Shades of Green 2026 Honorees

Kemal Gasper is Vice President of Community Engagement at VyStar Credit Union, where he leads philanthropic giving, nonprofit partnerships, and enterprise wide volunteerism, overseeing a $4 million community investment portfolio that supports organizations across North Florida. Under his leadership, VyStar has achieved record volunteer engagement, surpassing 45,000 hours in 2025, and earned recognition such as Jacksonville Magazine’s Companies with Heart.

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With more than 25 years of leadership experience, Kemal is a dedicated civic leader who serves on multiple boards and as Chair of the Hightower Emerging Leaders Fellowship. A frequent speaker and trusted community voice, he is committed to strengthening nonprofit impact through collaboration and has received numerous honors, including the Cultural Council’s Community Impact Award and Jacksonville Business Journal Top 40 Under 40.

Bishop Sharon Jones is a compassionate leader and visionary servant whose life’s work is rooted in uplifting individuals, strengthening families, and advancing faith-centered community impact. Consecrated as a Bishop in 2015, she brings decades of dedicated service and spiritual leadership. Alongside her late husband, she co-founded All People International Church, building a global ministry that has reached communities across Haiti, Jamaica, and Brazil.

As the founder of SPCJ Ministries and Widows Gathering, she continues to extend her impact beyond the church by offering support, healing, and renewed purpose to those navigating life’s most difficult transitions. An accomplished author, speaker, and humanitarian, Bishop Sharon is widely recognized for her commitment to empowering others and transforming lives.

Lonnie Marts is a devoted husband, father, leader, and community advocate whose life reflects a deep commitment to family, leadership, and service. A former NFL player with an 11-season career, Lonnie played for the Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Oilers, and Jacksonville Jaguars before making Jacksonville home.

Today, he and his wife, Gionne, serve as Co-Founders of Level the Playing Field Leadership Academy, where they support boys from father-absent households by reshaping narratives, expanding opportunities, and empowering the next generation of leaders. We are honored to recognize Lonnie Marts as a distinguished honoree at the Shades of Green Mental Health Excellence Awards.

Tammy Broadnax is a dedicated educational leader with nearly 30 years of experience, including 12 years as a Principal. Driven by a deep commitment to students and community, she has built a career focused on creating safe, supportive, and high-performing school environments where all students can thrive.

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A proud wife of 30 years to her husband, Horace, and mother to two sons, Trae and Trent, Tammy’s leadership is grounded in love, advocacy, and service. She has long believed in treating every student as her own—an approach that shapes her work and fuels her passion.

Pamela Raspberry, MSW, LCSW, is the founder of Emotionally Yours by Pamela LLC, where social work is more than a career—it’s part of her DNA. With over 22 years of experience as a clinician and educator, Pamela’s mission is to bridge the gap between clinical expertise and
everyday family life. Her commitment to adoptive families is deeply personal; as a member of a beautiful biological and adoptive family, she draws on her lived experience to serve others with authenticity. This
perspective allows her to transform complex clinical concepts into accessible "kitchen-table" wisdom.

Monique A. Johnson, MSW is a distinguished public policy leader and systems strategist dedicated to advancing positive health outcomes, youth development, and community safety. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Education & Behavior from the University of Florida and a Master of Clinical Social Work from the University of Central Florida.

She currently serves the community in a dual capacity; as the Tobacco Policy Manager for Clay County and the Director of Youth Crime Prevention for the Jacksonville Urban League, where she leads cross-sector collaborations that drive policy reform and expand prevention initiatives across Northeast Florida counties.

Petergay Sterling, PMHNP-BC, LMHC-QS, is the founder of Evolve Therapy, an integrated mental health practice in Jacksonville, Florida, where psychiatry meets psychotherapy. Through her work, she provides trauma-informed, neuroscience-driven care that combines medication management, psychotherapy, and EMDR to support deep and lasting healing.

She is dedicated to serving specialized populations, including women, veterans, minorities, and survivors of sexual assault and war-related trauma. With a strong focus on grief, Petergay has also authored a guided grief journal to help individuals navigate loss with intention and support.

