Melissa McKinlay
Melissa McKinlay joined the board in July 2023. She is the Vice President of Government Relations at WGI, a Former Mayor and County Commissioner, Palm Beach County, and a graduate of Florida State University.
Meet The Board Members
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Homeless Coalition Board of Directors meet monthly and serve on numerous committees. Each director goes through a nomination process to serve as a member for two years and can serve up to six years. The board is engaged and committed to ending homelessness in Palm Beach County.
Alexandria Ayala
Vice President
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Kelly L. Smallridge
Kelly L. Smallridge is president and CEO of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County. She is currently the longest tenured economic development president in the state, and has a solid track record in facilitating some of the largest job creation projects for Palm Beach County. Kelly has worked at the Business Development Board for 30 years, and has garnered multiple prestigious recognitions.
Additionally, she has also had the opportunity of showcasing the BDB’s accomplishments on national outlets, such as CNBC and the New York Post.
Frances Ferguson
Secretary
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Frances Ferguson
Frances Ferguson has 35 years of experience in the aviation and gas turbine industry with Pratt & Whitney. She is currently the Associate Director of Compliance at Pratt & Whitney in Jupiter, Florida, where she promotes and enables ethical conduct and compliance.
Frances serves her community as a Leaders United member at United Way Martin County, and volunteers with the Ethics Coalition of Palm Beach County. Originally from Scotland Frances moved to San Diego, California in 1985. She relocated with Pratt & Whitney to Florida in 2016, and resides in Martin County.
Vicki Pest
Treasurer
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Vicki Pest
Vicki Pest has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. She is currently the CFO of Velocity Community Credit Union in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, a role she has held for 14 years. Vicki serves as a mentor with Take Stock in Children, an organization whose mission is to break the cycle of poverty for low-income, underrepresented, academically qualified students by providing them with scholarships to college and a program to keep them on track to graduate high school. She is proud to serve the Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County and is looking forward to the future impact of HCPBC.
Christian E. Bergstrom, CHRS
Immediate Past President
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Christian E. Bergstrom, CHRS
As Director & Senior Benefits Consultant for Gehring Group, Christian assists in strategic and budget planning for large group clients as it relates to employee benefits programs, making recommendations and providing guidance with regard to compliance with health care reform. His reputation in the industry has earned him the invitation to sit on the agent advisory councils of two of the largest group insurance carriers in the State of Florida.
Christian earned his Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from the University of Texas and is a member of National Association for Health Underwriters, State and Local Government Benefits Association as well as The Council for Insurance Agents & Brokers.
James Crowley, Esq.
Member
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James Crowley, Esq.
James “Jamie” Crowley is a land use attorney at Gunster. He represents developers and property owners on a wide range of development projects who require approval from local, county and state regulatory agencies. He has worked on large-scale planned development, public-private partnership and urban infill projects throughout Florida, but focuses his practice on South Florida.
Jamie graduated from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, and the University of Florida’s honors program.
Dina D'Angelo
Member
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Dina D’Angelo
Dina D’Angelo is a Sr. Client Manager with Cigna, where she specializes in government sector business throughout the State of Florida. Her experience includes working with the local governments in Palm Beach County for the last 15 years. In addition to her client management responsibilities, Dina also serves as a liaison for Cigna, supporting various community sponsorships and volunteer events.
Dina has 23 years of experience in the health insurance industry and is a licensed Health Life and Variable Annuity Agent. She resides in Palm Beach County with her husband and two sons.
Sperio Georgedakis
Member
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Sperio Georgedakis
Spero Georgedakis is the Founder and CEO of Good Greek Moving & Storage, Florida’s largest moving and storage company. Inspired by his career in law enforcement, Spero made it his mission to provide the best relocation services with honest pricing, in an industry that is plagued by rogue and unscrupulous movers. Within 5 years, he built a multi-million-dollar franchise ‘The Good Greek Way’ which is based on the values of Honesty, Strength, and Courage. Spero’s success is a testimony to his entrepreneurial experience in various businesses and expertise in advertising and brand building. Thanks to Spero’s leadership, Good Greek has transcended the moving and storage industry to offer total relocation solutions, which include real estate services, auto transport, junk removal and more.
The Good Greek Spero, is involved in helping the community and serves as a board member in multiple non-profit organizations, including The Good Greek Foundation.
Rachelle Litt
Member
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Rachelle Litt
A 30-year resident of Palm Beach Gardens, Rachelle was elected to the Palm Beach Gardens City Council in March 2017, and appointed Vice Mayor in April 2019. She and her husband Dr. Jeffrey Litt have raised three children, Amanda, Brandon and Austin in the city Rachelle and Jeff are still proud to call home.
Rachelle has been serving as the City liaison to the Palm Beach County League of Cities, Florida League of Cities and Palm Beach County Water Resources Taskforce since her election to the Council.
As outgoing Chairwoman of the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce Environmental Subcommittee of the Economic Development Committee, Rachelle worked to identify and communicate sustainable best practices that can be replicated by the region’s business community, while enhancing their bottom line. She is also actively involved in the Chamber’s Smart and Connected Region Initiative and Chamber efforts to increase Essential Services and Affordable Housing in the County.
Neil Schiller, Esq.
Member
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Neil Schiller, Esq.
