Ashley Cacicedo, Young Leaguers Chair:
Ashley Cacicedo moved to Florida in 2011. She has a Master of Science degree in Communication and Media and a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies with a minor in Media and Politics from Lynn University.
In her professional life, she serves as the Deputy City Clerk of the City of Delray Beach. Before her role with the City, Ashley worked as a Special Events Coordinator at Habitat for Humanity of Palm Beach County, Legislative Assistant in the Florida Senate, and an Election Specialist for the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections.
Ashley is a believer in community service, education, and advocacy. She is a vision-driven change agent with a passion for helping students and young professionals learn about government and develop leadership skills. Within her community organizations, she puts her enthusiasm into practice serving in many capacities. In the League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County, Ashley is a Board Member and the Chair of the Young Leaguers. Outside of the league, she continues to serve as the Recruitment & Selections Director for New Leaders Council Palm Beach and as a Board Member for the Lupie Girl, a nonprofit that helps provide support for individuals with chronic illnesses.
Jodie Boisvert, MPA, Young Leaguers Vice Chair
Jodie Boisvert received a BA in Anthropology from University of South Florida and a Masters of Public Administration from Florida Gulf Coast University. She is passionate about serving the underserved and has always been a public servant. Jodie has held roles in multiple nonprofit organizations such as United Way and the Red Cross. Currently, Jodie is the Program Evaluator of the Securing Our Future Initiative within Palm Beach County.
In addition to Young Leaguers, Jodie is involved in community work across organizations. She continues to volunteer with the American Red Cross teaching youth the impacts of war on education. Jodie is also the Recruitment and Selections Co-Chair with New Leaders Council Palm Beach County. Lastly, Jodie is the Director of Grants for GrantFuzion, a local business optimization organization that supports small and medium nonprofit organizations with grant writing, marketing, public relations, and design.
In her spare time, Jodie is an avid reader and researcher. She volunteers with a handful of organizations conducting original research designed to make the world a safer and kinder place. Jodie loves to travel and is proud to say she has traveled to Japan, Iceland, and Egypt among many other places across North America.
Robbriannia Johnson, Committee Liaison:
Robbriannia Johnson, the current Director of Equity and Justice Services with the YWCA of Palm Beach County where she has been employed for three years. She received a Master’s degree from Florida Atlantic University in Criminal Justice. Robbriannia is currently pursuing a PhD in Human Services with a concentration in Social and Community Services at Capella University.
She is involved in a host of organizations which includes: Girls Coordinating Council of Palm Beach County, Martin Luther King Jr. Coordinating Committee, League of Women’s Voter and with the Women’s Foundation of Florida. Robbriannia serves on the board of the non-profit known as God’s Gift which is centered in Fort Lauderdale, FL. She states she is looking forward to doing the work and serving the Young Leaguers!
Jill Abbey, Membership Director:
Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Jillian Whitehill Abbey and her family joined the League of Women Voters of PBC as soon they moved to the area. Jill is extremely proud of her family’s long-standing history with the League, and as co-founder of the Young Leaguers, Jill is honored to work side by side with such amazing League members—including her mother, Patty Whitehill! Most recently, Jill was elected to sit on the Education Committee of the League of Women Voters.
In her younger years, Jill attended Montessori school where she learned independent thinking and in high school was instilled with the philosophy of Serviam, or “I will serve.” A member of the Girl Scouts for over 11 years, Jill and her troop focused on community service, and she has been dedicated to service ever since.
Jill earned her BA in Human Development at Eckerd College as well as her MBA at Lynn University with an emphasis in leadership. Jill has many interests including her cover band, My Generation, where she performs as co-lead singer and bass player with her father, Jeff Abbey. Jill also enjoys running, practicing Italian, having a glass of wine with her boyfriend and fellow League member, Nick Green, and spending time with her longhaired Chihuahua, Jasper.
Angela Cruz, Advocacy Director:
Angela is a passionate advocate for voting rights and equality. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Legal Studies from Nova Southeastern University and a Master’s in Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University. She is excited to push for ballot readability statutory changes in Fl to remove “legalese” and instead include easy to read language so that all people can understand what they are voting for. Angela loves cooking and traveling in her free time. She believes that we must be the change we want to see in the world.
Jihan Bazile, Advocacy Specialist:
Jihan is a community activist and volunteer with a passion for media activism, and political advocacy. Jihan volunteers with Emergency Medical Assistance (EMA), a non-profit organization dedicated to reproductive access. She has also hosted in-depth conversations around intersectional feminism and building inclusive spaces as one of the two part duo of BABE Collective, a women-led network of creatives and change-makers that deliver an unconventional take on conversations about race and racism in America. She is motivated to work towards building a better and safer world, especially within her local community. A team player, she is ready to be impactful and create great change.
Melanie Tolchin, Advocacy Specialist:
Melanie Tolchin is currently employed as the Marketing Manager for Greene-Education Foundation, a local nonprofit organization that helps students gain acceptance into their dream colleges. The organization also helps parents with financial planning.
Melanie has a wealth of experience in social media marketing including having worked on various campaigns and platforms. Prior experience includes working as a Field Director in the 2018 campaign cycle for state house district 89.
Melanie has a B.A from Florida Atlantic University with a degree in Interdisciplinary Arts and Humanities. Melanie received her MSW in 2011 from Barry University. In the spring of 2020, she enrolled at PC Professor and completed her Certified Internet Webmaster program. Some of her experience includes building web pages and websites, creating designs in Canva and social media marketing and development.
