Leadership

CPEA is led by a group of esteemed individuals with expertise in medicine, education, not-for-profit management, law and finance.

Darlyne Bailey, Ph.D. Board Chair A recognized leader in higher education, Dr. Darlyne Bailey has served as an educator for more than 30 years, with more than 24 of those years also serving as an academic administrator at several prominent institutions, while continuing to make numerous additional professional contributions. As Professor and Dean Emeritus at the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research and Special Assistant for Community Partnerships to the President at Bryn Mawr College, Dr. Bailey has previously taught and served as Dean of Professional Schools at Case Western Reserve University and the University of Minnesota, and as Dean and Vice President of Columbia University’s Teachers College where she also served as acting president. Through a multidisciplinary and multicultural approach, Dr. Bailey teaches, writes, and utilizes participatory action research exploring topics spanning health and human services, leadership development, organizational behavior, inter-organizational strategic alliances, and social justice while also convening and contributing to the work of several professional associations. Dr. Bailey’s lifelong commitment to service is further reflected in her leadership responsibilities on national and community-based boards of directors, advisory committees, and professional editorial boards. She is also the recipient of numerous professional and civic awards, including being honored as a Fellow in the W.K. Kellogg Foundation‘s National Leadership Fellowship Program and receiving the National Association of Social Workers Pioneer Award. As a first-generation college graduate, Dr. Bailey was among the first group of women to earn an Artium Baccalaureatus from Lafayette College and went on to earn a Master of Science from Columbia, and a Ph.D. from Case Western.
Stephen Burghardt, Ph.D. Board Trustee For more than 40 years, Dr. Steve Burghardt has been a professor at the Hunter College (CUNY) School of Social Work, where he has focused on areas such as transformative leadership models and community-based action. A prolific author, researcher and an award-winning professor, Dr. Burghardt has also provided service to numerous editorial boards and professional societies. Dr. Burghardt approaches his teaching instruction with the philosophy of empowering his students to assist others. Additionally, Dr. Burghardt provides coaching to executives, municipal leaders and others regarding community engagement, leadership, strategic planning and communications. Dr. Burghardt received his undergraduate degree from Lafayette College and his master's and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.
Terence Byrd Board Trustee An accomplished senior healthcare executive with more than 35 years of experience, Terence Byrd has a distinguished track record as a results-driven leader in the health insurance industry. Now a high-level consultant to national and regional healthcare companies, Byrd previously served as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Aetna Better Health, Kentucky, one of the largest Medicaid and Medicare health plans in the state. During his time as CEO, Byrd led the strategic, operational, and technological initiatives responsible for driving the company’s profitability and market expansion, also strengthening its alliances. He established a bold vision to build healthier communities, taking actions designed to improve the quality of patient care and address healthcare disparities in marginalized communities. Previous to this role, Byrd held several other executive positions at Healthfirst, Mercy Health Plan (became Horizon NJ Health), Total Plan Administrators (TPA), a Blue Cross Blue Shield NJ Subsidiary, AmeriChoice/United Healthcare of NJ, and more. One of the first and most successful African American male executives in the industry, Byrd’s ability to ascend to the highest leadership position within several of the nation’s largest healthcare insurance companies, against all odds, is extraordinary and impressive. Byrd has successfully engineered startups and turnarounds for several regional and nationally-managed care organizations. He is an experienced and influential administrator adept at business development, community outreach, brand marketing, new member acquisition, network management, risk mitigation, and strategic planning. Byrd is widely recognized and respected for his in-depth knowledge of health insurance and managed care, providing years of executive-level experience as a forward-thinking leader. He set the standard for success, coaching a team of managers to reach their peak level of greatness. Several of his former direct reports and mentees are now successful authors, entrepreneurs, and corporate or community leaders. With a middle-class upbringing rooted in strong family values, Byrd envisioned he would one day play a principal role in building healthy communities for all people. His experiences serve as the foundation for his dedication to closing the persistent disparities in the healthcare delivery system. Byrd holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Lafayette College. He completed several semesters of the Master of Business Administration program at Monmouth University.
Hugh Campbell Board Trustee Currently serving on the BayCare Health System Board of Trustees, Hugh Campbell brings more than 20 years of experience in the technology sector to the UMA Board of Trustees. Campbell also serves as the Immediate Past Chairman of the Board of the CEO Council of Tampa. He is the President of AC4S Technologies, a hybrid cloud solutions provider helping companies with tech support, cloud services, cybersecurity, and intelligent building systems. Campbell has 16 years of experience running a federal business and 10 years of active service in the U.S. Army as a communications officer. Campbell is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and holds a master’s degree in telecommunications management from Golden Gate University.
