New LWVOC Board Members Installed
Staff | Published on 4/13/2024
CO-PRESIDENT Tiffany Hughes (serving since 2023)
(Shown left) Tiffany is the owner of KBI Staffing Solutions LLC, a staffing firm focused on economically empowering the community in Orlando's Historic Parramore. She is a community advocate, education advocate, and mentor for high school students with the Take Stock in Children Program. Tiffany is also the 25th President of the Orange County, FL branch of the NAACP, the youngest in their history, and a graduate of Leadership Orlando Class 100 and NAACP 2019 NextGen. She has served on Orange County and City of Orlando boards, is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated and a steward at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Eatonville, FL. Tiffany has a Master's degree from Full Sail University, a certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University, and was awarded as a 2023 Woman Who Mean Business honoree and named an Orlando Business Journal 40 under 40 honoree in 2021.
New CO-PRESIDENT Kathy Schmitz
(Right) Rev. Kathy is an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister. She has served congregations in Massachusetts, Texas, and Florida in a variety of capacities over the last 30 years. Her special interests in organizations in transition, especially during changing and challenging times. Originally from New England, Kathy has been a member of the Orange County League since 2010, when she was called to be the senior pastor of First Unitarian Church of Orlando, which she served until 2018. She has enjoyed being involved in the community, including interfaith activities and advocacy for various social justice issues. She is a committed environmentalist. Prior to entering seminary, Kathy was a software engineer. She has a BS in Computer Science from Cornell University and a Master of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School. Kathy is married to League member, Charlie Behrens.
The League of Women Voters Orange County, Florida, one of the nation’s largest League chapters with some 700 members, selected a new slate of officers and directors at its annual meeting April 13, 2024. Officers include: Co-Presidents Kathy Schmitz, newly elected, and Tiffany Hughes, continuing; Lee Rambeau Kemp, 1st Vice President; Anna Alvarez Boyd, 2nd Vice President; Karen Willis, Treasurer; and Tamra Boone, Secretary.
Elected Directors include: Pat Grierson, Kathy Sheerin, Saudi Muhammad Ellis, Virginia Meany, Gina Hall, Marilyn Baldwin, Jean Yglesias and Lauren Zelik. Appointed Directors include: Samia Solh, Jane Hursh, Sandi McAdams, Diana Smith, Barbara Lanning, and Virginia Shinker.
Prior to leading the LWV-OC, Co-President Hughes served as the 25th president of the Orange County, FL branch of the NAACP, the youngest in its history and has served on Boards of Orange County and City of Orlando. Newly elected Co-President Schmitz is an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister who has served congregations in Massachusetts, Texas, and Florida in a variety of capacities over the last 30 years. She was senior pastor of First Unitarian Church of Orlando, which she served until 2018.
First Vice Pres. Kemp, MPA, is the founder of Rambeau Consulting Group LLC; prior to that she was a senior executive at a non-profit in NYC where she directed a portfolio of outpatient, health and residential services. Second Vice Pres. Boyd is an International Coach Federation (ICF) Professional Certified Coach (PCC), and founder of Executive Horizons LLC. Treasurer Willis served as the chief executive officer for the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County from 2007 to her retirement in 2022; prior to that she served as executive director for the Early Learning Coalition of Seminole County.
Click Board of Directors to see the complete list and bios of the 2024-2025 Elected and Appointed Board.
Front row L-R: 1st VP Lee Rambeau Kemp, Co-Presidents Kathy Schmitz & Tiffany Hughes, Treasurer Karen Willis, Secretary Tamra Boone
Second row L-R: Nominating Co-chair Sandi Vidal, Directors Jean Yglesias, Kathy Sheerin, Nominating Co-chair Kay Hudson, Marilyn Baldwin, Gina Hall
Back row: Pat Grierson, Cassandra Hall, Jane Hursh, Lauren Zelek
*Photography by Carol Wonsavage