Our Team
Our team of dynamic individuals are passionate about community change.
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Leadership Team
Robin Abbott
Vice President of Finance
Robin is an experienced CFO with demonstrated success in both for-profit and non-profit organizations across varying industries. Driven by her desire for excellence, she takes pride in understanding the organization to position finance as an integral strategic partner in achieving both financial and operational goals. Robin is a member of CFLOC, NABA, a Disruptive Leadership Advisory Board Member at Stetson University and a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. While finance is her primary job function by day, Robin also enjoys movies, reading, music and spending time with her family and friends.
Michelle Braun
President and CEO
Michelle Braun is passionate about serving her community. Prior to becoming President and CEO of United Way in 2014, she served in many capacities, including serving as a member of United Way’s board of directors, community chair for RealSense and as the vice president of Resource Development where she led a record-setting campaign. Michelle is a member of Leadership Jacksonville’s class of 2017 and United Way Worldwide’s Network Partnership Group. She is married to Paul, an artist, and has two children, Quinn and Shea.
Rosimar Melendez
Head of Community Impact and Strategic Investments
Rosi brings extensive experience with developing and leading community impact initiatives as well as cross-functional experience in resource development, volunteer management and marketing. Most recently, Rosi was the program director at the Horizon Foundation in Columbia, Maryland responsible for grant making for the $90 million foundation. In her previous roles, Rosi successfully led many initiatives including a funding priority realignment that led to improved community health outcomes and a race and equity initiative focused on reducing health disparities. She is passionate about community work and the important roles United Way plays in building a community of opportunity. She and her husband, LTC (Ret) Jose E. Melendez, are both from Puerto Rico. Together they have a daughter, Lyanne, who attends the University of Florida.
Maureen Mercho
Senior Vice President of Marketing, Communication and Corporate Engagement
Maureen Mercho has experience leading not for profits in fundraising, communication and marketing. Driven by the desire to connect people’s passion to community needs, she takes pride in providing the best donor journey possible. Her goals at United Way include creating change through building greater connections and awareness to solutions. Outside of the office, Maureen enjoys her family, dog ZsaZsa and the beach.
Board of Directors
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JIM STEPNOSKI, Chair
KPMG
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MICHAEL HERMAN, Vice-Chair
Regency Centers
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BRIAN EVANS
Fifth Third Bank
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ROBERT HILL
Acosta Sales and Marketing
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RUDY F. JAMISON JR., Ed.D
University of North Florida
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KIRK LARSEN
Black Knight
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SARA LEY
PriceWaterhouseCooper
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GREG MONTANA
FIS
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LISA PALMER
Regency Centers
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NED PEVERLEY
Vestcom
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SABEEN PERWAIZ SYED
Florida Nonprofit Alliance
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DARNELL SMITH
Florida Blue
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RUSS THOMAS
Availity
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DELORES BARR WEAVER, Emeritus
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UNITED WAY STAFF
MICHELLE BRAUN, President and CEO
United Way of Northeast Florida