Krista Coletti has dedicated her career to making an impact in the nonprofit sector. With twenty-four years of service, Krista is a veteran fundraising leader focused on building exceptional fundraising teams, philanthropic programs, and donor partnerships. Since March 2020, Krista has served as the Chief Development Officer for the Greater New York Region of the American Red Cross. Prior to this, Krista served as the Senior Director of Development for the Northeast Division; the Chief Development Officer for the Connecticut and Rhode Island Region; and the Interim Chief Development Officer for the Massachusetts Region. In February 2018, the American Red Cross recognized Krista with The Presidential Award, which is presented at a national ceremony to employees and volunteers who demonstrate superior job performance. Prior to the American Red Cross, Krista served as the Director of Advancement at Chase Collegiate School in Connecticut. In this position, Krista was responsible for the management and oversight of the fundraising, alumni relations, and communications department. During her tenure, Krista led the school through the successful completion of two capital campaigns. Krista also served as a Marketing Director for the American Diabetes Association and the Special Events & Public Relations Specialist for Foodshare.
Committed to supporting both her local and regional community, Krista is presently on the Board of Directors for the Riverside Cemetery Association in Waterbury, CT, the Highfield Club in Middlebury, CT and finished her term on the Board of Directors at Family Services of Greater Waterbury. She is a 2001 graduate of Leadership Greater Hartford (LGH).
Krista holds a B.A. degree in Marketing from Central Connecticut State University.
Krista and her husband, David, reside with their three children, Brooke, Caitlyn and Luke in Naples, Florida. When she’s not working, Krista devotes time to her children, enjoying their favorite activities like tennis, basketball, football, and horseback riding.
Rosemarie Critchfield has been with the Red Cross since 2014. She has over 25 years of organizational experience. Before joining the Red Cross, she lived in Denver Colorado where she served as Executive Assistant for Chiefs of Neurosurgery, Urology and Plastic Surgery at Denver Health Level 1 Trauma Center, as a Certified Medical Interpreter and as Project Administrator for the software development division of former TRW now Northrop Grumman.
Rosemarie is an advocate for disaster preparedness and served as a CERT volunteer for the City of Denver Emergency Management Office where she collaborated closely with the Denver Red Cross.
Rosemarie has a bachelor’s degree in science from Universidad Central del Este in the Dominican Republic. A native of Puerto Rico, she currently lives in Miami.
Prior to joining the South Florida Region as Chief Operating Officer, Julie joined the Red Cross as Chief Operating Officer in the Massachusetts Region in 2018. She came with a background in both operations and finance serving in COO and CFO roles previously. Over her almost three years as the RCOO of Massachusetts, Julie has had responsibility for both the Humanitarian and BioMed side of the Red Cross in the region. During her time there, she worked to implement many protocols and processes including: implemented a new budgeting process as well as safely navigated through the response to COVID-19 in both the Humanitarian Services and BioMed. She served in multiple Interim roles including Regional Volunteer Services Executive, Regional Executive and Divisional Chief Operating Officer for periods of time that lasted from a couple weeks up to multiple months. Julie also serves as a support person on the National Red Cross Corporate Fleet Services Team.
Prior to working at the American Red Cross, Julie worked in multiple non-profit and for profit companies including companies in the guide dog, nursing home and community program industries.
Julie, a native of Connecticut, has her Master of Business degree from UCONN School of Business and is a new resident to the state of Florida.
Monica Rusconi has been with the Red Cross for the past ten years. During that time, in addition to serving in her paid positions, she served as Interim Regional Volunteer Services Officer and in multiple roles through many operations, including the FIU bridge Collapse, Surfside building Collapse, Parkland shooting, Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Ian and the Broward floods. Before joining the Red Cross, Monica worked at the Housing Authority for the City of Homestead for 12 years.
Monica has a passion for serving the community and working in Disaster Services.
Her hobbies include cooking, decorating, gardening, and spending time outdoors and at the beach.
Rudy Chavez began his Red Cross career in 2006 with the Health and Safety department at the Broward Chapter, which later evolved into what we know today as Training Services. After a restructuring, his responsibilities grew to include the Broward, Miami & The Keys, and Palm Beach counties. In 2011, Rudy transitioned to National Headquarters, where he managed Training Services operations across multiple states.
