Our Team

Board of Directors

Bill Bentley

Board Secretary

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Bill Bentley

Bill has spent many years advocating for children at both the federal and state levels. Throughout his forty-five years of service, he has worked for many nonprofit organizations, such as Voices for America’s Children and The Points of Light Foundation. He has also served on the Board of Directors of several national and state-based nonprofits. Additionally, Bill has served as a political appointee for both the Clinton and Obama administrations. Most recently, under the Obama administration, Bill administered three national programs within the Administration for Children and Families, the Domestic Violence, Runaway and Homeless Youth and Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention programs.

Bill has a Masters of Social Work from Florida State University.

Joanne Olvera Lighter

Interim President of Voices for Florida

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Joanne Olvera Lighter

Joanne Lighter currently serves as Interim President of Voices for Florida. In addition, she serves in a leadership capacity for an organization providing access to medical exams and glasses so children can learn, adults can work, and seniors can maintain independence.

At Allegany Franciscan Ministries where she served as President and CEO, she implemented the Board’s goal “to be a catalyst for systemic change”, making grants of over $40 million to more than 1,000 organizations; and, was Founding Board Chair of the Florida Philanthropic Network, advocating for Florida’s Independent Sector.

Previous engagements include President and CEO of The Spring of Tampa Bay, one of Florida’s largest domestic violence programs; consultant to Morton Plant Hospital Foundation, and as Founding Executive Director of Sun Coast Hospital Foundation. She and her husband, William Lighter, founded a consulting firm that served 50 premiere Florida agencies and private donors.

A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Ms. Lighter attended Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music as well as the North Carolina Governor’s School.

She is a member of Leadership America’s Class of 2001, the Athena Society of Tampa, and has led organizations who have won ADDYs and other awards for nonprofit leadership.

Connie Rose

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Connie Rose

Connie Rose is an idea generating, game changing, goal-oriented, human dynamo whose rare blend of style and substance has made her a powerful, transformational speaker.

Like you, Connie Rose worked long hours and ignored the stressors that affect our professional and personal lives. She didn’t get how important having a work/life balance was. For years hiding behind her past of childhood sexual abuse, sex trafficking all at the hands of a serial sex offender father who was also her pimp. Connie’s self-esteem, confidence and ability to adapt was at an all – time low affecting her work/life balance.

Is balance only within the reach of a select few, or are we all eligible to receive this gift?
Connie is hired by organizations who want their leaders and teams to have impact, influence and the ability to inspire others. She delivers game-changing programs – keynotes, breakouts, trainings, consulting and coaching that offer messages of leadership, change, resilience along with creating awareness of sex trafficking and domestic violence.

She is the author of “Take The World By Storm” ™ and ARC ™ Methodology to being the Unstoppable You! Using her ARC Methodology Adaptability – Resiliency – Confidence™ creating a Life Balance approach. When an organization or individual is Adaptable, Resilient and Confident, it makes for one happy, productive company and employees.

“Not On My Watch” ™ is a snapshot of the kinds of things First responders should look for in regards to Red Flags, Identifying Victims and Resources working with victims of Sex Trafficking. In today’s society sex trafficking has become a major public health and social injustice problem, both domestically and internationally. First responders are often the only professional to interact with trafficking victims who are still in captivity.

Connie Rose M.S. Ed PhD candidate, is a specialist in resiliency, transformation and leadership with over 25 years’ experience as a motivational speaker, trainer, coach, media contributor and expert witness. Adding to her expertise as a Ted Talk speaker. “What Can You Learn From A Rubber Band?” Connie has been featured in the PBS documentary “To Close Too Home.” Whether it’s in an organization, an entrepreneurial business, or in your personal life, Connie knows how to move through challenging adversity to get things done and motivate others to do the same. Drawing from her personal journey of resiliency and transformation from over 16 years of childhood sexual abuse, pornography and sex trafficking all at the hands of a serial sex offender father who was also her pimp.

Dan R. Stengle

Board Chair

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Dan R. Stengle

Dan is a trial attorney with nearly 40 years of experience representing clients on land use, regulatory permitting, utility regulation and all aspects of litigation and appeals. In addition to private practice law, he served as Senior Attorney – and later General Counsel – to the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, as Staff Director to the Senate Governmental Operations Committee, General Counsel to the Florida Department of Community Affairs, and as Special Counsel to the Florida Governor and Cabinet on matters relating to Areas of Critical State Concern, including the Florida Keys.

Florida Governor Lawton Chiles then tapped Dan to be Deputy Chief of Staff and General Counsel, where Dan directed all legal and administrative aspects of the Governor’s Office. Dan also served as General Counsel to the Governor’s Transition Team between the Chiles/MacKay Administration and incoming Governor Jeb Bush.

