, an experience that sharpened her skills in multitasking, problem solving, and long-term planning. In addition to managing a busy household, Mesha has been an active volunteer, serving on school committees, leading fundraising efforts, and supporting local initiatives. She participated in Pensacola Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build for six years and served on the Women Build Committee. Mesha joined IMPACT 100 in 2006 and has served on a Focus Area Committee most of those years. She and Scott have two children, Summer (28) and Will (20). Mesha loves spending time with her family, music, exercise, and the outdoors, and was named Pensacola Big Game Fishing Club’s 2024 Top Lady Angler.
Anne Crane Connolly is a recently retired Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) Global Sales and Operations Executive after nearly four decades in the technology industry. During her tenure, she delivered consistent and profitable growth and developed and mentored executive leaders. As an active community volunteer, she has served as Treasurer for multiple nonprofit organizations and actively sponsored and fund-raised for Alzheimer’s of Georgia, Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama, Habitat for Humanity, and Georgia Orphans Mission. Anne has a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Florida State University and she completed numerous Executive Marketing and Leadership programs with the Wharton School of Business at University of Pennsylvania. Anne has a strong Christian faith and is an active member of Pensacola’s First United Methodist Church. In addition to IMPACT 100, Anne is an active member of the Downtown Pensacola Rotary Club and the Health and Hope Clinic Gala Committee. In her free time, she enjoys tennis, travel, college football, and the beach with family and friends, including her husband and four sons.
Heidi Cook, is originally from Spokane, Washington, and graduated from Gonzaga University with a degree in Organizational Leadership. She came to Pensacola in 2006 to run USO Northwest Florida as their Executive Director. Promotions with the USO to run a multi-state region took her away from Pensacola from 2016-2019. In January 2020, she decided it was time to move back to Pensacola and leave her 30+ year nonprofit management career. When Heidi returned, she found the perfect match as a Realtor with Bill Sheffield Realty and has not looked back. She loves helping people buy and sell their homes in our beautiful area. In addition to Heidi’s involvement with IMPACT 100, she has been a member of Rotary International since 1989 and greatly enjoys serving with other members of the SubWest Rotary Club. One of the greatest awards she has received is the 2015 Business in Ethics Award – Small Business. Heidi has two daughters and three grandchildren who live in Spokane Washington.
Sara Davy is a graduate of Auburn University School of Pharmacy, with post graduate work in Business Administration at the University of West Florida. Her career includes experience in community and hospital pharmacy as well as in sales and human resources for the pharmaceutical manufacturer Eli Lilly and Company. In 2003 Sara was instrumental in opening the Health and Hope Clinic in Pensacola Florida, a non-profit organization providing free health care to the uninsured, low-income population of Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. She has been involved in many health care collaborations and is focused on pharmacy operations, fundraising, and developing community safety net partnerships for Health and Hope. Sara is a member of Olive Baptist Church and serves on the finance committee. She enjoys tennis and travel. Sara and her husband John have two grown children.
Andrea Fleekop moved to Gulf Breeze in 2012 with her husband Rabbi Joel and daughters Yael and Maya. She has been a proud Impact100 member ever since her arrival. Andrea serves as Director of Temple Beth El’s School for Jewish Living. Through her vision and leadership, she strives to transmit the richness of living a life based on Jewish values, practice, and community. Andrea has earned several distinctions in her field and holds a MA in Jewish Education and a MA in Jewish Communal Service from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and a BA in Near Eastern Judaic Studies from Brandeis University. Andrea has written curricula used in Jewish schools and summer camps. She is a very active girl mom and has served as a local Girl Scout Troop leader for many years. Andrea loves the beach, dancing, the arts, and watching her daughters shine on the stage and in life. Raised in New Jersey, Andrea has also lived in Boston, Jerusalem, Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Pat Franklin is a native Floridian and has spent most of her life in Northwest Florida. She grew up in Ft. Walton Beach and moved to Pensacola in 2009. She graduated from Florida State University with a degree in criminology and from the University of West Florida with a master’s degree in public administration. Pat spent over forty years working in social services with much of her career in child welfare. She retired in 2019 from the Department of Children and Families. Pat is an active member of First United Methodist Church of Pensacola where she serves on the Mission Committee and United Women in Faith. Pat volunteers at United Ministries several times a month. She is Board President of The Birthday Party Pensacola and serves on the boards of Pace Center for Girls and Embrace Florida Kids. Pat has been married for fifty years to Bill Franklin; they have two daughters and four grandchildren.
Lauren Gund is a property developer, marketing consultant, and business owner of Helm & Forge, LLC. She moved to Pensacola in 2014 where she later met her husband, Pensacola-native Michael Gund. They, along with their dog and cat, enjoy living in the vibrancy of downtown Pensacola. Lauren has been a member of IMPACT 100 since 2019, after being encouraged to join by her mother-in-law, Judy Gund, who is a past board member. In addition to her involvement in IMPACT 100, Lauren is a member and board member of the Cordova Rotary Club and serves on committees for the Rally Foundation and East Hill Neighborhood Association. She is a Florida State University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Hospitality Management and a minor in Communications. In her free time, Lauren enjoys spending time with friends, relaxing at the beach, dancing, traveling, and puzzles.
