Meet Our Board
Todd Lyon
Board Chair
Todd Lyon is the Vice President of People and Culture at NCH, overseeing all HR functions, the NCH Employee Medical Center, and Wellness. Originally from Essex, Vermont, he holds an M.S. in Management from New England College, a B.F.A. in Music Theatre Performance from the Hartt School at the University of Hartford, and a Professional Certificate in Arts Administration from NYU. Before transitioning to healthcare, Todd performed professionally and later held leadership roles at Weill Cornell Medical College/New York Presbyterian Hospital. He joined NCH in 2014, moving into HR in 2018. A Leadership Collier graduate (Class of ’20, Vice Chair ’22, Chair ‘23), Todd serves on multiple boards, including UWCK (Board Chair)Empowerment Farm, the LCF Advisory Council, and serves on the Collier County Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC). Todd lives in North Naples with his 12-year-old daughter, Allie.
Brandi Horton
Vice Chair
Brandi moved to Islamorada in 1978 and has spent over 30 years helping people find their place in the beautiful Florida Keys. As a dedicated residential Realtor and vacation rental specialist, she has built a reputation for her expertise in luxury waterfront properties, investment homes, and property management. Brandi takes pride in providing personalized, results-driven solutions for buyers, sellers, and investors. Beyond her professional work, Brandi is deeply committed to giving back to the community that has been her home for decades. Since 2019, she has served on the United Way of Collier and the Keys Local Advisory Board (LAB), currently holding the position of LAB Chair. She is also a graduate of Class X Leadership Monroe County, a former President of BPW, an Ambassador for both the Islamorada and Key Largo Chambers of Commerce, and a mentor with Take Stock in Children. Through her dedication to service and leadership, Brandi continues to make a lasting impact on both the real estate industry and the local community.
Peter J. Berry
Past Chair
Born and raised in Connecticut, Peter spent most of his life in Connecticut before moving to Naples, FL in 2012 with his wife Suzanne. In 1983, he co-founded Association Resources (AR) with Suzanne. AR, an association management firm, was the headquarters for 20 international, national, and state organizations with offices in Hartford, CT and Washington, DC. AR was sold in 2007 to a private equity group. After leaving AR, Peter worked in the meetings industry for Maritz Global Events based in St. Louis, MO. He identified potential conference sites for clients and once a location was identified, he negotiated the hotel contract for the meeting. Peter is currently a consultant for HillStaffer, a Washington based advocacy and government relations firm. In addition to Peter’s involvement in UWCK, he serves on the boards of Greater Naples Leadership (GNL), Collier County Public Transit Advisory Board, and Audubon Country Club. Peter is a graduate of GNL Masters Class XXIV. Peter and Suzanne have two children, Meghan and Brennan Berry, who are principals at Energy Related Properties based in Texas.
Craig Morris
Treasurer
Craig Morris is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and the current Managing Tax Director at River Bend Holdings, LLC, a private trust company serving the trust and estate needs of multi-generational families. Prior to joining River Bend in 2021, Craig was part of EY’s (Ernst & Young) Private Client Services practice, where he provided holistic tax and financial planning services to entrepreneurs, business owners, ultra-high-net-worth individuals, and their families. With over eighteen years of experience in tax consulting, Craig is a trusted advisor to families navigating the most complex tax, financial, and estate planning challenges. Craig earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of South Florida in 2007 and his Master of Taxation degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2010. He is a licensed CPA in the State of Florida and a Registered Investment Advisor Representative. He is also an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the AICPA Personal Financial Planning Division, and the Florida Institute of CPAs. Craig’s philanthropic involvement includes volunteering locally with Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida as a classroom coordinator and supporting the Harry Chapin Food Bank as a distribution warehouse volunteer. He previously served on the advisory board for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, where he held the role of Treasurer for three years. In his free time, Craig is an avid golfer and enjoys live music and spending time with his wife, Kim, their two daughters, Avery and Addison, and their energetic pets—two dogs, Magna and Winnie, and a cat named Chance.
