executive director
Joe Ann Fletcher
Bringing over two decades of leadership experience in nonprofit management, Joe Ann joins our team as our Executive Director. She holds a master’s degree in Counseling and Staff Development and has completed all but her dissertation in her doctoral studies in Adult Education and Human Resource Development at Florida International University (FIU). Joe Ann has served on numerous nonprofit boards and in several C-level positions such as CEO of Saint Laurence Chapel Day Shelter, COO of HGH Education Foundation and as the Shelter Director for Women in Distress and Lippman Youth Center. Joe Ann enjoys volunteering in her spare time and has served two consecutive terms as president of her local AKA Sorority Alumni Chapter and recently served two consecutive terms as President of the North Broward County Chapter of The Links, Incorporated: a national friendship and community service organization. Her Motto in life is “to serve and not to be served while making a difference in the lives of others”.
Director of Programs and Outreach Services
Jodi Cutler
Jodi is an international speaker, author, and trainer; she has her bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland in English Language and Literature. From the moment Jodi received her son Jordan’s diagnosis of profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, Jodi dedicated herself to finding the most suitable tools for improving quality of life for families and individuals with hearing loss, rising to a high level of professionalism as a consultant and advocate for inclusion rights through various international initiatives. After spending the past 25 years living in Tuscany, Jodi recently moved back to West Palm Beach to promote the movie Rally Caps based on the book she wrote with her father and to become employed with an organization such as Dress for Success so that she could motivate others and share her experiences of someone taking a difficult situation and turning it into a positive experience. She is fluent in Italian and English.
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Victoria Cruz
Victoria Cruz is a native Floridian and recent graduate of Palm Beach State College, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services and graduated Cum Laude. She worked at Wellington Regional Medical Center for five years as a PBX operator in communications and emergency room admissions. She is advanced in American Sign Language and has excellent interpersonal skills. Victoria works well with clients and is computer-savvy and detail-oriented. She interned with Dress for Success Palm Beaches before becoming Director of Operations, and she chose Dress for Success because she likes working with people, empowering women, and loves fashion. She enjoys spending her spare time with her fiancé, family, and friends. She is an avid reader, a proud Swiftie (Taylor Swift fan), and the dog mom of her two energetic pups, Rowan and Sunny. Her love for people and outgoing personality will help to make a difference with the many women we serve.
Volunteer Coordinator
Maria Bacas-Cook
Maria came from Cuba as a child and has made South Florida her home ever since. She managed all aspects of the family florist and bridal business for 25+ years. She is a court approved Spanish interpreter, she holds an AA degree in Criminal Justice Technology and a AS degree in Human Services from Palm Beach State College, while actively pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Human Services from the same institution. Maria just completed her internship with us and serves as a volunteer for special events. She chose Dress for Success because she likes working with people, helping others, fashion, and empowering women. Maria enjoys serving in her church, watching sports, and spending time with family. She is excited about serving alongside the dedicated volunteers and staff members at Dress for Success Palm Beaches! She is fluent in Spanish and English
office administrator, Belle Glade Branch
Alexandra Ramos
Born and raised in Belle Glade, Alexandra not only understands the needs of the community but has built many strong relationships along the way. She has retail & fashion experience having worked in retail for nearly five years as an assistant store manager with Cato’s Fashion, and then at Marshall’s in a seasonal role. Outside of work, she volunteers as a coach for her son’s soccer and baseball leagues, and spends numerous hours at her daughter’s volleyball practices and games. Alex loves everything Dress for Success stands for, and looks forward to seeing the transformation it will have on women in the western communities.
Board of Directors
president
Lana Blackman
For over 20 years, Lana has used her degree in Broadcast Journalism to host, write, produce and direct commercials and training videos for the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County. Since 2014, she has also been a Legislative Liaison for the SWA. Additionally, Lana owns a consulting/video production company. Lana is passionate about serving others, and has done so in various capacities since 1990.
IMMEDIATE PAST president
Bridjette Shelfo
Bridjette serves as Vice President of Sales for PulteGroup in Southeast Florida. She attended Northern Arizona University on a full-ride basketball scholarship and had a career as a television news producer before moving into homebuilding. Bridjette is a lifelong volunteer, learning the value of serving her community while marching for farmworker rights with her mom as a child.
