New Yorker turned Floridian, Council for Educational Change Executive Director Dr. Elaine Liftin got her start as a singer on Broadway. While attending Hunter College, she became intrigued by the challenge of education and, upon graduating, began her teaching career in South Florida.

Dr. Liftin has dedicated her career to education advocacy and believes “if every child can get a quality education, every child can succeed.”

An Orlando resident since she was eight years old, League of Women Voters Florida President Patti Brigham began her career as a public servant working in suicide prevention and crisis intervention.

After graduating from the University of Central Florida, Patti went on to become a radio DJ, journalist, thespian, and eventually, a member of the League of Women Voters Florida.

Now, as president of the League, Patti is learning how to navigate the upcoming presidential election in a COVID-19 world. Through a strong vote-by-mail campaign, the League is debunking myths and preparing citizens to vote safely and at a distance, if they so choose.

The Children’s Movement of Florida Chairman David Lawrence Jr. is a lifelong advocate of children’s education and has proven to be an outstanding ally to kids across Florida.In his conversation with SalterMitchell PR President Heidi Otway, Lawrence discusses racism and discrimination in education and how we can confront them. He also discusses the importance of reading and how books can be a great tool for all people.

Florida Nonprofit Alliance Executive Director Sabeen Perwaiz has dedicated her life to helping others. In addition to her work in the nonprofit sector, she is also the founder and executive producer of TEDxJacksonville, where she’s amplifying the voices of other Floridians and positively impacting others.

In this episode, Florida Society of Association Executives (FSAE) President and CEO Frank Rudd discusses how FSAE is continuing to support its members during COVID-19.

With more than 25 years of experience in the association industry, it’s no surprise Rudd was selected to lead FSAE. Since 2014, Rudd has helped teach other associations how to better serve their members by facilitating collaboration among association management professionals through networking and educational events, online communities, and best practice resources.

Ed Moore spent 16 years shaping higher education in Florida as president of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF). Moore recently retired from the position with a lasting impact.

In his conversation with SalterMitchell PR Founder + CEO April Salter, Moore details the changes ICUF made early on to expand online courses for college students. This transition is more relevant than ever as students across the country finish their school year taking classes remotely.

During this episode, he also shares his experience as an entrepreneur, recounts his family’s Florida history, and the qualities he believes make a great leader.

As Florida House Executive Director, Diana Beckmann and her team have worked tirelessly to help the nation’s only state embassy reach its fullest potential. By elevating the space and collaborating with partners on visitor and staff experience, Beckmann is bringing a true sense of rejuvenation to this historic building on Capitol Hill while staying true to its objective of connecting, celebrating and championing Florida to the world.

In her conversation with SalterMitchell PR CEO + Founder April Salter, Beckmann discusses how she became familiar with Florida House, the passion she has for working in the nation’s capital, and the camaraderie she has forged with her Florida House colleagues.

Dr. Jeffrey Sharkey is a serial entrepreneur, visionary, and director of a wide variety of organizations and associations. He’s now a leader in Florida’s growing medical cannabis industry and guiding the expansion of legislative policy as the founder of the Medical Marijuana Business Association. He has worked to position himself and this association at the forefront of this new frontier in the nation’s third most populous state.

His interview with SalterMitchell PR CEO April Salter was recorded in front of a live audience during the Leadership FPRA conference this month. Listen to Dr. Sharkey as he details his entrepreneurial journey from Pennsylvania to Tallahassee, which also included mission-driven work in underdeveloped countries.

Holly Bell, Florida’s first director of cannabis, is focused on leading the state’s new medical marijuana and hemp programs.

More than two dozen people applied for the position, however, Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services commissioner Nikki Fried said Bell was the person “to get it right” on implementing a state hemp program. For the past year, the former banker has been developing the program from the ground up, from growing to processing and manufacturing.

Tune in to hear her conversation with SalterMitchell PR President Heidi Otway as they discuss how Florida is positioned to be a leader in the cannabis industry and the unlimited opportunities to facilitate job creation and economic development statewide.