Board of Directors
Carly Barnes, President
Carly Barnes is the Executive Director of Caring & Sharing of South Walton. She moved to the area fourteen years ago after graduating from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Family and Child Sciences.
She currently lives in Santa Rosa Beach with her husband Geoff, daughter Millie, and their Labradoodle Sunny Cha Cha.
Carly is very involved in the nonprofit community along the Emerald Coast serving and volunteering with multiple organizations. She currently works with The Walton Area Chamber of Commerce and is a Sustainer in the Junior League of the Emerald Coast. Carly joined Impact100 NWF as a NextGen member in 2017.
Joni Wallace, Vice President
Joni Wallace is a Colorado native and graduate of University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. She moved to Niceville, Florida in 2013 for what was her husband’s last Air Force assignment.
As a military spouse moving around the country, Joni had the opportunity to lead multiple volunteer organizations and activities supporting military families, schools and booster clubs. Once her husband retired from the Air Force, Joni wanted to stay involved in the local community but in a different way from what she’d known as a military spouse. She served as the first Board President of a local non-profit that is a past recipient of an Impact100 NWF grant and is still involved in the organization in various ways. She is also involved with the benevolence ministry & women’s ministry at her local church.
It has always been important to Joni to do what she could with the time she was given in each place she called home, and she was excited to join Impact100 NWF in 2020 and be part of the difference it’s making in the community.
Robin Donlon, Treasurer
Robin Donlon is the Market President at SmartBank, covering the Florida Panhandle. Her father was in the Air Force when they relocated to Eglin Air Force Base when she was 3-years old. She currently lives in Fort Walton Beach with her husband, Nathan Kelley and their three kids, Carsen, Keanan and Kaylin. Robin has been in the banking and lending industry for 14 years.
She is currently serving on the board for Community Solutions of the Emerald Coast (One Hopeful Place) and is a Take Stock in Children mentor. She has previously served on the board for the Fort Walton Beach Chamber and as Treasurer for the Early Learning Coalition of Okaloosa and Walton Counties. In her spare time, she enjoys being out on the water with her family.
Schala Duckett, Secretary
Schala was born to an Air Force family, traveling continuously and eventually landing in Shalimar, graduating from Choctawhatchee Senior High School in 1982. Attending Florida State University on an Air Force Scholarship, she graduated in 1986 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. While active duty, she met her husband Kelley (also from the FWB area) in Germany and they married in 1995. Schala retired from the Air Force in 2006, and in 2007, she and her husband along with three little children, moved “home” to the FWB area to be near their parents.
Triggered by an illness with her mother, Schala returned to clinical nursing for two years, then
transitioned to be the Cardiology RN at White Wilson Medical Center for six years, and now continues to serve as a Case Manager/Discharge Planner at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital.
In addition to her professional career, Schala has been a busy mother of three “stair step” children, now in their early 20s, who are still in school and branching off into their own careers. Also, she is an active member of Shalimar United Methodist Church, Republican Women of Florida, the Krewe of Bowlegs and supporter of Opportunity Place.
Schala joined Impact 100 several years ago with the intent of becoming more involved in the local community. From day one, she has been active in several areas such as Grant Review Committees, Annual Membership Meeting Committee, Mentorship program, Membership/Events Committee and as liaison to the 2021 PAWS Grant Recipient. Additionally, she has been an Evergreen member since its inception.
Sandy Sims, Founding Board Member
Sandy Sims retired from Gulf Power/FPL in 2022 after more than 38 years. During that time, she served in leadership positions in various departments across northwest Florida and retired as the Senior Director of External Relations.
Sandy has always served the community through her support and leadership in numerous organizations in FWB, Niceville, Panama City, and Pensacola. She was a founding board member and the 2nd president of IMPACT 100 of Northwest Florida.
Currently, she is the secretary for Ronald McDonald House of Northwest Florida and is an active member of The Church on Bayshore in Niceville.
