Officers | Elected Directors | Standing Committees | Administrative/Ad Hoc Committees | Position Descriptions
To reach one of our board members, please email info [at] lwv-alachua.org with the name of the person you are trying to reach and a brief description of your question.
Officers
President
Donna Waller
I took this position after having been a LWV member off and on for nearly 55 years, and I believe in the League's mission of voter registration, mobilization, education, and advocacy for issues that promote democracy. I have taught American and State and Local Government for nearly 50 years, and in my classes, I referred to the LWV as “cheerleaders for democracy” when we got to the chapter on interest groups. For 105 years, the LWV has stood up for popular government. In just the past six weeks, projects the LWVAC could become involved with have ranged from from serving on a panel with legislators from Tajikistan to teaching civics to Girl Scouts.
Vice President
Gwendolyn Saffo
I joined the League in 2019. My background spans over 35 years in diversity and inclusion, social action, and social justice. Active involvement in my community is ingrained in me. Community activism and public service are key to effective and equitable positive community change. As I continue my work with the League, I hope to focus on increasing partnerships, collaborations, and diversity. Voter registration, engagement, and mobilization is my passion, along with other issues facing our community. I am a graduate of Shaw University with a BA in Criminal Justice/Public Administration and UF with a MA in Political Science. I retired as a Manager from the City of Gainesville Office of Equity & Inclusion in 2019, and I currently work as the Competency Restoration Training Coordinator for ITM Group and Associates.
Secretary
Diane Dimperio
I am a retired public health administrator. My focus was health care access and services for low income and uninsured populations. I have been a League member for about 10 years and am a member of the Voter Services and Health Care committees. I am also working on the Matheson Museum Voices and Votes project and will be participating in the League GOTV activities this fall.
Treasurer
Anne D’Amico
I was born in Mexico and raised in a Missouri river town. I’ve been a lab tech in Austin and Boston, a pretty good waitress everywhere, and worked in a New York advertising firm. I have been a Business Manager for over 30 years, with an MBA from UF. I’ve been a League Member since 2016. Voting rights is the thing that all else depends on. To preserve our democratic institutions and keep this republic we must all work to preserve the principle of one person, one vote.
Past President
Janice Garry
I joined the League in 2018 because of the integrity of the organization in working towards a more perfect democracy. I’ve been active in the Natural Resources and Local Issues committees. My hope is that together, we will work hard, have fun, promote the values and mission of the LWV, and have a demonstrable effect on Alachua County. Please join us.
Elected Directors
S. Yvette Carter
I became active in the League at the urgency of a dear friend. I am an avid advocate for social action, social justice, and all things inclusion. I care deeply about this community and spend my time in service to its betterment. I am actively engaged in several civic, professional, and service organizations that focus on equity and justice for all. I hope to add value to the League by bringing my “bridge-building” nature and dedication to service. I am a proud UF grad with a Bachelor of Science degree in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences. I am a wife, mother, proud GiGi, sister, cousin, and friend.
Allison Keel
I joined the League of Women Voters in 2023 after my family moved to Florida. Before that, I had been an attorney in Pennsylvania for over 20 years. During those years, I was active in several campaigns and took on litigation to protect voter rights. I have always believed that voters are entitled to free and fair access to the ballot and that no one should be disenfranchised for unconstitutional reasons. I am inspired every day by the work of the League to promote an engaged and informed citizenry. I am currently on the Voter Services Committee and a member of the Speakers Bureau. I graduated from Princeton University in 1985 with an AB in Politics and from the University of California, Berkeley with a JD in 1989.
Linda Mussillo
Linda Mussillo, a lifelong special educator, began her career in NYC before moving to Gainesville, FL, in 2005. She has worked at Santa Fe College for 20 years, coordinating a program for students with disabilities. Married to political scientist Alan Beck, she actively promotes civic engagement among young people. Since 2023, she has mentored the LWV chapter at SF College, inspiring students to engage with democracy creatively and passionately.
