Champions for Children

New Board of Directors Announcement

Champions for Children is pleased to announce the election of three new members to our Board of Directors. We are excited and grateful for the unique skills and expertise that these dedicated individuals will bring to our mission of building stronger families in Tampa Bay. Please join us in welcoming Alexis D. Deveaux, Esp., Kathleen Heide, and Keith Fakhoury!

Alexis D. Deveaux, Esq. is an Attorney at Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart, P.A. She simultaneously graduated with honors from Stetson University College of Law and College of Business with her Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration degrees. Alexis focuses her practice on business litigation, complex commercial litigation, and professional liability defense. She strives to apply the same dedication and passion to clients as she does to family, civic, and community engagements. Alexis’s personal mission statement is, “True success should fulfill your goals, but most importantly benefit others.” With that, her desire to advocate with a purpose is what led her to Champions. 

Kathleen M. Heide, PhD., is a Distinguished University Professor in the University of South Florida’s Department of Criminology. Kathleen earned her B.A. from Vassar College, where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and both her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University at Albany, where she was recognized as a distinguished alumna. She is an internationally recognized researcher, consultant, and lecturer on violence, particularly juvenile homicide and parricide (children who kill parents). She is also a licensed mental health professional who treats survivors of trauma and evaluates defendants charged with violent crimes across the United States. Kathleen sees prevention and intervention of child maltreatment to be critical in reducing the cycle of violence, substance abuse, and other maladaptive ways of coping.

Keith Fakhoury is a Certified Financial Planner and Relationship Manager at PNC Wealth Management. He has a degree in economics from Willamette University in Oregon and studied in the UAE, Chile, Greece, and Turkey. In addition to Champions for Children, he is also a member of the Hillsborough County Anti Bullying Advisory Committee, University of Tampa Board of Fellows, and Equality Florida Tampa Steering Committee. He is most excited about helping Champions for Children increase donor engagement and ensuring program access to families for a better future in Tampa Bay.

Champions for Children’s 2021 Board of Directors

  • Kay Annis Wilson, President
  • Dianne Jacob, President-Elect
  • Liana Fernandez Fox, PhD, Immediate Past President
  • Parker Rabow, Development Council Chair
  • Mark W. Stoker, Treasurer & Finance Council Chair
  • Hon. Richard A. Nielsen, Secretary & Advisory & Monitoring Council Chair
  • Moira J. Burke, MD
  • Alexis D. Deveaux, Esq.
  • Keith Fakhoury
  • Lara Roeske Fernandez, Esq.
  • Anne V. Gormly, PhD
  • Greg Hargrove
  • Malcolm C. Harris
  • Kathleen M. Heide, PhD
  • Daniel Perez
  • Stacey S. Pittman
  • Kimberly E. Renfroe
  • Bonnie R. Saks, MD
  • Laura-Elizabeth Ware
  • Willisha J. Williams
  • Marian S. Winters
  • Joan Wagner Zinober, PhD