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A native of Toronto, Ontario,
Canada, Karen and her family relocated to the city beautiful, Orlando, Florida in 1989 where she now calls home.
She is a 1999 graduate of Dr. Phillips High School. She left Orlando and went to Baton Rouge, Louisiana
where she attended The Southern University and A&M College. During her tenure at Southern, she was
the Activities Coordinator for the Student Government Association. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science
degree in Marketing in 2003. She moved back to Orlando & quickly realized that events & management
was her niche in life. She joined the Young Professionals in
November 2005 and when the Events/Public Relations Chair became available a month later, she jumped right on it.
In mid 2006, she then took on another position as the Parliamentarian. Currently,
Karen is a wedding/event planner with her own company, Matchless Weddings & Events (www.matchless-events.com). She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
and the Orlando Chapter of the National Pan-Hellenic Council but calls the Young Professionals “A Home Away From Home”!
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Nikisha Bronson-Hunter is a native Central Floridian. She attended Bishop Moore High School and
went on to receive her Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from the University of Florida. After
a brief stint in the Northeast, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Nikisha returned to Central Florida in October, 2004. Nikisha has held a variety of professional marketing
and public relations positions. Currently, she serves as the Public/Community Relations Officer for the
Early Learning Coalition of Orange County. In this role, Nikisha is responsible for working with local
political, business, and community leaders to ensure that all Orange County children are fully prepared to enter school, ready
to learn. A member of the Young Professionals,
since February, 2006, Nikisha’s history in the community and her passion for local politics led to her appointment as
the chair of the Civic Engagement Committee. Aside from the Young Professionals, Nikisha is involved in
the Leadership Orlando Alumni program, a member of the UF Alumni Association, and an active member of her church.
Nikisha is the proud parent of Rodney,
4, and Ainsley Rhae, 2.
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Gerard C. Merritt, MBA has over ten years’ experience in Business Operations
Management. His professional experience combines technical knowledge with business operations to successfully develop
and integrate technologies to support broad–ranging and organizational needs. He has attained a Bachelor of Science
in Electrical Engineering Technologies from the University of Central Florida and Masters of Business Administration in Marketing with a specialization in Operations from the Crummer School
of Business at Rollins College College. While acquiring those
degrees he has worked for companies such as Siemens Telecom Networks, Lockheed Martin, Electronic Arts, Law & Associates,
and Connextions. While at Lockheed Martin he also graduated from their Operations Leadership Development Program (OLDP)
as well as acquired a Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma. Organized, self-motivated, creative, disciplined, focused and goal
oriented are words that broadly describe his capabilities.
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Dinam Bigny joined Metropolitan Orlando
Young Professionals in 2007. He is a graduate of DeVry University, Keller Graduate School of Management, where he received
a Master’s of Project Management and is currently pursuing a Master’s of Business Administration. In addition
to his tenure with the Young Professionals, Dinam held positions at JetBlue Airways, Hitech Electronics Displays, and America
Online. He is also fluent in French. Dinam’s social engagement in the Orlando Metropolitan area includes Delta Epsilon Iota Academic Honor Society,
an association of outstanding scholars, and R.I. Research. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Outreach Love,
a non-profit organization for mentoring and tutoring youth from at-risk neighborhoods in Orlando.
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Michelle Scott is currently the Director of Research and Analysis for
The Institute of Internal Auditors in Altamonte Springs, Florida. In her role within the Institute's Research Foundation,
she leads research efforts and produces research reports on emerging issues for practicing internal audit professionals across
the globe. Michelle is a graduate of Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she received
her B.S. in Accounting. Following college, Michelle worked in the risk consulting/internal audit practice of Arthur Andersen
(later Protiviti, Inc.) where she helped multi-billion dollar, international organizations mange business and financial risks
as well as assisting in their compliance efforts with rigorous legislation such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and other
industry specific regulations. Because of her deep passion for giving back, Michelle volunteers heavily
in the local community serving on the board of Habitat for Humanity Orlando and on its Family Support Committee to provide
emotional support to future homeowners. In addition, she works extensively with Junior Achievement (JA) of Central
Florida, coordinating fundraising/networking events through JAs Professional Connection committee as well as volunteering
in the classroom, especially at schools for "at risk" children. Michelle believes that the mission of YP
is directly in line with helping her to meet her own personal and civic goals. The opportunity to be involved in YP initiatives
from community empowerment events to networking with Central Florida's best and brightest is unparallel. Michelle is excited
to be a part of YP and hopes to play a significant role in its continued success.
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An Orlando native, Eunice
Pickard Garbutt is a 1990 graduate of Hungerford Prep; Eunice graduated Summa Cum Laude from Nova Southeastern University
with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a Marketing focus. Currently, Eunice is completing her Masters
in Public Administration with an emphasis in Public Policy. Eunice works full-time as a Program Coordinator
for a children’s-based nonprofit organization. Since joining Young Professionals in 2007 has been
very active. She enthusiastically serves her community with involvement in several organizations and charities.
Eunice possesses a deep and unwavering commitment to social justice, educational equity, and economic empowerment, especially
in communities of color. She is interested in supporting these commitments in her role with Orlando Young Professionals. Eunice
is happily married to her husband, Duncan Garbutt.
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Donell Andre Hicks, Esq. was born in Milford,
Delaware, and he moved to Central Florida less than two years ago. Donell attended Cornell University and received his Bachelors
degree in government in 1997. He received his Juris Doctor from The George Washington University Law School in 2000. Since
his admission to the Maryland and District of Columbia Bars in 2000, Donell has engaged in regulatory matters before various
state and federal government agencies. He has also handled several complex civil litigation matters.