Amanda Hindsman was born in Pensacola where she met and married her husband of 21 years Craig, a local Pastor. They have two children at home, Caitlyn (18) and Carson (14). She is a dedicated mom who juggles career, family, and community volunteerism. Amanda is a graduate of the University of West Florida with a BA in Public Relations/Advertising and a Minor in Marketing and has over 19 years of experience as a leader and Project Manager. Project Management Professional (PMP) certified since 2012, Amanda joined Intelligent Retinal Imaging Systems in 2019 and is their PMO Director implementing Diabetic Retinopathy programs across the world to end preventable blindness. Amanda is passionate about project management and passionate about her Pensacola community. An IMPACT 100 Member for nine years, she considers it an amazing opportunity to combine her two passions by engaging philanthropic leaders and local nonprofits. When successful leaders support local nonprofits, those successful nonprofits build a better and more successful Pensacola!
Vickie Jacob moved to Pace from North Alabama in 1987. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Information Systems from the University of West Florida in 1991. While attending UWF she entered the COOP program working for the Navy which eventually provided her with a 30+ year career in Information Technology that she retired from in 2020. She has two children and four grandchildren who live locally so she is able to spend quality time with them. Vickie enjoys taking Leisure Learning classes through UWF, crafting, gardening, snuggling with her four dogs, attending plays, working on home projects, and travelling with her significant other Rob.
Jessie McCarthy is a Navy Veteran and seasoned IT professional with over 20 years of experience in cybersecurity and enterprise infrastructure. She has helped shape the industry in recent years by working at early-stage, high-growth companies. Jessie holds a Master of Arts in Economics from Old Dominion University and a Bachelor of Arts in Business from Virginia Wesleyan University. She is deeply committed to advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within IT, actively participating in mentorship programs, advocacy communities, and Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). A New York native, Jessie moved to Pensacola in 2019 after spending over a decade in Hampton Roads, Virginia. She has been a member of IMPACT 100 since 2021. Jessie is supported by her husband, Jim, and their children.
Olevia McNally was born and raised in the Florida panhandle. As a healthcare leader, she has dedicated her career to improving lives. Her dedication to developing future healthcare executives is evident through her service on UWF’s Health Sciences and Administration Advisory Committee and North Florida American College of Healthcare Executives Board. As an Escambia County appointee to the FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance, she helps shape the region’s economic future. A passionate child advocate, Olevia serves on the Gulf Coast Kid’s House board and has been active in Rotary since 2009, serving multiple roles focused on youth. She currently serves as the Empowering Girls District Advocate. Her impactful work has earned numerous honors including UWF’s Distinguished Alumnus Award, the American College of Healthcare Executives Early Careerist Award, and the Ethics in Business Award from Combined Rotary of Pensacola and UWF. Olevia continues to create positive change through education, mentorship, and service with a focus on empowering future generations. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor activities with her husband.
Jacqui O’Connell was born and raised in New York. She married her college sweetheart, started a family, and lived the Navy life, following her other half around the country until ultimately making Pensacola their forever home. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Rochester in New York and has worked in various roles throughout her nursing career, including working as a staff nurse at NYU Medical Center and Sacred Heart Hospital. She later transitioned to home care, working with Olsten Health as the Manager of Clinical Practice and ultimately becoming the Director of Nursing. She finished her nursing career with Sacred Heart Home Care as a Manager of Clinical Practice prior to retiring in 2008. Jacqui has worked extensively in the non-profit sector. She is the Co-Founder of Autism Pensacola and has been a board member and President of The Leaning Post Ranch, Charter member and President of the Krewe du YaYas, and most recently the Executive Director of the Keeping Abreast Foundation. Jacqui enjoys spending time with her husband, children and her fur baby, Mufasa. She has two adult sons and a daughter-in-law. She is passionate about running, fishing, and her NFL team, The Eagles.
Rocky Parra, moved to Pensacola in 2002 and has called it home ever since. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Centenary College of Louisiana in 1992 and a Master’s in Business Administration from Louisiana Tech University in 1995. Her professional career includes work for KPMG Peat Marwick in tax accounting, Christus Shumpert Medical Center as Director of Cost Accounting and Budgeting, and as an independent financial consultant before “retiring” to raise her young children and begin her work as a volunteer. Rocky’s volunteer service includes serving on the boards of Episcopal Day School, Escambia County Medical Society, Greater Pensacola Aquatic Club, Mother Clelia Morning Star High School Advisory Council (charter member), Autism Pensacola, Society of the Debutante Charity Cotillion, Fiesta Pensacola Foundation, and two terms as President of the Fiesta Pensacola Association Board. She has been a member of IMPACT since 2007. Rocky is most passionate about advocating for children and adults with special needs, due to her experiences raising a child on the autism spectrum. In 2020, she authored a book, Embracing Mrs. Mommy—Learning from, Living with and Loving Someone with Autism, to share her family’s experiences with autism. Rocky enjoys reading, traveling with her ASB (adult spring break) group, and watching sports. Her most cherished activity is spending time with her husband Brett and their four adult children.
