Leadership

Jennifer Kowkabany - Vice Chair

Jennifer Kowkabany has served as General Counsel for Neptune Fire Protection Engineering since 2007, where she primarily practices contract and construction law. She came to Jacksonville from Seattle with stops along the way in California, Japan, and South Korea, where she spent her days as a U.S. Marine working on the armament systems of aircraft; and Phoenix, Arizona where she obtained her Bachelors Degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix  in 2003 while working full time as a Project Manager. Afterward, she came to Jacksonville to study law at Florida Coastal School of Law, obtaining her Juris Doctorate in 2007. During this time, she met her husband, Steve, and has now set down roots in Neptune Beach with their three children. 

Jennifer spends a majority of her free time volunteering. She serves as Chairman on the Neptune Beach Police Pension Fund Board; is a member of the Women’s Giving Alliance, where she serves as Co-Chair on the Grants Decision Team, and is a member of Rethreaded’s Circle of Sisters, a mentoring group that supports and advocates for women. 

Helen Pajcic Nicholson - Secretary 

Helen Pajcic Nicholson recently retuned to her hometown of Jacksonville to raise a family with her husband, Marvin, after nearly a decade working for the federal government in Washington, DC. While in the nation’s capitol, Helen proudly served the U.S. Congress, the Executive Office of President, and the U.S. Department of Education. Helen first worked on the House Committee on Education and Labor, advising on issues pertaining to civil rights in education, including afterschool policy – the topic of her senior thesis at Princeton University, from where she graduated in 2009. Following time on the Domestic Policy Council at the White House, Helen was appointed to the Department of Education where she worked her way up to Chief of Staff at the Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development, and was lucky to participate in the bicameral reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

After the 2016 election, Helen and Marvin moved permanently to their house in Neptune Beach. Helen serves as the unpaid CEO of the Pajcic Family Foundation, which focuses on community led support and mentoring of high-risk urban youth. Helen looks forward to serving the community she loves, while remaining focused on her favorite and most important role: mother to three year old North and one year old Shepard.

Hampton Graham serves as Chairman of the Scott-McRae Automotive Group based in Jacksonville, FL. In his role, he oversees 7 for-profit companies operating in 15 states and employing over 750 people. Hampton has worked for the Scott-McRae Group since 2008.

Hampton and his wife Cheree graduated from the University of Florida and have 3 daughters. He serves as the Chairman of the ALS Association Florida Chapter. Hampton enjoys spending time with his family, flying, sporting events, and boating.

Joshua Ashby - Finance Member

Josh’s leadership and commitment as CEO to the mission of Fleet Landing have solidified the organization as a top Life Care community in the country and premier choice for health services for seniors in Northeast Florida. Josh is a highly analytic thinker, and his vision has expanded Fleet Landing’s impact through the creation of new service lines and new housing options on their Atlantic Beach campus.

After earning his bachelor’s degree in health sciences and Master of Business Administration from the University of North Florida, Josh joined the Fleet Landing team in 2005 as director of health care services. He was named CEO in 2010. Josh is past chair of LeadingAge Florida, a statewide association whose mission is to advance the possibilities for aging through service, education and advocacy. He also serves as Treasurer of Here Tomorrow, a mental health collaborative.

Josh’s passion for serving older adults began at a young age as a volunteer at Jacksonville’s River Garden Hebrew Home. When not at work, he enjoys traveling with his wife, Stefani, and their three children who attend The Discovery School.

Cortney Cronin is Corporate Counsel at Accenture PLC, focusing her practice on corporate governance, internal investigations, and employment law matters. Previously, she was a commercial litigator, representing clients in state and federal court in both Texas and Florida.

Cortney is originally from Dallas, Texas, where she earned her Juris Doctor degree from Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law. Prior to law school, she received her BA from The University of Texas at Austin. She remains a devoted Dallas Cowboys and Texas Longhorn fan. She is currently a member of both the State Bar of Texas and the State Bar of Florida.

Jacksonville Beach is now home for Cortney, her husband, and their two young children, who both attend The Discovery School. In their free time, they enjoy supporting local businesses and frequenting the beach. Cortney is also an active member of the Jacksonville Bar Association, the Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association, and the Association of Corporate Counsel.

David Doward - Development Member

Dr. David Doward is the former managing partner of the Jacksonville Orthopedic Institute, and was integral in improving the culture of the organization. He is a board certified spine and sports medicine specialist. Dr. Doward served as the team doctor for the Jacksonville Jaguars and recently he has served as the neutral doctor for the US Davis Cup and US Fed Cup. He is a former competitive tennis player and was regionally ranked in the past. Dr. Doward spent a year traveling around the world with Tony Robbins as one of his platinum partners, honing his skills in life, wealth, and business mastery. He is a firm believer in creating the life that you love.

Dr. Doward is a graduate of Lafayette College and completed his postgraduate education at Columbia University. He attended medical school at Cornell University Medical College and completed his residency at Stanford University Hospital and Clinics. Dr. Doward received his fellowship training at the world renowned Hospital for Special Surgery.

