Foundation Staff

Beth Duda

Director,

Since May 2015, Beth Duda has been one of the driving forces of the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading (SCGLR). SCGLR is a four-county effort in Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties to help children from birth through 3rd grade, especially those from asset-limited families, succeed in life. SCGLR efforts center around school readiness (ages 0-5), summer learning, strengthening attendance, and affirming that learning happens everywhere through strong community, family, and parent engagement opportunities.

As the director of SCGLR, Beth works closely with local lead partners—Community Foundation of Sarasota County, United Way Suncoast, and United Way of Charlotte County—to drive progress in the region. To embed lasting change, the future-focused partners strive to collaborate with every sector: people, businesses, nonprofits, government, and the media.

Multiple Pacesetter Honors from the national Campaign for Grade-Level Reading (annually since 2014) affirm the success of SCGLR's collaborative effort and its work. Pacesetter Honors highlight communities that make measurable progress on key indicators of early school success, including early literacy and school readiness, chronic absenteeism and its effects on reading progress, and mitigating summer learning loss by connecting children with quality educational opportunities and programs.

Beth is the host of THIS BOOK IS COOL!, a web series designed to help foster a love of reading and learning for children in Pre-K through third grade. THIS BOOK IS COOL! webisodes, activity guides, and featured books provide numerous opportunities for children, parents, and families to engage in reading and learning.

An award-winning playwright and educator, Beth spent more than twenty years working with students and educators in elementary schools throughout Florida. In 2020, she used her playwriting skills to write Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, A Walk To Respect which The Patterson Foundation (TPF) produced in partnership with Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe as part of TPF's 10th-anniversary celebration. Abraham Lincoln & Frederick Douglass was presented at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., in February 2023.

In her twenty-plus years of arts education, Beth's sensitive and visionary education and learning approach continues to inspire students, parents, and educators.

Beth is a proud member of Leadership Florida's Education Class IV, a statewide community of leaders working for a better Florida.

She was raised in Central New York and received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from SUNY-Oswego.

Join Beth on X: @duda_beth or @suncoastcglr

To contact Beth: bduda@thepattersonfoundation.org

Stacey Gadeken

Administrative Support

Stacey Gadeken joined The Patterson Foundation in July 2017 as Administrative Support. She manages the schedule, coordinates lunches, and aids in other administrative duties as they arise.

Stacey has moved around her entire life, first as an Air Force brat and then as a coach’s wife. She lived in 11 states but, since 2012, Stacey is proud to call Bradenton her home.

In a past life, she was Mrs. Gadeken, a high school anatomy, biology, and chemistry teacher. In this life, when she is not changing the world at The Patterson Foundation, she volunteers at her sons’ schools, at church, and as a leader with the Boy Scouts. Stacey enjoys traveling, sewing, reading, and practicing martial arts.

Join Stacey on X: @smwksu

To contact Stacey: sgadeken@thepattersonfoundation.org

Nancy Henry

Office Manager

Nancy Henry joined The Patterson Foundation (TPF) in July 2010 as Office Manager, handling each and every aspect of TPF's office management as well as the President/CEO's calendar.

After moving to Sarasota, Florida, in January 2008, her love of animals and interest in animal welfare brought her communication and customer service skills to Animal Rescue Coalition as a Community Outreach Assistant for their spay/neuter program. This role soon led to her promotion to Office Manager.

Nancy's diverse 27-year administrative career began in Vancouver, British Columbia, working primarily in the lumber exporting industry in various senior administrative assistant roles, sales, customer service, and event planning.

With Florida now her home, her leisure time is spent with her husband, Dave, and all their fur babies.

To contact Nancy: nhenry@thepattersonfoundation.org

Debra M. Jacobs

President and CEO

Embarking on her role as President and CEO of The Patterson Foundation (TPF) in January 2009, Debra Jacobs brought with her a rich tapestry of experiences from various leadership positions across banking, education, and philanthropy. This transition represented a continuation of her journey towards enhancing community well-being through strategic philanthropic efforts.

At TPF, Jacobs has championed the cause of creative collaboration, steering the foundation to work with partners to accelerate positive change by sharing fresh perspectives, contributing innovative ideas, and providing critical resources.
Before her pivotal role at TPF, Jacobs served as President of the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation in Sarasota, overseeing its grant-making alongside the management of eight other independent foundations.

Her career path also included significant roles at Ringling College of Art and Design and SunTrust Bank, Gulf Coast, where she developed expertise in institutional advancement and financial management. Throughout her career, Jacobs has been an advocate for community development, serving on numerous boards and earning recognition for her leadership skills and philanthropic vision.

Her journey reflects a commitment to leveraging her vast experiences to inspire change and make a lasting impact on the philanthropic landscape.

Join Debra on LinkedIn

To contact Debra: djacobs@thepattersonfoundation.org

Kiarra Louis

Leadership Support Manager

Kiarra Louis works at the intersection of communication, coordination, and organizational effectiveness, helping strengthen both the administrative and initiative sides of The Patterson Foundation’s (TPF) work.

Kiarra first worked with TPF as a consultant before officially joining the staff in January 2023. In her current role as Leadership Support Manager, she serves as a bridge between the administrative and initiative teams, ensuring alignment and clarity across projects. She also contributes to TPF’s storytelling and communication efforts through newsletters, blogs, podcasts, and other written content that amplifies TPF’s initiatives and the people, organizations, and communities it strengthens. She enjoys shaping complex information into meaningful stories that help people understand and engage with important work.