Christopher Hawk, M.D. Board Trustee Dr. Hawk is a board-certified family medicine physician who is currently a Hospice and Palliative care fellow at the University of New Mexico. He has previously practiced in Washington state at St. Joseph's Community Hospital and the Lummi Nation Tribal Health Clinic, and was an adjunct professor engaged in clinical research and mentoring in association with the University of Washington. Before medicine, he worked nationally and internationally on remote construction projects. Through his travels and volunteer efforts for health organizations, Dr. Hawk witnessed how disparities in wealth, education, and access to healthcare often negatively affect outcomes. Seeking a career that could contribute to addressing these disparities, Dr. Hawk entered the medical and educational professions. Dr. Hawk earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Hawaii. He earned his medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and completed his residency at the University of Washington.
Sheila McDevitt Board Trustee Ms. McDevitt has a wealth of experience in educational policy, business ethics and regulatory and corporate compliance. A former chair of the Board of Governors of Florida’s State University System, Ms. McDevitt recently concluded her long-term service on the boards of St. Leo University, Florida West Coast Public Broadcasting, Inc. (WEDU), and Hillsborough County Bar Foundation. She currently serves as an Emeritus Trustee on each of those boards. She also served on the Board of Directors and as chair of the compliance committee of Bay Cities Bank up until the sale of the Bank. Beyond her service to numerous educational, civic and professional organizations during her career, Ms. McDevitt served for many years as the senior vice president and general counsel of TECO Energy, Inc. A recognized leader in the Florida business community, Ms. McDevitt has been a member of the Florida Council of 100, has been inducted into the Tampa Bay Business Hall of Fame and received the Outstanding Contribution Award for Pioneering in Business Ethics from the University of Tampa. Ms. McDevitt received her undergraduate and law degrees from Florida State University. She was granted an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from St. Leo University and earned a certificate in Organizational Management from Harvard University Business School.
Karen Mincey Board Trustee For over 19 years, Karen Mincey has worked as the Vice President of Information Technology and Telecommunications and Chief Information Officer for Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas Company (TECO). Deeply involved in the Tampa Bay community, Mincey also serves on the Advisory Group for the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, as well as the University of South Florida Electrical Engineering’s Industrial Advisory Board. She also serves as a Corporate Board Member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay. Mincey was named a Tampa Bay Business Journal “CIO of the Year” honoree in 2020. In 2010, she joined Oprah Winfrey as one the 75 most powerful women in business, named by Black Enterprise. Mincey holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of New Orleans and a Master of Business Administration from Loyola University New Orleans.
Thomas Rametta President Thomas Rametta serves as President for Ultimate Medical Academy. UMA is a Tampa-based nonprofit healthcare educational institution with more than 15,000 students and more than 90,000 alumni nationwide. Rametta leads UMA’s Vision 2025, the organization’s long-term strategic plan to develop a brighter future for its learners, partners, and team members. Rametta is responsible for leading strategies to fulfill UMA’s mission to equip and empower students to excel in healthcare careers. This includes developing a diverse and talented team to support students throughout their journey, ensuring the institution operates with financial responsibility and championing student outcomes. Prior to UMA, Rametta was Group Finance Director of Enterprise Media Group (EMG), a $700 million segment of Dow Jones. Prior to EMG, he was Director of Management Reporting for Factiva, LLC (also a Dow Jones company). Rametta is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a B.B.A. in Accounting from James Madison University.
Saundra Wall Williams, Ed.D. Board Vice Chair Dr. Saundra Wall Williams is a national leader in corporate governance and leadership development. She has over 25 years of experience as a consultant, leader, and practitioner in the field of information technology as well as enterprise training and development, hardware/software design, and distance learning. Dr. Williams is the chief executive officer of WMS Corporation, a professional development consulting and training company that supports emerging and established women leaders in corporations, government, education, and non-profit organizations. She is also an adjunct assistant professor at North Carolina State University in the Department of Educational Leadership, Policy and Human Development. As the former Senior Vice President and Chief of Information Technology, Data, Business Intelligence, Library Systems, Distance Learning and Workforce Development for the North Carolina Community College System, the third largest community college system in the world, Dr. Williams led the implementation of the largest computer information system in higher education in the world. Dr. Williams has earned several awards during her career as a C-level leader. She was named the Kellogg Foundation Houle Scholar in Adult Education, Azusa Scholar in Divinity, North Carolina State University College of Sciences Alumni of the Year, North Carolina Chief Information Officer of the Year, North Carolina’s Technology Woman of the Year, NC ACHI Magazine Woman of Achievement and North Carolina State University Outstanding Black Alumni. Dr. Williams is a graduate of North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, Master of Science in Applied Mathematics and Statistics, and Doctor of Education in Adult and Community College Education. She holds a Master of Divinity from Regent University. She was also awarded the Honorary Associate of Science degree from Richmond Community College. She is a certified Chief Information Officer with the State of North Carolina through the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a certified Strengths Champion Certified Coach® and certified Transformation Coach.