Dr. Doward has volunteered his time with organizations such as the MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation which encourages inner-city adolescents to focus on their education. He has also participated in a number of medical mission trips in Caribbean which serve the indigent population.

Dr. Doward hails from Saint Croix, US Virgin Islands and he enjoys spending time in nature, traveling, learning new cultures, and playing sports. He lives in Atlantic Beach with his two daughters, Ava and Amina. He currently is also on the Board of Trustees for the private school Good Hope Country Day.

Kimberly Mariani Jones - Development Member

Kimberly is a fundraising and communications executive with a fierce work ethic and 20 years of experience in the higher education and nonprofit space. She believes strongly in the missions of the organizations in which she works, serves, and consults. She has served as Chair of the Development Committee as well as Vice Chair and parent volunteer supporting The Discovery Fund.

She has practiced development in private and public university settings, including her current role leading the development and engagement team at UF Health Jacksonville and the College of Medicine. As Assistant Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer, she is responsible for all fundraising, events including the downtown and North hospitals and Children's Miracle Network (CMN). Prior to UF, Kimberly was Senior Vice President of University Advancement at Jacksonville University. She and her team were instrumental in an explosion of new facilities on the riverfront campus, the University’s 75th Anniversary celebration, the establishment of a President’s Parents Council, and four 7-figure naming gifts, including the naming of a College, a School, a Center, and many other significant campus facilities and academic programs as a part of the University's largest-ever ASPIRE Campaign. 

Embracing core values of kindness, patience, and the interconnectedness of us all, Kimberly tries to listen more than talk and engage in actual human contact. She holds dear the belief that every individual has an innate desire to help someone or something which fuels their philanthropic passion.

She is a graduate of the University of Florida (B.S.), University of North Florida (M.B.A.), and holds a certification from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University-Purdue University. Kimberly has completed extensive professional development in fundraising, campaign planning, and volunteer management. She has received interactive media training and served as an on the record spokesperson for national news outlets including the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. She is a member of the Community Foundation for Northeast Florida’s Women’s Giving Alliance, the World Affairs Council, CASE, and has taught as an adjunct faculty member at Jacksonville University. She and her husband, Fred Jones, live in Neptune Beach where they run around chasing their three active children.

Jessica Dumas is originally from Northern Virginia near Washington DC. She moved to Florida during her high school years. Jessica received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Florida and went on the study law at St. Louis University, receiving her law degree in 1992. Jessica began representing Social Security Disability claimants during a law school internship, a pursuit she found so fulfilling it became her chosen area of practice. Jessica has devoted her legal career to helping people in need of disability. She has exclusively practiced disability law for over 20 years. 

Jessica is a former Board Member/Officer of Mission House, a homeless facility in Jacksonville Beach. Jessica has also been a volunteer at the Sulzbacher Center, a homeless shelter in Jacksonville. 

Jessica is a member of the Jacksonville Bar Association, the Jacksonville Beach Bar Association, and the National Organization of Social Security Claimant's Representatives (NOSSCR). She is a former chair of the Jacksonville Bar Association Social Security Committee. She is admitted to practice in the state of Florida and in the District Court in the Middle District of Florida. Jessica is a former recipient of the Florida Bar Presidents' Pro Bono Award and Jacksonville Area Legal Aid's Pro Bono Award. Jessica has made the Jacksonville Beaches her home, since returning from college, where she continues to reside with her husband and son. 

Amy Turci - Governance Chair
 

Amy Turci is an Office Managing Partner in the Jacksonville office at FordHarrison LLP, one of the country’s largest management-side labor and employment law firms. Amy started with FordHarrison in 2006 and was named partner in February 2017. Amy concentrates her practice on litigating employment cases in state and federal courts, as well as representing employers before state and local agencies. She also advises employers on various employment issues, including federal and state anti-discrimination statutes, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act. She additionally works with clients to develop employment handbooks and policies and to ensure general legal/regulatory compliance. Further, she regularly provides management training for corporate and civic organizations on developments in various employment and labor laws. Prior to joining FordHarrison, Amy was an associate at a Jacksonville labor and employment law firm.

Amy is a Board Member of the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc., Florida First Coast Chapter, and serves as Chair for ABC's Women's Council; Amy additionally served as a Co-Chair of the 2013 ABC Excellence in Construction Awards, serves on the Governmental Affairs Committee, and is involved with the legislative efforts of ABC of Florida. Amy has been a mentor with Take Stock in Children, and is the office contact for the area chapters of Habitat for Humanity. Amy is a committed volunteer for the March of Dimes, having been a member of the Circle of Champions since 2010, a member of the Board of Directors since 2012, and serving as Board Chair for 2015-2016; Amy has additionally served on both the March for Babies Executive Committee and Signature Chefs Auction Committee, as well as serving as the Chair of the Signature Chefs Auction for 2012 and 2017.