Nancy Francis, Past President
Nancy Francis is a creative marketing consultant who has worked with a variety of household names, including Folgers, Energizer, and Häagen-Dazs. Since 2009, she has been the principal and co-owner of an innovation consulting company, where she trains clients in creative problem solving and ideation. She has facilitated thousands of meetings and focus groups for Fortune 500 companies.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College and an MBA from Yale University. Her interest in strategic problem-solving and wordsmithing grew from an early love of games like Risk, Scrabble, and Clue, and she still enjoys playing board games with her husband and two grown sons.
Nancy got involved with Impact100 NWF after moving to Sandestin in 2017. Since then, she has served on the Grant Review Family Committee and as Grant Review Chair. She believes deeply in Impact100’s mission and the positive impact it has on the community.
Melanie Adams
Melanie Adams is an entrepreneur and President of SAMM Electric, a successful electrical contracting company founded in 2002. SAMM Electric services government, commercial, and residential electrical installation needs in the Florida Panhandle.
In addition to being on the Board of Directors for Impact100 NWF, Melanie has served as President of the Paxton Ruritan Club (2011-2013), friend of the Thomas A. McQueen Masonic Lodge, and an active community leader in the Paxton Area.
Melanie’s philanthropy can only be lauded. Future Farmers of America (FFA), Nursing Home Hero Christmas project, Paxton Area Youth Sports (PAYS), Paxton High School Basketball - summer camp sponsorships, and Impact100 are some the organizations she supports.
With the heart to serve, Melanie looks forward to working with Impact100 NWF and contributing to help make a difference in the lives of others.
Carrie Brewer
Christopher Reeve said you’ve got to give more than you take. Carrie has strived to live an exemplary life. Growing up, Carrie and her family benefited from many nonprofits and charitable organizations. This left a deep urge in her to give back and push for inclusivity within organizations. Luckily, her husband’s military service has afforded her opportunities to do just that in many geographical locations.
Carrie has lived on the Emerald Coast for 15 years total with her Husband, two college-aged daughters, and their dogs. After a big career change, she works in real estate and development. Carrie also has working experience in the nonprofit, child welfare, and education sectors. In the past, she has given her time to Toys for Tots, Take Stock in Children, The Early Learning Coalition of the Emerald Coast, and several military-based organizations.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family when they can all be together, reading, biking, and taking way too many photos. Carrie has wanted to become a member of Impact100 for many years and looks forward to being part of the impact on our local communities.
Cathy Campbell
Cathy Campbell’s career spanned 40 years in the energy industry with Chevron Corporation. She entered the workforce as a chemist followed by various jobs in refining and manufacturing. As a learning and development professional, Cathy contributed to design and implementation of key initiatives for leadership and employee development, workforce training, high-performance organizational development, web-based training, 360 feedback, individual coaching, and diversity and inclusion. In 2013, Cathy and her global team received a Chevron Chairman’s Award for exceptional contributions to world-class performance by creating the Global Manufacturing Operator Competency Program.Cathy’s undergraduate degree is in chemistry and mathematics and she has a master’s in workforce training and development. In 2013, she received an award for contributions to equality and education for women in STEM careers from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
Cathy, a native Mississippian, retired and moved to Sandestin in 2016 to be near to her son, daughter, and grandson. She has a passion for dance of all types including Ballroom, Latin, Country, and Swing. Cathy frequently performs in dance exhibitions and competitions across the country.
LeAnn Caravello
She has served as as a facilitator and lecturer with support groups serving these individuals. LeAnn is a member of the American Speech and Hearing Association.
She is a volunteer at the Shalimar Library, a nonprofit library. Her additional responsibilities there have included publicity and special events. Through Shalimar United Methodist Church, she has served multiple ministries including the Children's Ministry - which provided for children in need. She also chaired committees that supported local charities. LeAnn volunteers in the respite ministry, Joyful Place, serving individuals with memory loss and related conditions.
LeAnn has been an Impact100 NWF member since 2015. She served on the grants committee for multiple focus areas and chaired the "Family" grant review committee. In addition, she served on the Annual Meeting Committee for three years.
Frances Childre
Frances Childre grew up in Atlanta, getting her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Emory University and went on to get her MSN in occupational health nursing from the University of California, San Francisco. She has worked in the direct care (onsite) employer health solutions market ever since. Most of her career has been in operations, focusing on primary care, population health and occupational health in the commercial direct care market, with a diverse range of clients from the financial to manufacturing sectors and everything in-between. Frances currently leads Clinical Operations/Learning & Development for an onsite health care company.
