Fluent in Floridian

Ed Moore spent 16 years shaping higher education in Florida as president of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF). Moore recently retired from the position with a lasting impact. In his conversation with SalterMitchell PR Founder + CEO April Salter, Moore details the changes ICUF made early on to expand online courses for college students. This transition is more relevant than ever as students across the country finish their school year taking classes remotely.

As Florida House Executive Director, Diana Beckmann and her team have worked tirelessly to help the nation's only state embassy reach its fullest potential. By elevating the space and collaborating with partners on visitor and staff experience, Beckmann is bringing a true sense of rejuvenation to this historic building on Capitol Hill while staying true to its objective of connecting, celebrating and championing Florida to the world. In her conversation with SalterMitchell PR CEO + Founder April Salter, Beckmann discusses how she became familiar with Florida House, the passion she has for working in the nation's capital, and the camaraderie she has forged with her Florida House colleagues.

Dr. Jeffrey Sharkey is a serial entrepreneur, visionary, and director of a wide variety of organizations and associations. He's now a leader in Florida's growing medical cannabis industry and guiding the expansion of legislative policy as the founder of the Medical Marijuana Business Association. He has worked to position himself and this association at the forefront of this new frontier in the nation's third most populous state. His interview with SalterMitchell PR CEO April Salter was recorded in front of a live audience during the Leadership FPRA conference this month. Listen to Dr. Sharkey as he details his entrepreneurial journey from Pennsylvania to Tallahassee, which also included mission-driven work in underdeveloped countries.

Holly Bell, Florida's first director of cannabis, is focused on leading the state's new medical marijuana and hemp programs. More than two dozen people applied for the position, however, Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Nikki Fried said Bell was the person "to get it right" on implementing a state hemp program. For the past year, the former banker has been developing the program from the ground up, from growing to processing and manufacturing.

Fines and Fees Justice Center Florida State Director Ashley Thomas is a trailblazer for change with a passion for policy reform. She's working hard to advance state and local campaigns to reform the imposition and collection of fines and fees in Florida, specifically dealing with driver's license suspensions due to unpaid court debt. Tune in to hear how fines and fees are addressed in the justice system, and learn how driver's license suspension impacts Floridians and Florida's economy.

Dr. Carrie Pettus-Davis devoted most of her career to improving the lives of formerly incarcerated people. Her five key approach prepares them to be job ready and job steady for when they complete their sentences. Pettus-Davis believes that if we want to influence the children of our country, as well as our community, we need to make sure the parents are thriving so children won't be affected. The Institute for Justice Research and Development does just that. Their mission to advance science, policy, and practice to improve the well-being of individuals, families and communities impacted by the criminal justice system involvement. Creating a movement towards smart decarceration to produce effective, sustainable and equitable criminal justice reforms.

Today, more than 22.7% of children in Florida live in "food insecure" homes. No Kid Hungry Florida is working to eradicate this statistic for good by providing innovative hunger solutions to communities across the Sunshine State. The organization recently hired long-time child advocate Sky Beard as its new Florida Director. She's using her experience and connections to create partnerships and new programs that give youth 18 and under more access to meals year-round.