In 2020, Rudy returned to South Florida as a Disaster Program Specialist and was soon promoted to Disaster Program Manager for the Palm Beach and Treasure Coast Chapter. In his most recent role as Disaster Workforce Engagement Manager, Rudy collaborated closely with the Disaster Cycle Services team to engage, train, and support a dedicated group of volunteers who are essential to the American Red Cross mission of alleviating human suffering in the face of emergencies.
Originally from Holguín, Cuba, Rudy spent 20 years in Miami before moving to Sebring, FL, eight years ago. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Mailen, and their two children, Mariam, 8, and Ryan, 6.
Tiffany Gonzalez is a communications and social media professional coming to the Red Cross with over 12 years of experience. Tiffany has worked in communications in the hospitality, finance, retail, and, most recently, automotive industries. She is a social media maven, always following the latest trends to turn them into great campaigns. Tiffany studied at Florida International University, where she received her Bachelor’s in Communications. She started her career in communications as an intern, working with a local PR agency and creating campaigns for local restaurants to increase brand awareness. She garnished the agency’s first national media mention and helped implement the use of social media influencers to grow clients' businesses. Most recently, Tiffany worked in the automotive industry, helping increase their digital marketing footprint by revamping their social strategies and helping grow their online engagement by 200%.
Tzaicel Hernandez has been a key member of the American Red Cross Fund Development Team since she joined as a Major Gifts Officer in 2011. She later became Regional Philanthropy Officer, cultivating and stewarding donors in 13 South Florida Counties. In 2018, she was promoted to Director of Development, followed by her promotion in 2019 to Chief Development Officer.
As a result of her exemplary leadership, Tzaicel received some of the highest scores in two key indicators in a recent employee satisfaction survey: 100% for manager effectiveness, and 95% for employee engagement. Tzaicel also served as Interim Chief Development Officer for the Puerto Rico Region and served in other leaderships roles on disaster responses, including In-Kind Donation Management, and Information and Planning.
She enjoys her South Florida life in Miami along with her husband, son, and cat.
Ivan Sterpin recently retired after 24 years of honorable service in the United States Air Force as the First Sergeant for the 20th Operations Group, Shaw Air Force Base (AFB), South Carolina. In this role, he served as the principal advisor to the commander on all enlisted issues, to include health, morale, welfare, career progression, professional development and readiness. He coordinated with local civilian, military police authorities, and the Office of Special Investigation on all investigative matters. He provided guidance and counsel to unit members on financial, family care, deployment and reassignment issues. He also served as the liaison between the units and base/community agencies to ensure timely, high quality services for all assigned Airmen and families.
Ivan is originally from Los Angeles, California and entered the Air Force in October 1998. After graduating from Basic Military Training, he began his journey as an Aircraft Structural Maintenance. His exemplary career spans numerous countries including Germany, Spain, Israel, Denmark, Japan, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Afghanistan, Colombia and the Horn of Africa.
Paula Prendergast joined the American Red Cross Broward County Chapter as Executive Director in 2014. Since being appointed to lead the chapter, she has inspired and empowered a renewal of the Red Cross mission. She’s no stranger to Broward County; Prendergast has been in non-profit management for over 18 years. She’s a proven leader and true proponent of the non-profit sector. Paula has directed major fundraising events for community health organizations and was instrumental in bringing back to the Broward County Chapter the American Red Cross Dine & Dock Celebrity/CEO & Experience Auction Humanitarian Awards. This outstanding signature event generates awareness and helps raise funds for the Red Cross mission. Paula was the Area Director of the American Lung Association in Florida and served as Executive Director for the Florida Chapter Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America.
Paula is an avid angler from York, Penn. and a graduate of Towson University. She is a member of the Fort Lauderdale Woman’s Club, Nonprofit Executive Alliance of Broward and Trustee Member of the Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale. Additionally, she serves on the Broward County Recovery Coalition and Parkland Shooting Task Force.
Jill Palmer leads the American Red Cross Florida Gulf Coast to Heartland Chapter as the Executive Director. The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families.