Sara Haas, Graphics Director:
Sara Haas’s life goal is to leave the world a kinder, better place than in which she found it. She currently works as the Volunteer Services and Outreach Coordinator for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Palm Beach, where she works managing volunteers and organizing community outreach events. Prior to moving to West Palm Beach in 2019, Sara was in Cincinnati where she was born and raised. There she worked for Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services as an employment specialist working specifically with refugees and asylees. Her passion is working to empower women through program design and implementation.
Sara graduated with her Bachelor’s in Political Science from Northern Kentucky University in 2012 and her Master’s in Political Science from Miami University in 2013. Her area of focus was Middle Eastern politics and the role of women in democratization. As a native Cincinnatian, Sara loves the Cincinnati Reds, Skyline Chili, and Graeter’s ice cream. Her interests include traveling, reading, hanging out with her dog Lacie, going to the beach, and studying languages (she is currently working on Arabic and Turkish). Her heroes include Gloria Steinem, Harvey Milk, Audre Lorde, Benazir Bhutto, Denis Mukwege, Desmond Tutu, and Zainab Salbi.
Michelle Aldas, Graphics Specialist:
Michelle Aldas is a freelance graphic designer, spokeswoman and chronic illness patient advocate. Michelle transitioned careers after being in the healthcare field. She found a passion for advocacy and graphic design. With these new-found passions, Michelle decided to open a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for individuals living with chronic and invisible illnesses. She currently serves as the Executive Director of The Invisible Me Warriors.
Michelle was recently named a student honoree of the Palm Beach State College MLK Leadership Award. She is committed to serving others, and has dedicated her life to creating graphic designs for multiple organizations in the non-profit sector and raising awareness of disability rights and invisible chronic illnesses. She grew up in San Diego, CA and has lived in Florida most of her life. Despite the severity and chronic nature of her illness, Michelle has continued to find quality of life through her design, advocacy and volunteer work.
Evelyn Walker, Graphics Specialist:
Evelyn Walker has always been an activist. Her first activist role was at Ohio State University where she worked full-time. Many African American students were dissatisfied with the administration and the policies that were created with regard to African American students. Evelyn knew she had to do something. Evelyn became President of Caribbean Student Services which did cultural and social activities, including bringing speakers to the campus. During the same period, Evelyn was also a facilitator with “Study Circle on Racism” where she would facilitate discussions on racism, diversity, and inclusion.
Along with Young Leaguers, Evelyn is a member of the Women’s March Palm Beach Chapter. In this role, she can oftentimes be found publishing political articles related to women’s issues.
Evelyn is passionate about politics but was not engaged in a political career. Evelyn worked as Director of Data Analysis for a medical school. It wasn’t until after her citizenship experience did she get involved with political activism.
Rebecca Freeman, Storytelling Co-Director:
Originally from Philadelphia, Rebecca has considered Florida to be home for the past 5 years. After obtaining two degrees Lynn University in Boca Raton, Rebecca decided to reside in Florida.
Rebecca has been a member of the Young Leaguers since 2017. Her desire for learning and civic engagement motivated her to join the Young Leaguers. She loves that she has a place where she can become educated and informed on issues that are important to her. Rebecca has a strong desire and interest in community involvement. In addition to the Young Leaguers, Rebecca is involved in the local Jewish Federation’s, Feeding South Florida, Habitat for Humanity, among many others.
Rebecca is a proud member of the Glass Leadership Institute presented by the Anti-Defamation League. This series of classes discusses all of the important work the ADL carries out and its importance. As a member of the Jewish community, she feels this was an essential organization to be a part of.
Jalynsey Brown, Storytelling Co-Director:
Jalynsey Brown, a Palm Beach County native, attended high school at Palm Beach Central High School in Wellington, Florida. Jalynsey attended college at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida where she was a member of the Criminal Justice Club, and Hatchet Pre-Law Society. After graduating from Florida A&M University with her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 2011, Jalynsey was hired by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice in June of 2012. Jalynsey obtained her master’s degree in Criminal Justice while working full-time as a Juvenile Probation Officer in May of 2014.
Jalynsey worked as a Juvenile Probation Officer until October of 2014, when she left to become a Targeted Case Manager with Community Partners’, Parent-Child Center. In May of 2015, Jalynsey began working at the Florida Department of Corrections, as a Correctional Probation Officer. She was promoted to her current position as a Correctional Probation Senior Officer in March of 2019. Jalynsey is a member of various community organizations throughout the county.
Kevin Baker, Photographer:
Kevin Baker always had an interest in politics which motivated him to join the League of Women Voters in October of 2017. Kevin serves on the social media team for the Young Leaguers. Kevin was also recently elected to sit on the Education Committee of the League of Women Voters. You can often find Kevin with a camera in his hand and a smile on his face. Photography is a real passion of his. In fact, through the White House Press Pool, Kevin has photographed three presidents. Kevin is also a photography business owner, creating and selling photos of birds in flight throughout South Florida.
Inside and outside of Young Leaguers, Kevin is dedicated to community service. He started a 501c3 non-profit organization called FlaminGoCon, Inc., a nonprofit bringing board gaming to students and disadvantaged populations. As treasurer and one of the founders, Kevin has hosted numerous board gaming conventions for board game enthusiasts.
Kevin helps make democracy work every day not only by being a Young Leaguer but also as a precinct captain, and a member of the LWV Forum Committee. We are fortunate to have him on our team, and we are thankful for his service to the community.
