Movers & Shakers: March 2024

Jeremy Schwarz
Connect Class 9
Southeast Region
Lifetime Member

Jeremy Schwarz began a new position as managing director at FTI Consulting. 

Hetal Desai
Cornerstone Class 34
Northwest Region


Hetal Desai was named among the 25 Women You Need to Know for 2024 by the Tallahassee Democrat. She currently serves as an administrative law judge with the Division of Administrative Hearings. Read more.

Danielle Shull
Connect Class 9
Gulfstream Region
Lifetime Member

Danielle Shull was selected as one of Insurance Business America's Elite Women for 2024. This award recognizes exceptional female leaders who have impacted the insurance industry with their professional accomplishments and have helped drive advancements in diversity and inclusion. Danielle is the director of client experience at Gehring Group, A Risk Strategies Company. Read more. 

Stef Sass
Connect Class 12
Southeast Region


Stef Sass began a new position with Miami-Dade County as chief of staff to COO Jimmy Morales. In this role, she coordinates critical infrastructure operations, including aviation, port, water, sewer, and transportation and public works. Read more.

Gary Hartfield
Cornerstone Class 37
West Central Region
Lifetime Member

Gary Hartfield was inducted into the 2024 Class of the Tampa Bay Business Hall of Fame. This honor was in recognition of his contributions to the Tampa Bay community through his outstanding business accomplishments and unwavering commitment to civic service. He currently serves as president/CEO of Serenity Village. Read more.

Jaha Cummings
Cornerstone Class 37
Calusa Region
Lifetime Member

Jaha Cummings was recently appointed to the board of directors of the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida (AAASWFL), a nonprofit organization that serves older adults and adults with disabilities. He is a manager at Coldwell Banker Sunstar Realty. Read more.

Zerry Ihekwaba 
Cornerstone Class 38
Southeast Region

Zerry Ihekwaba began a new position as city manager for the City of Homestead. He previously served as the assistant city manager for the City of Miami. Read more.

Cindy Roe Littlejohn
Cornerstone Class 21
Northwest Region

Cindy Roe Littlejohn recently released a new book entitled, "From Harmony to Hostility," her second in the Palmetto Pioneers series. 

Whitney Fike
Connect Class 10
Northwest Region

The Greater Pensacola Chamber recently named Whitney Fike as the 2024 P.A.C.E. Emerging Leader of the Year Award winner. The award was given in recognition of her leadership in the community through consistent engagement and service. Whitney is a regional communications manager at International Paper. Read more.

The Orange Bowl Committee recently elected its 2024-25 board of directors and officially welcomed new active members, including the following Leadership Florida members (pictured L-R below):

• Sean Pittman (Cornerstone Class 21, Northwest Region, Lifetime Member), board member and past president
• Jose Romano (Cornerstone Class 35, Southeast Region, Lifetime Member), board member and past president
• Christine Barney (Executive Class 11, Southeast Region, Lifetime Member), board member
• Newton Sanon (Cornerstone Class 34, Gold Coast Region), board member
• Don Slesnick (Cornerstone Class 9, Southeast Region), board member
• Henri Crockett (Cornerstone Class 35, Gold Coast Region, Lifetime Member), president and chair-elect
• Kate Grangard (Cornerstone Class 35, Gulfstream Region, Lifetime Member), member

They will play an integral role with the College Football Playoff Semifinal in January 2025, as well as other sports and community programming throughout the year. Read more.