Lawrence E. Dennis is a Regional Director, VP at Mainstream Development Educational Group. Previously, he was a Regional Superintendent for Duval County Public Schools after serving as a Principal at elementary, middle and high schools across Jacksonville.

Meredith Chartrand Frisch serves as a Board Member for The Chartrand Foundation, Women’s Giving Alliance, and KIPP Jacksonville. She has also served on boards for The Discovery School, Wolfson Children’s Hospital, Healthy Start Coalition, and Jacksonville Community Council, Inc.

Connie Hodges had a thirty-year career with United Way in Kansas, Michigan, and Jacksonville, including serving as President and CEO of United Way of Northeast Florida. She transformed the organization to a Community Impact model focused on education, health, and family income.

Cynthia Ball Nixon is Chief Financial Officer of the Northeast Florida Healthy Start Coalition. Previously, she served in Senior Director roles for Finance, Business Services, and Accounting at Kids Hope Alliance and Duval County Public Schools.

J. Carson Tranquille is the Managing Broker and Owner of Tranquille Realty. He reached the rank of Police Division Chief at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and retired from the force in 2018 after 15 years of service.

“One of the top priorities of my administration is to bring back a reimagined and reinvigorated Jacksonville Journey. We need fresh eyes who will move the Kids Hope Alliance towards that vision,” said Mayor Donna Deegan. “I’m excited to nominate these accomplished leaders who bring decades of experience building safe and healthy neighborhoods.”

The Kids Hope Alliance Board of Directors includes seven members that serve four-year terms. Kevin Gay and Marsha Oliver will remain on the board.