United for Impact, a Non-Profit Conference

Meet our 2026 Keynote Speakers!

Byron V. Garrett, Chief Executive Officer, Genesys Works

Byron V. Garrett is Chief Executive Officer of Genesys Works, leading the national nonprofit in advancing pathways to career success for high school students in underserved communities.

A dynamic executive with cross-sector influence, he has built a distinguished record spanning nonprofit leadership, government service, media, and corporate strategy.

Prior to Genesys Works, Garrett served as Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer at United Way Worldwide, where he led global revenue diversification, expanded public-sector partnerships, and oversaw the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP). His executive leadership portfolio also includes serving as President & CEO of the National Job Corps Association, CEO of the National PTA, and Chairman of the National Family Engagement Alliance.

Earlier in his career, he was appointed as the first Chief of Staff for the Office of Public Affairs at Customs and Border Protection and contributed to national youth policy initiatives, including ConnectED under the Obama Administration and Helping America's Youth Initiative under the Bush Administration.

He is the author of 9 books including the bestseller, The ABC's of Life, and curator of a classroom library for Scholastic.

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Corey A Dobridnia, Public Information Officer, Walton County Sheriff's Office

Corey Dobridnia has served as the Public Information Officer at the Walton County Sheriff's Office for over a decade. During that time, Dobridnia has held numerous press conferences across various cases, grown its social media presence exponentially, and served as the agency's chief storyteller.

In her former career, Dobridnia served as the weekend anchor for WMBB News13 in Panama City and worked as a one-man-band reporter covering Tyndall Air Force Base, Naval Support Activity Panama City, and worked the Bay County crime beat, among other assignments.

Dobridnia graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Communication, and went on to receive a Master of Science in Communication from Florida State University. While at Embry-Riddle, Dobridnia was a collegiate athlete who played volleyball for the Eagles and was recognized with first-team all-conference honors.

Dobridnia was awarded the Public Information Officer of the Year by both the Florida Law Enforcement Public Information Officers Association and the Florida Association of Public Information Officers in 2017. In 2022, Dobridnia was named the Non-Profit/Government Communicator of the Year by the Northwest Florida Coast Chapter of Florida Public Relations. 

She currently serves as the Vice Chair for the Florida Fire Chiefs Association PIO Section and has been part of the instructor cadre for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Leadership Academy for the last seven years, as well as the Florida Sheriff's Association Commanders Academy, Women's Leadership Academy, and Florida Fire Chiefs Emergency Services Leadership Institute. 

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Thomas Greek, CEO, Thomas Greek Coaching

With over 25 years of leadership experience, Thomas strives to motivate others to show up as their best selves at work and in life.

Thomas has served as an executive in varying roles for more than two decades. He directed Learning & Development at Navy Federal Credit Union, a Fortune 100 Best Place to Work and the world's largest institution of its kind. Throughout his career, he has designed and headed award-winning talent programs and has expertise in strategic planning, succession planning, and in developing C-Suite and other Senior Leaders. He is committed to his community and volunteers on several non-profit boards.

Thomas is a Professional Certified Coach through the International Coaching Federation. He studied Philosophy at George Mason University. Thomas has successfully helped hundreds of leaders achieve their goals by co-creating meaningful and sustainable changes in their lives.

Meet our 2026 Breakout Speakers!

Bobby Parker, Founder, Parker Gene Creative

Bobby Parker is the Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Parker Gene Creative, an award-winning marketing and public relations agency specializing in helping nonprofits and purpose-driven organizations tell their stories with authenticity and impact. With more than a decade of experience in strategic communications, branding, media relations, fundraising campaigns, and community engagement, Bobby has helped organizations strengthen their visibility, grow donor support, and inspire action. He is passionate about empowering nonprofits to communicate more effectively and believes every organization has a story worth telling. Bobby has been recognized with numerous professional and community leadership awards and is an active volunteer serving on several nonprofit boards across Northwest Florida.

