Dr. Tonjua Williams is the seventh president of St. Petersburg College (SPC), a position she has held since July 3, 2017. She has over 30 years of experience in higher education and is recognized nationally as an expert in student development and executing plans that transform departments and institutions. Dr. Williams holds a PhD from Barry University in Higher Education Administration with a specialization in Educational Leadership.

She began her career at St. Petersburg College in 1986 and rose through the ranks in various departments before becoming president. As president, she focuses on enhancing student success and the quality of their experience. She is also a dynamic, transformational leader and inspiring speaker.

Lee Allen has worked in the real estate investment and development industry for over 35 years. A lifetime resident of St. Petersburg, he returned to the city after receiving a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree, with a major in accounting, from the University of Florida.

Mr. Allen currently serves on the boards for the Homeless Leadership Alliance of Pinellas and the St. Petersburg Museum of History (serving as its Treasurer). Lee is keenly interested in non-automotive transportation alternatives and has served on the Citizens Advisory Committee for Forward Pinellas, the St. Petersburg Mayor’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee and the St. Pete Chamber Housing, Land Use and Transportation Committee.

Brett Bina graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. He holds both the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation and the CAIA® designation. His investment industry experience spans 14+ years and he has worked for both European and American financial institutions.

He got his start as a risk analyst in the hedge fund industry and has since gained experience in managing multi-asset portfolios. Before his move to Tampa Bay, Brett volunteered at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls in Chicago. He was also a longtime contributor and writer for CFA Society Chicago and plans to continue that volunteerism here with CFA Tampa Bay.

Jo-Lynn Brown is the managing editor for Tampa Bay Business & Wealth Magazine. She is a native of St. Petersburg and graduated from University of South Florida St. Petersburg with a B.A. in journalism.  

Ms.Brown graduated from Leadership Tampa Bay in 2020 and is currently on the communications committee for the organization. Before being named chairwoman of the ISPS board, in August 2022, she was on the strategic planning committee for the organization.  

Michelle Grimsley, a third-generation native of Manatee County, studied Marketing at Florida State University. She began her career as Marketing Director for one of the largest student housing properties in Tallahassee before being promoted to Special Events Coordinator at the corporate office of Student Housing Solutions. Grimsley went on to serve as legislative assistant to Rep. Wengay Newton in the Florida House of Representatives—offering her firsthand knowledge of the legislative process across four counties.

She then joined The Southern Group’s Tampa Bay team, bringing her marketing, government, and nonprofit experience to the firm. While advancing her career, she has furthered her academic credentials by pursuing a Master’s in Public Administration at Barry University.

Gershom Faulkner, has been motivated by service to his country and to the community. A decorated United States Marine, Mr. Faulkner served honorably during the Gulf War and was awarded several commendations.

Mr. Faulkner exchanged his military service for service to his community. Mr. Faulkner serves as Deputy District Director & Military Liaison for Congressman Charlie Crist of the United States House of Representatives serving Florida’s 13th Congressional District.

Nikki Gaskin-Capehart is a change agent and champion for building generational wealth in black families. She has over 25 years of experience initiating and leading innovations in the public, private, non-profit, and business sectors. 

Nikki is a native of St. Petersburg, Florida, where she lives with her family and leads the Network of Gifted Consultants, NGC Team a boutique consulting, recruitment, and referral firm.

Katherine E. Cole, based in Belleair, earned a B.S. from the University of Tennessee in 1995 and a J.D., cum laude, from Stetson University College of Law in 2007. She is now a shareholder and attorney at Hill Ward Henderson, where she represents real estate owners through all stages of commercial and residential development—including land use, zoning, code enforcement, and environmental permitting—in Pinellas (and Pasco) County.

Cole has also held leadership roles beyond her legal practice: she serves as Chair‑Elect of the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce, has participated in Charter Review Committees for both Clearwater and Pinellas County, and sits on the Board of Morton Plant Mease Hospital. In 2017 she was appointed—and later reappointed—to the St. Petersburg College Board of Trustees, serving two years as chair through 2021. Since 2009, Cole has contributed to The Arc Tampa Bay Foundation’s Omelette Party committee, supporting its fundraising efforts.

Alysen Heil, Ed.D., previously held roles as Assistant Dean of STEM programs and Dean of Workforce Programs at Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC). Prior to her time in Florida, she spent 15 years at Georgia’s Athens Technical College as a mathematics instructor and department chair, and co-coordinator of both Achieving the Dream and the Quality Enhancement Plan.

