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
-

Concetta Theros
PRESIDENT
-

Frank Cupido
VICE PRESIDENT
-

Rebecca Weiss
TREASURER
-

Dave Elder
SECRETARY
-

Scott Penney
PRESIDENT EMERITUS
-

Sammie Thomas Carlisle Brown
MEMBER
-

Paul McBride
MEMBER
-

Imani Williams
MEMBER
-

Megan Wiston
MEMBER
-

Henry Smith
MEMBER
-

Anita Patel
MEMBER
-

Jessica Cecere
MEMBER
-

Maria Batista
LIVED EXPERIENCE ADVISOR
-

Andriene Gordon
LEGAL ADVISOR
-

Dorothy Bradshaw
ADVISOR
-

Pam Brooks
CHILD WELFARE LIAISON
-

Symone Jordan
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
EXECUTIVE STAFF
Coleen LaCosta
Coleen LaCosta has dedicated her career to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive, recognizing that true change happens through collaboration and collective action. As the Executive Director of Speak Up for Kids of Palm Beach County, she leads with a vision that prioritizes the best interests of children, building layers of support that extend beyond advocacy to tangible, life-changing resources. Under her leadership, the organization has expanded its reach to assess and address the evolving needs of foster children and their caregivers. Through innovative programs like Flourishing Futures, Embrace Kids, and the Foster Concierge, Speak Up for Kids ensures that children receive the mental health support, life skills training, and community connections they need to succeed.
Coleen firmly believes that no one can do this work alone. The strength of Speak Up for Kids lies in the partnerships and collaborations that make its mission possible. Whether working with foster parents, child welfare professionals, or community organizations, she fosters connections that turn shared commitment into meaningful impact. She is continually inspired by the generosity and dedication of the Palm Beach County community, whose support enables real change for the most vulnerable children. By uniting voices and resources, LaCosta ensures that every child’s best interest remains at the forefront, and that together, we are creating a future where every child has the opportunity to flourish.
Meet the Team That Speaks Up for Kids
-
Dani MacGregor
Marketing Systems & Digital Platforms Manager
-
Trish Zenczak
Director of Training & Impact
-
Barbara Scarlata
Recruitment Manager
-
David Sucher
SCVA/Victim Advocate Community
-
Ari Khadivi
SCVA/Foster Youth Resource Concierge
-
Cherryl Cannon
SCVA/Victim Advocate Awareness
-
Sherwit Elkersh
SCVA/Program Coordinator
-
Jonathan Blair
Victim Advocate Resource Coordinator
-
Pam Cohen
Victim Advocate Resource Coordinator/Volunteers
-
Bonnie Rodriguez
SCVA
-
Josiane Charlot
SCVA
-
Peter Braun
Support Associate
-
Diana Reese
Director of Foster Palm Beach
-
Tonya Cajuste
Support & Awareness Associate
-
Positions
Speak Up for Kids has Positions. Managed through Guardian ad Litem.

