Education Foundation Board of Directors announces new Executive Director
The Education Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Elizabeth M. Johnson, Ed.D., has been selected to replace retiring Executive Director Carman Cullen who leaves December 31, 2024. Dr. Johnson and Ms. Cullen will be working together the remainder of the year to ensure a smooth transition. Dr. Johnson brings 12 years of professional experience in educational settings and serving non-profit organizations. She comes to the foundation from Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC), where she was the interim program director, Bachelor of Applied Science in Leadership, for Workforce Programs. Previously she was director of assessment for Process Improvement & Institutional Research at LSSC and associate director of the Office of First Year Experience at the University of Central Florida (UCF). At LSSC, Dr. Johnson cultivated and sustained community and college partnerships to establish internship opportunities and a virtual seminar series to drive outreach efforts. At UCF, she successfully secured alumni donor gifts totaling more than $100,000 and secured a university-allocated COVID grant for $1.2 million. Dr. Johnson is an advocate for creating experiences and securing resources that will benefit students beyond the classroom and prepare them to be the future of our community. Her proven track record of leading cross-functional teams to achieve common goals, providing strategic guidance, and managing programmatic details will serve the foundation well. Her goals align with the foundation’s goals, and the Board is confident that her skills and leadership will be an asset to the Foundation, Lake County Public Schools, Take Stock in Children, and the community.
18th Annual Stepping Out for Education Winner Announced
Six local celebrities and their professional partners danced their hearts out to benefit the teachers and students of Lake County Schools at the 18th Annual Stepping Out for Education, held July 26th and 27th at the Venetian Center in Leesburg. The signature event for the Education Foundation of Lake County raised over $89,000 for Lake County Schools Teacher Mentorship program and the state will match the total 100%. Each team boot, scoot, and boogied the audience and judges out of their boots at the Wild Wild West…Saddle Up and Get Ready for the Ride themed evening. The celebrities included: A panel of professional judges that included Anastassia Abramenko, Marta Lyszkowicz, and Andy Bradfield judged the teams’ two performances each night and combined the scores to award the top Male and Female Performer. The audience participated in voting for the audience choice performer each night with assistance from the Lake County Supervisor of Elections staff. Friday night’s Top Female Performer was Jessica Giannini.Friday night’s Top Male Performer was Dr. Maen Hussein.Friday night’s Audience Choice winner was Dr. Terri Pfister Soos. Saturday night’s Top Female Performer was Dr. Terri Pfister Soos.Saturday night’s Top Male Performer was Dr. Maen Hussein.Saturday night’s Audience Choice winner was Dr. Terri Pfister Soos. The 2024 Influencer Award was won by Jessica Giannini. The Overall Mirror Ball Winner was Dr. Terri Pfister Soos of Lake County Schools, pictured below. The event was emceed by the two best looking cowboys in Lake County, and previous Stepping Out alums, Dr. Wade Winker and Marc Robertz-Schwartz. Both gentlemen worked tirelessly to help make this event a success. A special thank you to our sponsors who included: Style Magazine, Dance It Studio, Citizens First Bank, Wharton-Smith Construction Group, City of Leesburg, Electric Services Inc., FASRO, United Southern Bank, McLin Burnsed, UDT, Renew Day Spa, Nobles Marine, Mathias Foodservice, Maggie’s Attic and Remsen Law, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Charities, Insight Credit Union, GSB Construction & Development, Florida Cancer Specialists, Eustis Roofing, Eustis Lakeside Dental, Bowen & Schroth, Advanced Behavioral Health Center, Addition Financial, Holiday Air Conditioning, Vita Coco, M & M Enterprises of Morriston Inc., Great Lakes Carpet & Tile, LLC., Ford Press, Duke Energy, and 1st Choice Door and Milwork.
