Our Mission
Ruth’s List Florida, Inc. helps women run inspiring campaigns that WIN. We recruit, train and support Democratic pro-choice women to state and local office in Florida.
Our Vision
We envision a Florida in which Democratic pro-choice women not only serve in all statewide offices, but also in the majority of our key legislative bodies — the State Senate and State House — as well as county and city level seats.
What We Value
Relentlessly positive | We celebrate our victories, not for the victories themselves, but for what they will deliver — thoughtful, forward-thinking elected women who will roll up their sleeves and drive change. We know that positive political discourse builds civic trust and engagement, and inspires women to get involved in the political process.
Diversity & Inclusivity | We strive to create and maintain an environment that is inviting and supportive to and for everyone, and that reinforces dignity and respect for diverse experiences. We seek to have the diversity of Florida reflected in our board, staff, candidates and volunteers.
Equity & Intersectionality | We strive to use an equity lens in planning, executing and evaluating our work and our operations in order to make conscious decisions aimed at reducing persistent, systemic inequalities in electoral politics and our communities.
Community-Focused | We are community-oriented, working in service to the communities our candidates represent. We believe understanding the people who will most benefit from meaningful change is how we will develop winning campaign strategies and candidates. We seek to continually learn about the people our elected women serve to ensure we are improving their lives in meaningful ways.
Innovative & Courageous | We embrace innovation as the key to remaining effective and relevant. We stand on the frontline as the first to identify opportunities and embrace what others anxiously avoid. We are excited by emerging technologies and eager to champion good ideas. We work to always beat our best, to challenge ourselves to do more with what we have, to take on bigger fights and opportunities, and to make consistent, significant improvements to our work, while never compromising our integrity and commitment to helping others.
Outcomes-based | We are driven by the outcomes of our work, rather than the inputs. We’re relentless in the pursuit of results, and we measure and evaluate our impact through clear quantitative and qualitative metrics to maximize the effectiveness of each of our programs. We are accountable to ourselves, our candidates, and the state of Florida.
Collaborative | We strive to be collaborative, trustworthy, respectful, flexible, communicative, open, and supportive to our partners big and small, and to form and maintain strong, lasting relationships throughout all levels of our work. We aim to be seen as a team player, as an organization that supports the Democratic infrastructure to move our state forward, faster. We check our egos at the door and put aside the personal for the collective good.
Sisterhood | We are a women-led organization supporting women, inspiring one another, uplifting each other’s voices, learning from one another, and creating long-lasting bonds that deepen connection in our communities.
Mission-Driven | We have no litmus test for candidates beyond her being a Democrat, pro-choice, and reflecting our values. We do not want to add barriers to Democratic pro-choice women seeking elected office and will not deny support to anyone based upon their views on any one particular issue.
Integrity | We are truthful and honest in all aspects of our work. We are transparent in our decision-making processes, and take seriously the importance of building trust throughout our organization and the communities we serve. We do what’s right, even when it’s difficult.
Our History
Ruth’s List was founded in 2008 by the Honorable Alex Sink, who at the time served as Florida’s Chief Financial Officer. With women underrepresented in all levels of public office across the state, Alex saw a great need to build the bench of dynamic women leaders to serve in state and local government.
Ruth’s List is named for Ruth Bryan Owen, the first woman elected to Congress from the South. She ran office in 1928, only eight years after women were given the right to vote. Determined to reach as many citizens as possible in the district, Ruth cruised the coastline in a sporty green Ford coupe dubbed “The Spirit of Florida,” driving across the entire district which stretched more than 500 miles along the Atlantic.
During her six-year tenure in Congress, Ruth sponsored a bill to create a cabinet-level agency, The Department of Home and Child, and authored legislation to create Everglades National Park. She became the first woman to serve on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
In 1933, President Roosevelt appointed her Minister to Denmark, a diplomatic first for women, and in 1948, President Truman named her an alternate delegate to the U.N. General Assembly.
Ruth Bryan Owen is a shining example of the difference Florida women can make in public office. Ruth’s List was founded in her name to elect more trailblazers to state and local government in Florida.
Our Staff
Christina Diamond
CEO
Christina has spent the last 15 years working in Florida politics. She is President and Owner of Diamond Strategies, a campaign consulting firm that helps clients engage and attract donors, build statewide strategy and communicate effectively. Her clients include the Florida Alliance, Future Majority and advising candidates up and down the ballot. She has served as Senior Advisor and Finance Director for the Florida Democratic Party and U.S. Senator Bill Nelson’s Senate Campaign. Christina lives in St. Petersburg with her husband and 3 kids.
