2014-2015 Community Advisory Board

Comprised of a diverse group of community leaders and professionals, the JLPB Community Advisory Board will lend leadership support and objective advice to our organization. We consult our CAB members to help identify JLPB’s strengths and opportunities and share insight related to how our community views JLPB. They advise on community needs and emerging social issues that can strategically advance our mission, enhance volunteer impact, and strengthen community relations. We are pleased to include the following members for the 2014-2015 year:

Roy Assad

Managing Partner
Muses &Visionaries Magazine
The Human Capital Group
RBA Insurance Strategies, LLC

Roy Assad is a professional advisor, motivational speaker, and executive coach.  With nearly thirty years experience in an award winning sales career, he has mastered the arts of networking, negotiation and bridge-building.  These skills have enhanced his effectiveness in the coaching of executives and entrepreneurs.  In 1990, he formed Rainmaker Strategies, and in 2003 he helped form The Human Capital Group, LLC.Roy’s unique insight into the dynamics of relationships and his desire to share this knowledge with others is the propelling force behind successful coaching and training.  Roy coaches’ executives and teams in uncovering key problem areas, identifying trigger points and, ultimately, eliminating roadblocks.  Together with his client, Roy builds a solution-based strategy that will free them to overcome obstacles, unleash hidden potential and capitalize on the unique talents they possess with a focus on maximizing personal and professional success.  Key to Roy’s success are his innate interest in people, his ability to recognize their mental blocks and inefficiencies, and his skill in guiding their personal and career development.

Shannon Cake

Anchor
WPTV News Channel 5

Born in Ft. Knox, Kentucky, Shannon Cake spent her childhood as an army dependent living in Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong and eight different states in the U.S.A. She double-majored in Journalism and Political Science with a minor in Japanese at the University of Alabama. Her broadcasting career began in radio news at an NPR-affiliated station in Tuscaloosa, AL, followed by a move to television news in Panama City, FL. An opportunity with Contact 5 at WPTV News Channel 5 drew her to West Palm Beach in 1996.  Shannon’s reporting has earned 15 Regional Emmy Awards, a Regional Edward R. Murrow, and dozens of Associated Press Awards.  Her work has changed policies in guardrail protection along Florida’s busiest roadways, pushed local legislation that has influenced restaurant cleanliness, and exposed government waste when it comes to Medicare spending.

Pam Figoras, L.C.S.W.

Vice President of Child and Family Mental Health Services
Parent Child Center/Community Partners

Pam has over 25 years of experience spanning throughout the Southeast, with particular expertise in creating and overseeing mental health programs for children and families.  In her current position Pam oversees 12 programs including several designed to meet the needs of adolescents involved with the Juvenile Justice system.  She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Georgia and a Bachelor in Social Work from the University of New Hampshire.  Pam is Licensed Clinical Social Worker as well as a Certified Supervisor

Kristina Klaas

Patron Engagement & Grants Manager
Palm Beach Opera

Kristina Klaas is currently the Patron Engagement & Grants Manager at Palm Beach Opera where she oversees the Annual Fund, stewards donors, writes and maintains all grants, and measures the impact of the Opera’s programming. A Florida native, Kristina received a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences from the Wilkes Honors College at Florida Atlantic University and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University.

Laura Shoemaker

Foster Care Liaison
School District of Palm Beach County

Laura Shoemaker is a native Floridian, living in Palm Beach County for 18 years. She received both of her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Palm Beach Atlantic University. She has worked with the School District of Palm Beach County since 1998. Currently, she is the district’s first-appointed Foster Care Liaison and a contact person for human trafficking awareness. While working in the district, she has overseen Alternative to Suspension, Service Learning and After-School Programs. Prior to working with the School District, she served as the Shelter Administrator for The Lord’s Place, during the period that it served as a family shelter. She also worked with children at Village Academy and the Mental Health Association.  She volunteers with her husband as a Human Trafficking Awareness Advocate through Christ Fellowship. She has previously volunteered with Urban Youth Impact, Palm Beach Harvest and Talbot House homeless shelter.

Stacey Stout, M.D., F.A.A.P.

Physician
Palm Beach Pediatrics

With an undergraduate and medical degree from the University of Miami, Dr. Stacey Stout also completed her residency at UM’s Jackson Memorial Hospital, where she served as Chief Resident. She joined Palm Beach Pediatrics in 2006 and maintains her primary office in Boynton Beach.

Jim Walsh

Supervising Attorney, Foster Children’s Project
Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County

Jim Walsh has been practicing children’s law for over 20 years.  He graduated Florida State University with degrees in Film and Law.  In 2001, he helped create the Foster Children’s Project at the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County.  FCP is a children’s law office that focuses on helping kids get out of foster care and find permanent homes.  The office has been honored by Congress with the Angels in Adoption award and has been recognized as one of the top 50 children’s law offices in the country by the National Association of Counsel for Children.  It has also been the subject of a national study which demonstrated that children’s attorneys can reduce length of stay in the foster care system.  Over 2,000 FCP clients have found permanent homes.  Jim has spoken, written and taught on children’s representation to everyone from Judges to High School Students.

Rene Webster

Senior Vice President and Market Executive
1^st United Bank

Rene Webster is a seasoned banker with over 40 years of experience in the field of banking.  Rene has been with 1st United Bank for ten years as a Senior Vice President and Market Executive handling Northern Palm Beach County.  Rene has lived in Palm Beach County for over 30 years, having come from Philadelphia where she was a Trust Operations Officer with The Bryn Mawr Trust Company.  Rene has two grown sons who also reside in Palm Beach County, has served on the boards of The Lord’s Place, The R. J. Hendley School, Easter Seals, and is currently on the board of Potentia Academy and a member of the Student Advisory Committee of Lake Park Elementary School.  She has also worked as a Volunteer guardian ad litem in the 15th Judicial Circuit Court.  Additionally, she is a die-hard FSU and Pittsburgh Steelers fan.