BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Board of Directors 2026-2027
Frank A. Barbieri, Jr., Esq.
Mr. Frank Barbieri was born and raised in Akron, Ohio, and moved to Boca Raton, Florida, in 1984.
Mr. Barbieri was elected to the Palm Beach County School Board in 2008 to represent District 5, which includes all of the schools in West Boca Raton and the City of Boca Raton, as well as other parts of Palm Beach County. He was elected and served as School Board Chairman in 2010 and 2011 and was elected Vice Chairman in November 2013. Since his initial appointment, he has been and continues to be a strong voice and advocate for teachers and parents. He values and cares deeply about children and their well-being and unceasingly promotes their access to the best education and resources possible.
Currently, Mr. Barbieri is an attorney with Sachs Sax Caplan, a major law firm in Boca Raton that was a pioneer in the field of HOA and condominium association law. His practice concentrates on estate planning and real estate. Before earning his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Akron, Mr. Barbieri served as a police officer for 11 years in Akron, Ohio.
As a concerned and dedicated citizen of Palm Beach County, Mr. Barbieri has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to the community. His dedication is reflected in his past and current involvement with numerous civic, governmental, and community organizations, including service on the County’s Zoning Commission for nearly two decades; the Land Use Advisory Board; President of the Logger’s Run Homeowners Association; First Southern Bank Advisory Board; Logger’s Run Middle School Advisory Board; Sandpiper Shores Elementary Advisory Board; West Boca Community Council Board of Directors; Best Foot Forward Board of Directors; Business Development Board Board of Directors; Value Adjustment Board; Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce; and as a Board Trustee for the George Snow Scholarship Fund.
Mr. Barbieri has been married to Rita Barbieri for 42 years. They have three children and three grandchildren. He most enjoys spending time with his family and close friends.
Frank A. Barbieri, Jr., Esq.
Julie Belkowitz, M.D., M.P.H., FAAP
Dr. Julie Belkowitz is a pediatrician, medical educator, researcher, and child health advocate. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Michigan and her medical degree from Jefferson Medical College and completed her pediatric internship and residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital.
Dr. Belkowitz is currently a Professor and Physician Educator at Nova Southeastern University’s Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine. Previously, she served as Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
Dr. Belkowitz has worked for many years to increase awareness and understanding of Caregiving Youth through research, medical education, mentorship, and advocacy. Her work has contributed to a growing body of research examining the experiences, responsibilities, health, and well-being of children and adolescents who provide care to family members.
Julie Belkowitz, M.D., M.P.H., FAAP
Debralyn Belletieri, Chair
Debralyn has volunteered with the American Association of Caregiving Youth for the past nine years, hosting fundraisers, game nights and many other events. She also serves as a mentor for the group and a hands-on volunteer for everything from transportation and sleepovers to bowling parties.
She has also served as a Cub Scout leader, Volunteer Coordinator for Calusa Elementary School, Treasurer for the Twins Club of Palm Beach, PTA president and Fine Arts department president at North Broward Preparatory School, coordinator for the Boca Helping Hands Bowl-A-Thon event and run several fundraising golf tournaments.
Debralyn Belletieri, Chair
Karen Brill
Born in the Bronx and raised in New York’s Rockland County, Ms. Brill has resided in unincorporated Boynton Beach for 24 years.
Elected to the Palm Beach County School Board in November 2010, Ms. Brill has been actively involved in public education locally and at the state level for more than 20 years, most notably as an advocate for students with disabilities. In 2011, the Palm Beach County Business Leadership Network named her Education Advocate of the Year.
Ms. Brill is a graduate of Florida’s Partners in Policymaking and served six years on the State Advisory Council for the Education of Exceptional Students. She chaired the Palm Beach County School District’s Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Advisory Committee and served five years as President of the Exceptional Student Education Coalition of Palm Beach County. She has also served on School Advisory Committees at Morikami Park Elementary School, Odyssey Middle School, and Park Vista Community High School.
In 2002, following the successful conclusion of a federal complaint against the State of Florida regarding the FCAT, Ms. Brill received a gubernatorial appointment to the FCAT Blue Ribbon Task Force. She later assisted in the creation of legislation enabling students with disabilities to obtain a standard high school diploma by demonstrating mastery of state requirements.
Currently, Ms. Brill is President-Elect of the Greater Florida Consortium of School Boards. She also serves on the Boards of Directors for the Education Commission and Education Foundation of Palm Beach County and is a member of the Palm Beach County Community Alliance. In addition, she is an Allocation Committee Chairperson for the Town of Palm Beach United Way, a member of the COBWRA Education Committee, and a member of the newly created Palm Beach County Alliance for Education.