Christy Rogers was born and raised in Pensacola and returned home in 2021. She serves as Senior Development Coordinator at the University of West Florida, leading fundraising and donor stewardship initiatives within University Advancement. With more than 15 years of experience spanning education, child and family services, and nonprofit management, Christy specializes in relationship building, strategic fundraising, and community engagement. A proud two-time graduate of the University of Florida and devoted Gator fan, she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences. Since returning to Pensacola, Christy has been an active IMPACT 100 member, serving as an ambassador and site visit leader on multiple committees, and is also involved with the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Junior League of Pensacola, and Greater Pensacola Chamber. In her free time, she enjoys cross-stitching, reading, playing mahjong, doing puzzles, and spending time with her family and dog, Penny. She’s also a proud “fun aunt,” happiest when spoiling her 15 nieces and nephews.
Katie Schutts moved to Pensacola from Northern California in 2015 and loves it more and more every day. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of California, Berkeley. After a short stint in the tech world, she returned to school to pursue her passion for creating impactful developmental experiences for college students by earning a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs from University of the Pacific. Katie has worked at the University of West Florida since 2015 and is currently the Associate Director of Alumni Relations managing the UWF Alumni Association’s events and communications. She is an active volunteer with Fiesta Pensacola. Katie served on the Pensacola Alumnae Panhellenic Association Board and was a member of the Leadership Pensacola class of 2020. In her spare time, Katie enjoys playing golf with her husband, binging Netflix series, going out to eat and taking walks with their three dogs. Katie has been a member of IMPACT 100 since 2019.
Debbie Stearns is the Executive Director at The Women’s Group, where she has been responsible for the overall management and operations of this OB/Gyn medical practice since 2002. Her career in healthcare spans over 40 years and includes corporate and public accounting, hospital administration, and medical group management. Debbie earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Old Dominion University and is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Medical Practice Executive. She has been a member of IMPACT 100 for over 20 years and is a past president of the Florida Medical Group Management Association, Emerald Coast Medical Group Management Association, Creative Learning Academy Board of Directors, the International Baccalaureate Support Foundation, and Girls Soccer Booster Club at Pensacola High School. Debbie and her husband Jim share a blended family, together raising three children who are now adults: two daughters (a CPA and a physician) and a son (a pilot). She enjoys spending time with her grandson and grand dogs, strength training, reading, and puzzles.
Carrie Timmons is the daughter of an Air Force chaplain and has lived in the Pensacola area since 1992. She attended the University of West Florida and holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Masters in Heath Promotion and Worksite Wellness. She worked as a high school math teacher in the Pensacola and Gulf Breeze communities for 15 years and also taught at a private international school in Panama. During her years as a teacher, Carrie served as head of the Freshman Advisory Board, coached cross country running, and was nominated for Math Teacher of the Year. She played handbells and volunteered with the youth group at her church in past years, continues to serve where needed, and she has been an active member of IMPACT 100 for five years. She now manages her husband’s thriving medical practice and enjoys spending time with their three adult children, running with friends, reading, boating and paddle boarding.
Elizabeth Walker is a proud Tennessean turned Pensacolian, having made the Gulf Coast her home in 2022. With a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Audiology and a recent Doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership, Elizabeth blends deep academic insight with real-world impact. A lifelong learner and strategic thinker, she has led transformative initiatives across nonprofits, Fortune 100 MedTech companies, and healthcare startups. In 2024, Elizabeth founded MindShift Consulting Group to help mission-driven organizations align strategy, leadership, and culture for lasting change. Outside of work, Elizabeth finds joy in gardening, beach sunrises and sunsets, travel, and time with loved ones (including her beloved pets). She has served on international nonprofit boards and actively supports local philanthropic efforts. Elizabeth has been a proud member of IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area since 2022.
Kathy Williamson is a Virginia native and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Old Dominion University with a bachelor’s degree in computer science. She has worked in software development for her entire professional career. For the past 22 years, she has worked on software specifically for the auto auction industry. She and her husband sold their company of 12 years to Auction Edge in 2015, where she is now employed as Senior Operations Manager. In 2023, she received her MBA in Entrepreneurship from the University of West Florida. Kathy has lived in the Pensacola Bay Area since 1996 when the Navy transferred her husband of 31 years to Corry Station. She enjoys traveling, reading, crafts, and spending time with friends and family.
Alicia L. Waters is a servant leader and a relentless champion for women and faith. Her purpose work includes creating products, services, and opportunities to uplift the human spirit. In addition to serving as the Client Experience Manager at The Watson Firm, PLLC., she is also the founder of WatersWord, LLC, a leadership development trainer, author, speaker, and certified life coach. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and a Master of Science degree in Psychology. In addition to her involvement in Impact 100, Alicia serves on the Board of Directors for Pensacola Little Theater, is a program director with Pensacola Lamplighters, Inc., and is a member of the Junior League of Pensacola, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Alicia and her husband, Ron’s greatest accomplishments are their two adult children: Asha, who attends the University of Central Florida, and Aaron, who attends Savannah College of Art & Design. Alicia enjoys road trips, boutique shopping, good food, and good conversations.