Leadership
Board of Directors:
Members/Directors:
Non-Voting Members:
Advisory Board:
Executive Management Staff:
Anna M. Kesic, President/CEO
Mrs. Kesic has over 30 years of experience leading, managing and working within a wide range of social service and behavioral health programs for large, multi-program, non-profit and public sector entities delivering bottom-line results, efficient systems and strong community relations. During her time with IMPOWER, she has ensured the financial stability of the agency during tumultuous economic times; enhanced visibility and involvement in the Central Florida community and the state; improved quality assurance programs; and greatly expanded funding sources and relationships.
Mrs. Kesic has her BA in psychology, Sociology and Religious Studies from Eckerd College. She obtained a Masters in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix.
Isabel Velasquez, Chief Financial Officer
Ms. Velasquez has over 20 years’ experience in financial and quality management of non-profit organizations with extensive knowledge of child welfare, residential, behavioral health, developmental disabilities and grant programs. She is responsible for all aspects of financial management of IMPOWER including finance, accounting, accounts receivable/payable, purchasing, information technology and facility management. She has an extensive knowledge base of clinical services and tasks to include residential, outpatient, and therapeutic programs which enables her to bond the gap between finance and operations.
Mrs. Velasquez holds an MBA from University of Phoenix and a bachelor’s degree in Finance from University of Central Florida. Ms. Velasquez’s financial auditing knowledge has helped IMPOWER, Inc. mitigate financial risks to the agency and stabilize financial diversity for continued agency growth.
Marcie Dearth, Vice President Residential Programs and External Relations
Mrs. Dearth is a communications and development specialist with more than 20 years’ of leadership experience in marketing, fundraising and child advocacy. For over two decades she has worked in the nonprofit and government sectors focused on helping children and families. She began her career at the State Attorney’s Office – 9th Judicial Circuit working with child victims of abuse and helping at-risk children as a Guardian ad Litem. Her passion to help those in need led her into fundraising and program development. Throughout her career, she has routinely increased philanthropic support and brand recognition for the organizations she represented, including a more than 200% increase in at IMPOWER in the past 36 months. Mrs. Dearth is responsible for strategic vision and leadership of IMPOWER’s fundraising, grants, marketing and brand management, and public relations efforts. She is also experienced in youth programming and oversees The Village, IMPOWER’s Transitional Housing Program.
Mrs. Dearth has a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies and Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Central Florida.
Amy-Erin Blakely, Vice President, Behavioral Health Operations
Ms. Blakely has over 25 years of experience in psychiatric, mental health, substance misuse and developmental disabilities services. She has vast experience in operations and business start up and has managed budgets in excess of $75 million with 900 employees, including the oversight of a 130-bed psychiatric hospital and a 70-bed Adolescent Substance Misuse Residential Treatment Program. She is recognized for her leadership and keen business skills and specializes in turning around poorly performing businesses and building stronger business to ensure sustainability of organizations.
Ms. Blakely is an expert in telehealth systems and has researched and participated in telehealth program design at a national level. She has built an innovative national model in the delivery of behavioral health services via telehealth. She has BA in Psychology from Stetson University and a Master’s in Business Administration of Health Care Management from The University of Phoenix.
Jessica Hixon, Director of Child Wellbeing and Community Based Programs
Mrs. Hixon has over 12 years of experience working with individuals struggling with Mental Health, Substance Abuse and those who may have been touched by the Child Welfare system. Much of her experience is in leadership although she began her career as a Targeted Case Manager in the state of Florida. Throughout her career, Mrs. Hixon has worked hard to expand community-based services in the Central Florida Region. Her ability to develop relationships, design effective outreach efforts and deliver results driven programming have led to more than doubling the number of children served in our school based prevention programs. Strong leadership qualities and skills have afforded Mrs. Hixon the opportunity to take lead over the agency’s presentation of their Strategic Plan.
Mrs. Hixon holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Criminal Justice from American Intercontinental University. She is currently pursuing her Masters of Public Administration and Non-Profit Management with the University of Central Florida.