Achieving Kindergarten Readiness through Collaboration

Meet the People & Partners who help us Thrive

In order to ensure that all children in Pinellas County are ready for kindergarten, we rely on a diverse group of partners, committees, and individuals. Together, we can best align efforts and resources to make sure the right help gets in front of the right people — as efficiently as possible.

Leadership Council

Comprising key players in the early childhood landscape, the Thrive by Five steering committee provides strategic guidance, direct access to a breadth of knowledge and resources, and unique opportunities to collaborate and align endeavors.

Kathleen Beckman

Vice Mayor

Clearwater City Council

Dustin Becker

Director, Client & Community Relations

PNC Bank

Alyssa Bedard

Community Representative

Birthing through Life

Nicole Brown

Director of Education

United Way Suncoast

Paula Burns

Family Resource Specialist

Early Steps, Johns Hopkins

All Children’s Hospital

Dr. LaDonna Butler

Chief Executive Officer

The Well for Life

Lindsay Carson

Chief Executive Officer

Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas

Dr. Jesse Coraggio

Senior Vice President

of Community Impact

Community Foundation Tampa Bay

Dr. Rick Davis

President

Concerned Organization for Quality Education

for Black Students, Inc. (COQEBS)

Michael Feeney

Executive Director of Elementary Education

Pinellas County Schools

Denise Ford

Parent Representative

Ford Christian Academy

Joan Freese

Director of Education

WEDU PBS

Dr. Bilan Joseph

Strategic Initiatives Manager

Foundation for Healthy St. Pete

Dr. Amy Haile

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Champions for Children

Ray Hensley

Healthy Families Director

Florida Department of Health Pinellas

Dianne Jacob

Community Member

Dr. James McHale

Executive Director

University of South Florida St. Petersburg Infant-Family Mental Health Center

Jennifer Mekler

Director of Early Education

Pinellas County Schools

Kelley Miller

Screening & Intervention Program Manager

Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas

Mary Jo Plews

Chief Executive Officer

Healthy Start Coalition of Pinellas, Inc.

Eliseo Santana

Community Representative

League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)

Pastor Carlos Senior

New Hope St. Pete

Marlene Spalten

Chief Executive Officer

Community Foundation Tampa Bay

Madeleine Thakur

President

The Children’s Movement of Florida

Chuck Tiernan

Senior Director

LEAP Tampa Bay

Delquanda Turner-Smith

Equity Consultant

Pinellas Education Foundation

Work Groups

As part of the formula to achieve collective success in this critical work, Thrive by Five has established Work Groups dedicated to focusing on areas identified through comprehensive research and strategic planning. Work Groups are led by passionate volunteers and staff including a range of community members, organizations and businesses.