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.
Phyllis Martin
Head of Community Impact and Strategic Investments
Phyllis Martin is an experienced nonprofit leader. Driven by a strong passion for community, systems change, and giving voice to those whose voices are often times marginalized or ignored, she takes pride in providing the best leadership possible. Her goals include building strong, meaningful and honest partnerships among as many stakeholders as possible in order to get results for our community and for United Way. Outside of the office Phyllis enjoys bike riding, exercise, music, reading, going to the beach, shopping, and being with her husband, Tim, and dog, Finn.
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