Melanie Patz

President and CEO

A respected community and nonprofit leader, Melanie D. Patz most recently served as vice president of community investment and impact at Baptist Health and previously served as vice president of community impact for United Way. During her tenure at Baptist Health, she spearheaded the implementation of a school health center at Ribault High School, drove the creation of JaxCareConnect and led the effort to initiate Blue Zones Jacksonville. Melanie has 27 years of nonprofit management experience, a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Samford University and an MBA with a concentration in Economics from the University of North Florida. She currently serves on the board of the Early Learning Coalition of Duval and is a founding board member of 904WARD.

Why I Serve: My more than 50 years of life has convinced me I am connected to people even if we have never met. Because of this, I am called to and honored to live a life that helps all of us have opportunities to achieve success. Research proves over and over that community conditions, particularly poverty, hold us back from achieving our full potential as individuals and as a community. By uniting, we can create a community of opportunity that benefits us all.

Coretta Hill

Chief Operating Officer

With more than two decades of experience in nonprofit management, Coretta's professional expertise spans strategic planning, organizational management, fundraising and communications. She oversees strategy development and improvements to operational efficiency at United Way of Northeast Florida, having previously served as vice president of volunteer and community engagement for more than a decade. Coretta started her United Way career at United Way of Southwest Georgia in Albany. Most recently, she served as vice president of the Jacksonville Public Education Fund, where she led strategy implementation and operations. Coretta holds an MPA from Albany State University as well as a BA in mass communications from Fort Valley State University. She also serves on the board of Level the Playing Field Leadership Academy and the North Florida School of Special Education.

Why I Serve: Every great leader I know had someone along the way who helped shape and guide them in some way, whether indirect or through formal mentorship. Sometimes leaders also forget the path of support they received along the way, which is the foundation of why I serve. The PEOPLE. Organizations thrive at their full capacity when the team is cohesive. My heart for people is to see each individual reach theirs. United Way's mission to create a community of opportunity where everyone can reach their full potential begins inside the organization to accomplish the challenging work of eradicating generational poverty. Each member of the team is why I serve.

James Ellout

Vice President, Community Impact

James is responsible for developing and leading high-impact community initiatives that drive results in basic needs, financial well-being and advancing community resilience. He began his career in Detroit, where he held positions in juvenile justice, behavioral mental health and public education. Prior to joining United Way of Northeast Florida, James led efforts with City Year Jacksonville to ensure students achieve their full potential. He has great passion for and expertise in program design and implementation, data and evaluation, and relationship development with stakeholders across the public and private sectors.

Why I Serve: I serve to spark positive change in the face of daunting social challenges, to give voice to the unheard and to embody hope in action. I serve to offer my talent, experience and energy to harness the power of community and to make a difference in the lives of those in greatest need amongst us.

Sarah Henderson

Vice President, Marketing and Communications

Sarah leads a team of marketing and communications professionals who raise awareness and increase the understanding of United Way’s work in Northeast Florida. Some of her most rewarding projects to date at United Way include overseeing communications and media relations for the Duval County Emergency Rent Assistance Program during the COVID-19 pandemic and the brand strategy and engagement plan for United Way’s 100th anniversary. Sarah serves on the board of the Jacksonville Arboretum and Botanical Gardens and the North Florida Chapter of PRSA. She is also a “Double Gator,” with an M.A. in mass communication and B.S. in journalism from the University of Florida. Sarah is a proud Jacksonville native and graduate of Wolfson High School.

Why I Serve: Storytelling, marketing, communications and brand experiences are powerful tools that can open minds, change hearts and help voices be heard.

Olga Mendoza

Vice President, Finance

Olga is responsible for overseeing the company’s financial activities and accounting operations, ensuring compliance and controls and providing financial planning and analysis that support the overall mission, goals and objectives of United Way of Northeast Florida. Olga is a licensed certified public accountant in the State of Florida with a background in public, private and nonprofit organizations. Olga has graduated summa cum laude from the University of North Florida with a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting. She is excited to join the United Way team and be a part of our mission to bring positive impact to the local community.

Why I Serve: Everyone needs food, housing, healthcare and education, and I would like to contribute to see our community becoming a place where everyone has an opportunity to have it all.

Board of Directors

DARNELL SMITH, Chair
Florida Blue

DR. CHRISTOPHER BERNIER
Duval County Public Schools

JOSEPH DAVIDSON
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

JERRY DELGADO
KPMG

BRIAN EVANS
Fifth Third Bank

JAN HANAK
Regency Centers

MICHAEL HUSKEY
Haskell

RUDY F. JAMISON JR., Ed.D
City of Jacksonville

PATTY KEENAN
Miller Electric Company

BRENT LAROSA
FIS

PHILLIP LEE
Florida Blue

SARA LEY
Johnson & Johnson

GREG MONTANA
Retired

LISA PALMER
Regency Centers

SABEEN PERWAIZ
Florida Nonprofit Alliance

NED PEVERLEY
Vestcom

EUSTACHIUS ROBERTS
Thrivent

DIANA SORFLEET
CSX

LIOR SPRING
Miller Families

AUNDRA WALLACE
JAXUSA Partnership

MATT ZUINO
Baptist Health

DELORES BARR WEAVER, Emeritus

Our Team

Leadership Team