Find out more about the amazing individuals who together serve Healthy Teens and make it possible for us to empower youth for their success and wellbeing!
Chair; MSN, MA, Board Certified APRN
"We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future." Healthy Teens helps youth build their own future by giving them the knowledge and tools necessary to make informed and purposeful decisions about their health, well-being and future success. Who better to serve as the messengers of this information than youth themselves? Our amazing teens passionately care about their fellow youth, and work tirelessly to advocate and educate our community on the health issues impacting their peers.
Vice-Chair; MA Counseling
I am proud to be involved with Healthy Teens. The intelligence, diversity, and energy that the Teen Health Educators share let me know that our community is fortunate and the future is bright because of them.
Secretary; Associate Attorney, Blalock Walters, P.A.
Healthy Teens’ programs provide much needed information to teens to empower them to make positive healthy decisions. The beauty of Healthy Teens’ approach is that this information is delivered by peers through our dedicated Teen Health Educators, who are themselves enriched by helping others. I am honored to be a part of such a wonderful organization.
Treasurer; Educational Game Developer
Pat has served as the Treasurer of Healthy Teens since 2020 with expertise in financial systems and grants accounting from the University of Florida, where he also earned a Health Science degree. Pat is founder of a small game company specializing in guerilla education.
Attorney at Law; Partner in Legler, Murphy, Battaglia
Understanding and support is essential in the formative years for teens, especially given the current landscape of our society. I am glad to be involved in such an innovative organization, which uses the power of peer-to-peer connection to maximize the scope of its delivery and effectiveness.
Licensed Psychologist
As a board member, I support Healthy Teens because they don’t just talk about youth health—they partner with teens to lead the conversation, giving them real skills and a real voice in their own futures. Healthy Teens helps our teens get ahead of life’s challenges before they become problematic. What more powerful interventions can there be than helping teens see their path and helping them develop and practice the skills they will need to successfully navigate their journey? It is an honor to be a part of this invaluable community asset.
Executive Director; M.Ed
Valerie joined Healthy Teens in September 2021, having spent over ten years in the Ohio school system, culminating in a Principal position for over five years at Worthington Adventist Academy. An educator at heart, Valerie is an advocate for equity and social justice in all areas of education and life. Valerie moved to Florida from Ohio with her husband and has four adult children.
Program Director
Emma joined Healthy Teens in 2016 as a Teen Health Educator during her freshman year at Lakewood Ranch High School. After graduating from Tufts University and completing a divemaster program in Costa Rica, she returned home and became a program coordinator with Healthy Teens in January 2025. In addition to health education, Emma also has experience in environmental education, previously working for the National Park Service in Boston and UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County. In her free time, Emma likes to read, play sports, cook, spend time in nature, explore new museums and coffee shops, and travel whenever she can!
Grants & Finance Coordinator
A lifelong educator, researcher, and academic coach, Gina joined Healthy Teens in April 2024 as the Sarasota Program Coordinator, and transitioned to her current role in June, 2025. Having worked primarily with students who are under-resourced and/or first in their family to go to college, she is deeply committed to ensuring that youth across all communities have the information, access, resources, and tools for healthy, successful, and self-determined futures. Gina is actively engaged with bilingual literacy and helping other Latinx parents through preparations for their children’s post-secondary journeys. She also deeply enjoys being immersed in nerdy books, games, and Comic Con conventions; and is particularly happy when playing Dungeons & Dragons, reading, and hanging out with her also-nerdy-son & her not-remotely-nerdy mom.
Program Administrator
Stephanie joined Healthy Teens as a Teen Health Educator during her sophomore year at Manatee High School and became a Young Adult Leader during her sophomore year of college. After graduating from Trinity University, Stephanie became our full-time program administrator but has now transitioned into a remote, part-time role. She enjoys life in Wisconsin as she continues to work towards a career in the medical field.
Administrative Support Specialist
Cat joined Healthy Teens in September of 2025. She has worked in various administrative support roles for the last 25 + years. An avid photographer, designer and animal lover, she is happy to be a part of the Healthy Teens team.
Our wonderful Advisory Council members support Healthy Teens through offering their professional expertise, advice and energy to help us succeed in everything we do.
The primary responsibility of the Advisory Council is to belong to one of our advisory committees, supporting the Board of Directors on programs, fundraising, communications and HR and finance.
If you’d like to join our Advisory Council, get in contact today!
Vice President for Strategy and Knowledge, National School-Based Health Alliance
DNP, ARNP; Pediatric and Adolescent Health
M.Ed; Teacher, Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School and Academic Consultant
College and Career Consultant; Owner, My College Resource
Photographer, Media Designer, Graphic Artist; Owner, POP Digital Media Group
HR Data Administrator - School District Manatee
Community Health & Communication Consultant
Founder & Director, Children's Cancer Cause - Retired
Freelance Writer and Non-Profit Consultant