Staff & Board of Directors

At A Gift For Teaching, we are a passionate team of professionals dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children.

Our Leadership

Jane Thompson
Jane ThompsonPresident
Have big-picture ideas on how to get involved with A Gift For Teaching? Jane is your go-to! Email Jane
Dan Murwin
Dan MurwinVice President of Operations
Wondering how to donate bulk supplies/surplus product or about our warehouse operations? Dan is your man!
Email Dan
Angela Garcia
Angela GarciaVice President of Development & Marketing
Interested in corporate giving opportunities, our Back-to-School initiatives, or supporting our programs? Chat with Angela!
Email Angela
Vanessa Kestner
Vanessa KestnerDirector of A Gift For Music
Passionate about supporting music education? Vanessa can help with that!
Email Vanessa
Emily Magee
Emily MageeDirector of Finance & Human Resources
Questions about current available career opportunities? Contact Emily today.
Email Emily

Our Team

Kathy Brooks
Kathy BrooksExecutive Assistant
Not exactly sure where to direct your inquiry about A Gift For Teaching? Just ask Kathy!
Email Kathy
Denise Naranjo
Denise NaranjoDirector of Marketing
Looking for a feel-good media story or have a marketing opportunity? Let Denise know!
Email Denise
Ken Probst
Ken ProbstSr. Manager of Programs & Volunteers
Interested in volunteering, doing a book drive, or have a teacher appreciation idea? Talk to Ken!
Email Ken
Albert Creque
Albert CrequeWarehouse Manager
Not sure how to get more than a pallet worth of donations to us? Logistics is easy for Albert!
Email Albert
Maria Fischer
Maria FischerProgram Manager
Want more details about our Pencil Boy Programs and School SmARTS? Maria can help!
Email Maria
Chad McClellan
Chad McClellanProgram Manager of A Gift For Music
Considering introducing string music to your child? Get more information from Chad!
Email Chad
Teege Braune
Teege BrauneDistribution Coordinator
Have questions about our Free Teacher Supply Store? Reach out to Teege!
Email Teege
Joe Hurtado
Joe HurtadoOperations Coordinator
Wondering who drives Pencil Boy Express and all the big trucks? Joe is behind the wheel!
Email Joe
Larry Scott
Larry ScottOperations Coordinator
Curious how supplies go from warehouse to Free Teacher Supply Store? Larry is on it!
Email Larry

Our Board Of Directors 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 

(Board Chair) Ed Bustos, Rollins College

(Vice-Chair) Valerie Read, Universal Orlando Foundation

(Treasurer) Rick Chattin, Spectrum News 13

(Secretary) Dr. Mary Palmer, Mary Palmer & Associates, LLC

(Immediate Past Chair) Lillian Garcia, Retired, Tupperware Brands Corporation

DIRECTORS

Malcolm Barnes, Duke Energy

Traci Ash Bjella, Valencia College

Scott Bowman, Bowman and Co., Inc.

Lynn Moira Dictor, Seminole County Democratic Party

Kevin Dougherty, Addition Financial

Jim Hair, Little Diversified Architectural Consulting

Jan Hanshaft, Charles Schwab & Co.

Brenda Hayslett, Orlando Magic

Jordan Lomas, Darden Restaurants

Susan Montanez, Wells Fargo

Jeffrey Moore, University of Central Florida

Debbie Muse, Public Relations & Marketing Professional

Christopher Reed, Orange County Public Schools

Cathy Sterba, Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta

Robert W. Thielhelm, Jr., Baker & Hostetler, LLP

Fred Weber, Hixon Digital

Justin Williams, Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children

EMERITUS MEMBERS

Scott Campbell, Universal Orlando

Keith Houck, Retired, Valencia College

A Gift For Teaching envisions a future where every Central Florida student has the tools and experiences to succeed.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE TODAY