JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (April 28, 2023) – The Hightower Emerging Leaders Fellowship has selected 17 young professionals from a variety of different industries to participate in its 7th annual class. The fellowship introduces the group of ascending leaders to prominent and influential Jacksonville leaders, allowing participants to build relationships and learn through round-table discussions.
The fellowship is named for Mike Hightower, former JAX Chamber Chair, who helped launch NextUp JAX (then ImpactJAX), the Chamber’s young professional mentoring and networking program.
The 2023 Hightower Fellowship class is:
Betsy Dobbins, Executive Director, Center for Children's Rights
Dr. Audrieanna Burgin, Director of Diversity in Business, University of North Florida
Yanira Cardona, Owner, Yaya Productions
Megan Bush Del Pizzo, Vice President, Tom Bush Family of Dealerships
Darrin Eakins, CEO, Golden Age Innovations
Olivia Frick, Business Development, LSP3 Associates
Ashantae Green, Owner, Green Legacy Farm
Megan Hayward, Founder and CEO, Temporary Assistance Guru
Matthew Medley, Operations Administrator, Mayo Clinic
William Moorer, Assistant General Counsel, Miller Electric Company
Tyler Morris, Executive Director, Center for Independent Living Jacksonville
Bryan Murphy, Vice President of Hospital Operations, Brooks Rehabilitation
Niko Negron,Vice President of Business Strategy and Logistics, PRI Productions
Shannon Schott, Partner, Plata Schott Attorneys and Counselors Law
Ryan Smith, Chief Growth Officer, JAX Executive Jet Center
Andrea Williams, Senior Corporate Social Responsibility Integrator, Florida Blue
Erin Wolfson, Assistant State Attorney, Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida
In addition, Lauren Braddock was named 2023 Board Chair of the Fellowship, with Belkis Plata announced as 2024 Chair-Elect. Braddock has served on the Hightower Fellowship Board since 2020 and is the Operating Partner and Commercial Account Manager for SERVPRO. She also serves on the First Coast YMCA Camp Immokalee Advisory Board, JAX Chamber Government Affairs Committee, and was on the 2019 JAX Chamber Board of Directors in her role as ImpactJAX Chair. Plata has served on the Hightower Fellowship Board since 2021 and is Partner at Plata Schott Law. She also serves on the First Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (FCHCC) and the Mariposa Initiative. She was named the FCHCC Business Leader of the Year in 2022.
New to the 2023 Hightower Fellowship Board are:
Kemal Gasper (Class of 2019), Vice President Community Engagement and Sponsorship, VyStar Credit Union
Brandon Cornellier (Class of 2022), Co-founder & COO, NexGen Restoration & Roofing
Tee Ambrose (Class of 2022), Director or Innovation and Design, Florida Blue
Returning Hightower Fellowship Board Members include:
Chris Warren (Founding Member), Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, England-Thims & Miller
Thomas Lee (Founding Member), Vice President, Lee & Cates Glass Inc.
Whitney Meyer (Class of 2020), Senior Vice President and Chief Community Impact Officer, Jacksonville Jaguars
Bill Hoff (Class of 2020), LCSW, Department of Veteran Affairs
Amber Wilson (Class of 2020), Director of Community Engagement, Miller Electric Company
Belkis Plata (Class of 2020), Partner, Plata Schott Law
Cameron Frazier (Class of 2021), Founder and Principal, Becoming Collegiate Academy
Nicole Hamm (Class of 2021) Executive Director, Blue Zones Project Jacksonville
About JAX Chamber
The JAX Chamber is the business membership organization dedicated to driving quality economic growth in Northeast Florida to make this region the best place to live, work and play. Membership provides the opportunity to connect with and buy from other Chamber members. The connections result in business growth and a more?prosperous economy.