Board of Directors

North Florida Board Member since 2019

Lisa has been an advocate for children as long as she can remember. When first introduced to Boys Town 15 years ago, she knew the organization would always hold an incredibly special place in her heart. An alumnus of University of Central Florida, Lisa began a career with Leon County Public Schools. While her four children, Emily, Stephen, Maggie, and Sam were growing up, she left the classroom to dedicate her time to her kids and any community volunteer opportunity that presented itself - always finding a way to touch the lives of growing minds. Once her children reached school age, Lisa returned to the classroom at Maclay School until 2017, when she made the decision to spend more time with family and focus on philanthropic opportunities supporting children within the community.

Carrying on the legacy of her late father, Jeff Gabor, Lisa understands that every Boys Town child has the potential to reach the stars when given the support they truly deserve.

North Florida Board Member since 2017

Sheri Bryan has volunteered for Boys Town of North Florida in many capacities during the last ten years. Sheri helped raise over $500,000 when she chaired the 100 Year Anniversary Gala for Boys Town. Sheri graduated from Florida State University with a degree in communications. She has served as Chief Cabinet Aide for Florida’s Commissioner of Education and helped to create the Florida Education Foundation. She also served as Executive Staff Director for the Department of Labor. Sheri has been involved in many charitable organizations including Trinity Catholic School, Young Actors Theater, Children's Homes Society, Boys and Girls Clubs of Florida and the Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Foundation.

North Florida Board Member since 2017

Marcus Lampkin is the Executive Director of Boys Town North Florida. Marcus’ service to children and families spans for more than two decades. Marcus has a vast knowledge and experiences in Human Services, Boys Town programs and Model application. As a result, Marcus has previously served a peer reviewer for Site Certifications and on several internal/external Executive Committee member panels.

Prior to his appointment as North Florida’s Executive Director, he served as the Senior Director of Operations for the Boys Town North Florida Site for over 6 years, directing the programmatic operations of North Florida’s programs which span across Boy’s Town Continuum of Care service levels. Before his appointment as Senior Director of Operations, Marcus completed the Boys Town Administrative Training program. In previous roles, he served as the Residential Program Director and a Residential Consultant for the North Florida site.

Other related experiences include his service as the Adoptions and Community Service Director for the Mid-Florida Division of Children’s Home Society of Florida and the Family Services Supervisor for Florida Department of Children Family Services. Marcus holds a Master of Science Degree in Individual and Family Services and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a minor in social work. During his tenure, Marcus has received numerous commendations for his outstanding service to youth and families.

North Florida Board Member since 2021

Mutaqee was born and raised in Tallahassee, Florida and attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, where he graduated Cum Laude (with honors) in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. Mutaqee received a full scholarship to the University of Miami School of Law where he served as President of the law school’s Black Law Student Association, Vice President of the Southern Regional Black Law Student’s Association and was a member of several honor’s societies. Mutaqee graduated from the University of Miami School of Law Cum Laude with his Juris Doctor degree in 2004. During his 3 ½ years at the Public Defender’s Office, the newly titled Attorney Akbar had over 50 trials with over half of them being jury trials and handled hundreds of other cases that did not involve a trial.

Mutaqee now owns the Akbar Law Firm, P.A. where he continues to represent criminal defendants in both State Court and Federal Court. He is also very active in the Florida Bar and has received many awards from his peers including Minority Business Owner of the Year, Tallahassee Bar Association Champion for Diversity, and Tallahassee Barrister’s Association Hall of Fame. He not only invests his time in his community, he also substantially invests in the community financially by giving to a variety of charities, youth programs, and other endeavors aligned with improving the community as a whole.

North Florida Board Member since 2016

Monesia Brown is the Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations for Walmart. She is responsible for advocating on behalf of Walmart and Sam’s Club in Florida. In addition to engaging legislative and executive officials on issues of importance to Walmart, she is also responsible for supporting the company’s growth in communities across the state and directing Walmart Foundation funds.

Monesia joined Walmart after working as an attorney/government consultant focusing in the areas of economic development, state procurement and education. Prior to joining the private sector, she worked for the State of Florida in several capacities including General Counsel to the Department of Management Services, Director of Legislative Affairs and Chief Cabinet Aide to the Attorney General and concluded her public service as the Director of the Agency for Workforce Innovation, Florida’s labor agency. As a member of the executive branch, her career focused in the areas of legal, policy and management.

