Melissa is a parent, an educator, and an advocate.

She earned her Early Elementary degree from St. Petersburg College along with a reading & ESOL endorsement. Melissa was an educator with Pinellas County Schools for three years before transitioning to homeschooling her two children to better suit their individual needs.

From 2016 - 2023 Melissa served on the board of Florida Cyber Charter Academy. She is currently serves on the board for St. Petersburg STEM Collegiate High Schools PTSA, and also the Florida Steering Chair committee for The National Coalition for Public School Options since 2017.

Empowering parents and uplifting student potential is her passion. She co-created Florida’s Unique Education Learning Support, (FUELS) with the intention of bridging the gap between teacher-student-parent needs.

Deanna brings 25 years of experience in education, spanning both private and public sectors. Her background includes:

— 8 years in private Pre-K (VPK) education,

— 4 years in private school administration, and

— 13 years in public education, teaching Kindergarten and 2nd grade.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Florida and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Florida.

Beyond her impressive credentials, Deanna is a fierce advocate for students and has been an incredible supporter of FUELS. She has actively shared our mission, spoken on our behalf at many events, and demonstrated a deep commitment to empowering educators and students. Her passion and expertise make her a natural - and perfect - fit for our board!

Maureen Price, a proud graduate of Pinellas County Schools, is a dedicated community leader with a passion for supporting local nonprofits, veterans, children, and families. Actively involved in The Elks Lodge and the St. Petersburg Women's Chamber, she works closely with both organizations to strengthen community outreach and philanthropic efforts.

With 27 years of accounting experience, Maureen brings invaluable financial expertise to FUELS, ensuring responsible stewardship of resources to maximize our impact. She currently works as a Business Analyst at Wright National Flood Insurance Company, where she applies her extensive knowledge in financial management and analysis.

As FUELS’ Treasurer, Maureen plays a vital role in guiding our organization’s fiscal health, helping us continue our mission to empower educators and provide essential support to students in need.

A proud graduate of Pinellas County Schools, Sarah Buczny is a passionate advocate for students, families, and educators. As a mother of four children, each with diverse learning styles and needs, she has dedicated herself to creating inclusive and supportive educational experiences.

Sarah’s commitment to advocacy and community engagement led her to serve as PTA President at Leila G. Davis Elementary from August 2021 to April 2024. Prior to that, she played a key role in the school’s fundraising efforts, running the silent auction outside of the PTA and successfully introducing online bidding, which doubled sales. Her leadership extended beyond fundraising—she worked tirelessly to plan and implement new events and fundraisers, create graphics and flyers, and champion initiatives that empowered students and supported staff.

For years, Sarah volunteered an average of 15–30 hours per week at the school, stepping in wherever needed—event planning, test proctoring, chaperoning, assisting in the media center, and advocating for teachers and classrooms. During large school events, she dedicated as many as 40 hours per week to ensure their success. Her unwavering dedication to being a community for students and staff made her a trusted advocate for their needs and wishes. 

Now serving as a Director for FUELS, Sarah brings her deep experience in fundraising, event planning, and community engagement to our mission. Her passion for education and dedication to ensuring students and teachers have the resources they need make her an invaluable part of our leadership team.

Alex brings strong experience in nonprofit development, community engagement, and board leadership. In her previous role at Great Explorations, she served in fund development and continues to support education and community initiatives through her current role as Community Engagement Manager with the Hillsborough Education Foundation. Alex is deeply involved in the St. Petersburg nonprofit community. She serves with the Junior League of St. Petersburg and The Stuart Society, is a Director on the Board of Coastal Ballet, and serves on the Board of the St. Petersburg Women’s Chamber of Commerce. She was also named a Princess on the 2026 Queen’s Court for the Queen of Hearts Ball in recognition of her commitment to service and philanthropy. As the mother of a daughter on the autism spectrum, Alex brings a personal understanding of the importance of equitable access, inclusive education, and meaningful support for students and families. Her professional expertise combined with her lived experience makes her a powerful addition to the FUELS Board of Directors.

