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.
Coretta Hill
Vice President of Volunteer and Community Engagement
Coretta Hill has a passion for community engagement with a combined 20 years of experience in non-profit management, strategic planning, public relations and resource development. While leading the development of strategic volunteer initiatives is her primary job function, she enjoys being a member of the Community Coaches program for Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida and being a board of directors’ member for Changing Homelessness.
Patricia Kilgore
Vice President of Finance and Administration
Patricia Kilgore believes financially strong nonprofits deliver leadership and solutions to our community’s challenges. With more than 30 years of accounting experience, in both the for-profit and not-for-profit arenas, Patricia provides financial leadership and direction to United Way. Patricia supports critical operating goals through financial strategies, structures and decisions, and data analysis.
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.
Kristie Naines
Senior Vice President, Major Gifts
With over 25 years of fundraising and nonprofit management experience in Jacksonville, Kristie loves helping connect people with their passions. Kristie leads the individual engagement team, which includes major, legacy and leadership giving. Outside of the office, Kristie enjoys reading, gardening and being outdoors. She is the proud parent of a daughter, Kaia.
Lori Smith
Head of HR and Organizational Development
Lori Smith is an experienced HR leader with demonstrated success as a strategic business partner. She has spent the majority of her career in the HR industry, gaining experiences in areas such as Employee Relations, Recruiting/Talent Management, FMLA/ADA and Diversity& Inclusion. Driven by results, she takes pride in building strong relationships and providing the best HR support possible. 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
DOUGLAS BAER, 2018 Campaign Chair
Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital
SCOTT COBLE
Wells Fargo
BARBARA DRAKE
Barbara Drake Trading, LLC
MELISSA DYKES
JEA
NATHANIEL FORD
Jacksonville Transportation Authority
PAT GERAGHTY
Florida Blue/Guidewell
ROBERT HILL
Acosta Sales and Marketing
FRANK MATIRE
NCR
DAVID MILLER
Brightway Insurance
LISA PALMER
Regency Centers
NED PEVERLEY
Acosta Sales and Marketing
MIKE PRENDERGAST
FordHarrison
JIM STEPNOSKI
KPMG
BETH TATE
Citi
RUSS THOMAS
Availity
MICHAEL WARD
Michael Ward & Jennifer Glock Foundation
DELORES BARR WEAVER, Emeritus
JOHN WILBANKS
Baptist Health
UNITED WAY STAFF
MICHELLE BRAUN, President and CEO
United Way of Northeast Florida