Neil Schiller assists clients with legal matters involving land use, zoning and development, government contracts and procurement, and local, state and federal lobbying. A veteran of South Florida politics since his days at the University of Miami, Neil has run many successful political campaigns in Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, and St. Lucie counties. Through these campaigns and his 20 years of practice as an attorney and lobbyist, Neil has developed a network of contacts in local, regional, state and federal business and political circles, including local civic activists. In 2009, The South Florida Sun-Sentinel included him in its “Super-Lobbyist” list for his extensive work before the County Commission, and in 2017, the Palm Beach Post said Neil was a “veteran of public hearings.”
Kelly L. Smallridge
Member
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Kelly L. Smallridge
Kelly L. Smallridge is president and CEO of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County. She is currently the longest tenured economic development president in the state, and has a solid track record in facilitating some of the largest job creation projects for Palm Beach County. Kelly has worked at the Business Development Board for 30 years, and has garnered multiple prestigious recognitions.
Additionally, she has also had the opportunity of showcasing the BDB’s accomplishments on national outlets, such as CNBC and the New York Post.
Ilan Kaufer
Member
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Ilan Kaufer
Ilan Kaufer joined the board in August 2023. He is an attorney and the External Affairs Manager for Florida Power and Light and the Former Vice Mayor of the Town of Jupiter. Kaufer is a graduate of the University of Virginia and the University of Florida.
Andre Wade
Member
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Neil Schiller, Esq.
Neil Schiller assists clients with legal matters involving land use, zoning and development, government contracts and procurement, and local, state and federal lobbying. A veteran of South Florida politics since his days at the University of Miami, Neil has run many successful political campaigns in Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, and St. Lucie counties. Through these campaigns and his 20 years of practice as an attorney and lobbyist, Neil has developed a network of contacts in local, regional, state and federal business and political circles, including local civic activists. In 2009, The South Florida Sun-Sentinel included him in its “Super-Lobbyist” list for his extensive work before the County Commission, and in 2017, the Palm Beach Post said Neil was a “veteran of public hearings.”
Jeff Trynz
Member
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Jeff Trynz
Jeff Trynz is the Senior Vice President of External Affairs for the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County. In this role, he oversees strategic initiatives that enhance philanthropy, raise brand awareness, and engage stakeholders. Known for his expertise in marketing, fundraising operations, and donor relations, Jeff joined Federation in April 2013 to elevate its communications strategy and deepen audience engagement.
Federation’s mission embodies the Jewish values of chesed (loving-kindness), tzedakah (justice), and tikkun olam (repairing the world). It addresses challenges both locally and globally. Jeff’s role underscores Federation’s commitment to forging robust community partnerships to improve the quality of life for the most vulnerable.
Jeff leads a team focused on creating positive donor experiences through public relations, event services, campaign operations, donor relations, and agency and program fundraising. He also manages strategic partnerships and alliances, supporting key priorities like Federation’s Corporate Members program and the Palm Beach Israel Business Alliance.
With over 20 years of experience in financial services marketing and business development at Citibank, Bank of Boston, LexisNexis, and Data Warehouse, Jeff brings extensive expertise to his role. He has served on boards and strategic planning committees for Temple Torah of Boynton Beach, Mandel JCC, School District of Palm Beach County, and Family Promise. Jeff lives in Lake Worth, FL, with his wife, Tracey, and their three children.
Katherine Griffin
Member
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Neil Schiller, Esq.
Neil Schiller assists clients with legal matters involving land use, zoning and development, government contracts and procurement, and local, state and federal lobbying. A veteran of South Florida politics since his days at the University of Miami, Neil has run many successful political campaigns in Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, and St. Lucie counties. Through these campaigns and his 20 years of practice as an attorney and lobbyist, Neil has developed a network of contacts in local, regional, state and federal business and political circles, including local civic activists. In 2009, The South Florida Sun-Sentinel included him in its “Super-Lobbyist” list for his extensive work before the County Commission, and in 2017, the Palm Beach Post said Neil was a “veteran of public hearings.”
Shannon Duran
Member
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Shannon Duran
Shannon Duran serves as Guardians Credit Union’s President/CEO. Born and raised in West Palm Beach, Florida, Shannon now resides in Royal Palm Beach with her husband (high school sweetheart), and their three beautiful children.
Shannon is an honors graduate of the University of South Florida and holds a B.A. from the College of Arts & Sciences with a major in public relations and minor in communications.
Shannon began working in the credit union industry immediately after graduating college. She began her career in the marketing department at GTE Federal Credit Union in Tampa, Florida in May of 1997 and has been with Guardians Credit Union since June of 2001 serving in various capacities throughout the credit union, now as President. She has a philanthropic heart and a true passion for helping people of all means achieve their financial goals, hence calling the credit union industry “home.” She also has a devoted appreciation towards helping children and families thrive in all aspects of their lives, therefore making Family Promise a perfect choice for her to become involved with.
Throughout her career, Shannon has been recognized as a nominee for the Credit Union National Association’s (CUNA’s) Marketer of the Year and has received many awards through the Credit Union Executives Society’s Golden Mirror Award program. Shannon has also been privileged to speak at various credit union seminars and conferences on topics ranging from relationship pricing creation/implementation, effective management skills, understanding operational efficiencies/analysis and best practices as a CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution). She has also earned the Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE) designation in September 2015 from the National Credit Union Foundation. She has a passion for encouraging the advancement of women in leadership and has joined the Florida Sister Society of the Global Women’s Leadership Network as a co-leader. Lastly, she is a 2017 graduate of the University of Georgia’s Southeastern CUNA Management School, a three year management program and certification for credit union professionals.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, shopping, cooking, and cheering on her kids at their soccer games.