Dr. Heil earned her Ed.D. in Occupational Studies from the University of Georgia, an M.S. in Mathematics from the University of Central Florida, and a B.S. in Secondary Education–Mathematics from the University of South Alabama. At PHSC, she has driven key initiatives—supporting the FDOE Rapid Credentialing Grant, collaborating on the Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment, and securing PCOG and apprenticeship grants—while stewarding program expansions in welding, aviation, engineering technology, and workforce apprenticeship models.

Adam Johnson, a Summa Cum Laude graduate of St. Petersburg College, began his professional journey as a Registered Pharmaceutical Technician before transitioning into the realm of international diplomacy as a multi‑award‑winning Model United Nations delegate.

Along the way, Adam has been recognized for his academic excellence and leadership, maintaining active membership in several honor societies—Phi Theta Kappa (Psychology), The National Society of Leadership and Success, and The Golden Key Honor Society.

Valerie Ellis Lavin is a retired Army First Sergeant and the Founder & CEO of Luminary Global, where she and her husband Jeremy (COO) oversee the provision of both commercial and customized emergency product solutions for first responders, municipalities, corporations, individual citizens—and most recently, humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.

A 21-year military veteran with leadership roles in military intelligence, Lavin leverages her extensive experience to support fellow service members transitioning to civilian entrepreneurship. She co-founded the nonprofit Action Zone to mentor veteran and military-spouse entrepreneurs, and supports ecosystem-building initiatives through organizations like Bunker Labs and longtime board commitments, including at the Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions.

Daniel is the past president of CASA, a local domestic violence advocacy organization, and served on the board of the Alumni Association of Eckerd College, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. He is involved with the Children’s Dream Fund as a founding member of the First Team and also a member of the John’s Hopkins All Children’s Hospital Development Council.

Dan co-chaired the 2003 Outstanding Business of the Year Awards for the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce. He is currently a Board Trustee of the St Petersburg Museum of History. He is also currently Immediate Past President of The Kiwanis Club of St Petersburg.

Mr. Meigs has over 30 years of experience in Accounting and Finance. He has worked in managerial positions, including 25 years at St. Petersburg College beginning as the Director of Student Accounting and his current role as Associate Vice President of Business and Financial Services.

Mr. Meigs has served on the Board of Directors for the Florida Association of Bursars & Student Accounting Administrators for 5 years and the state-wide accounting committee for the last 4 years.  In addition, he has served on numerous college initiatives and committees as well as several other state-wide committees.  Mr. Meigs also played a critical role in implementing both the PeopleSoft Finance and Student systems.

Ms. Sembler is a Jewish educator who holds a bachelor’s degree in newspaper journalism and political science from Syracuse University, followed by a master’s in English from the University of South Florida . She began her career as a staff writer for the St. Petersburg Times.

Her extensive leadership experience in public media and nonprofit governance includes service on the WEDU-TV board since 1993—chairing from 2001 to 2003—and on the APTS board from 2006 to 2008 . Additionally, Ms. Sembler contributes to the Poynter Institute Foundation board and serves on educational and cultural boards including those of the Davidson Graduate School of Education at the Jewish Theological Seminary, Academy Prep Center of St. Petersburg, and the Florida Orchestra.

Mark has been and continues to be a major contributor to the implementation and success of the College Experience. Mark has assisted and served on numerous college initiatives, along with state-wide committees. Mark joined St. Petersburg College in 2000 as a College Recruiter.

In 2003, Mark was promoted to Coordinator of Enrollment Management and soon thereafter became the Director. Mark left Enrollment Management in 2011 to become the Associate Provost at the Downtown Campus. In addition to his contributions as an Associate Provost, he also served as the Athletic Director until 2015. Mark also has been an Adjunct Instructor for St. Petersburg College, Barry University, and the University of Tampa.

Tarruck Wheeler is a Jack Kent Cooke Scholar and non‑traditional student currently pursuing a double major in Computer Science and International Relations at Florida Atlantic University. He began his academic journey at Palm Beach State College, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude with an Associate’s degree in Computer Science, and earned valuable leadership experience as a Student Trustee and President of the Honors College Advisory Council.

Professionally, Tarruck brings a diverse range of expertise: he has interned in Congress for Florida’s 22nd district, served as Chief Diversity Officer at ChemTalk, and conducted research on neurodiversity at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. His work reflects a deep commitment to mental health advocacy, public policy, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.