Ms. Brill graduated summa cum laude from Palm Beach Atlantic College with a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management and earned her Master of Business Administration from Palm Beach Atlantic University. She has an extensive and diverse business background, having worked at RCA Records and later for Malcolm S. Forbes in New York. After relocating to Florida, she worked in Private Wealth Management for Deutsche Bank (legacy Bankers Trust), served as Executive Aide to Clerk and Comptroller Sharon R. Bock, and later joined Richard S. Bernstein & Associates as Director of Business Development and Marketing. Following her election to the School Board, Ms. Brill embarked on a successful career in real estate.
Ms. Brill is married to Stewart Davies. They have four children who attended and graduated from Palm Beach County schools; their youngest is an eighth-grade Language Arts teacher at a Title I school with Teach For America in Denver, Colorado. Ms. Brill and her husband are members of the King David Bikers. In addition to her professional career and family life, she enjoys cooking, exercise, reading, travel, and weekend motorcycle rides with her husband. They reside in west Boynton Beach with their son Matthew and their dogs, Harley and Lexie.
Karen Brill
Leandra Cain
Chief Executive Officer/President of Hurricane Aerospace Solutions- Pompano Beach, FL, a Women Owned Small Business and Hub ZONE certified.
Her responsibility is for the Company’s operations, administration, and financial
performance.
Hurricane Aerospace provides proficient cost-effective options for hard-to-find or obsolete parts and long lead times to the Aerospace and Defense industries.
Under her dynamic leadership, Leandra’s team created, implemented, registered, and sustained AS9100 and AS9120 certifications. For 15 consecutive years, Hurricane Aerospace Solutions has consistently supported the global warfighter with daily requirements within the Department of Defense Agencies and top 100 prime contractors. Hurricane is a contract vehicle holder for USAF Try Decide Buy and Sustainment Replenishment Contract in support of Tooling, Test Equipment, and Ground Support.
Leandra was born and raised in Rochester, New York, and has made her home in sunny South Florida since 1996. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Johnson & Wales University. Before founding Hurricane Aerospace Solutions in 2007, she was in the Luxury Beauty Industry for several years, including in the capacity of Regional Business Management for Estee Lauder- Bumble & Bumble.
In Leandra’s spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family
(including her beloved dog), traveling, and supporting both her personal and professional community through serving as a devoted volunteer teacher at the Church of the Glades- Coral Springs, FL. Serving on the Aviation Supplier Association Board of director for industry best practices
Leandra Cain
Althea Largie Ceasor
Althea Ceasor is a Vice President and Sr. Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch. She is Series 7 and 66 licensed. She holds a master’s in Data Science and Analytics, with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence from Florida Atlantic University – with undergraduate degrees in Meteorology and Mathematics. She has been married to Mario for 26 years and has three adult children.
For her volunteerism in 2020 and 2021, Althea received The President’s Volunteer Service Award. Althea was recognized by Soroptimist as a 2022 “Woman of Distinction” for her contributions and service to the Palm Beach non-profit community. Her affiliations and honors include the American Association of Caregiving Youth, Rotary International, Hope Worldwide, BRITE Initiative, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Executive Women’s International, Alpha Chi National Honor Society, Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities, Outstanding Young Woman of America, and Harlem YMCA Black Achiever in Industry.
Althea Largie Ceasor
Michael Connor
Michael Connor is a full-time photographer based in South Florida, originally from Queens, New York. He’s captured the vibrant essence of life through his lens both domestically and around the world. Beyond photography, his other passion is giving back. Michael’s been a dedicated mentor with the American Association of Caregiving Youth, guiding young caregivers for the past seven years. He’s passionate about storytelling, community, inspiring those around him, and capturing moments that matter.
Michael Connor
Gail Eagle
Gail Eagle is Special Projects Manager for JES Media providing sales and marketing services for Boca Raton magazine, Delray magazine, the Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce Annual Directory, “1926”..the magazine of The Boca Raton and Worth Avenue magazine as well as JES Media digital and social media platforms. Prior to founding GEA, a publishing and creative services company in New Jersey, Gail was Vice President of Sales for a Princeton-based publishing company.
She received her BA from Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, NY.
Gail serves on the board of directors of the American Association of Caregiving Youth. She enjoys time with her partner Norm, and her children, Scott who lives in Delray and Dana, who resides in Los Angeles. She enjoys travel, tennis, and kickboxing and is delighted with south Florida’s lifestyle.