Kerri Dolan Haire is a Nurse Practitioner and mother of seven children whose educational journeys have given her a deep appreciation for the diverse ways students learn and grow. As a parent of gifted learners, a child with exceptional student education (ESE) needs, and a child who is homeschooled due to educational challenges, she understands firsthand that no two students are the same. Her passion for education is rooted in the belief that when students feel supported, understood, and appropriately challenged, they are able to thrive. She is especially committed to helping ensure that individual learning needs are recognized and that teachers are supported in the important work they do every day. Through both her clinical background and personal experience, Kerri brings empathy, advocacy, and a collaborative spirit to the board, with a focus on creating an environment where every child has the opportunity to succeed.

Kaylie Edens is currently a senior at the University of Central Florida, where she is pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She is passionate about literacy development and currently teaches SIPPS, an evidence-based instructional program designed to strengthen foundational reading skills and support student success

Her experience in education includes:

— Teaching SIPPS reading instruction,

— Assisting in Pre-K through 3rd grade classrooms, and

— Supporting diverse learners in building confidence and academic growth.

In addition to her academic and classroom experience, Kaylie has demonstrated strong leadership and organizational skills through her involvement in her sorority, where she has been an active member since 2023 and served as Programming Director. In this role, she planned events, fostered community engagement, and supported member development.

Kaylie is deeply passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of both students and educators. Her dedication to literacy, leadership, and service aligns naturally with the mission of FUELS. She is a committed advocate for empowering teachers and supporting student success, and her enthusiasm and heart for education make her a valuable supporter of the organization.

Holly Owen is honored to serve as a board member of Florida’s Unique Education Learning Support (FUELS). With a steadfast heart for serving students and teachers in low-income schools, Holly brings her extensive Human Resources expertise to help guide the organization’s direction. As the Southeast Zone, Director of Human Resources for Gallagher. She contributes a wealth of business acumen and a unique skill set to the board.

In her role at FUELS, Holly actively participates in programs and initiatives that support educators and students. Beyond her commitment to FUELS, Holly enjoys traveling, hiking, paddleboarding, and spending time with her nieces and her sweet-natured American Bully, Drax.

DJ Nicholson brings over 30 years of experience supporting children with unique abilities, educators, and families in both public and private school settings.

Her background includes:
— Educational consulting and professional development for inclusive school communities
— Coaching for parents to increase engagement and accessibility at home
— Leadership as Director of Inclusiveology, where she equips educators and families with tools to support diverse learners

DJ’s work centers on inclusive practices that create equitable opportunities for all children—no matter their learning difference. She is also a contributor to The Access Project of Florida, where she helps develop essential resources and instructional standards for students with significant academic support needs.

She is a fierce believer that every child deserves access to what they need to thrive—and that teachers and parents deserve the strategies to help them get there. Her lifelong passion for accessibility, education equity, and empowering confident learners makes her an incredible asset to the FUELS Advisory Board.

Dr. Sandra Anthony is a dedicated educational leader with a passion for transforming schools and empowering students. With expertise spanning traditional brick-and-mortar schools and online learning environments, she specializes in change management, organizational effectiveness, program evaluation, and strategic planning. Her career includes leadership roles as Head of School for a full-time virtual school, Superintendent of Schools, and positions such as assistant superintendent, principal, and middle school teacher.

Dr. Anthony earned her Bachelor’s Degree in English and Education from Georgian Court University, followed by a Master’s in Administration and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. She continues to inspire future leaders as an adjunct faculty member and dissertation advisor.

Committed to driving whole-school reform and fostering leadership capacity, Dr. Anthony is a passionate advocate for at-risk students and those living in poverty. She believes that when students find their sense of belonging and purpose, learning becomes personal, meaningful, and transformative.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Dr. Anthony enjoys life in sunny St. Petersburg, Florida, with her husband, Bill, and their rescue dog, Stella.

We are excited to welcome Donna Mainguth to the FUELS Advisory Board for 2026. Her commitment to supporting educators and students aligns with our mission, and we look forward to sharing more about her background and expertise soon.

Nicki has been an integral part of FUELS from the very beginning—not only as a co-founder but also as a dedicated team member who worked tirelessly to support our mission. Her vision, leadership, and passion for ensuring that educators and students receive the resources they need have left a lasting impact on this organization and the communities we serve. Without her vision FUELS wouldn't have been created.