Our Team
Our team of dynamic individuals are passionate about community change.
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 VP 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.
Lori Smith
Vice President Human Resources & Organizational Development
Lori is an experienced HR leader with demonstrated success in positioning HR as a trusted business partner to achieve and exceed operational goals and objectives. She has spent the majority of her career in the HR industry, gaining experiences in areas such as Employee Relations, Talent Acquisition/Succession, FMLA/ADA and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Lori is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and holds a degree in Communications. She is a member of SHRM, CPCU Society, Leadership Jacksonville Class of 2017 and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Outside of the office, Lori enjoys reading, decorating and spending time with her family.
Board of Directors
GEORGE SCANLON, Chair
MICHAEL HERMAN, Vice-Chair
Rayonier Advanced Materials
SCOTT COBLE
Wells Fargo
MELISSA DYKES
JEA
BRIAN EVANS
Fifth Third Bank
ROBERT HILL
Acosta Sales and Marketing
RUDY F. JAMISON JR., Ed.D
University of North Florida
SARA LEY
PriceWaterhouseCooper
LISA PALMER
Regency Centers
NED PEVERLEY
Acosta Sales and Marketing
SABEEN PERWAIZ SYED
Florida Nonprofit Alliance
DARNELL SMITH
Florida Blue
MAX STAPLIN
Brightway Insurance
JIM STEPNOSKI
KPMG
RUSS THOMAS
Availity
DELORES BARR WEAVER, Emeritus
JOHN WILBANKS
Baptist Health
UNITED WAY STAFF
MICHELLE BRAUN, President and CEO
United Way of Northeast Florida