About US

Our Mission

Our mission is to serve as the connection between our community and public education, evaluating needs and securing resources to enhance the quality of education.

Originally established in 1987 as the Dial-A-Teacher program in Lake County, Florida, by local business leaders in collaboration with the Lake County School District. The primary objective was to provide homework assistance to students, particularly those facing academic challenges. In 1988, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization was renamed the Education Foundation of Lake County, Inc. This rebranding marked a broader commitment to enhancing public education in the community. Today, the foundation continues to serve as a vital link between the community and public education, offering various programs and initiatives to support students and educators throughout Lake County. We are a member of the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations.

Our Team

Staff

Dr. Elizabeth Johnson

Executive Director

Jennifer Grinnell

Accounts & Grants Manager

Kacey Edmondson

Donor Development Specialist

Kim Paulling

Events Coordinator

Jennifer Julian

Take Stock in Children Student Success Coach

Mandy Cooke

Take Stock in Children Student Success Coach

2025-2027 Board of Directors

President

Matt Hackler

Edgewater Family Wealth | 2020

Vice President

Kasey Hobbs

United Southern Bank | 2021

Secretary

Cindi Falanga

Citizens First Bank | 2024

Treasurer

Rich Billings

Citizens First Bank, Retired | 2017

Attorney to the Board

Kevin Stone

Stone & Gerken, PA | 2017

Executive Advisor

Mike DeGraw

DeGraw Properties, LLC | 2012

Executive Advisor

Loren Vasquez

Skates Uhrik Vasquez Law | 2022

Past President

Lori Baker

Premier Sotheby’s International Realty | 2019

Directors

DIRECTOR

Jimmy Adams

Electric Services Inc. | 2022

DIRECTOR

Rosanne Brandeburg

Insight Credit Union | 1999

DIRECTOR

Sheriff Peyton Grinnell

Lake County Sheriff’s Office | 2017

DIRECTOR

Doris Jackson-Shazier

Shazier Coaching and Consulting, LLC | 2025

DIRECTOR

Joe MacLaren

Addition Financial | 2018

DIRECTOR

Don Marx

Financial Services, Retired | 2021

DIRECTOR

Meeghan Moldof

Office of the Public Defender | 2024

DIRECTOR

Kristy Parsons

NFM Lending | 2014

DIRECTOR

Marc Robertz-Schwartz

HHTV, LLC | 2022

DIRECTOR

Bobby Rhodes

ECO Construction | 2017

DIRECTOR

B. E. Thompson

LifeStream Behavioral Center | 2012

DIRECTOR

Cari Warnock

CDW, LLC | 2025

DIRECTOR

Lee Woods

Lee Woods Construction | 2020

Ex Officio

Diane Kornegay

Lake County Schools Superintendent | 2017

Ex Officio

Dr. Stephanie Luke

Lake County School Board | 2025

Ex Officio

Elisabeth Emery

Lake County Education Association | 2025

Meetings & Reports

Meetings

  • Board meetings are at noon on the 4th Wednesday of the month. Executive Board Meetings are at 4pm on the 3rd Wednesday of the month.
  • Board, Financial, and Executive meetings are open to the public.
  • The Education Foundation Executive Board meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 20 at 4 p.m. at 2045 Pruitt St., Leesburg, FL 34748.
  • The Board of Directors meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 27 at 12:00 p.m. at 201 W. Burleigh St., Tavares, FL 32778.

Annual Reports & Financials

2023-24 Impact Report

Contact

*Please note that our hours may occasionally change when we are participating in community events.