Monesia is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School and Illinois State University with a degree in English. She is a member of the Florida and Wisconsin Bar Associations. In addition, she is the Chairwoman for the Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend, a member of the Board of Directors Maclay School and the Florida History Museum. She is married to Junious Brown, a mother to two children – Jay and Evan. Their family resides in Tallahassee where they have lived since 1999.

North Florida Board Member since 2016

Robert “Bobby” Dick joined Merrill Lynch in 1990 and has over 20 years of experience in working with high net worth individuals, including business owners, foundations, and institutions. He is an experienced professional who takes a “hands on” approach to financial guidance as he aims to assist clients with every aspect of their financial lives.

Bobby has a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a Masters of Business Administration from Barry University in Miami, Florida. Since 2007, he has played a significant role in developing and mentoring Financial Advisors within Merrill Lynch. He also holds the Series 7, 9, 10, 31, 63 and 66 FINRA registrations, as well as Life and Variable Annuity licenses.

He is very active in the Tallahassee community and has volunteered or served on the boards of Boys Town, Leon High School Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Second Harvest and St. Peter’s Anglican Church. Bobby currently serves as Chair of the Boys Town Nomination Committee. He and his wife Sue, enjoy spending time with their two children, sports and staying active within their church.

North Florida Board Member since 2023

Founder of the The Big Bend Group®, Bruce Foster of Tallahassee, is nationally and internationally recognized for his sales achievements and has a reputation as one of the most trusted and admired agents in North Florida’s real estate industry.

He possesses a strong combination of local knowledge and established connections that produce results for his clients. When marketing for his clients, Bruce understands that innovation, collaboration and artistry are key.

Bruce was introduced to Boys Town in the fall of 2022 and was so impressed by what he saw that he organized a fundraiser in December to benefit Boys Town North Florida. He is committed to aligning his contacts with the Boys Town mission and vision through shared partnerships of giving.

Bruce enjoys spending time with his family, which includes two children, three pups and a cat.

North Florida Board Member since 2015

Anne Martin has served on the board since 2015, after previously serving as the Birthday Buddies Committee Chair for many years. She and her husband, Greg Martin, have been dedicated, long-time supporters of Boys Town.

Anne has served as a volunteer with the Guardian ad Litem program for seven years. In this role, she has enjoyed the unique privilege of advocating for children who reside at Boys Town. She also serves on the Guardian ad Litem Volunteer Advisory Committee and helps train new volunteers. Anne also helped design the program and curriculum for the Life Connectors program and has served as a mentor.

In addition, Anne was an active volunteer at Maclay School, acting as Chairperson of the Maclay Parents Organization for several years. She also helped form the Local Care Committee at Four Oaks Community Church and currently spearheads efforts to recruit more volunteers to support foster and adopted children and the families who care for them.

In her professional life, Anne has enjoyed a career in management consulting and project management in many cities and industries around the country. Anne also owns and operates two rental property businesses. Anne and her husband have resided in Tallahassee since 1999 and have raised two children and a few dogs, while enjoying life in the sunshine state.

North Florida Board Member since 2017

Walter A. “Walt” McNeil was elected Sheriff of Leon County in November 2016. In his distinguished 35-year career as a public servant, Sheriff McNeil has led the fight against crime in Tallahassee, has been tapped to lead two state agencies under former Gov. Charlie Crist, and has advised the Obama White House, and other governments around the globe, on law enforcement strategies and tactics.

For 10 years at the helm of the Tallahassee Police Department, then Chief McNeil was recognized for his progressive voice and his effective response to citizen concerns. His community policing efforts to control gangs, drugs and juvenile crime earned him numerous honors, including the Tallahassee NAACP Humanitarian Award, Public Sector Business Person of the Year and the United States DEA Award.

At the same time, he's been a good neighbor - giving his time and talents to organizations that make a difference in our lives. He has chaired the Heart Walk for the county chapter of the American Heart Association, been honorary co-chair of Leon's March of Dimes Walk America campaign, and served on the boards of the local Boys Town, Chamber of Commerce and Refuge House. The Sheriff and his family are active members of New Mount Zion AME Church.

