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.
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.
Haleigh Hutchinson
Political Director
Haleigh Hutchison is a communications and operations professional with a decade of experience in Florida politics, government, and nonprofit leadership. Previously, she led organization-wide messaging and strategic initiatives at Pace Center for Girls, directed operations for the Miami-Dade Mayor’s Office and managed winning campaigns across the state. Haleigh holds dual degrees from the University of North Florida and lives in Jacksonville with husband and daughter.
Jadyn Gonzales
Development Director
Jadyn was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida and continues to call the community home today. She is a graduate of Florida State University with a B.S. in Political Science with a focus in the Spanish language, Latin American Politics, and research in Latino and Asian voter engagement. She joined the Ruth’s List Florida team in late 2023.
Jadyn brings experience in fundraising, communications, volunteer/field operations, and management for women candidates at the state and local level in Florida, including the campaigns of Ruth’s List alumni 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 President 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.
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.
Marcy Hennecke, Vice-Chair
Tampa
Marcy is a passionate Democratic leader who served as chair of the PR committee for the Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee (HCDEC) from 2018-2021.
She spearheaded a branding process, grew the HCDEC social media presence, revamped the county website, created swag, billboards and newspaper ads. In the 2022 cycle, the group began working closely with the Florida Democratic County Chairs Alliance to create state-wide marketing materials, including customizable, ready-to-run messaging for all 67 counties.
The Hennecke Family Foundation was created by Marcy and her husband Derek in 2016 to support causes that fight global warming. The Foundation considers electing Democrats vital to addressing climate change.
Born Canadian, Marcy became a CDN/US dual citizen in 2018. She has a degree in Journalism and Political Science and has worked in journalism, political speechwriting and management consulting.
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.)
Dr. LaVerne Green, Secretary
Bradenton
Caring, self-motivated individual with a passion for helping people and improving their quality of life.
Accomplished community philanthropist, volunteer, Veteran, and Nurse Educator.
Retired Captain (0-6) Public Health Service Nurse Officer, after 28 years of service in nursing and health administration. Served as Nurse Director for five years, and Director of Special/Underserved Population Programs in federally funded health centers across the United States, focused on School-Based Health Centers, HIV Programs, Health Care for the Homeless and Mental Health within the Department of Health and Human Services.
After retirement, served as an Associate Professor of Nursing in the Washington, DC area.
Later moved to Bradenton, Florida, and continued to be active in seeking opportunities to provide services to others, fundraising for nursing scholarships and community organizations, the arts and political activism.
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.
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.
The Honorable Janet Cruz
Tampa
A fourth-generation Tampa resident born in Ybor City and raised in West Tampa, Janet Cruz served in Florida’s Legislature for 12 years. Before serving in office, she was a young mom, student, optician and business owner. Janet became a mother at the age of 16. Undeterred by her circumstances, she returned to graduate from high school when her daughter was just months old. She then enrolled at Hillsborough Community College, where she successfully completed the opticianry program in preparation to support her family. With help from family and friends, she built a successful franchise opticianry business.
Aftering volunteering with local campaigns and organizing with local Democrats, she decided it was time to step up further for her community by representing them in state government. During her tenure in the State House, fought to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment in Florida and served as House Minority Leader. Continuing her service in the Florida State Senate, she stood up for working families and public schools, and led efforts to ensure safe drinking water for Florida’s children. Notably, after the Republican Majority in the Florida Senate declined to act on lead contamination of drinking water in public schools, she lead a local initiative called “Get The Lead Out,” which raised money to purchase lead water filters for drinking fountains in Hillsborough public schools.
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.
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.
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.
Mary Braxton-Joseph
Sarasota
Mary Braxton-Joseph is an Emmy-award winning journalist and media consultant who has
worked in both the United States and South Africa.
Prior to living abroad, Mary served as Manager of Community Affairs and Editorials for WJLA-TV 7, the ABC Network affiliate in Washington, D.C. She has won numerous awards for editorial excellence and television programming. She was also Senior Advisor for Media Relations and Public Affairs for the Council on Foundations, an international association of 1900 foundations.
Born in Plainfield, New Jersey, Mary is a graduate of American University in Washington, D.C. where she lived and worked for many years and held leadership positions in several organizations. A North Carolina resident from 2000 to 2017, she has served as Chair of the Lillian’s List Action Fund (2015-17) and Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina (2010-12). She currently serves on the Board of the Asolo Repertory Theatre as Chair of the Illumination Advisory Committee which promotes post show conversations on race, gender, and cultural intersection. For her efforts to bring people together, she was named a 2019 Unity Award Winner by Sarasota Magazine. She also serves on the Board of Marie Selby Botanical Garden, Canandaigua National Trust Company of Florida and Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, where she served as Board Chair from 2021 to 2023.
Job Opportunities
Development & Communications Fellow
Ruth’s List Florida is currently seeking a development and communications fellow. We offer a flexible work schedule and require a commitment of 15 hours per week for at least 4 months (May 12 – August 29). This role will be renewed based on performance. A Ruth’s List Fellowship provides a unique opportunity for mentorship and to learn in a supportive work environment, all while making a positive impact on Florida’s political landscape.
