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
Veronica Robinson Gelin is currently the Managing Partner for the Florida Operations of the Law Offices of E.F. Robinson. Veronica Robinson Gelin has been practicing
FYS Events & Meeting Chair
(Palm Beach)
Hello, My name is Alexia Nechayev. I am 25 years old and I am an alumna of Florida International University where I received my B.A. in Psychology. My future career goal is to be a Lawyer. I was in care for about one year from age 17 to 18. Prior to entering care, I only knew about the negative stigma regarding foster care and while in care that narrative was unfortunately my experience.
In school I felt like I was on display because my status in care was broadcast to other students and in my placement behavior was leveraged for “privileges” that should be a natural right of all children. Because I did not know my rights I did not know that what I was experiencing was wrong. Today this is exactly why I advocate, because I don’t want this to be the same for other youth who are experiencing foster care.
This is my second year on the FYS Statewide Board and I’m happy to be the Events and Meetings Chair this year because my main goal through advocacy is to reach as many people as possible. My favorite thing as a board member is to see how comfortable members become while working together. The community needs to know that youth in foster care are real people, going through some of the hardest moments of their life and youth need to know that their voice is powerful. I believe that we have to speak up and bring these issues to people’s attention so that they do not forget us. Advocacy, education and consistency is the only way.