Darren Burkett
Collier County Public Schools
Darren Burkett is the Deputy Superintendent for Collier County Public Schools, overseeing key areas including Teaching and Learning, District Operations, Safety, Student Relations, and Career and Technical Education. Beyond those roles he serves as a member of Senior Leadership to provide insight and guidance on a variety of District initiatives which impact its 50,000 students. He has served Collier County for 15 years as a school and district administrator, previously leading Naples High and East Naples Middle School. Prior to his arrival in Collier County, Mr. Burkett was a high school English teacher and school administrator in Massachusetts. Darren holds a bachelor's degree from Assumption University and a master's in Educational Leadership from Fitchburg State University. He has completed doctoral coursework at Northeastern University and is certified by the National Institute for School Leadership. He serves on the boards of the United Way of Collier and the Keys and the Florida Association of School Administrators.
Melissa Casto
Lutgert Estate Management
Melissa is the President of Lutgert Estate Management, a provider of luxury home care, trusted vendor management and personalized concierge services throughout Southwest Florida. Prior to joining Lutgert Estate Management in early 2025, Melissa was a Senior Vice President with US Bank and PNC responsible for commercial real estate lending to institutional real estate developers and investors based in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. Before becoming a commercial real estate lender, she was the Director of Corporex Capital, the financing and fund management subsidiary of a national privately held investment and development firm, and the Director of Mergers & Acquisitions for Pomeroy IT Solutions, a publicly traded technology company. Melissa is on the board of CleanCut, a Cincinnati based privately held company that develops innovative accessibility products targeted to aging in place. She is a graduate of Leadership Cincinnati and has also served on the boards of the Cincinnati Opera, the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati, the St. Ursula Villa School, Xavier University Williams College of Business Executive Advisors and JDRF Southwest Ohio. Melissa received her BA in Economics from Centre College and her MBA from Xavier University.
Erica Fish
Wilson Creative Group
Erica Fish is an award-winning marketing communications professional with a strong background in journalism, public relations, strategic communications, and community engagement. A graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University, she began her career as a feature and government reporter before coordinating legislative initiatives and advocacy efforts with the Greater Naples Chamber. Today, Erica serves as Account Manager for Wilson Creative Group, where she develops and executes integrated marketing, communications, and public relations strategies for clients across a variety of industries. Drawing on experience in media relations, content development, brand storytelling, and stakeholder engagement, she helps organizations strengthen their visibility and achieve their communications goals. Committed to professional excellence and community involvement, Erica serves on the Board of Directors for the Gulf Coast Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), holding leadership roles as Marketing Chair and Communications Co-Chair. She is a graduate of Associate Leadership Collier, a member of the Press Club of Southwest Florida and the Society of Professional Journalists.
Stephanie Green
Kitty Keane
Community Volunteer
Kitty (Katherine) Keane is an attorney with over 40 years of professional and business experience in the areas of healthcare, employee benefits and corporate law. Most recently she was Senior Vice President and General Counsel of an employee benefits start-up company in Connecticut. She moved to southwest Florida fourteen years ago, and has since been involved in a number of local nonprofits. She was most recently President of Greater Naples Leadership, an organization that trains volunteers and facilitates charitable volunteering in Collier County.
Jeff Lee
Community Volunteer
Jeff Lee has spent his entire career in broadcasting, grounded in the belief that the best television stations are actively involved in their communities. He understands that stations with a strong voice can help drive meaningful change—and that being a good community partner is also good for business. Throughout his career, Jeff worked in Houston, Monterey, California, Orlando, and Knoxville. At every stop, United Way was a key partner in strengthening the community. He often reflects on a long-standing belief: “The United Way is the best way to help the most people.” To him, that mission is simple—helping individuals get back on their feet so they can care for themselves and their families, restoring dignity and creating a foundation for long-term stability. With 40 years of involvement with United Way, Jeff sees strong potential for United Way of Collier and the Keys to continue making Southwest Florida a better place for all, and he remains committed to being of service.