Cassidy Whitaker
Political Director
Cassidy has worked in nearly every aspect of political campaigns for Democratic candidates at the local, state, and congressional level. Most recently, she was the campaign manager for former State Representative Andrew Learned’s 2022 re-election campaign, one of the most competitive and expensive state house races in 2022. She worked on former Chair of the Hillsborough County Commission Kimberly Overman’s first campaign for office in 2018, served as a district and legislative aide in the Florida House of Representatives for former State Representative Adam Hattersley, and was a part of Florida-based Statecraft Digital, where she helped manage the paid digital communications for over a dozen down-ballot candidates in Florida and Michigan. She also has extensive experience managing large-scale field and campaign volunteer programs. She has also worked in the general consulting space where she managed a team that helped produce marketing projects and strategic political and communications work for union, advocacy organization, and electoral clients and has extensive experience in managing large-scale field and campaign volunteer programs.
Cassidy has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Journalism from Saint Leo University in Pasco County, Florida. A Florida native, she was born and raised in Brandon in Hillsborough County and currently resides in the city of Tampa.
Jadyn Gonzales
Development Coordinator
Jadyn brings campaign experience in communications, volunteer/field operations, and management for women candidates at the state and local level in Florida, including state Senator Janet Cruz and Hillsborough County Tax Collector Nancy Millan. She is an active volunteer and member of the Pinellas County Democratic Executive Committee (DEC) and serves as the Sergeant-at-arms of the Pinellas County Young Democrats.
Lily Logsdon
Operations and Accounting Manager
Lily Logsdon is a recent graduate of the University of South Florida, holding a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Political Science and Women’s and Gender Studies. Lily joined Ruth’s List in 2021, first as an Operations Fellow and then as a part-time Operations Analyst during her final semester of college, before transitioning into her full-time role as Operations and Accounting Manager.
Beyond her work at Ruth’s List, Lily participated in Florida For All’s voter registration campaign and partnered with Vote America during the 2020 election cycle to register college students to vote. Additionally, Lily was an active member of the USF Planned Parenthood Generation Action student board during all four years at USF, a reflection of her deep-seated commitment to women’s health and reproductive rights.
Originally from West Palm Beach, Lily moved to the Tampa Bay area for her undergraduate studies and now calls St. Petersburg her home. Lily is deeply passionate about the intersection of women in politics and is thrilled to be working for an organization that embodies this vision.
Maya Brown
Training Consultant
Jasmen Rogers
Training Consultant
Ana Barragan
Communications Fellow
Ana Barragan is a senior at Yale University majoring in American Studies. On campus, she is involved with the Yale Daily News Podcast, conducts judicial research with the Institution of Policy and Social Studies, and is an Under-Secretary-General for Yale Model Government Europe.
Born and raised in the panhandle of Florida, Ana has been involved in state politics as an intern for U.S. Congressman Dr. Neal Dunn (FL-02) and participant in the Florida House of Representatives Page Program.
Ana is excited to have an opportunity to work with an organization that makes a direct impact on Florida’s political environment on matters that she feels incredibly passionate about.
Shelby Wright
Political Fellow
Shelby Wright is currently a senior at Florida State University, pursuing a degree in Political Science with a minor in International Affairs.
She gained experience in Florida politics as an intern for Representatives Dotie Joseph and Andrew Learned, and served as a staff member for Representative Lindsay Cross in the Florida state House. Last election cycle she worked as a junior staffer for Representative Learned’s campaign and as field organizer for Congressman Al Lawson’s campaign, focusing on voter registration, volunteer recruitment, and communications.
Shelby is passionate about women’s rights, criminal justice reform, and environmental advocacy. Born and raised in Pinellas County, she values the importance of electing local and statewide pro-choice women.
Ruth's List Florida, Inc. Board
Felice Schulaner, Chair
Sarasota
Felice Schulaner is a retired Human Resources executive who now spends her time serving on nonprofit Boards, including the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida.
She served as Chair of the New College Board of Trustees from 2016-2020, making her the first woman and first alumna to hold the role. Previously she served as Director and Chair of the New College Foundation and on the inaugural Board of Visible Men Academy.
Felice worked for Coach, Inc., first as the Senior Vice President of Human Resources and then as Executive Director of the Coach Foundation, which supports women’s empowerment and education for underserved populations. Her 25+ year business career also included senior Human Resources positions at Optimark Technologies, Salant Corporation, American Express, and Macy’s.
Felice has been honored for her work in the community with the Women in Power Award from the National Council of Jewish Women and the “She Knows Where She is Going Award” from Girls Inc.