Dan is a frequent lecturer on appellate practice, legislative drafting and research, public meetings and records, and ethics for public officials and employees, as well as the author of several publications. In addition, he has a long history of giving back to his community, including serving as the former Chair of Voices for Florida’s Board of Directors and guiding the organization’s formal affiliation with The Children’s Campaign, forming the foundation of serving children through applied research and best practice networking in addition to policy advocacy.

Dan received his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree with high honors from Florida State University.

Linda Sutherland

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Linda Sutherland

Linda Sutherland has served as the Executive Director of the Healthy Start Coalition of Orange County since February 2001. As the chief executive officer of the Coalition, she oversees a $4 million budget and related staff and programs which support both the Coalition of over 160 members (serving over 4000 women and 3000 infants each year), as well as a variety of direct maternal and child health and social services offered to the community, including launching a Fatherhood program which has since spun off to an independent nonprofit (All Star Dads), ACA enrollment, Children’s Health Insurance and Medicaid enrollment.

Prior to her work with the Coalition, she served as the President of the Orange County Council of PTAs and then was elected to the Orange County School Board for three terms, from 1990-2002.

During her tenure she served as both chairman and vice chairman of the local school board and as President of the State School Board Association. She also represented Florida on the Council of Great City Schools and the National School Boards Association as well as other national early childhood development advisory committees.

Ms. Sutherland was invited to the White House by then First Lady Laura Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush to a discussion on early literacy and school readiness in 2001. She developed other national contacts because of attending that event.

She considers herself first and foremost, a child advocate. She has served on The Children’s Campaign board of directors, as well as the Florida Association of Healthy Start Coalitions, Second Harvest Food Bank Health and Hunger task force, Help Me Grow and the Children’s Cabinet of Orange County.

Staff

Micheala Denny

Open Doors Education and Training Director

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Micheala Denny

Micheala Denny is a graduate of Florida State University, having attained Master Degrees in Social Work, Geography, and Political Science. She received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Idaho. Micheala brings with her a vast background and intricate knowledge in advocating for victims of sexual violence. Some of her past employment experience consists of serving as the Executive Director for the Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault, Director of Program Development for the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence, and the Director of the Women’s Resource Center at Bucknell University.

As a member of the Voices for Florida Open Doors team, Micheala will work closely with Linda, Robyn and Dianne in the creation of a education and training curriculum for Open Doors service partners and will also contribute in a variety of other areas needed to establish and grow the Open Doors Network.

Lauren Herod

Open Doors Training and Education Coordinator

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Lauren Herod

In her role as the Training and Education Coordinator, Lauren will be supporting Voices for Florida’s goals of continuously adapting to the needs of survivors of sex trafficking through the Open Doors Outreach Network. Lauren will be graduating with her joint master’s degrees in Public Administration in Social Work in Spring 2021 from Florida State University. During her time in graduate school, she has worked as a Research Assistant for the Institute for Justice Research and Development and on independent Program Evaluation studies. Lauren also holds her Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Administration from Florida State University and has worked in operations management luxury hotels throughout the United States.

Additionally, she has worked in administration and communications for the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Florida Association of Nurse Practitioners and the Florida Association of Health Plans. Outside of work Lauren enjoys performing and volunteering with several of the community theatre organizations in the Big Bend Area.

She’s a proud alumna of the FSU Marching Chiefs, Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity for Women and the Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity. Additionally, she serves as the Director of Fundraising for the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership program for the Florida–North Region.

Sam Kimelman

Open Doors Compliance and Audit Director

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Sam Kimelman

Sam Kimelman is the Compliance and Audit Director for Voices for Florida. He is responsible for supporting the President, Open Doors Statewide Director and staff in ensuring effective and efficient and management of the operating budget, and the solicitation and management of grants, contracts and all other associated revenue streams. Sam also works closely with finance and accounting personnel to ensure that all aspects of the organization’s finances are managed effectively, efficiently and in accordance with all state and federal laws, including GAAP.

He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Florida State University and his CPA designation in 1991. Prior to joining Voices for Florida, Sam held a variety of positions over the past 20 years including Controller, Chief Financial Officer and President of ERS Group, a nationwide professional services consulting firm with headquarters in Tallahassee. Prior to ERS Group, Sam was a financial and compliance auditor with the Office of the Auditor General of Florida and an accountant with the Florida Supreme Court.

Mr. Kimelman is a member of the Florida and American Institute of CPAs and is an active board member on a number of local not for profit organizations including a K-8 school, public high school and other social service organizations.

Joanne Olvera Lighter

Interim President of Voices for Florida

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Joanne Olvera Lighter

A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Ms. Lighter attended Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music as well as the North Carolina Governor’s School.