A former healthcare executive, Jill is a graduate of the University of Central Florida with a Master of Science in Health Science focused on health services administration, gerontology, and legal studies. She is a non-profit professional bringing more than 20 years of experience in volunteer management and community service. Prior to joining the Red Cross senior leadership team in 2017, Jill served as an active board member for the local Red Cross chapter heading the Volunteer Engagement & Mission Capacity Committee while working for Lee Health as the Director of Volunteer Services, Auxiliary Development and Arts in Healthcare. Recognizing her outstanding contributions and innovations in the field of volunteer administration, in 2015, she was awarded the Sally Sitta Commitment to Excellence in Volunteer Administration Award from the Florida Associate of Directors of Volunteer Service, Inc.
As Executive Director, Palmer supports a team of staff and volunteers who proudly serve more than 1.3 million residents in Collier, Glades, Hendry, Highlands and Lee counties. She serves as an ambassador in the community, working closely with community stakeholders, partners and the chapter board to educate and bring awareness and ensure the Red Cross goals and mission are effectively delivered.
Jill believes in giving back to the community and is an active volunteer with Community Cooperative; Jill also served five years on a United Way of Lee County allocations team.
From an early age she learned of the importance of volunteering and the Red Cross mission to alleviate human suffering. Growing up, Jill lived in Guam and the Philippines while her father served in the U.S Navy and her mom was a nurse volunteering and teaching life-saving Red Cross swim lessons and water safety. As a teen, Jill completed a Red Cross babysitting certification program.
Jill believes in the mission of the Red Cross and knows first-hand how the mission impacts and changes lives. She is a dedicated blood donor and has deployed multiple times in support of disaster operations across the country. In 2010, her family became disaster clients of the Red Cross when they lost their home to a fire in the middle of the night. After safely escaping the home with their two-young children, among the first responders were volunteers from the Red Cross.
Deborah (Debbie) Koch leads the American Red Cross Greater Miami and the Keys Chapter as the executive director. Debbie served as the president of the Junior League of Miami in 2018-2019, an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. In her 10 years with the League, she previously served as executive vice president, vice president of community and in several chair positions.
Prior to the Red Cross, Debbie served as marketing director for J.P. Morgan Private Bank, covering the east coast of the U.S. She joined J.P. Morgan following a decade at Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust where she helped grow the bank from four to seven offices and nearly doubled deposits to over $1 billion. She began her banking career in 1997 at BankUnited, rebranding the bank from a small local company to a state-wide institution. Her previous experience was in marketing and public relations for nonprofit arts organizations.
She is active in the community, serving as a member of the United Way Financial Stability Impact Council and Women United, and has volunteered with Breakthrough Miami and Branches. An art lover, she is active as a Friend of the Pérez Art Museum Miami and serves on the Prizm Art Fair Advisory Board. In June 2021, she received the Monsignor Walsh Human Services Professional Award from the United Way of Miami-Dade which recognizes a human services professional who has dedicated his or her career to helping others.
Debbie received her MBA from Nova Southeastern University and a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. She is an avid Gator fan, and enjoys yoga, reading and traveling.
Traci Mitchell joins the American Red Cross South Florida Region as the executive director of the Palm Beach and Treasure Coast Chapter.
As she joins the Red Cross, Traci brings 40 years of experience in financial services. She joined PNC Bank in 2008 as vice president of brand management and most recently served as the executive director of the PNC Fairfax Connection, a community resource center in Cleveland, Ohio’s Fairfax neighborhood that provides free services to empower center members, up-and-coming entrepreneurs, and small business owners.
Prior to her role at the Fairfax Connection, Traci served as vice president of sales and client experience, where she led organizational change management initiatives, driving sustainable, transformative change. Her leadership expertise also spans event management, program, and project management, as well as the development and execution of marketing programs and communications strategies.
In addition to her professional career, Traci has dedicated significant time to advancing youth initiatives through her work with nonprofits such as Shoes and Clothes for Kids and DanceCleveland, as well as through her involvement in youth ministries at her church. Before relocating to Florida, she served 2.5 terms on her local school board.
As executive director, Mitchell supports a team of staff and volunteers who proudly serve the residents of Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee Counties. Understanding her role in the community, she knows the importance of collaborating with community stakeholders, partners and chapter board members to ensure Red Cross goals and mission are delivered effectively.
Traci earned her Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communications from The Ohio State University and is an avid Buckeyes fan, and a newly minted University of Miami Hurricanes football fan. She enjoys traveling, reading, fishing, and crafting. Traci is deeply passionate about equipping others with the tools and resources needed to achieve their life aspirations.
