Tap into your community at Cocktails and Conversations! Hosted by United Way of Northeast Florida’s rising professionals group, Atlantic Circle, this ultimate event for emerging changemakers connects you to leading philanthropists in Northeast Florida. This evening will be sure to stir your passion for making a difference by participating in small group discussions with our panelists and learn from their personal, professional and philanthropic stories.

Check out the full list of panelists below. Cheers to creating a community of opportunity for all!

Thursday, September 5
6-8 p.m.
Jekyll Brewing
131 First Ave. N., Suite 1
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

RSVP TODAY

Panelists

Anna Brosche – chief financial officer at City of Jacksonville

David Miller – co-founder and board member of Brightway Insurance

Katie Boniface – lead engineer at Mayo Clinic

Kemal Gasper – vice president of community engagement and sponsorship at VyStar Credit Union

Lior Spring – director of social impact at Miller Families

Mike Boniface – assistant professor of emergency medicine at Mayo Clinic Florida

Travis Williams – chief operating officer at LIFT JAX

Anna Brosche

Anna Brosche, a Florida-certified public accountant with over 30 years of experience in accounting, auditing and business management, currently serves as the City of Jacksonville’s chief financial officer and director of finance. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and a Master of Accountancy from the University of North Florida. 

Brosche has received several awards, including The Florida Times-Union’s EVE Award, Jacksonville Business Journal’s Ultimate CFO Award and an ATHENA International Award. A Jacksonville native, Brosche is the daughter of a retired U.S. Navy senior chief from the Philippines and is married to a retired U.S. Navy Reserve commander. 

David Miller

David Miller is the co-founder of Brightway Insurance, where he has played a pivotal role in transforming the company into one of the largest property and casualty insurance retailers in the country. Under his leadership, Brightway has achieved annual sales exceeding $1 billion and has been recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine as the No. 1 insurance franchise in the country and by Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the country ten times. Miller’s philosophy is that great organizations and communities reach their potential only when each individual reaches their own personal potential. 

Miller is deeply involved in philanthropy, serving as a lead investor and co-trail champion for the Emerald Trail and an early investor and board member of LIFT JAX. He is committed to improving educational outcomes through investments in City Year Jacksonville, READ USA and the Jacksonville Public Education Fund. He also convenes the Senior Advisory Council for OneJax. He is a dedicated supporter of United Way of Northeast Florida, serving on their board, previously leading the Annual Tocqueville Campaign and being the first chair of the Stein Fellowship Program. He has also served on other boards, including the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, VyStar Foundation, Jacksonville Civic Council and Jewish Community Alliance. In response to rising anti-Semitism, Miller established the Together Strong Community Fund to combat hate and bias. David and his wife, Monique, have two children, Josh and Leah. 

Katie Boniface

Katie Boniface is a lead engineer at Mayo Clinic Florida, where she focuses on improving patient care through innovation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural and biological engineering from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in biomedical engineering from Duke University. 

Boniface was introduced to United Way during a college internship through a work campaign. Since then, she has been involved in various capacities, including as a Stein Fellow alumna. Boniface serves as Tocqueville Society co-chair along with her husband, Mike. 

Kemal Gasper

Kemal Gasper is vice president of community engagement at VyStar Credit Union, where he oversees giving, sponsorship, volunteerism and community activation. He joined VyStar in 2019 as the VyStar @Work program manager, after serving as vice president of business development at 121 Financial Credit Union. With more than 18 years of experience in financial services, Gasper has held various leadership roles at Winn-Dixie, Axiom Bank and Truist. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Strayer University and is pursuing a master’s in public administration. 

Gasper is passionate about Northeast Florida and has been involved in young professional programs such as Leadership Jacksonville, Leadership Florida Connect, Hightower Emerging Leaders Fellowship and United Way’s Stein Fellowship Program. He currently serves on the boards of Changing Homelessness, Leadership Jacksonville, Hightower Fellowship and the World Affairs Council, and advises the Shades of Success VyStar Employee Resource Group. His community commitment has earned him numerous awards, including Top 40 Under 40 from the Jacksonville Business Journal and Top 30 Under 30 from Buzz Magazine.

Lior Spring

Lior Spring is the director of social impact for the Miller Families, a position she has held since 2021 after an 18-year career in nonprofit management in New York City and Jacksonville, Florida. She previously served as director of development at the Jewish Community Alliance. A Cornell University graduate, Spring is also involved with the Cornell Alumni Admissions Association Network for Northeast Florida.

Spring is deeply engaged in philanthropy, serving as vice chair of the Jewish Community Alliance’s board of trustees and executive committee. She is also on the United Way of Northeast Florida’s board of directors and the OneJax strategic planning committee. Her other notable roles include involvement with the Community Foundation for Northeast Florida’s Weaver Philanthropic Initiative, Leadership Jacksonville and the City of Jacksonville Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Breakfast committee. As the implementor of the Together Strong Community Fund, she works to combat hate and bias in Northeast Florida. Spring is a member of the Gen 2/Gen 3 Holocaust Survivors Speakers Bureau at the LDJ Jewish Family and Community Services. She and her husband, Daniel Miller, have two children, Jacob and Ezra.

Mike Boniface

Mike Boniface is an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Mayo Clinic Florida. He joined the staff in 2015 after completing his residency and fellowship at Duke University and the University of Florida. His interests include point-of-care ultrasonography, imaging informatics and medical education. He serves as chair for Enterprise Clinical Digital Imaging and is the medical director for the Office of Non-Clinical Education Programs. 

Boniface was introduced to United Way of Northeast Florida through Mayo Clinic’s corporate campaign. He served on the United Way steering committee and later joined the Tocqueville Society through the Weaver Challenge program. Boniface serves as Tocqueville Society co-chair along with his wife Katie.

Travis Williams

Travis Williams is the chief operating officer for LIFT JAX, an initiative of business and community leaders dedicated to eradicating generational poverty in Jacksonville. As part of the leadership team, he serves as the community quarterback for the nonprofit, driving the revitalization initiative in Jacksonville’s Eastside with resident leaders. A Jacksonville native and University of North Florida alumnus, Williams has a proven track record of building financial services practices from the ground up and consulting with global nonprofits to enhance their local presence. His commitment to service has enabled him to lead individuals and organizations toward their goals. 

Williams is deeply committed to his community, focusing on economic development, urban revitalization and services for the less privileged. He co-chairs the Jax Chamber Lewis and White Advisory Board and serves on the boards of ReThreaded and The Clara White Mission. His national service includes leading diversity and inclusion initiatives in the financial services industry. Before joining LIFT JAX, Williams was the senior director of communications for the Kids Hope Alliance.