Pauline Parrish, Treasurer
Sarasota
Pauline Parrish is an experienced financial executive with a track record of successfully leading finance functions of non-profit organizations. She is currently the Controller of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, a $130 million non-profit. Ms. Parrish served as the COO/CFO/VP of Finance at Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida from 2008-2022. Prior roles include Controller at the Sarasota Family YMCA and Director of Financial Reporting for Comdial. Non Profit Board Experience includes Equality Florida (Treasurer), Board Member of Also Youth and Finance Committee Member at the Selby Foundation. Ms. Parrish holds a BBA in Accounting from Hofstra University and earned her CPA in the State of New York (not currently active.)
Susan Stackhouse-Bosquez
St. Petersburg
Susan Stackhouse Bosquez acquired one duty free store at Tampa International Airport in 1988. Over the next 30 years, she grew her ACDBE-certified company to become one of the country’s leading airport retailers with over 40 stores, spanning the country in 10 major U.S. airports. Stellar was acquired by HMSHost in 2016. She remained active in the company, recruiting a new CEO and continuing to serve on the Board until she retired at the end of 2018.
A widely respected industry expert, Susan serves in numerous leadership roles at the local and national level focusing on issues affecting women, small business and education. She has served on the Boards of the International Association of Airport Duty Free Stores, the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, SunTrust Advisory Board, and continues to serve on the Board of Trustees of University of Tampa. Susan was the 2018 Chairwoman for the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women in Tampa Bay and was named the 2015 Business Woman of the Year by the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
In retirement, she focuses her attention on women entrepreneurs, particularly their ability to access capital. Ms. Stackhouse attended the Sorbonne University in Paris, France and is a graduate of the University of Georgia.
Penny Parks
Tampa
Penny Parks is the president and founder of Links Financial. She has 35 years of experience in the financial industry, having held numerous financial leadership roles before starting her own firm, now in its 12th year. In her time at Links Financial, Penny’s areas of focus have been arranging over $2 Billion in corporate debt financings, real estate and corporate problem loan resolution and restructuring, and business acquisitions.
Jennifer Anderson
Winter Park
Jennifer Anderson has 25+ years of executive experience in sales, marketing, and human resources. She began her career with IBM in San Francisco before assuming expanded corporate roles in NYC, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. She later worked in strategic consulting and executive search. Jennifer most recently served as director of the Executive MBA program at Rollins College in Winter Park, FL.
Jennifer currently serves as vice-president of the Eatonville Joe R. Lee Boys & Girls Club board and was recognized as the 2018 Board Member of the Year for Central Florida. She’s active with the Orange County League of Women Voters, 100 Women Strong, the Winter Park Historical Association, and the Albin Polasek Museum and Gardens.
Jennifer attended Vanderbilt University, graduated from George Washington University with a major in economics and statistics, and earned her MBA at Harvard University. She and her husband Phil have four grown children.
The Honorable Arthenia Joyner
Tampa
State Senator Arthenia Joyner has been a pioneer and political trailblazer throughout her impressive career. She was taught by her father, Henry Joyner — the owner of Tampa’s premier African-American night club, the Cotton Club — about the importance of sharing personal success with those less fortunate. Her mother, Jean Joyner, taught her to follow her conscience and her convictions, and never be afraid to speak up on issues that mattered.
In 1960, while an 11th grade student at Tampa’s Middleton High, she participated in her first civil rights demonstration, an event that would shape her entire life. As a college student at Florida A & M University, she was arrested twice in 1963 for civil disobedience and spent 14 days in jail.
After graduating with a J.D. from Florida A&M University, College of Law, she worked as a legal assistant to State Representative Joe Lang Kershaw, the first African-American to serve in Tallahassee since Reconstruction. When no law firm would hire her, she took out a $1,000 bank loan and opened her solo practice of law.
In 1991, she was a founder in the law firm of Stewart Joyner Jordan-Holmes Holmes. She became the first Black woman to practice law in Hillsborough County and the first Black person to practice law in Polk County.
Over her distinguished career in law and politics, Senator Joyner has broken many racial and gender barriers. She first rose to prominence in 1973 when she was elected as Treasurer of the National Bar Association. In 1984, she was elected President of the National Bar Association and she was arrested a year later at the South African Embassy in Washington, DC protesting apartheid. In 1991, she became the first Black person to be appointed by a governor (Governor Lawton Chiles) to the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority. She chaired the Authority for two years, from 1993-1995, during her two four-year terms of service. She held posts on various airport and civil rights committees before rising again to national prominence with appointments by President Clinton to the U.S. delegation for the World Population Development Conference, Cairo, Egypt (1994), the U.N. Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing (1995) and the Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Council (1999-2000).
