DENISE BURRY

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Prior to founding Forward Paths, Denise was a certified Guardian Ad Litem with the Fifth Judicial Circuit , State of Florida. She is the mother of eight children, two of whom were internationally adopted. She also has four beautiful grand daughters and a wonderful grandson. Denise and her husband, Jimmy, own an independent retail pharmacy, Burry's Pharmacy, in Leesburg, Florida. In 2017, Denise was awarded the Mayor’s Award by the City of Leesburg and the Humanitarian Award by the Leesburg Chamber of Commerce. In 2018, the Leesburg Partnership presented her with the Community Service Award and in 2019, she was the recipient of the Anna H. Settles Leadership Award at the Altrusa International Convention in Reno, Nevada. Most recently in January 2023, she was recognized as a WESH 2 Community Champion.

JACOB BONYNGE

President

Jacob is the second of Denise's eight children. Raised in an environment that fostered curiosity and creativity, Jacob has always been driven to explore new avenues and make a positive impact on the world. He grew up with a strong sense of community and the importance of supporting others, instilling in him a deep passion for making a positive impact in the lives of those less fortunate. He's the President of the Board and a founding board member of Forward Paths. Beyond his role with the foundation, Jacob is an advocate for social justice and equality, and active with other organizations that promote LGBT equality and inclusivity, including Equality Florida where he is the Chair of the Greater Orlando Steering Committee. In his free time, Jacob enjoys traveling with his husband, Ed, and spending quality time with loved ones. He enjoys live theatre, exercising, and cooking.

SHARON WOOTEN

Vice President

Sharon has served as a board member since Forward Paths inception. She sees the need in our community and feels Forward Paths is helping to change the lives of our at-risk young adults.  "The most rewarding feeling is to see these young adults accomplish milestones and reach their goals," says Sharon. She Sharon and her husband Richard, the COO of Solaris, love to travel and spend time with their four adult children and three beautiful granddaughters.  She loves to read and spend time at the beach, and she serves in several community organizations.  Sharon is a graduate of the University of Florida with a degree in psychology.  She has worked as a physician's assistant, managed a medical practice, taught high school and has been a Realtor with ERA Grizzard for the past 18 years.

DR. SARA HILL

SECRETARY

Sara is dedicated to helping young adults become the best versions of themselves. She has been mentoring teenagers since the beginning of her undergraduate career at the University of Florida. She received her bachelor's degree in advertising with a minor in leadership, her master's degree in nonprofit management, and her doctoral degree in educational policy organization leadership. She has worked in full-time youth ministry, taught in the public school system, has run a high school mentoring program and worked seasonally with Partnership for Strong Families to ensure every local foster kid had an unforgettable Christmas. She currently works at SuitUp where she leads a national team that designs and facilitates virtual and in-person career readiness programs for middle and high school students. Sara and her husband are also foster parents, and in her free time, she loves to travel, try new foods, work out, attempt DIY home projects, read, and spend quality time with her family and friends.

ANDREW HALIDAY

TREASURER

Andrew is a graduate of Leesburg High School and holds a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Mississippi. He manages a firm of financial advisors who serve Lake County. Andrew and his wife, Morgan, have two children and live in Leesburg. He and Morgan are passionate about philanthropy and giving back to the community.

KAIRISE CONWELL

DIRECTOR

Kairise is a graduate of the University of Kentucky with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in education. She has clocked Higher Education professional with 20 years of experience assisting students with their transition both to college and then to life after college. Through her various roles in student affairs, Kairise has worked in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion where she helped to create space creating recruitment and retention initiatives for to support students from diverse backgrounds. She currently works at Lake-Sumter State College assisting students with their career development. In addition to serving on various advisory boards, Kairise actively serves the Lake County community through her sorority. She sees her superpower as connecting people and creating dialogue. 

LARRY DOLAN

Director

Larry is a graduate of Tulane University in New Orleans, La. He is a licensed financial professional with Prudential Advisors. He is past president of the Leesburg Rotary Club, as well as past area governor for the district. He lives in Lady Lake with his wife, Dr. Linda B. Dolan. The couple have one daughter. Larry has led multiple projects, including helping communities build playgrounds and collecting food to be donated to those in need in Florida and in Georgia. He has led or participated in 38 Thrivent Action Teams which have supported many local churches and service organizations. Larry has served on the board of Forward Paths for seven years.

SALLYANNE PALMER

Director

Sallyanne S. Palmer "Sally" is a retired computer systems analyst.  She has been with our organization almost from the beginning.  She has served as volunteer and mentor.  Currently, she is the head of our Speakers' Bureau. 

Sally is originally from Delaware and currently resides in The Villages.  She lives with her husband "Chuck" and their two small rescue dogs. She enjoys reading, dancing and socializing with friends.  She also volunteers for Habitat for Humanity.  