Since moving to Central Florida, Mr. Hicks has become a real estate specialist. Donell was admitted to the Florida Bar in
2006. He currently serves as an associate for the law firm of Conroy, Simberg, Ganon, Krevans, Abel, Lurvey, Morrow &
Schefer, P.A. in the liability division and handles a variety of cases including construction litigation, commercial litigation,
and general liability/personal injury. He is also a Florida licensed Real Estate Sales Associate. As an associate with Main
Street Realtors, he serves the Windermere, Dr. Phillips, and greater Orlando area. His legal expertise is definitely an asset
during the price negotiation and contract drafting phases of a real estate deal.
Donell
is a passionate and involved community leader. Mr. Hicks is a member of the Board of Directors for The Metropolitan
Orlando Urban League. Donell is the Treasurer of the Paul C. Perkins Bar Association and Treasurer of the Cornell
Black Alumni Association.
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A native
of Miami, FL. Benjamin Wilson, relocated to Central Florida in January of 2007. He received his Bachelors
of Science degree in Public Management from Florida A&M University, and is currently a Masters of Public Administration
candidate, with a specialization in Public Finance at the University of Central Florida. In May 2007 he joined the City of
Orlando’s Office of Management and Budget and is a member of the Florida Government Finance Officers Association. His unique perspective
on policy issues comes from significant involvement at the grass roots level, where they originate and ultimately must be
resolved. Through his involvement he realizes that economic and social capital (including the equitable distribution of wealth)
is the key to equality and social justice, both domestically and internationally. As the Chair of Civic Engagement his main
policy goal is to provide a more egalitarian civically-engaged Central Florida community.
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Tai is a graduate of Hampton University
where she earned her Bachelors in Journalism and Communications – Public Relations. Upon graduation in May 2006, Tai
moved to Florida to work with Disney Institute, a part of The Walt Disney World Company. It is with great pleasure that Tai has accepted the responsibility of Membership Chair for
Young Professionals. The potential growth and endless possibilities within the membership body will be an exciting venture.
She looks forward to the development of the organization and believes coming together is just the beginning; staying together
is progress and working together is success.
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A
native of Flint, Michigan, Ashley now resides in Orlando, Florida where she is an elementary school teacher. She is a 2002
graduate of Grand Blanc High School, in which she then attended Michigan State University. After graduating Michigan State
University with honors, Ashley relocated to Orlando, Florida summer 2006. Aside from from being a teacher, she has
experience working with youth and mentoring serving over 20 hours of community service in Christiana, Jamaica, a former
big sister of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America, and a former member of the African-American Student Mentoring
Program at Michigan State University. At MSU she first served as a mentor for two freshman, in which she was awarded "Mentor
of the Year", and she later decided to become a board member (leading both mentors and mentees of the group). Other honors
throughout college include being a McNair/SROP Scholar and MSU Black Alumni Scholar. With a desire to start the new year off
right, she joined the Young Professionals in January 2008. After receiving notification of the Youth and Mentoring
Chair being available, she was instantly elated to fulfill the position. She looks forward to continuing to serve her
community through Young Professionals.
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Born
and raised in Orlando, Florida, Eboni is a graduate of Dr. Phillips High School (Performing Arts Magnet), Valencia Community
College, University of Central Florida, and Nova Southeastern University. She is currently seeking to obtain a
Doctoral Degree in Research and Evaluation of Education. She is a 3rd grade Teacher at Thornebrooke Elementary,
Read Naturally Tutor, and Spanish Club Teacher. She has a love and an appreciation
for the performing arts. Eboni works with two youth praise dance teams, Carter Tabernacle CME & Ebenezer United Methodist
Church and she recently started a Lady’s 2008 book club. She works with the youth as a Sunday School
Teacher at Carter Tabernacle CME Church. She has been a member of Young
Professionals of National Urban League since July 2007 and also a member of Aspiring Administrators and Association for
Curriculum and Development.
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Carlyn is a graduate of The University of Florida where she
earned her Bachelors in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism. After graduation Carlyn moved to Orlando where her parents relocated
from South Florida in 2006. Carlyn works for the Athletic Association at UCF as an Assistant to the Director of Special Events
for Development. She plans to attend Graduate school at UCF to receive her Masters in Hospitality and Tourism Management.
She also hopes to own her own event company in the future. Carlyn became a member of YP in August 2008 and is very grateful
for the opportunity to become more involved in YP and is very eager to see this organization continue to grow.
Brittany Marshall, a self proclaimed public servant, is a
recent graduate of the University of Florida, having graduated in May 2008 with a B.S. in Health Education. She became a member
of Young Professionals in August 2008 after relocating to Central Florida. Brittany is currently pursuing a Masters Degree
in Public Health at the University of South Florida in the Global Health Practice Concentration. In addition, she is a member
of the second class of the Public Health Apprentice Program through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention where she
is positioned at the Lake County Health Department on a three year fellowship. She is very passionate about issues that affect
the African American community and has a strong passion for spreading public health awareness. Brittany hopes to someday develop
programs to raise awareness in both communities largely affected by HIV and AIDS and those in which its citizens are of low
socio-economic status and are at risk for the disease both here in the United States and in Africa. Originally from West Palm
Beach, she enjoys the performing arts, cooking, reading about public health and educating others, and community development/civic
engagement activities. She is looking forward to serving as co-chair of the Events committee and hopes to bring new and exciting
events to the membership and the Central Florida community. Her other involvement in the Orlando community includes membership
in the Orange County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
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2006-2007 Leadership Council
Copyright 2006-2008 Young Professionals, an auxiliary of the Metropolitan Orlando Urban League.
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