Gwen Wagner
I grew up in Gainesville and joined the League of Women Voters in 2016 after attending the Women's March in Washington D.C. My professional background includes working in retail management for a department store in Miami, followed by being the director of development for a newly founded private school. Since joining LWVAC, I served as co-chair of Voter Services for two years, and am the coordinator for VOTE411. Currently, I am the League liaison for a community coalition for the restoration of voting rights, where I continue my commitment to advocacy and civic engagement.
Candy Birch
In 2007, as a high school administrator, I joined the Johnson County KS League to help people know about the important role an informed voter plays in democracy. My husband and I joined LWVAC when we moved to Gainesville in 2019. Always the educator, I have made Speakers Bureau presentations on voter registration, the voting process and VOTE411.org, FL Constitutional Amendments, healthcare, diversity in the judiciary, the environment, and education. A former League president, I now serve on Voter Services, Gun Violence Prevention, and Health Care committees. I am proud the LWVAC is motivated to pursue issues that affect the community and is so influential in its advocacy to protect and improve it.
Standing Committee Chairs
Education
Jennifer Hoover
Originally from Ohio, I have lived in Alachua County since 2007. I am a first-generation college graduate, holding an MBA. I believe education and healthcare can solve many pressing issues is Alachua County. The starting point is public education of children. I am currently involved with the Alachua County Education Foundation as a mentor with Take Stock in Children. I work for a local credit union started in 1954 by Alachua County educators. I am proud to be a part of the League of Women Voters.
Suzanna Smith
The League has long been my go-to for impartial voting information. With the Education Committee, I will be able to inform others about major changes and issues in public education. I have worked in higher education, Extension education, and continuing education and volunteered in County schools. I am familiar with our K-12 schools, where my daughter received an excellent education and thrived. My own teaching, research, and outreach at UF focused on changing families, stress, and resilience.
Health Care
Barbara Frentzen
I am a nurse practitioner who retired from UF in 2018. Because I had been so impressed with the quality of voter information provided, I joined the League and Voter Services Committee immediately after retiring. Following the pandemic, however, I wanted to concentrate on health issues. My work background includes caring for women with high risk pregnancies; conducting clinical research; providing research compliance for UF; and serving as director of the Florida Center for Brain Tumor Research, a statewide brain tumor bank and research group funded by the Florida Legislature and housed in UF’s Department of Neurosurgery.
Local Issues
Help Wanted!
At present, the Local Issue Committee is paused. We are eager to see who will step forward to lead the next direction. It could be one of a number of local topics on which we could become informed and be advocates for our community. One member has expressed an interest in forming a healthcare committee, but she needs company. Will that be you? Or is another topic of interest? info [at] lwv-alachua.org (Contact Janice )if you can help. Get involved today!
Natural Resources
Help Wanted!
At present, the Natural Resources Committee is paused. We are eager to see who will step forward to lead the next direction. It could be one of a number of local topics on which we could become informed and be advocates for our community. One member has expressed an interest in forming a healthcare committee, but she needs company. Will that be you? Or is another topic of interest? Get involved today!
Oak Hammock
Mary White
I have lived in Gainesville since the early 70s when my husband took a job in the math dept at UF. I taught for several years at Idylwild Elementary School. I now live at Oak Hammock, just a few blocks from Idylwild. I have two sons and three granddaughters. I have been a League member for several years. I was put in charge of the naturalization ceremony for the League by my dear friend, Kathy Kidder several years ago.
Voter Services
Dillon Boatner
I first got involved with the League of Women Voters in 2017 as a UF student concerned about local issues. In 2018, I joined with the state League as a co-plaintiff on a lawsuit which successfully brought early voting to college campuses around Florida. I have organized campus voter registration drives, served as a poll worker, and since 2022, have traveled throughout Alachua County helping to facilitate voting as an employee of our Supervisor of Elections office. I look forward to supporting and protecting our local democracy in 2024 and beyond.