Hong Potomski, Market President, Florida Blue

Bio coming soon!

Jonathan Watson, Lead Pastor, Beachside Church

My name is Jonathan Watson, and I am the Lead Pastor at Beachside Church. My wife and I have lived here for 10 years this month and have enjoyed serving the Emerald Coast! We have two girls, Clara and Andie, who bring a ton of joy and laughter to our lives. I'm passionate about helping take next steps in life, faith, and leadership. I am unapologetically a coffee snob. I enjoy cycling and Georgia Football. Go Dawgs!

Jenna Sheffield, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Northwest Florida State College

Dr. Jenna Pack Sheffield is an accomplished academic leader with over 9 years of experience in various higher education leadership roles and over 14 years of experience teaching professional and technical writing as a faculty member in higher education settings. Currently serving as the Vice President for Academic Affairs at Northwest Florida State College, Dr. Sheffield oversees all instruction at the college, as well as institutional research. Sheffield has published extensively in reputable scholarly journals on topics spanning from digital media and writing program administration to composition pedagogy and theory.

Sheffield previously worked as the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Undergraduate Studies at Salem College in Winston Salem, NC. Dr. Sheffield specializes in innovative curriculum design, teacher training, data analysis, program assessment, and accreditation.

Kari Painter, Territory Business Development Representative, Quality Roofing Solutions

Kari Painter is driving growth for Quality Roofing Solutions in the Okaloosa & Walton Counties as their Business Development Representative. She lived in Oklahoma for many years, where she raised her 4 children who are all grown and left her empty nest. So she moved to sunny Florida for the Emerald Coast's white sandy beaches and blue water! She is NaNa KK to 8 grands and loves to visit them in Oklahoma often, however, she has found that Fort Walton Beach is now HOME! As an active member and Ambassador of the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber, Kari served on the Board of Directors for 3 years, Chaired the Business Success Group one year and spent 2 years as Chair of the Ambassadors. In 2023, Kari received the coveted "Volunteer of the Year" Award as well! She has been an active member of the Building Industry Association and is currently serving as Chair of the Women In Construction. Kari recently joined the Walton Area Chamber & Destin Chamber and has been accepted as an Ambassador for their events and ribbon-cuttings.

You will see Kari frequently at many other community events throughout the area as well! She loves to connect business professionals to help build their business and started the Quality Networking Group at her local FWB office as a referral based business group that meets twice a month. Kari loves to serve others and volunteers for many local non-profits. She loves God, loves her family and friends and lives by the Golden Rule!

Kennita Williams, Territory Business Development Representative, Quality Roofing Solutions

Kari Painter is driving growth for Quality Roofing Solutions in the Okaloosa & Walton Counties as their Business Development Representative. She lived in Oklahoma for many years, where she raised her 4 children who are all grown and left her empty nest. So she moved to sunny Florida for the Emerald Coast's white sandy beaches and blue water! She is NaNa KK to 8 grands and loves to visit them in Oklahoma often, however, she has found that Fort Walton Beach is now HOME! As an active member and Ambassador of the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber, Kari served on the Board of Directors for 3 years, Chaired the Business Success Group one year and spent 2 years as Chair of the Ambassadors. In 2023, Kari received the coveted "Volunteer of the Year" Award as well! She has been an active member of the Building Industry Association and is currently serving as Chair of the Women In Construction. Kari recently joined the Walton Area Chamber & Destin Chamber and has been accepted as an Ambassador for their events and ribbon-cuttings.

You will see Kari frequently at many other community events throughout the area as well! She loves to connect business professionals to help build their business and started the Quality Networking Group at her local FWB office as a referral based business group that meets twice a month. Kari loves to serve others and volunteers for many local non-profits. She loves God, loves her family and friends and lives by the Golden Rule!

