Meet Our Team
A cause is only as good as its players. We could not make the impact that we do in Palm Beach County without the steadfast support of the tireless souls on our Governing Board and Team.
Interested in learning more about volunteering & getting involved with Speak Up for Kids?
GOVERNING BOARD
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Scott Penney
PRESIDENT
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Concetta Theros
VICE PRESIDENT
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Rebecca Weiss
TREASURER
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Dave Elder
SECRETARY
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Dorothy Bradshaw
MEMBER
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Kelly Brennan
MEMBER
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Frank Cupido
MEMBER
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Sammie Brown
MEMBER
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Paul McBride
MEMBER
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H. Shaw Thomas
PRESIDENT EMERITUS
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Darius McDougle
MEMBER
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Imani Williams
MEMBER
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Megan Wiston
MEMBER
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Henry Smith
MEMBER
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Andriene Gordon
MEMBER
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Pearlie Stribling
LIVED EXPERIENCE ADVISOR
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Maria Batista
LIVED EXPERIENCE ADVISOR
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Pam Brooks
LIAISON TO THE OFFICE OF THE GUARDIAN AD LITEM STAFF
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Symone Jordan
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
EXECUTIVE STAFF
Coleen LaCosta
Coleen LaCosta began her career in victim advocacy 25 years ago while working for the State Attorneys office. That experience put her on the path of transition where she began seeking justice for child victims. A fire was ignited, and that flame morphed into a lifetime of determined, vocal advocacy for our most vulnerable. In all she does, LaCosta aims to break the cycle of abuse and neglect in our community.
As the Executive Director for Speak Up for Kids of Palm Beach County, she works diligently to support local Guardian ad Litem child advocacy volunteers in the quest to herald the child’s best interest. Embracing Ralph Waldo Emerson’s quote:
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us”,
LaCosta takes on each day with devotion and intensity, leading by example, and lighting the path for others who passionately defend the defenseless.
Ultimately, her heart’s desire is to make better the life of each young victim of maltreatment; see pain replaced by kindness, sadness overcome by happiness, and silence eradicated by voices united to Speak Up.
Meet the Team That Speaks Up for Kids
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Trish Zenczak
Program Director
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Barbara Scarlata
Recruitment Manager
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Traci Sigel Israel
SCVA/Outreach
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Lisa Nance
VARC/Office Manager
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Dani MacGregor
Marketing Manager
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Marisa Langston
Student Engagement Coordinator
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Tonya Cajuste
Support & Awareness Associate
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Diana Reese
Director of Foster Palm Beach
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Pam Cohen
Volunteer Manager
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Patrice Ianetti
Development Coordinator
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Katrina Hagen
Social Media Coordinator
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Peter Braun
Support Associate
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Jonathan Blair
Victim Advocate Resource Coordinator
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Marcia Rodrigues
Victim Comp Specialist
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19 VOCA Positions
Speak Up for Kids VOCA Positions. Managed through Guardian ad Litem.