Shelley Collins, M.D., FAAP Board Trustee Shelley Collins, M.D., FAAP, has spent more than two decades in leadership positions where she trains and educates tomorrow’s healthcare workers. At the University of Florida College of Medicine, Dr. Collins is Associate Dean for Students Affairs, Associate Chief Medical Officer, and Professor of Pediatrics. She plays a critical role in the success of healthcare talent at every level, academically and in their careers. Dr. Collins also plays an integral role in advancing the healthcare industry as a whole. She has pursued grants to cultivate healthy communities, find effective therapies, and learn more about healthcare worker wellness. Dr. Collins has co-authored numerous articles about her studies, helping to add clarity and identify future areas of research. She has received numerous recognitions for her contributions to healthcare education and training, including being named Inspirational Physician and earning the honor of Outstanding Achievements in Pediatric Medical Student Education. Dr. Collins holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish from Wake Forest University and a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Miami, the latter of which is where she also completed her pediatric residency and chief residency.
Karen M. Jones Board Trustee Karen Jones is an accomplished leader in the marketing industry. During her 36 years in the field, Jones has helped companies improve their brand strength and positioning, also increasing awareness of the solutions they provide. Jones serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Ryder Systems, Inc., a Fortune 500 logistics, supply chain, and transportation provider. In this role, she has helped Ryder develop a more integrated presence, increasing its brand value and driving its growth and profitability, as well as leading all new product innovation and development efforts for the company. A thought leader in the marketing space, Jones helps companies achieve successful brand development, sales and lead volume increase strategies, and improved consumer awareness. Jones’ achievements have earned her multiple awards and recognitions during her career including being named one of the “Most Powerful & Influential Women” by the Florida Diversity Council and a “Growth CMO” by the CMO Club. Before Ryder, Jones held leadership positions with NRG Energy, DHL Express, and Hewlett Packard. Her brand management and marketing approaches helped these businesses attain their revenue and earnings goals, increasing their recognition within their respective industries. Jones holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Houston.
Francis E. Rodriguez Board Trustee A Martindale-Hubbell AV® rated attorney, Francis E. “Frank” Rodriguez has nearly 30 years of experience advising clients on federal and Florida tax law matters. He has extensive experience in tax efficiency maximization strategies, as well as in corporate structuring, compliance, governance, and auditing procedures. A partner at Shutts & Bowen LLP Miami, where he is Chair of the firm’s Executive Committee, Rodriguez has represented numerous institutions and high-profile clients on legal tax matters, offering advice about entity formation and structuring, acquisitions, business transactions, and more. He was awarded the Dade County Bar Association Pro Bono Award for his pro bono services. Rodriguez serves on the President’s Council of Florida International University and is a member of the Tax Section of The Florida Bar. He speaks to various local and international organizations regarding federal and Florida legal and tax issues. Rodriguez received dual undergraduate degrees in International Relations and History, cum laude, from Florida International University, and his law degree from the University of Miami School of Law.
Kathleen M. Shanahan Board Trustee With a proven track record of success, Kathleen Shanahan has a solutions-focused mindset and 30+ years of experience in business, public service, and corporate governance. Under her guidance, organizations have achieved superior results when developing strategies, driving implementation, and achieving ambitious goals. As Senior Advisor for Turtle & Hughes, Inc., a top independent electrical and industrial distribution, logistics, and supply chain solutions company, Shanahan — who was also previously the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) — has led significant growth and transformation efforts, resulting in major revenue increases and expansion of service and product offerings. Previous to Turtle & Hughes, Shanahan held Chair and CEO positions at URETEK Holdings, Inc., and WRSCompass, where she also led significant expansion, built high-performing executive teams, and achieved a best-in-industry health and safety record. Shanahan holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Leonard N. Stern School of Business, New York University. She received her undergraduate degree in Nutrition and Biochemistry from the University of California San Diego.