Matt Zasada, CPA, Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC

Matt specializes in advising real estate, insurance, and professional services firms. He offers services to S-corporations, partnerships, and other business entities. He provides client accounting outsourcing services; consulting for business and personal financial statements; tax planning, compliance, and consulting (including state and local tax); and cancellation of debt income reporting. Matt’s clients appreciate his work due to his deliberate efforts to build a relationship that makes him a part of their team.  

Meredith Jones, Director of Development, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida

Meredith is a seasoned professional with more than 20 years of experience in fundraising, public relations, special events, donor engagement, nonprofit management, grant writing, strategic communications, project management, business development, and community partnerships. A Pensacola native, Meredith has long been committed to giving back to the Northwest Florida community and is especially passionate about initiatives that support underserved populations, particularly vulnerable children.

Throughout her career, Meredith has demonstrated a strong commitment to civic engagement and community leadership. She is a former board member of Fiesta Pensacola, the Pensacola Navy League, and the Equity Project Alliance. She also previously held the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation, an internationally recognized credential that signifies excellence in meeting and event management.

Meredith is a graduate of the Leadership Pensacola Class of 2005 and currently serves as a member of CivicCon, the Pensacola Women's Alliance, and the Pensacola Navy League. In her free time, Meredith enjoys raising her teenage son, spending time with family and friends, and occasionally sailing on Pensacola Bay.

Mia Mortensen, Marketing and Design Manager, United Way Emerald Coast

Mia Mortensen is a marketing and design professional with a passion for using creativity to connect people, tell meaningful stories, and strengthen her community. As Marketing and Design Manager at United Way Emerald Coast, she leads the organization’s marketing, communications, branding, and creative efforts, helping turn complex community needs and impact into stories people can understand, connect with, and act on.

As a designer at heart, Mia believes good marketing is about more than making something look pretty. It’s about meeting people where they are, making information accessible, and creating genuine connections. Her work spans graphic design, digital marketing, social media, public relations, storytelling, campaign strategy, event preparation and planning, and brand development.

Community involvement is an important part of Mia’s life. In 2026, she was recognized as a 40 Under 40 Honoree for her professional achievements, leadership, and community involvement. She also serves as Publicity Adviser for the Emerald Coast Public Relations Organization and is involved with Women United, NextGen United, Crestview Young Professionals, and other local initiatives. Mia is also a graduate of ProjectLEAD Class III, which strengthened her interest in nonprofit leadership, advocacy, volunteerism, and community impact.

Outside of work, Mia is a creative at heart and the proud caretaker of a house full of very spoiled animals. She enjoys spending time with her husband, exploring the arts, tending to her plants and flowers, seashell combing, antiquing, video games, photography, and finding new creative projects to obsess over.

Nic Evans, Business Development Officer, United Fidelity Bank

Nic Evans is the AVP, Business Development Officer at United Fidelity Bank for the Emerald Coast Region, bringing over 15 years of experience in finance and banking. He specializes in personal and commercial banking, including treasury management services, providing expert guidance and integrated solutions to meet client needs.

Originally from Frisco City, AL, Nic and his family relocated to the Emerald Coast area 11 years ago now calling it their home. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of West Alabama and is dedicated to community service, serving on the boards of the Northwest Florida Chapter of the American Red Cross and Kiwanis Club. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids, along with participating in various recreational activities.

Paula Shell, President & CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida

Paula Shell is the President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida, serving the areas of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay Counties. In this role she ensures the mission, strategy, values, and goals of the organization are achieved by the agency. This includes producing positive outcomes in the following areas: Leadership (agency and staff), vision, fundraising, marketing, client services, community awareness, volunteer relations, and coordinating relations with the Board of Directors. Shell is committed to driving social impact, fostering community engagement, and advocating for change, has a proven track record in strategic planning, fundraising, and building partnerships with key stakeholders to drive long-term success.