North Florida Board Member since 2023

Kate is a native of Tallahassee and a graduate of Auburn University, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. Post grad, Kate moved to Atlanta and worked as an associate for Structures. Knowing she would always find her way home; she moved back to Tallahassee to begin a new journey in hospitality. In 2022, her idea became reality opening Lemon & Thyme, a restaurant serving made-to-order organic salads and grain bowls. The restaurant is designed to shatter the idea that fresh, healthy food can't be provided conveniently for people on the go.

Kate was introduced to Boys Town at a young age and spent many days on campus playing with the other kids. In time, Kate became a supporter of Boys Town through special events and volunteering. She has a heart to serve others and looks forward to dedicating her time and talents serving on the Boys Town North Florida Board of Directors.

In her spare time, Kate enjoys traveling and downhill mountain skiing.

North Florida Board Member since 2020

Abby Pichard was born in Columbus, GA, and spent her childhood throughout the Southeastern United States. Upon graduation from Clemson University, Abby relocated to Tallahassee, FL, to serve as Membership Director for the University Center Club at Florida State University. Upon learning about the Boys Town mission, Abby felt immediately drawn to the cause and began her support of children and families through Boys Town North Florida, where she also volunteers as a Birthday Buddy.

After exceeding expectations in her role at University Center Club, Abby was hired by American Express to lead Commercial Cards sales in the Florida Panhandle and South Georgia. After more than 10 successful years with American Express and Trust, Abby accepted a position with WEX, where she currently serves as the Director of Sales Operations.

Abby enjoys spending time with her husband, Will, and their daughters, Lilly and Camden. She also is involved in the Horse Show jumping community and serves on the board of the Southern Hunter Jumper Association (SHJA).

North Florida Board Member since 2023

Mary’s career focused on teaching exceptional student education for elementary, middle and high school students. Her final years teaching were at Chiles High School where she also served as a Special Olympics coach for the girl’s junior varsity flag football team. Following retirement, Mary worked in real estate until 2019, when she was awarded a grant project through Florida’s Department of Education, identifying and working with youth who were developmentally delayed.

Mary has always been an advocate for children and as an educator with Leon County Schools, she had the opportunity to work with Boys Town youth. After retirement, she volunteered as a tutor for Boys Town North Florida and became dedicated to the mission.

Mary is glad to be a voice in the community to advocate for the youth supported by Boys Town North Florida.

North Florida Board Member since 2017

Leslie Redding recently retired from a 30-year career as Bookkeeper and Property Manager for Bud Warehouses, Inc. She is actively involved at St. John’s Episcopal Church, regularly volunteering her time to serve at the church’s Lively Café. In recent years, she and her husband Charley Redding also co-chaired St. John’s Stewardship Committee.

While raising their three children, Leslie volunteered at Kate Sullivan, Cobb and Leon’s PTO as well as football, baseball and volleyball booster organizations. She has been affiliated with Boys Town of North Florida since its inception through her mother, June Strauss. Leslie and Charley played a key role in the establishment of Art Town at Boys Town and Leslie has served on the board since 2017. She is also currently chair of the Birthday Buddy program.

North Florida Board Member since 2019

Ryan Sandy is an attorney with the State of Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation. His college career started at Central Florida Community College, then moved on to Florida Southern College. He later earned a master’s degree in international politics from American University and a law degree from Florida State University.

He and his wife, Sarah, the daughter of Leslie Redding, are following in the family’s footsteps of supporting Boys Town North Florida. Ryan’s support began after attending fundraising events and volunteering in the Birthday Buddy program. Over the last few years, Ryan’s dedication has led him to support Boys Town on a larger scale by joining the Board of Directors in 2019.

In his spare time, Ryan enjoys spending time with Sarah and their son, Flynn.

North Florida Board Member since 2023

Sevin was born and raised in Tallahassee, Florida. As the oldest of eight siblings, he naturally developed leadership qualities and a sense of responsibility.

He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Florida State University, where he double majored in Entrepreneurship and Finance. Sevin currently thrives as a dedicated financial advisor at MillCreek Financial Consultants, providing invaluable guidance to clients in navigating the complexities of their financial decisions. He is also a partner in a software development company, SoftAge Systems, that builds applications for healthcare companies.

An active community member, Sevin freely lends his expertise and support to assist aspiring entrepreneurs in starting their businesses. From starting a youth basketball organization to helping kids in underserved communities, Sevin enjoys giving back to his hometown.

In his free time, Sevin enjoys running, biking and playing basketball.