Who We Are

MENTOR Florida | Georgia is a statewide affiliate of MENTOR, and provides the leadership and infrastructure necessary to support the expansion of quality mentoring relationships across Florida and Georgia.

MENTOR Florida | Georgia serves as a clearinghouse for training, resources, and public awareness of mentoring and youth development programs around the southeast. In addition, MENTOR Florida | Georgia provides links between MENTOR’s national efforts and local programs that foster quality mentoring relationships.

To learn more about MENTOR Florida | Georgia’s mission, vision, and values visit our about section.

  • Staff
    • Leslie Hale – Executive Director, MENTOR Florida | Georgia 

     

    We also work with consultants based throughout Georgia and Florida, allowing us to deliver in-person training and anytime consulting responsive to local programmatic contexts. Consultants typically have direct service experience administering mentoring or youth development programs, have received additional training and professional development from MENTOR or an Affiliate, and—in some cases—have specialized certifications from MENTOR.

    Interested in working with us as a consultant? Send us an email!

  • Board of Directors

    The MENTOR Florida | Georgia Board’s role: provide oversight, advice, insight, and thought leadership, often from unique vantage points approaching youth, youth development, and statewide systems. The board is composed of systems-level youth development professionals, educators, and business leaders who support the collective impact of MENTOR Florida | Georgia by leveraging services and contributions across their professional and personal networks. Following the merger between the Georgia and Florida Affiliates in early 2026, the two board have joined, with plans to continue expanding and diversifying representation across states, sectors, and service groups. 

    • Gabe Kuperminc, Board Chair – Georgia State University
    • Stacey Chavis, Board Vice Chair – Campaigns Academy
    • Wanda Robinson, Board Secretary – Broward County Public Schools
    • Sandy Welfare, Board Treasurer – Momentum Advisory Collective
    • Michael Armstrong – Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power and Potential
    • Pamela Bress – WAYS for Life
    • Elise Brockenberry – Graduate Student, Georgia State University
    • Dominic Cummings – 9th Bridge
    • Monty Green – Elevance Health
    • Katie Landes – Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network 
    • Careshia Moore – Compete to Succeed Educational Resources
    • Cathy Smith-Curry – Department of Juvenile Justice
    • Jordan Tolbert – Student, Central Georgia Technical College
  • Provider Councils

    The provider leadership councils (known as Provider Councils) for Florida and Georgia play a crucial role in informing our understanding of youth mentoring program needs. The two Provider Councils—one each for Florida and Georgia—represent the interests of their unique states. Made up of leaders from mentoring programs and direct service practitioners, each Provider Council ensures that direct services are in tune with the needs of programs and organizations.

  • Georgia Provider Council

    Are you interested in joining the Georgia Provider Council? We’re always accepting inquiries from mentoring program providers. Send us an email to learn about membership expectations and explore membership.

    • Kimberly Bennett – Cultivating a Lifetime of Legacy, Athens
    • Kerry Carithers – Mentor Me North Georgia, Cumming
    • Elton Dixon – Enay Coaching, Valdosta
    • Wesley Fondal – Starbase Robins, Warner Robins
    • Jennifer Herring – UNG First-Gen Mentoring Initiative, Gainesville
    • Elaine Hortman – CenterPoint, Gainesville
    • Amy McIntosh – Live 2 Create Foundation Network, Marietta
    • LaSara Mitchell – Statesboro Village Builders, Statesboro
    • Danielle Moore – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta
    • Toya Russell-Phillips – Girls of Excellence, Inc., Atlanta
    • Alison Rosch – Clarke County Mentor Program, Athens
    • Tosya Simpson – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta
    • Nicole Steele – Diamond in the Rough, Atlanta
    • Rolandria Tolbert – Central Georgia Technical College REACH Mentoring Program, Macon
    • Nicole Tomlinson – Gwinnett County School District, Lawrenceville
  • Florida Provider Council

    Florida Provider Council – now recruiting members! Share your interest via this form.

     

    • Seth Bernstein – Retired psychologist & nonprofit professional, Palm Beach County
    • Dr. Francis “Doc” Francois – Center for Learning Innovation & Change, Miami
    • Bethany Lacey – Take Stock in Children of Florida (statewide office)
    • Sharifa McKenley – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County, Ft. Lauderdale
    • Matthew Murphy – Pasco Education Foundation, Land O’ Lakes
    • Monica Narain – Hillsborough County Schools, Tampa
    • Desireé Robertson – GOC Collective & Sol to Root Wellness, St. Petersburg
    • Rhonda Rogers – Rhonda’s Promise Inc., South Palm Beach County