She is a member of Leadership America’s Class of 2001, the Athena Society of Tampa, and has led organizations who have won ADDYs and other awards for nonprofit leadership.

Tiffany McGlinchey

Open Doors Information and Outreach Specialist

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Tiffany McGlinchey

As the Information and Outreach Specialist, Tiffany works closely with communications, media, research and best practices to cultivate strategic partnerships and support the collective work of the Open Doors Outreach Network. Prior to her current position, Tiffany served as Resident Multimedia Communication Coordinator at Voices’s affiliate organization, The Children’s Campaign.

Tiffany obtained her Masters of Integrated Marketing Communication and certificate in Multicultural Marketing at Florida State University’s esteemed College of Communication. In addition, she also received her Bachelor degree from Florida State University in Media Communication Studies with a Minor in Business. During her time at Florida State, Tiffany accelerated her education in both the Honors Program and the Garnet and Gold Scholar Society.

In her spare time, Tiffany enjoys gardening, cooking, and spending time with her husky, Mandy.

Robyn Metcalf

Opent Doors Statewide Director

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Robyn Metcalf

Robyn Metcalf is the statewide director of the Open Doors Outreach Network, a 24/7/365 network of care for victims and survivors of sex trafficking age 10-24 in 32 Florida counties.

Metcalf received her Bachelor of Social Work degree, Masters of Social Work (MSW) with a concentration in Social Policy and Administration and Masters of Public Administration (MPA) from Florida State University. She was named a 2020 Notable Nole from the Florida State University Alumni Association, recognizing graduates that have made exceptional achievements and significant contributions to his or her profession, community/society or the university. In 2016, the College of Social Work recognized Robyn with the Distinguished Young Alumni Award, a prestigious award recognizing outstanding graduates within the past 10 years who have demonstrated significant leadership and exceptional contributions to social work.

Metcalf is a former Guardian ad Litem, Relay for Life of North Leon Leadership Committee Member, Volunteer Training Assistant with 211 Big Bend, and is a current member of the Junior League of Tallahassee. She also serves as Treasurer for the Florida State University College of Social Work Alumni Group.

Aquill Triplett

Open Doors Statewide Director

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Aquill Triplett

As the Open Doors Program Coordinator, Aquill works closely with the Open Doors Team in all efforts related to the successful implementation of the Open Doors Network. She received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Social Work with a concentration in Social Leadership from Florida State University. Aquill began her career at Voices for Florida as an Innovation Apprentice, but joined the Open Doors Team as the Statewide Assistant then Program Coordinator soon after.

Aquill previously served as the assistant to a local Elementary School’s Extended Day Enrichment Program and Summer Camp. Prior to this position, Aquill was a corps member at Florida State University’s Jumpstart Organization.

Sophia Valente

Non-profit Management Apprentice

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Sophia Valente

Sophia Valente graduated from Florida State University with her Bachelor of Social Work in May 2020 and will be graduating with her Masters in Social Work in Summer 2021 from Florida State University. Throughout her education in the field of Social Work, she has gained a passion for criminal justice reform and advocating for children. Outside of the classroom, she spent time as a volunteer Guardian Ad Litem, where she was able to apply her social work values working within the child dependency system. After graduating from Florida State, she plans to further her education at New England School of Law in Boston, M.A concentrating in Public Interest Law with a focus on juvenile justice reform and criminal justice policy advocacy. Some of her long-term goals include working towards developing more rehabilitation programs in prisons for juveniles and establishing restorative justice practices in every courtroom in the United States.

Hoyt

Advocate Fur Change

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Hoyt

Originally heralding from the Jefferson County Humane Society, Hoyt joined the Voices team in March 2019. As the Advocate Fur Change, Hoyt encourages staff, volunteers and partners to collaborate and work together as a collective to solve complex social problems. During his off time, Hoyt enjoys long walks, playing fetch, and making friends with office visitors. His owner is our Open Doors Statewide Director, Robyn Metcalf.

Our Team

Board of Directors

Bill Bentley

Board Secretary

Joanne Olvera Lighter

Interim President of Voices for Florida

Connie Rose

Dan R. Stengle

Board Chair

Linda Sutherland

Staff

Micheala Denny

Open Doors Education and Training Director

Lauren Herod

Open Doors Training and Education Coordinator

Sam Kimelman

Open Doors Compliance and Audit Director

Joanne Olvera Lighter

Interim President of Voices for Florida

Tiffany McGlinchey

Open Doors Information and Outreach Specialist

Robyn Metcalf

Opent Doors Statewide Director

Aquill Triplett

Open Doors Statewide Director

Sophia Valente

Non-profit Management Apprentice

Hoyt

Advocate Fur Change

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