LAUREN RITCHIE

Director

Lauren graduated from Northwestern University with a bachelor of science degree in journalism and spent the next retired after 40 years coversing local government, crime social services and foster care services as a reporter, editor and columnist with the Orlando Sentinel. as a reporter and editor. She has one daughter who is a and Stetson University graduate and who works as a political consultant in Virginia. She lives in the rural Lake Jem area. 

PAT THOMAS

Director

A retired government and business executive whose career included more than over 25 years in city and community management and 10 years as a community newspaper publisher, Pat received his undergraduate and graduate degrees at Centre College of Kentucky and the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. His civic leadership and work with youth has included two stints as a Chamber of Commerce president, president of multiple PTAs and school advisory councils, sole sponsor of a high school academic lettermen's program, moderator of high school quiz bowls in three counties, founder of two youth recreational sports programs, service on the board of a state municipal league, a community college foundation, a YMCA, and a nature center. He served as leader, and chairmanship of a county recreation advisory program, a community festival, an arts council, and a Boy Scout troop. He was awarded the UNC-Wilmington Razor Walker Award for contributions to young people and the North Carolina Governor's Volunteer Award, and he currently volunteers, in addition to Forward Paths, at the Palatlakaha Environmental and Agricultural Preserve Park.   

MADISON COMBS

Manager of Strategic Growth

Madison attended Cleveland State University for her bachelor's and master's degree in social work and serving as a mental health therapist, Madison's approach to serving youth is rooted in her passion for future leaders and the value in having interconnected communities. She currently resides in Northeast Ohio and enjoys spending time outdoors with her two dogs as well as visiting Florida any chance she gets. Madison also serves as the Director of Virtual Programming at SuitUp, a career readiness non-profit for middle and high school aged youth as well.

ASHLEY DELOATCH

Case Manager

Ashley is a wife and proud mother of seven 7 energetic children that keep her very busy. She was raised in the State of Florida’s foster care system for 16 years. So, she brings with her vast first -hand experience which allows her to have insight and sympathy for our young adults as they struggle to adjust to being on their own. With all that she does, she does not have much free time. As you can imagine, what she likes to do during this time is sleep!

DR. MAGGIE DENK, LMHC

Clinical Director

Maggie is a licensed mental health counselor originally from Buffalo, New York, with nearly 25 years of experience in the mental health field. Maggie has her master's degree in mental health counseling and her doctorate in counselor education and supervision. Maggie is a dedicated ally to the LGBT community and enjoys celebrating diversity. within our community. She is committed to improving and enhancing LGBT-focused services in Lake County. Maggie is the proud mom of a teenage 16 year old son, Jay. She and her family love Disney, campfires and messy art projects. Maggie is also the director of camping and recreation for Easterseals Florida Camp Challenge, where she oversees the programming for children and adults with disabilities.

ARLENE GOLDEN

Office Manager

Joining Forward Paths in August 2018, first as a volunteer, then the Volunteer Coordinator, Arlene now serves as the Office Manager and Grant Writer. She retired from Lake Sumter State College but kept herself busy in her community working on various committees and volunteering at the Morrison United Methodist Church’s Opportunity Shop. During leisure time, Arlene likes to sew, entertain and read. Mother of two daughters and grandmother of two girls, she looks forward to coming to the office and spending time with, and growing closer to, the youth we serve every day. Arlene believes it is so meaningful to be a part of the team that helps to positively influence at-risk youth continue on their paths to independence and invites others to join us in our mission.

LOUISE MACCALLUM

Volunteer Coordinator

Louise has been working with Forward Paths since March of 2021.  She is a retired teacher/administrator from the New York City Public schools.  She previously volunteered with a resource center for a homeless shelter in Dover, Delaware until she and her husband, a retired pastor, moved to Florida.  She and her husband have two sons and ten grandchildren, all living in NYC.

MCKENNA MCARDLE

Case Manager

McKenna spent four years in the United States Air Force. She comes from a military background and has also worked in the healthcare field with mothers and children. She pays close attention to detail, loves to help others and cooking is a huge passion of hers.

CRISTY ORPURT

Public Relations Liaison

Cristy's enthusiasm knows no bounds! She embraces her role as a caring wife and mother, she has two grown boys and a delightful little girl. She is also a grandmother of three.  With her wealth of experience in working with at-risk youth here and in Alaska, Cristy brings extensive knowledge in areas such as domestic violence, sexual assault and homelessness.  In addition to her passion for empowering others, Cristy has a knack for igniting creativity in everyone she encounters. She thrives on organizing and orchestrating memorable celebrations, whether they are small gatherings or grand milestones.  Cristy loves her Forward Paths family as she has been with us for over 5 years.