Meet Our Board

Juliet Yaques, co-founder of Making Light, has been an active volunteer in children's theatre for several years, drawing from a lifelong passion for music. Juliet holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from Florida State University.

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As a mother to a 19-year-old daughter with autism and cognitive disabilities, Juliet offers a crucial perspective on special needs within the Making Light community.

Cat is a graduate of Florida State University, where she received her undergraduate degree in cultural anthropology and earned a Master’s degree in Social Work. She also has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. Prior to joining the team at Volunteer Florida in January 2011, Cat worked at the Able Trust as the State Director of the Florida High School/High Tech Program.

Amanda, co-founder of Making Light, has a B.A. in Creative Writing and an M.A. in Literature. Her accolades include winning the 2002 Variety Magazine Screenwriting Competition at the Cannes Film Festival, receiving the 2007 Liddicoat Journalism Prize, and earning a television Emmy in 2013 for the commercial "Fish for the Future."

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Dori Kesten is a Senior Equity Analyst at Wells Fargo Securities covering the Lodging sector.  Dori has previously worked with the firm's equity research team as a Senior Equity Analyst covering Gaming and as an associate covering Lodging starting in 2003. Prior to Wells Fargo, she worked for Credit Lyonnais covering the Lodging sector and Ernst & Young in its hospitality consulting group.  Dori graduated from Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration.  Ms. Kesten's professional expertise will assure Making Light provides the best experience possible to our Making Light families!

Becky Cassell is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with seven years' experience working with adults with disabilities in a variety of settings (group homes, supported living, living with family, residential) and twelve years' experience working with children with disabilities (ages 2-17) in home and in school. A Tallahassee native, Cassell holds a M.S. in Child Development and an M.S. in Psychology from Florida State University. 

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Coming soon.

Coming soon.