SECRETARY
Susan August
Susan is a Senior Trust Advisor and lead relationship manager in the Wealth Management office of Northern Trust’s North Palm Beach, Florida, specializing in overseeing personal fiduciary accounts in which the firm is the trustee or co-trustee. Susan is from Endicott, New York and lives in Palm Beach County. She enjoys boating with her family, including her husband and two sons.
treasurer
Debra Gallant
Debra is the owner of DLG Accounting and Advisory Services, a nationally Certified Women-Owned Business Enterprise. She graduated from Babson College, Wellesley, Massachusetts and is a Certified Public Accountant in Florida and New Jersey, specialized in non-profit accounting. Debra has served on numerous boards throughout her career and has enjoyed volunteering as a Road to Success mentor.
past president
Pam Rada
Pam is a fifteen-year marketing veteran and is currently the Marketing Director for Wellington Regional Medical Center. Prior to becoming president of our Board, she led our Young Executives for Success (YES!) networking group. Pam is a graduate of the 2020 Leadership Palm Beach County.
director
Tammera Atkins
Tammera is a retired sales and marketing executive. She has led sales teams for Anheuser-Busch Inc. and as V.P. of Marketing at National Beverage Inc., directed marketing efforts for LaCroix.
Tammera, her husband and furry babies live in Fort Lauderdale. Tammera has a B.S. in Economics from the University of Missouri and an M.B.A. from the University of Phoenix.
director
Brittany Perkins Castillo
Brittany is Chief Executive Officer of AshBritt, a national emergency management, logistics, and disaster response contractor. Since 1992, AshBritt has been integral to more than 400 emergency management missions having serving 600 clients across the United States and Caribbean. Prior to joining AshBritt, Brittany was a prosecutor, managed a law practice in Austin, Texas, and was a program manager in Doha, Qatar. Brittany served on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ Transition Advisory Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources & Agriculture. Brittany is also the co-author of the international best-seller Leading Through the Pandemic: Unconventional Wisdom from Heartfelt Leaders and her work as CEO was recently profiled in Forbes.
director
Shaundelyn D. Emerson
Shaundelyn D. Emerson is the Chief Program Officer at the YWCA Palm Beach County, an organization that is committed to eliminating racism while also enabling women and girls to strengthen their quality of life including family relationships, social and health well-being, professional development, financial security, and influence in the community. She received a bachelor of science in health care management from Florida A&M and a master’s in health law from Nova Southeastern. She is a Leadership Palm Beach County 2021 graduate.
director
Angela Ledford
Angela is a former news anchor and reporter turned public relations professional, working in the Marketing & Communications department of Florida Power & Light Company. In her current role, she supports outreach for Manatee Lagoon – An FPL Eco-Discovery Center, and she passionately advocates for the facility’s mission of educating the public about manatees and the Lake Worth Lagoon.
director
Caressa Gonzalez Miltz
Caressa is President of Honor House, Inc. and graduated from Florida International University with a degree in public relations and a minor in marketing. Her company specializes in administrative consulting and corporate events.
director
Tammy Jackson Moore
Tammy is the co-founder of Guardians of the Glades and is a member of several boards and committees that address the needs of her community. She holds a degree in Public Administration, with a concentration in Business Management from Barry University and brings years of professional experience in the nonprofit arena, state government, as well as municipal administration.
director
Bernadette O'Grady
Bernadette grew up in Boca Raton and graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a bachelor’s degree in communication. Since 1981 she has worked at WPTV in numerous capacities including program director. Her community involvement extends far into the community, serving on multiple boards across Palm Beach County.
DIRECTOR
Esther Perman
A PR practitioner for four decades, Esther is retired from the NYC agency she helped found and where she scored several career coups. She first volunteered for DFSPB as a mentor and soon joined the Board, chairing the PR Committee, volunteering weekly on our inventory team, and hatching the concept for the “Style Icon” award that’s become a centerpiece of our annual Style for Hope Fundraising Luncheon. She volunteers for her synagogue, including helping at the CROS Ministries Mobile Food Pantry, handling client intake at their Riviera Beach, Greenacres and West Palm Beach locations.
director
Nancy Rizzuto
Nancy Rizzuto is a Founding Partner and Principal of CAP STRAT, an independent fiduciary investment advisory firm. She is also founder of the CAP STRAT Women’s Forum, a community launched in 2015 with a mission to support the personal, professional, and financial success of women. Nancy serves as co-chair for Circle of Impact for Dress for Success Palm Beaches and is a member of their Business Advisory Council. She is also a member of Chief, a graduate of Leadership Palm Beach County Engage, and a member of Impact the Palm Beaches. Nancy strongly believes in mentorship and mentors’ professional women in her free time. Nancy received her M.A. in Corporate and Political Communication from Fairfield University and her B.A. in Mass Communication from Quinnipiac University.
DIRECTOR
Erika Williams
Erika is a credit marketing manager with Office Depot and CFIA Certified in FCRA for Data Users. She is also president of the Office Depot Women of Color Associate Resource Group. Erika is a graduate of Strayer University in Richmond and holds a bachelor of science in business administration.
founder and board emeritus
Diane Wilde
Diane Wilde opened the Dress for Success Palm Beaches affiliate in April of 2010. She spearheaded the growth and expansion of the organization from assisting seventy-nine clients during the first year to over five hundred in 2015.