After her turn in the national spotlight, she chose to run for state office in Florida. She served three terms as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 59th District (2000-2006). Subsequently elected to the Florida Senate, Senator Joyner served the people of the 18th District from 2006-2012. After political districts were redrawn, she won the race for the 19th District, serving from 2012-2016. Over her legislative career, Senator Joyner has held many significant posts, including being elected the first Black woman Senate Minority Leader.
In 2012, Senator Joyner received the National Black Caucus of State Legislators’ (NBCSL) Lifetime Achievement Award and the President’s Award from Florida A & M University. She was inducted into the Hillsborough County Women’s Hall of Fame in 2014, and in 2015 the Democratic Caucus in the Florida Senate named their annual political dinner for women, The Annual Arthenia L. Joyner Women In Politics Dinner. She remains the longest practicing Black woman lawyer in the history of Florida and is currently of Counsel at Vanguard Attorneys in Tampa and a Supreme Court appointee to the 2017-2018 Florida Constitution Revision Commission. The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners and the Tampa-Hillsborough Library Board recently celebrated her many contributions to Florida and the community by naming its new $9.3 million library in her honor.
Throughout a long career in public life, Senator Joyner has always demonstrated a deep commitment to her foundational values of service, equality, and civil rights, and an unwavering dedication to her constituents in Tampa, and the people of Florida.
Janelle Perez
Miami
As a mother, first-generation American, and businesswoman, Janelle ran in 2022 for Florida State Senate to fight for opportunities for every child and family. Her personal experience battling illness and professional experience as an advocate and business owner has deepened her commitment to ensuring every Floridian has access to affordable, high-quality healthcare. Despite the election’s outcome, Janelle has a keen understanding of government and unyielding commitment to compassionate leadership that will improve access to healthcare, protect our environment, and support our small businesses.
Born and raised in Miami, Janelle graduated from Florida International University, and began her career on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., honing her policy analysis skills. She received her Master’s Degree from The Johns Hopkins University, and went on to work for a non-profit organization, leading the educational and advocacy initiatives to support federal funding for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
Today, Janelle is one of the owners of a Hispanic-owned and family-owned Medicare company in Miami-Dade County. It is one of Florida’s fastest growing Medicare companies, providing affordable, high-quality medical services to Medicare beneficiaries in the county. She lives in Miami with her wife and two daughters.
The Honorable Alex Sink
Thonotosassa
Alex Sink founded Ruth’s List Florida in 2008 to build the bench of dynamic women leaders serving in state and local government. She was Florida’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) from 2007 to 2011 as one of four statewide elected officials. She managed over $15 billion in state treasury funds, was responsible for state accounting, and implemented reforms in contracting and transparency for citizens.
Before elected office, Alex had a 26-year career with Bank of America. She retired as President of Florida operations in 2000, managing the state’s largest bank with $40 billion in deposits, leading 9000 employees in over 800 branches.
From 2011 to 2013, she was Senior Advisor to Hyde Park Capital Advisors, a middle market boutique M&A firm. Alex founded Florida Next Foundation, a non-profit devoted to supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in Florida. She subsequently joined the board of Tampa Wave in 2016 to continue her work in supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Florida.
Alex is a Life Trustee at Wake Forest University, serves on the boards of the Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, United Way Worldwide Leadership Council, United Way Suncoast, and Junior Achievement.
Phoebe Brown
St. Petersburg
Phoebe Brown, a seasoned television producer known for her work with networks such as PBS, National Geographic, Vice News, and Disney, has dedicated her career to amplifying the voices of marginalized communities. With over a decade of experience working with young people in India, Phoebe has collaborated with NGOs in Kolkata to create community-based media projects that advocate for girls’ education and people living with disabilities.
Phoebe recently relocated to St. Petersburg after 20 years in Atlanta. She has an MFA in Digital Filmmaking and a BA in Communication from Georgia State University. In Atlanta, Phoebe was deeply involved in the effort to grow Georgia’s local film economy. She was a key researcher on the University System of Georgia’s workforce study which led to the launching of the Georgia Film Academy.
Phoebe was also very active in the Atlanta LGBTQI community, as a volunteer for Lost & Found Youth and supporting the City Council campaign of Liliana Bakhtiari the first queer Muslim person to be elected in the state of Georgia, and the first nonbinary person elected in the city of Atlanta.
