Our Team
UpliftED is a cross-sector coalition of community leaders working to build a better-educated Central Florida workforce.
By the year 2025, we want 60% of our workforce to hold a high-value credential or post-secondary degree. That’s a big increase from the 40% we have today. To hit that number, we’ve got partners in every sector — education, business, government, industry and nonprofit — working together to help more Central Floridians find, fund and finish high-quality higher education programs.
By making higher education more accessible and affordable to people across Central Florida, upliftED will lift lives for students, boost local businesses and strengthen the economy of the region.
daisy c franklin, msw
upliftED Director
Can be reached via email at:
Daisy.HigherUpConsulting@gmail.com
“I am both humbled and proud to serve as the Director of upliftED, a much needed collaborative in the Central Florida Region. It connects people, businesses, nonprofits and educational institutions with not only one another, but also to resources that will help increase the number of people with high quality, industry-recognized credentials which may include a degrees. These connections, in turn, strengthen the region’s workforce by closing the skills gap. This work equals a strong economy which supports family financial stability. It is a win-win for everyone in the community.””
jon reiss
UpliftED Assistant
Can be reached via email at:
Jonathan.Reiss@HFUW.org
“With firm conviction, I believe education is the closest thing to being an equalizer within a nation riddled with disparity. This is why I’ve never been more excited to be part of an organization so committed to helping our community strive to be educated and employed. With the help of some of the best people in Central Florida, I feel the positive impact I can facilitate — which is how I change the area I live, into a place I can call home.””
Advisory Council
Abraham (Abe) Morris, City of Orlando, Children, Youth, and Families Division Manager
Alexandra Temes Hyatt, City of Orlando, Interim Assistant Division Manager, Families, Parks and Recreation Department
Ashton Terry, Sr. , Central Florida Education Ecosystem Database (CFEED)/SDOC
Senior Manager - Research, Evaluation & Accountability
Autumn Garick, Seminole County Public School Board Member
Cortez Whatley, Orlando Regional Medical Center, Manager, Local Government Affairs & Public Policy
Danika Hansen, Goodwill Industries Central Florida , Goodwill Scholars Team Lead
Danny Hoey, Valencia College, Provost, West Campus
Ed Bustos, Rollins College, AVP of Enrollment Management/Director of International Admission
Gina Ronokarijo, CareerSource Central Florida, VP of Workforce Operations
Jan Lloyd-Lesley, Seminole State College, AVP Student Development
Kelly Astro, Heart of Florida United Way, SVP Community Impact
Lesley Frederick, Ed.D., Valencia College, Vice President for Student Affairs
Malika Harrison, Mentor Florida, CEO
Mary Bridges, Orange County Public Schools, Senior Executive Director, Student Services
Mindy Mozena, University of Central Florida, Director, Downtown Scholars
Rosa Grant, Career and Technical Education Orange, Executive Leader
Shawn Gard-Harrold, Seminole County Public Schools, Assistant Superintendent, ePathways & Strategic Partnerships
Stephanie Vanos, Orange County School Board Member, District 6