Gail Eagle
Jeffrey Gordon, Esq., Vice Chair
Jeffrey Gordon joined the Board of AACY in May 2019 and was unanimously elected to serve as Vice Chair in January of 2021.
Jeff is an attorney who is a partner in the law firm of Lesser, Landy, Smith, & Siegel,PLLC . The firm dedicates its practice to helping individuals and families who have experienced life changing trauma due to the careless or negligent behavior of others.
Jeff and his wife are licensed foster parents who have dedicated their lives to helping 32 foster children over the past 14 years.
Jeff is very active in the community, holding leadership roles in several organizations that support foster and caregiving youth.
He is President of the Board of Directors of Friends of Foster Children of Palm Beach County, an organization that supports foster families in South Florida. Jeff serves as Vice Chair of the American Association of Caregiving Youth, a nonprofit that assists middle and high school students who are the primary caregivers for the adults in their home. Jeff is also Vice Chair of the Board of Flite Center, a nonprofit that supports youth who are aging out of foster care.
He is the Immediate Past Chairman of the Board of Champions Empowering Champions, an organization that supports former foster youth at Florida Atlantic University.
In addition, Jeff is the Florida designated member of the National Board of Directors for the Emory University Alumni Association, he is Immediate Past President of the Emory Palm Beach Alumni Association, and is co-chair of the Civil Practice Committee of the South Palm Beach County Bar Association.
Jeffrey Gordon, Esq., Vice Chair
Pamela Higer-Polani
Attorney At Law
A South Florida native and a licensed attorney for over 30 years, Pamela Higer-Polani created, then chaired solely as an unpaid volunteer for several years, the Boca Walk to End Alzheimer’s for the Alzheimer’s Association. In 2015, Attorney Polani then founded and continues to be the founder of “Brain Bowl Events,” a 501(c)(3) that raises monies and awareness for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Dementia.
Likewise, Pam has also received significant recognition for her community endeavors, from various civic groups, including the Florida Bar Association; South County Bar Association; the Florida Association of Women Lawyers; the Faulk Center for Counseling; Junior League of Boca Raton; American Association of Caregiving Youth; Soroptimist International of Boca Raton and Deerfield Beach; Women’s Chamber of Palm Beach County; Connected Warriors; Israel Cancer Association; Central Palm Beach County’s Chamber of Commerce; and most recently, the Boca Ballet and Stand with Us.
She also continues to be on the board for several other local charities, all while married with 2 sons!
Her motto is: Live Life To The Fullest, While Helping Others Do The Same!
Pamela Higer-Polani Attorney At Law
Marsha Lavender
Chief Financial Officer, Retired
As the Chief Financial Officer of Florence Fuller Child Development Centers, Inc., Marsha oversaw all aspects of the finance department. She has more than 45 years of public and private accounting and analysis experience, with an emphasis on business planning, financial reporting, cash management, consolidations, taxation, inventory, and internal control reviews. Marsha oversaw the annual audit, Single Audit, and preparation of Form 990, as well as the Annual Report. She managed fiscal compliance with all government contracts. Her proficiency in multiple software platforms complemented her strong supervisory and leadership skills.
Marsha joined FFCDC (DBA Fuller Center) in 2006 and retired on December 31, 2024. FFCDC is a not-for-profit organization that was established in 1971 to serve economically disadvantaged children and their families. From 2014–2019, she was the Consulting CFO of The Boca Raton Children’s Museum, an affiliate of FFCDC. She is the proud mother of a retired Navy Chief; she has two wonderful grandchildren and four great-grandchildren!
Marsha Lavender, Treasurer
Maria Levix
Maria’s background includes administration in the area of land development, real estate, commercial property management and interior design, all of which she expertly used in her early careers. Until recently, she had been a long-term family caregiver for her parents and life partner, which led to her retirement as Execuitve Director of the Schmidt Family Foundation (SFF) a decade ago. It was during her tenure at the SFF that she learned about “children as caregivers” and approached the Foundation with the idea of funding this new area of needed support for children. Historically the SFF has been known for giving back to the community and approved funding this new project. Maria then proceeded to organize a coalition of funding and community partnerships to help form what is now the American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY).
Maria Levix
Ellyn Okrent
With more than four decades of experience in the nonprofit sector, Ellyn brings a proven record of leadership, strategic planning, and operational excellence. She has served as CEO of major organizations, guiding the Fuller Center to raise significant funds and deliver daily services to 1,000+ children and families yearly, and leading the Children’s Museum, Milagro Center, and Kids in Distress, through strategic growth.
As an independent consultant, Ellyn now partners with South Florida nonprofits to assess organizational needs, build long-term strategic plans, develop fundraising and grant initiatives, and strengthen internal operations and governance.