Joe Paul
Publix Super Markets
Joe Paul began his Publix career in 2000 at 14 years old, starting as a bagger and working his way up to Store Manager. With experience in stores from North Fort Myers to South Naples, he has also served as Customer Service Manager and Grocery Manager. For nearly 20 years, Joe has been deeply involved with United Way, now serving as Chair of the Philanthropy Committee while coordinating Publix’s community service events and annual associate donation campaign in Collier County. He has also led large-scale volunteer efforts for organizations like March of Dimes, Walk for Wishes, Boys & Girls Club, and Habitat for Humanity. A North Fort Myers native, proud Florida Gators fan, and father of three, Joe is passionate about giving back, believing that small acts of kindness can help people get the break they deserve.
W.T. Pearson
Premier Commercial, Inc.
A Naples native, W.T. (William Thomas) built his career in commercial real estate after graduating from the Community School of Naples and the University of Colorado Boulder. He is a Broker Associate with Premier Commercial, a Lutgert Company, with over 15 years of experience advising clients across Southwest Florida on office, medical, industrial, and redevelopment transactions, contributing to more than 500 deals totaling $350 million. W.T. is deeply involved in the community, serving on boards including the Collier County Community Land Trust and United Way of Collier and the Keys, and previously with the Leadership Collier Foundation. He is passionate about developing local leaders and strengthening the region. Outside of work, he enjoys the outdoors and is expecting his first child with his wife, Amanda, in May 2026.
Janet Pogar
Florida Blue
Janet Pogar is Florida Blue’s Market Leader for Southwest Florida, overseeing operations across multiple counties. She leads local strategy, coordinating sales, analytics, provider networks, care management, and community relations for the state’s largest insurer. Previously, she served as Regional Vice President for Carelon Behavioral Health and Anthem, managing behavioral health integration and overseeing $4 billion in healthcare services. With extensive experience in network contracting, value-based care, and team leadership, she is dedicated to improving healthcare access. Pogar is actively involved in the community, serving on the Naples Chamber board and supporting several organizations. She also serves as Chair of Women United.
Alex Siedow
Merrill Lynch
Alex’s career in the financial industry began in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after graduating from the University of Minnesota. As a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner, Alex is dedicated to his clients, providing them with personalized and comprehensive financial guidance. He now resides in Naples, Florida, with his wife Kaylie and their two daughters, Addison and Josie. Outside of work, Alex enjoys cooking, fishing, traveling, and spending quality time with his family. Committed to the Merrill tradition of community involvement, Alex actively volunteers with local organizations, including UWCK as well as Harry Chapin Food Bank. His passion for service aligns with his dedication to enhancing the communities he serves.
Sam Steele
Monroe County Tax Collector
Sam Steele became the youngest Tax Collector ever elected in Monroe County in 2020 and remains the youngest serving Tax Collector in Florida. Reelected unopposed, he began his second term in January 2025. A Miami native and Florida State University graduate, Steele previously worked as a commercial real estate appraiser for Cushman & Wakefield. He is an active member of the Florida Tax Collectors Association (FTCA) and serves on the Board of Directors for District 10, representing several counties, including Monroe. Sam and his wife, Lauren, a sixth-generation Key West native, live in Key West with their three children. He is a dedicated community leader, serving on the Board of United Way of Collier and the Keys and as President and Founder of Florida Keys Bull Sharks, Inc. Steele is also actively involved in mentoring local students through Take Stock in Children and contributing to various local nonprofit initiatives.
Ellen Vanderburg
Community Volunteer
Ellen has lived in Naples for 23 years and recently sold her home in the Vineyards to move to Siena Lakes. She is a CPA and worked for 15 years in the Tax area for national and regional financial institutions prior to her retirement. She also spent 30 years working for major financial institutions in Wealth Management focussing on wealth planning, estate planning and philanthropic planning for high-net-worth clients. She has been actively involved with the Guadalupe Center, United Way, Naples Botanical Garden and the League Club in volunteer and Leadership positions.
