Our Team

Liza serves as president of the Volunteer USA Foundation – a foundation aimed at strengthening families through volunteerism and community service. Prior to her current position, Ms. McFadden was president/CEO of Volunteer Florida Foundation, a foundation whose mission was to strengthen Florida’s families through volunteerism and community service. Email Liza!

Elizabeth E. Hirst serves as a senior vice-president of the Volunteer USA Foundation. She coordinates the communications and media relations needs for the foundation, using a variety of tools such as websites, media outlets and print materials to spread the Foundation’s vision and stories of success. Ms. Hirst previously served as a press secretary to former Florida Governor Jeb Bush. Email Liz!

Roxann R. Campbell, an experienced program and grant manager, is best known for her leadership in adult education and family literacy. An accomplished program manager, she has successfully managed a statewide network of family literacy providers and has been invited to present at statewide and national conferences on topics relevant to non-profit organizations, grant writing, program management, accountancy and evaluation. Email Roxann!

Teecy Matthews has committed her life to the education of others. Originally a classroom teacher, Teecy left the classroom setting to coordinate AmeriCorps’s “Florida Reads” as well as programs for “Take Stock in Children”. She is known for her expertise in mentoring, leadership, volunteerism and education. Teecy has co-written curriculums and guides for mentoring that are being used State wide in mentoring initiatives. Email Teecy!

Mark has always been a passionate volunteer, serving causes that work to educate and strengthen families. Originally assisting with special projects for former Florida Governor Bush, Mark currently commits himself to building relationships with both public and private partners so the Foundation can promote its mission to meet the needs of underserved populations. Email Mark!

Michael Thompson has worked with in a variety of positions related to education and human services. He has provided service to students with Developmental Disabilities in Florida, as well as serving as a school-based counselor with court-ordered and risk students. Michael also worked in the area of mental health assisting adults and juveniles in emotional crisis. In 2005, he began working with the Volunteer Florida Foundation as a grant manager for the Governor’s Family Literacy Initiative and currently serves as a grant manager and program coordinator for the Volunteer USA Foundation. Email Mike!

Venita is the financial director for the Volunteer USA Foundation. She has over 30 years of service in bookkeeping and accounting. For the past 12 years, Venita dedicated her professional life to the non-profit accounting world; serving public and private state wide organizations. During those 12 years, she has successfully supervised annual audits resulting in no findings related to the accounting practices of these organizations. Email Venita!

Gerri Palmer formerly taught high school history and loves managing the many data bases for VUSA at the Ocala office. As the National Regional Manager for Teen Trendsetters she is excited about assisting the 10 new southern states and helping that program expand. Gerri supports many volunteer causes in her community. Email Gerri!

Heather serves as a regional manager with the Teen Trendsetters™ Reading Mentors program. She brings practical field knowledge to her position with VUSA. Before taking on her current role, Heather taught middle and high school level intensive reading for six years in Broward County. In the classroom, she used innovative strategies to improve students’ reading comprehension and fluency, while fostering a love of reading in reluctant readers. Email Heather!

Tracey is a highly qualified literacy trainer with a commitment to young people and education. She graduated from the University of Central Florida and worked in the marketing and customer service industry for several years before retiring to raise a family. While mentoring in a local elementary school, she was moved to restart her career, but this time in the area of education. Email Tracey!