She is a past-president of the Emory University School of Nursing Alumni Board and was a member of the Emory University Board of Governors for 4 years. She currently serves on the Editorial Board of Workplace Health & Safety, the professional journal of the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses.
Frances moved to the Emerald Coast in 2003, but with traveling 80% of the time for her job, it was difficult to proactively engage in community endeavors. When job travel decreased, she joined Impact100 NWF in 2017, and actively participated on the Arts and Culture and Environment Committees respectively for the past 3 years.
Tara Pierce
Tara Pierce is a seasoned Vice President of Operations driving operational performance, organizational development, and continuous financial improvement for the organization. Over her 25-year career, Tara has been able to leverage her broad corporate acumen and strategic and business management expertise to ensure growth and sustainability. In 2021, she pursued her dream of entrepreneurism and started two LLCs focusing on helping small, local businesses with financial, operational, and HR efficiencies.
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Michigan University in Financial Management and a Master of Science in Finance degree from Walsh College, with a concentration in Corporate Finance.
Tara got involved with Impact100 NWF after moving to Destin in 2021 and served on the Financial Review Committee.
Mary Tinsley
A true Florida native, Mary Tinsley is originally from Pensacola, FL, graduating from the University of West Florida in 2003. She moved to Fort Walton Beach in April of 2007 and has spent the last 15 years growing her family here in our community. Mary is an Edward Jones financial advisor. She is excited to celebrate her 10th year with the firm in 2021. And she feels that she has been afforded a great privilege of partnering with some truly amazing people as they work together toward achieving their financial goals.
By utilizing her branch team to its full potential, she feels like she is not only able to serve her clients more effectively, but is also able to find the critical work-life balance that so many of us seek! Mary is the very proud mother of two boys, William and Brooks. William is the golfer, while his little brother Brooks is a self-declared "Sports Man", playing both soccer and baseball.
In addition to being a mom, Mary is proud to also be a part of a number of non-profit organizations who provide crucial support in Fort Walton Beach and the surrounding areas.
Mary joined Impact100 NWF in 2018 and served on Grant Review Committees the last three years. In 2020, she joined the Finance Committee wanting to take her "Impact Experience" to the next level. She is thrilled to join the Board of Directors in 2021 as the next extension of that personal growth within our organization.
Kate Tobin
Kate Tobin is grew up in this area as a military "brat" and recently returned after many years living and working in Atlanta. She is a science journalist with a long track record in television news. She worked for nearly two decades with the CNN Science & Technology Unit, starting as an intern and working her way up to Senior Producer. After departing that network in 2009, she formed her own production company and embarked on a ten year stint as Executive Producer of the National Science Foundation's "Science Nation" video series. She currently produces, shoots and edits projects for a host of clients – including the PBS NewsHour, where she partners with her long-time colleague, Science Correspondent Miles O'Brien.
Kate joined Impact100 in 2022. She lives in Shalimar with her mother, retired educator Zella Tobin, who is an Evergreen member. In her spare time, Kate enjoys reading, photography, cooking and golf.
Debbie Vaughan
Debbie graduated from Florida State University in 1982 with a BS in Medical Technology. Her early professional career included responsibilities in blood banking and chemistry for hospitals in Tallahassee and Gainesville, FL.
With 4th generation roots in Okaloosa County, Debbie relocated to Fort Walton Beach in 2005 where she initially taught Science at Choctawhatchee High School (CHS). Debbie subsequently volunteered with the Northwest Florida Ballet Academie’, serving on the School Advisory Council and was an active member of the CHS International Baccalaureate Parent Foundation. She has also served on the vestry at Saint Simon’s on the Sound Episcopal Church and the Executive Board of the Fort Walton Beach Woman’s Club. Debbie joined Impact100 NWF in 2013 and has previously served on Grant Review Committees.
Debbie currently enjoys various water sports, travel, and spending time with her five adult children as well as her grandson.