A dedicated leader whose personal recovery journey has evolved into a professional mission to help others find hope, purpose, and sustainable wellness. As Director of Training and Outreach at Here Tomorrow, she develops peer based programs that equip individuals with lived experience and practical skills to support others. She holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Jacksonville University and is passionate about translating clinical tools into accessible, real world support. Committed to empowering the peer workforce, she focuses on building resilience, fostering growth, and expanding access to hope across Northeast Florida.

Dr. Sheila D. Williams is an expert in her field, with a MA in Mental Health Counseling and a Ph.D. in Leadership and Education. She has an extensive background in Education, Counseling, Training, and Executive Management. With over 25 years of experience in both the Mental Health and Education fields, Dr. Williams has served as an Educator (at all levels), Mental Health Therapist, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Director of Education and Campus Director.

As author of the critically acclaimed memoir, 'My Mother's Keeper', she chose to break her silence about her mother's mental illness, family dysfunction, as well as many other challenges she's faced in her life. She is very passionate about evoking self-awareness, and is dedicated to bringing hope, healing, and inspiration to everyone she meets.

Dr. Audrieanna Burgin is a Jacksonville native and an economist leading change across Northeast Florida. Dr. Burgin is Vice President of Data, Impact, & Funding Strategy at LIFT JAX, leading efforts to leverage data and strategy to advance community-led solutions and expand access to opportunity for families. Her work explores the intersections of education, labor, and wealth to advance more inclusive economic systems. It is deeply informed by her lived experiences and long-standing commitment to expanding access and opportunity in the communities that shaped her.

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She also served as the founding director of the University of North Florida’s Diversity in Business Program, a community of support for students of color within the Coggin College of Business, launched with a $700,000 investment from CSX. Over her career, she has helped secure more than $10 million in grants and endowments for higher education institutions and education nonprofits, serving as a strategist on research and funding initiatives.

Curtesa L. Vanderpool is a strategic and results-driven executive leader with more than 15 years of experience advancing educational, behavioral health, and community-based initiatives that improve outcomes for children and families. She currently serves as Vice President of Behavioral Health & Care Coordination at Children’s Home Society of Florida (CHS), where she leads the planning, development, and operational performance of Behavioral Health and Care Coordination services statewide. In this role, she oversees clinical and care coordination leaders, drives financial and operational strategy, strengthens funder and community partnerships, and ensures program excellence through measurable outcomes, compliance, and quality performance standards.

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A Jacksonville, FL native, Sally loves the sunshine & beaches. Passionate about the active pursuit of health & wellness in all realms; both her life & counseling practice are a reflection of her belief in the value of fun, health, & balance. With humor, compassion, & the wisdom gained from her own life challenges, Sally has the privilege of working alongside individuals, families, groups, & organizations of all sizes for more than twenty-five years in the cultivation of resilience, purpose, & healing. Whether in her office, leading a community workshop, or on-site at a disaster event, Sally’s calm & empathic presence is evident in the way she works with each client. While grounded in multiple evidence-based & trauma-informed practices, Sally believes we all have the innate wisdom needed to heal ourselves.

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Angela Dawson is a dedicated and dynamic social worker with over 30 years of experience serving children and families. Known for her engaging personality and innovative approach, she brings both compassion and creativity to her work, consistently thinking outside the box to meet the unique needs of those she serves.

Angela holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Florida State University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science from University of North Florida. Throughout her career, she has developed extensive expertise across a range of areas, including mental health, substance abuse, case management, conflict resolution, juvenile justice, program development, and individual and family therapy.
 

Dr. Christine Cauffield has served as President and CEO of organizations providing integrated health services for children through seniors, including a corporation that provides inpatient, acute psychiatric care to seniors in crisis.  She received her doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from Florida Institute of Technology and completed her Internship and Post-Doctoral Residency at Harvard Medical School, where she specialized in geriatric neuropsychology. She serves as President of Florida Council on Aging, President of Florida Association of Managing Entities, and serves on the Executive Board of Smart Justice of Florida.

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Dr. Christine Cauffield has served as President and CEO of organizations providing integrated health services for children through seniors, including a corporation that provides inpatient, acute psychiatric care to seniors in crisis.  She received her doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from Florida Institute of Technology and completed her Internship and Post-Doctoral Residency at Harvard Medical School, where she specialized in geriatric neuropsychology. She serves as President of Florida Council on Aging, President of Florida Association of Managing Entities, and serves on the Executive Board of Smart Justice of Florida.

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