Paula has worked in Child Services for 39 years. She began her career at Lakeview Center, Inc. managing group homes for adolescent boys and girls and in 1997 she started at Big Brothers Big Sisters where for the past 28 years she has served as the President & CEO. Shell holds an AA degree from Pensacola State College and a BA degree from the University of West Florida in Criminal Justice and Psychology.

Shell is a graduate of the 2003 Leadership Pensacola Class, a member of IMPACT 100, and serves on the State Board for Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Florida representing 11 agencies in the State.

Shell has served as a Big Sister to 4 Littles in her time with the agency and was named Big Sister of the Year for the State of Florida in 2019. She enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and has trained and completed seven marathons through the Joints in Motion program having personally raised over $30,000 for Arthritis research.

Sam Blowes, Director of Information Technology, IQ Fiber

Bio coming soon!

Sarah Brock, Director of Marketing, Emerald Coast Children's Advocacy Center

Sarah Brock is the Director of Marketing for the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center and a marketing and communications strategist specializing in mission-driven storytelling, community engagement, and creative strategy. With a background spanning journalism, nonprofit communications, public-sector media, and multimedia storytelling, she brings a multidisciplinary approach to helping organizations turn complex missions into stories that people understand, remember, and act on.
 

Sarah’s work sits at the intersection of strategy and creativity—using narrative, visual communication, psychology, and community partnerships to build trust and move audiences from awareness to meaningful engagement. She is particularly interested in how nonprofits can think beyond traditional marketing to create experiences and partnerships that make their missions more visible, relatable, and impactful.
 

Through her work and speaking, Sarah explores the power of storytelling and creative expression to strengthen organizations, connect communities, and inspire people to invest in causes that matter.

Sarah Davis, Co-Founder, Lead Aligned

Sarah Davis is a leadership strategist, an organizational development expert, and a pioneering Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach. She has spent more than 15 years improving human performance in some of the world’s most demanding environments, including Tier 1 Special Operations communities, Fortune 500 companies, healthcare systems, and mission-driven organizations.

With a Master’s degree in Education specializing in Instructional Design, Sarah is known for creating energizing, highly engaging experiences that go far beyond motivation. Her sessions combine actionable leadership strategies, audience interaction, and practical tools that participants can immediately apply to improve the way they lead, communicate, perform, and grow.

Sarah’s expertise lies in translating complex human and organizational challenges into practical, sustainable solutions that drive real behavioral change. As Founder of Recreate Leadership and Co-Founder of Lead Aligned, she helps organizations build stronger leaders, healthier cultures, and workplaces where people and performance thrive together.

Sara Greco, Founder & CEO, Lead Into It, LLC

Sara Greco is a leadership coach and founder of Lead Into It, LLC, where she helps emerging and experienced leaders grow with greater confidence, clarity, and purpose. Drawing on her experience as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, her time in corporate work culture, and her background in strategic communications, she equips leaders with practical tools to communicate effectively, navigate change, and lead with intention. Sara is also the host of the Lead Into It podcast, featuring honest conversations and actionable leadership insights.

Teresa Jones, CEO, Habitat for Humanity of Walton County, FL 

Teresa Jones has served as CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Walton County for more than 15 years, leading the organization through significant growth in affordable housing, community partnerships, volunteer engagement, and fundraising. Under her leadership, Habitat has expanded its impact by building homes, strengthening neighborhoods, and creating meaningful opportunities for thousands of volunteers, donors, and community partners to invest in lasting change.

A frequent speaker on affordable housing, nonprofit leadership, volunteer engagement, and community collaboration, Teresa is passionate about helping organizations build authentic relationships that inspire lifelong support. She believes the greatest resource any nonprofit has is not its budget or programs but the people who choose to invest their time, talents, and hearts in its mission.

Teresa is honored to share practical strategies and real-world experiences that nonprofit leaders can immediately apply within their own organizations.

2025 Highlight Video

2025 Photo Album

2025 Agenda Booklet

2024 Highlight Video

2024 Photo Album

2024 Agenda Booklet