Meet Lakesha Burton
Retired Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Assistant Chief | Author | Community Leader
Lakesha Burton is a distinguished public servant whose career has been defined by courageous leadership, unwavering integrity, and a lifelong commitment to serving others. During her 24-year career with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, she rose through the ranks to become the fourth African American woman to serve as Assistant Chief in the agency’s history and later became the first female Executive Director of the Police Athletic League of Jacksonville.
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Throughout her career, Lakesha has championed initiatives that strengthen communities, support youth, and promote public safety. Her passion for service has continued through executive leadership, community advocacy, nonprofit work, and authorship. Alongside her husband, she co-founded Tesha’s Hands, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the special needs community in honor of her late identical twin sister. She is also the author of the children’s book Officer Star, “You Can Be Anything.”
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Lakesha’s exceptional leadership and community impact have earned her numerous honors, including a Lifetime Achievement Proclamation from the Jacksonville City Council and national recognition for her extraordinary service and leadership.
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Through her resilience, pioneering spirit, and unwavering dedication to serving others, Lakesha Burton exemplifies the spirit of the Dynamic D.I.V.A. Award. Her legacy is a powerful reminder that true leadership is measured by the lives we uplift, the barriers we break, and the lasting difference we make in our communities.
Meet Carrie Davis
President & Chief Executive Officer, Wealth Watchers, Inc.
Carrie Davis is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Wealth Watchers, Inc., a HUD-certified Housing Counseling Agency and NeighborWorks® organization dedicated to advancing housing, community development, and financial empowerment. As a proud first-generation wealth builder, she has devoted more than 25 years to expanding opportunities for individuals and families through innovative programs that promote financial stability, homeownership, and generational wealth.
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Under Carrie’s visionary leadership, Wealth Watchers has grown into a nationally respected nonprofit organization, leading transformative community revitalization initiatives, climate resilience projects, and wealth-building programs that create lasting impact. Her expertise and thought leadership have been recognized nationally, including being featured in Investing in Rural Prosperity, published by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. A graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education Program, Carrie remains passionate about helping others build a legacy of opportunity, equity, and financial empowerment.
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Through her wisdom, innovation, and unwavering commitment to educating and empowering others, Carrie Davis exemplifies the spirit of the Intelligent D.I.V.A. Award. Her life’s work reflects the belief that knowledge is most powerful when shared, opportunities are greatest when created for others, and true wealth is measured by the legacy we leave behind.
Meet Shaniya Noelle Marshall
Certified Flight Instructor | Commercial Pilot | Instrument-Rated Pilot | Aviation Professor
Shaniya Noelle Marshall is a Certified Flight Instructor, Commercial Pilot, Instrument-Rated Pilot, and Aviation Professor whose passion for aviation is matched only by her commitment to empowering others. As a first-generation aviator, she has achieved every milestone in her aviation journey through determination, academic excellence, and scholarship support, building her career debt-free while inspiring others to pursue ambitious goals.
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A graduate of Middle Georgia State University with a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management, Shaniya is the founder of PrettyPinkPilots™, an initiative dedicated to expanding aviation education, mentorship, and opportunities for young women interested in aviation. Through flight instruction, community outreach, and partnerships with organizations such as the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) and Civil Air Patrol, she continues to open doors for future generations of aviators.
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Through her passion for mentorship, commitment to excellence, and dedication to inspiring others to dream beyond limitations, Shaniya exemplifies the spirit of the Vivacious D.I.V.A. Award. Her journey is a powerful reminder that with vision, perseverance, and purpose, every dream has the potential to take flight.
Meet Shara Mondy
CEO & Founder, Suited for Success Jacksonville, Inc. | Author | Certified Business Coach | Nonprofit Expert
Shara Mondy is the Founder and CEO of Suited for Success Jacksonville, Inc., where she has devoted more than 25 years to empowering women, youth, and families through workforce development, education, and life skills programming.
A visionary leader with an unwavering commitment to service, she has dedicated her career to helping individuals overcome obstacles, discover their purpose, and build brighter futures.
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A nationally recognized community advocate, Shara has been honored as a CNN Champions for Change Honoree and selected as an EVE Awards Finalist for her exceptional leadership and dedication to strengthening communities. As an accomplished author, Certified Business Coach, and nonprofit expert, she continues to inspire others through her innovative leadership, transformational impact, and passion for creating opportunities that empower individuals to thrive.
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Through her integrity, compassion, and lifelong commitment to serving others, Shara Mondy exemplifies the spirit of the Authentic D.I.V.A. Award. Her legacy is defined not only by the lives she has transformed, but by the hope she has inspired and the pathways she has created for generations to come.