Her background also includes advanced credentials in social work and nonprofit management, and participation in a number of leadership programs.
Ellyn is passionate about aligning mission, people, and process to achieve measurable impact and sustainable change.
Ellyn Okrent
Isabel Parrado, Secretary
Izzy Parrado is an alum and retired educator from Palm Beach School District. Her passion for helping others led her into teaching in middle and high school classrooms. Inspired by teacher-visionaries in her journey, she invested and dedicated 37 years into the profession. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science & Latin American Studies, at University of Florida. She went on to earn a Master’s in School Counseling Education, from Florida Atlantic University.
She retired in 2016 as a School Counselor.
Isabel Parrado, Secretary
Daniel Polen
Daniel Polen
American Association of Caregiving Youth Board Member
Daniel Polen
Connie Siskowski, RN, PhD
President and Founder
Educated at John Hopkins and New York University, Connie obtained her PhD in 2004 from Lynn University. Connie never expected her doctoral research to uncover the high prevalence of family health situations and concomitant caregiving with detrimental academic effects upon children in Palm Beach County.
Her broad background in healthcare and dedication to diminishing caregiver struggles led to the 1998 establishment of a nonprofit organization which has transformed itself to become what is now the American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY), headquartered in Boca Raton, FL.
AACY includes the Caregiving Youth Project of Palm Beach County, the first US program to support the hidden Population of child caregivers, and the Caregiving Youth Institute. The needs of these children are beyond the purview of any one system so AACY integrates healthcare, education and the community (body, mind, and spirit) to provide a strong foundation for the youth and their families.
Connie’s dream is for all family caregivers to be honored and respected but especially youth for their contribution to family and to society; no child in the US should have to drop out of school because he or she has to care for a family member.
During the past five years, Connie was awarded a lifetime Ashoka Fellowship; was a Purpose Prize winner (a national endeavor honoring persons over 60 years of age who initiated social change); was a recipient of the Distinguished Alumna Award from Johns Hopkins University; was named a Woman of Grace by Bethesda Hospital Foundation; became a 2012 Top Ten CNN Hero; received the Office Depot Listen, Learn and Care Award; and, most recently, Connie was awarded a star in Boca Raton’s Walk of Recognition.
Connie Siskowski, RN, PHD President and Founder
Bruce Spizler
Bruce became a member of the Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton in 2019, and in that year was named “Rookie Rotarian of the Year.” The following year, he was named “Rotarian of the Year,” and more recently, Bruce was presented with the “True Spirit of Rotary” award for adhering to and upholding Rotary International’s mantra of “Service Above Self.”
As Chairman of the RCDBR Community Service Committee from 2021–2024, Bruce oversaw 65 Rotary Service Projects each year, actively participating in most on behalf of various nonprofit organizations throughout the Boca Raton community. Bruce served as RCDBR President in FY 2024 (July 2024 – June 2025).
Prior to moving to the Boca Raton area, Bruce served as a Senior Assistant Attorney General in the Maryland Attorney General’s Office where, over his 38-year career, he briefed and argued more than 60 reported cases in the Maryland and Federal Appellate Courts; investigated and prosecuted economic crimes and political corruption; and served as General Counsel to the Maryland Racing Commission — culminating in Bruce being awarded the prestigious “Exceptional Career Service Award” shortly before his retirement.
On a national level, Bruce served as General Counsel to the Association of Ringside Physicians; Chairman of the Legal Committee for the Association of Boxing Commissions; testified before a Special Congressional Subcommittee along with Muhammad Ali (with Bruce’s testimony being quoted on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives); and proudly displays in his home office an autographed copy of Senator John McCain’s Faith of My Fathers which reads, “To Bruce — With admiration and appreciation — John McCain.”
Bruce Spizler, J.D.
Abbey Strauss, MD
I have practiced general psychiatry for over 40 years, with long periods of involvement in clinical research, various social and media health advocacy groups, and many involvements with forensic psychiatry issues, as well as a great deal of media work, including appearances on Court TV, HBO Real Sports, and other similar national programs. I served on the national Board of Directors for Physicians for Social Responsibility, and I worked in numerous selected capacities with the Florida Psychiatric Society, including being past president. I hold a Master’s degree in psychiatric social work as well. Since 2008, I produce and host the podcast “The Experts Speak,” and I assist in the cohosting of numerous podcasts with the Palm Beach County Medical Society Opioid Task Force. I’ve also been involved in numerous climate change advocacies since the late 1960s.
Abbey Strauss, MD
