Dr. Lippman received his degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences at Columbia University College of Pharmacy and holds a doctorate in Higher Education Administration. He has been a community pharmacist for over 20 years, and currently serves as the chief academic officer and Chancellor of Health Professions of… Complete Bio
After graduating from St. Thomas University Law School, she joined the Eleventh Circuit Public Defender’s Office in Miami, FL. As an Assistant Public Defender, she had opportunity to handle juvenile delinquency cases. After leaving the Public Defender’s office, Dana shifted toward Immigration Law. Complete Bio
Jon received his B.A. from Stetson University and his J.D. from the University of Florida. Former Dean of the University of Florida College of Law, he is now the Founding Director, in the Center for Governmental Responsibility. Among other notable public service achievements, he is known for… Complete Bio
Heather received her B.A. in Art History and English from Vanderbilt University and her J.D. from Case Western Reserve University. She has over twenty years experience practicing law with experience in complex litigation issues, including class actions and appellate work. Complete Bio
Robin received her B.S. from Tulane University and her J.D. from Nova Southeastern University School of Law. She currently practices commercial litigation and collections with Jacobson, Sobo & Moselle, P.A. Among other board participation, she is the 2010 chair of Legal Aid Services of Broward County and… Complete Bio
JoNel received her B.A. from the University of Missouri and her J.D. from Yale University. She is currently an associate professor of clinical legal education
Teresita Chavez Pedrosa is a partner at Diaz Briscoe Medina. Ms. Chavez Pedrosa is a seasoned litigator who has worked on behalf of leading
Jessica Rae has represented hundreds of children and teens in Child in Need of Assistance and Termination of Parental Rights proceedings, first as a staff
Diana Ragbeer was elected to the FCF Board of Directors in March 2008. She is the Director of Public Policy and Communications for the Children’s Trust in Miami. Her responsibilities include: legislative and advocacy efforts on behalf of children and families at the state, federal and local levels in areas such as… Complete Bio
Julie is currently an attorney in Tampa with over 16 years of experience including previous employment with the Office of the Public Defender and as general counsel for a for a human services organization that provides contracted services for children in the state delinquency and… Complete Bio
FYS Events & Meeting Chair
(Palm Beach/Miami)
Alexia Nechayev, from Miami, Florida, is a dedicated advocate for youth with lived experience in foster care and with homelessness. After being placed in foster care as a teenager, Alexia experienced firsthand the stigma surrounding the system, as well as the challenges of navigating a system that didn’t provide support for her to advocate for herself. This experience motivated her to create change, ensuring that other youth in care have the tools and resources she lacked.
She graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from Florida International University, and upon graduation worked as a Hope Navigator with the Department of Children and Families which allowed her to assist clients through individualized care plans, further deepening her commitment to improving the lives of marginalized youth. Alexia is now applying to law schools with the goal of advancing her advocacy work through a legal career. As the Events and Meetings Chair for Florida Youth SHINE (FYS), she creates opportunities for foster and homeless youth to collaborate and push for meaningful change. She is also an active member of the Policy and Initiative Team for Florida Youth SHINE, where she helps create and shape policies that directly impact youth in foster care. One of her proudest accomplishments is helping to develop the Foster Care Bill of Rights, a law that she feels would have made a difference during her own time in care.
In addition to her work with FYS, Alexia serves on the Board of Directors for the parent organization of FYS, Florida’s Children First. In this role, she contributes to strategic decision-making while advocating for the rights and welfare of children statewide.
Every year, she travels to the state capitol to advocate for bills she and her peers have helped shape, including key pieces of legislation that benefit foster and homeless youth. However her advocacy extends beyond her state, as she represents Florida Youth SHINE at national conferences such as the National Leaders 4 Change Conference.
Through her internship with the National Foster Youth Institute, Alexia continues to refine her advocacy skills, preparing for a future where she can contribute meaningfully to both policymaking and the legal system. Guided by the belief that “the blue sky is always there,” she remains committed to ensuring that every youth in foster care has the power and support to advocate for themselves.