Communications
Mickie Anderson
I'm a longtime journalist and I now work in health communications at UF. As a reporter, I always appreciated the League of Women Voters' candidate forums and their careful take on public issues. I figured someday I might join the organization and, well, someday came. Our democracy is being tested in so many unexpected ways, I get some peace seeing so many folks working hard to protect free elections and voters’ rights.
Administrative/Ad Hoc Committee Chairs
Roster and Dues Manager
Connie Nicklin
I joined the League in 2017 to participate in Voter Services activities – registering and educating voters. In 2018, I was elected to the board as an at-large director. In 2021, I became Communications Chair. I am also on the board of a local animal rescue, my other passion. In my prior career, I was a research tech, quality assurance manager, and eventually an administrative director at UF. I am currently working remotely and traveling full time in an RV.
Hausler Fund
Crystal Goodison
Hospitality/Events
Emmy Scott
Hot Topics
Mitzi Austin
Retired lawyer. Love to travel.
Me in Iceland holding a chunk of iceberg fresh off the glacier.
Membership
Sherry Steiner
I joined the League in 2017. I have started to attend Natural Resources Committee meetings and have decided to become more involved in League activities because of our increasingly threatening climate situation and the difficult political challenges we face. I retired in 2015 after teaching homebound special education for 39 years in Levy County. Since the 1980s, I have worked to elect local officials who care about our climate and have been active in numerous environmental projects, most recently concerning renewable energy. I feel that the League is a great avenue through which to pursue a more hopeful future for our children and grandchildren. I am excited to co-chair the Membership Committee with Jeff Shapiro and look forward to meeting new (and old!) members.
Naturalization
Mary White
I have lived in Gainesville since the early 70s when my husband took a job in the math dept at UF. I taught for several years at Idylwild Elementary School. I now live at Oak Hammock, just a few blocks from Idylwild. I have two sons and three granddaughters. I have been a League member for several years. I was put in charge of the naturalization ceremony for the League by my dear friend, Kathy Kidder several years ago.
Nominating Committee
Wes Wheeler
Fifth-generation Floridian. Former LWVAC Board Member, VP, and Solar Cooperative Coordinator. Degrees and careers in classical music, environmental planning, estate planning and business law, and agriculture. Active in local Gainesville political issues. Retired solo attorney. Married to a wonderful lady, Brenda, who keeps me sane; we have two daughters, one grandson, one granddaughter, and several overly-spoiled grandpups
Speakers Bureau
Candy Birch
In 2007, as a high school administrator, I joined the Johnson County KS League to help people know about the important role an informed voter plays in democracy. My husband and I joined LWVAC when we moved to Gainesville in 2019. I have made presentations on voter registration, the voting process, healthcare, diversity in the judiciary, the environment, and education. A former League president, I am now on Voter Services and Health Care committees and continue my advocacy on issues like VOTE411.org.
Technology
Wes Wheeler
Fifth-generation Floridian. Former LWVAC Board Member, VP, and Solar Cooperative Coordinator. Degrees and careers in classical music, environmental planning, estate planning and business law, and agriculture. Leadership role in multiple state-wide UF leadership organizations. Retired solo attorney. Married, with two step-daughters, one grandson, one grandaughter, and one overly-spolied grandpup.
What You Can Do
Jay Rosenbek
I retired from U.F. in 2014. I joined the LWVAC in 2017 and became Co-Chair of the Natural Resources Committee shortly thereafter. I joined the League because it valued evidence. I joined Natural Resources because I wanted to do more to preserve a habitable environment than merely bringing reusable bags to the grocery store and remembering not to put dirty pizza delivery boxes in the recycling bin. League membership and NR leadership have provided experiences every bit as rich as my 47-year career as a speech-language pathologist.
Janice Garry
I joined the League in 2018 because of the integrity of the organization in working towards a more perfect democracy. I’ve been active in the Natural Resources and Local Issues committees. My hope is that together, we will work hard, have fun, promote the values and mission of the LWV, and have a demonstrable effect on Alachua County. Please join us.
