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The Florida Debate Initiative's Board of Directors is a team of all-star leaders from various industries, all committed to championing excellence in speech and debate. Their combined skills and dedication power our drive to expand opportunities for students statewide, helping cultivate civic engagement and empowering the next generation of emerging leaders.

TARA TEDROW,
ESQ.

CO-FOUNDER,

BOARD CHAIR

MARC
ADLER

FORMER SECRETARY OF

COMMERCE

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BEVERLY EVANS

REAL ESTATE INVESTOR 

& EXECUTIVE

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JOHN T.
MCGOVERN, ESQ.

VICE MAYOR
WELLINGTON, FLORIDA

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CHRIS
SPENCER

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, STATE BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION

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CATHY BROWN

AWARD-WINNING SPEECH

& DEBATE COACH

MARNA WESTON

AWARD-WINNING SPEECH

& DEBATE COACH

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BETH
ESKIN

CO-FOUNDER, 

SENIOR ADVISOR

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Meet the dynamic team behind the Florida Debate Initiative, a group of dedicated professionals with a passion for empowering the next generation of critical thinkers and communicators. With diverse backgrounds in education, coaching, and leadership, our staff is committed to expanding access to competitive speech and debate across the state.

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ABRAHAM
LÓPEZ

PRESIDENT

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DAVID FETCHEL

PROGRAM MANAGER

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JEN
BURG

DIRECTOR, EDUCATIONAL 

PROGRAMS

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NICOLE
DAVIDMAN

 DEVELOPMENT

CONSULTANT

AMANDA
DEPALMA

PUBLIC RELATIONS

CONSULTANT

KENDALL
LINDSAY

PROGRAM COORDINATOR

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MERCEDES
CORTES

ALUMNI RELATIONS & PARNTERSHIP CONSULTANT

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MICHELLE 
LEIGHT

GRANTS MANAGEMENT

CONSULTANT

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CARINA
HAYES

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT & OPERATIONS MANAGER

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SAM
IRWIN

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

LET'S BE

SOCIAL

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