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 working with ESE/EP students 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 the Vice President 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 FUELS4Teachers with the intention of bridging the gap between teacher-student-parent needs.

Nicki Larson is the daughter of an educator who spent over thirty five years working in the field of special education in Michigan. Nicki graduated from Western Michigan University in 2004 and relocated to Tennessee, where, inspired by the career of her mother, she first began working with children with individualized education needs in the public school system.

She relocated to Florida in 2014 and has applied her expertise in both private and public unique learning environments. She currently works as a paraprofessional for Hillsborough County Public Schools.

In her spare time, Nicki is active in multiple PTAs and volunteers with various canine rescue organizations. Her dedication to her students' needs, paired with her expertise and understanding of the ESE landscape, has fueled her to take a step further in providing solutions to the issues facing ESE classrooms and educators across the state.

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.

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 Board Secretary 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.

With over 20 years of experience in business strategy, branding, marketing, content, operations, and technology—starting in the fast-paced environment of Silicon Valley—Lori Shube has built a career helping organizations rethink how they operate and communicate in a constantly evolving world. Her work has spanned hi-tech, medical devices, the music and film industries, market-building with NGOs in East Africa, and more, all driven by a passion for innovation and transformation.

For the last five years, Lori has turned that focus toward nonprofit leadership, serving as VP, Board Member, and Director of Strategy and Marketing Operations for 501(c)(3) organizations supporting isolated low-income seniors, education, foster youth, and kids on the autism spectrum. Her goal has always been to bring fresh perspectives and sustainable solutions to complex challenges—leaving behind not just progress, but new ways of thinking that outlast the organizations themselves.

Diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia at 58, she often reflects on how different her journey might have been with the right support in school and life. It fuels Lori’s commitment to ensure today’s kids—and the teachers working tirelessly to support them—don’t have to navigate these challenges without the tools and structures they need to thrive. As FUELS’ Strategy and Operations specialist, she brings fresh ideas and smart tech solutions to help us reach our goals and make a bigger impact.

Kayla Mayhew is a Pinellas County native who has been serving retail agents in the professional liability insurance wholesale space for over a decade. She’s spent many years training others at different companies but most enjoyed the 3 years she was a preschool teacher. 

Curiosity and diligence are two traits that most reflect Kayla as an individual. Being inquisitive has produced a love of learning that ignites a passion to explore facts and new ideas. Kayla’s most thrilling pleasure is reading; whether it's a memoir, self help, or an insurance policy form, she enjoys the flow of written words. 

As a proud lifelong learner, Kayla has taken on teaching herself the role of Grants and Research to secure funds that will help us empower teachers and students. 

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.

Holly Southworth 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 Region Director of Human Resources for AssuredPartners, Inc.—one of the largest insurance brokerages in the United States—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.