A first-generation college graduate, Kiarra earned her Bachelor of Arts in Professional and Technical Communication from the University of South Florida’s Sarasota Manatee campus in Spring 2021. Her educational journey was supported by local foundations, organizations, and individuals, which deeply influenced her commitment to giving back and supporting others.

Driven by curiosity and a belief in lifelong learning, Kiarra thrives in environments that value collaboration, thoughtful problem-solving and continuous improvement. She is motivated by the opportunity to contribute behind the scenes in ways that strengthen others and create meaningful, positive impact in communities.

Join Kiarra on LinkedIn

To contact Kiarra: klouis@thepattersonfoundation.org

Andrew Spector

Senior Fellow 2023/26

Andrew Spector joined The Patterson Foundation as its ninth Fellow in August 2023. He works on programs, strategy, and special projects. Project highlights include conducting a strategy refresh for the Advancing Philanthropic Leadership initiative, developing an Artificial Intelligence strategy and leading the internal implementation task force, and stewarding the development of an impact investing strategy. Andrew has also been a loaned consultant to two other local foundations.

In addition to the Fellowship, Andrew is co-founder of Philanthropic Action Lab, an initiative that unites nonprofits and funders to co-create philanthropic processes, structures, and partnerships that unlock philanthropy’s potential.

Previously, Andrew was in Tulsa, OK, directing Tulsa Changemakers, a K-12 youth leadership organization he co-founded while teaching 6th grade through Teach For America. Tulsa Changemakers was first incubated under the fiscal sponsorship of Leadership Tulsa, where Andrew worked as a Program Manager. From 2021–2023, Andrew and his co-founder successfully implemented a succession plan, which included making Tulsa Changemakers a permanent program of Leadership Tulsa. In 2018, Andrew was honored with Oklahoma’s NextGen Under 30 Award.

Andrew is originally from Bedford, MA. He holds a Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University Indianapolis and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the Honors College at College of Charleston.

Join Andrew on LinkedIn

To contact Andrew: ASpector@thepattersonfoundation.org

View Andrew's Blog Library

Stacy Sternberg

Communications Coordinator

Stacy Sternberg is a creative professional at The Patterson Foundation (TPF), where she is responsible for optimizing communication strategies that maximize opportunities for TPF, including website management, social media efforts, and support for other public-facing activities. In addition to her work at TPF, Stacy is pursuing a Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy through TPF's Tuition Reimbursement Program, honing her ability to use philanthropy in imaginative ways to cultivate positive change.

A visual artist, she holds a BFA from Ringling College of Art and Design and an MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art. Curious about diverse artistic experiences, Stacy traveled to New Delhi, India, for a three-month residency at Global Arts Village. Building on this meaningful experience, she then worked as a sculptor, fabricator, and liaison for William Massie Architecture and Sutherland Studios in Mustique, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Her growing curiosity for technology led her back to the U.S., where she immersed herself in studying digital programs. Shortly after, she was introduced to the nonprofit world, where she learned to bridge her creativity with social good.

Stacy is interested in many things. When she's not working or studying, she is with her dog Elsie, spending time with friends and family, drawing, gardening, and embracing life's unexpected adventures!

Connect with Stacy on LinkedIn

To contact Stacy: ssternberg@thepattersonfoundation.org

Julio Suárez

Vice President of Community Impact

Julio Suárez serves as Vice President of Community Impact at The Patterson Foundation, a fully endowed charitable foundation dedicated to strengthening people, organizations, and communities in ways that foster wide participation around shared quality-of-life aspirations.

Prior to joining The Patterson Foundation, Julio served as Managing Director at DRiWaterstone Human Capital, a boutique executive search and strategic consulting firm specializing in purpose- and mission-driven organizations. He successfully partnered with boards of directors, search committees, and executive hiring teams at foundations, nonprofits, and public service agencies to recruit and place leaders to serve as presidents, CEOs, executive directors, vice presidents, and development directors. He also worked with foundation clients on consulting projects to support strategic planning, stakeholder research and engagement, and grantmaking programs.

Julio brings extensive experience in foundation program management, grantmaking, corporate giving, cause marketing, and workplace giving and volunteering programs, which he gained while leading the Anheuser-Busch Foundation and the company's community impact programs, as well as the Darden Restaurants Foundation.

Julio holds both a BA and BS from the University of Kansas, an MBA from Baker University, a Certificate in Corporate Social Responsibility from Harvard, and a Community Foundation Express Training certification. Active in his community, he has served on several nonprofit boards including the St. Louis Community Foundation, the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, ACCP, and Philanthropy Missouri, among others.

To contact Julio: jsuarez@thepattersonfoundation.org

Michelle Walker

Senior Fellow 2026/28

Michelle Walker joined The Patterson Foundation as its eleventh Fellow in March 2026 and brings a background in nonprofit management, strategy, and intellectual capital. She is passionate about helping the nonprofit ecosystem maximize its assets to achieve its goals and is committed to supporting TPF's mission. With a master's in philanthropic studies, Michelle is dedicated to leveraging her skills to drive positive change in TPF’s four-county region and beyond.

Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, woodworking, and traveling.

Join Michelle on LinkedIn

To contact Michelle: mwalker@thepattersonfoundation.org