2026 WLP Symposium
Panelists and Moderators
Beyond Memory: Brain Health, Longevity & Healthy Aging
Brain Health
Sponsored by USF Health
-Moderator-
Ashley Curtis, PhD
Assistant Professor & Director of Cognition, Aging, Sleep & Health (CASH) Lab - USF Health College of Nursing
Dr. Ashley Curtis is a faculty member in the USF College of Nursing and Co-Director of the SHINE Science Center, which explores how sleep impacts brain and body health. She also leads the Cognition, Aging, Sleep and Health Lab, where her research focuses on how sleep and thinking skills are connected, especially as we age. Her work examines how cognitive training might improve sleep and memory, and how factors like menopause, pain, alcohol use and medication influence brain function over time. Ashley is especially interested in understanding these connections between both healthy adults and those living with chronic conditions.
-Panelist-
Eileen Poiley, MS
Director of Education - USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Institute
Eileen Poiley is the Director of Education at the USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Institute in Tampa and has been on the faculty at the University since 1987. Eileen received her undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland and her master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University.
Eileen directs the USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute’s education and training initiatives for caregivers, healthcare providers and the community. She lectures extensively on numerous topics pertaining to Alzheimer’s disease, caregiver issues, and brain health. She presents at caregiver seminars, professional conferences, healthcare facilities, and community groups in Tampa Bay and internationally.
Eileen also produces the USF Alzheimer’s Caregiver Podcast, conducts regular caregiver workshops and support groups, and writes educational material for caregivers. She also conducts the free memory screening program at the Byrd Institute and USF Health.
-Panelist-
Amanda G. Smith, MD
Director of Clinical Research - USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Center and Research Institute
Dr. Amanda Smith is the Director of Clinical Research at the USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute and a Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine. She received her undergraduate degree from Emory University in Atlanta and her medical degree from Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.
She completed her residency in Psychiatry and fellowship in Geriatric Psychiatry at USF. Dr. Smith is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, with subspecialty certification in geriatric psychiatry. Her work focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of memory disorders, education of caregivers and health professionals, and research in Alzheimer’s disease, acting as a site principal investigator on over 50 Alzheimer’s clinical trials thus far. She serves several organizations at the national level including Hilarity for Charity, the Alzheimer’s Association, and the Alzheimer’s Clinical Trial Consortium.
-Panelist-
Hera Stephens, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology - University of South Florida
Dr. Hera Stephens is a board-certified neurologist and clinical neurophysiologist and an Assistant Professor of Neurology at the University of South Florida, where she has been on the faculty since 2011. She is affiliated with Tampa General Hospital and has more than two decades of experience in clinical neurology, medical education, and patient care.
Dr. Stephens received her medical degree from Medical University Sofia in Bulgaria and completed her neurology training in both Bulgaria and the United States, followed by a Clinical Neurophysiology fellowship at the University of South Florida. She is board-certified in Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology.
As an academic neurologist and educator, Dr. Stephens has experience with a wide range of neurological conditions, including neuropathies, neuromuscular disorders, myasthenia gravis, seizures, headaches and neurodegenerative disorders.
She is particularly interested in helping patients and families understand neurological diseases and navigate the complex relationship between brain health, function, and quality of life. Today, she brings her clinical and academic perspective to the conversation about dementia and the neurological challenges faced by patients and their families.
Owning Your Future: Financial & Life Planning for Women Living and Thriving Independently
Financial Preparedness
Sponsored by Buchanan Law
-Moderator-
Kimberly Sikorski
Executive Director of Business Operations, Grindley Williams Engineering
Kimberly Sikorski is the Executive Director of Business Operations at Grindley Williams Engineering in Lakeland, Florida, specializing in forensic engineering, restoration, and building consulting services. Originally from Florida, she has spent much of her career in academia across five universities in Florida and Alabama.
Kimberly holds both a bachelor’s degree and an Executive MBA from the University of South Florida. Known for her strategic thinking and operational expertise, she plays a vital role in driving the firm’s growth. In her personal life, she is a dedicated martial artist, avid weightlifter, and outdoor enthusiast. Kimberly also holds numerous certificates and licenses in nutrition and fitness, reflecting her passion and commitment to health and wellness.
-Panelist-
Monique D. Hayes
Partner, DGIM Law, PLLC
Monique Hayes is a renowned corporate restructuring and estate planning attorney. She is a partner in the business law firm, DGIM Law, PLLC. She centers her practice on wealth preservation and protection, including business succession planning. In 2020, she founded Estates Made Easy, an AI driven digital platform for estate planning. The platform allows for self-driven intergenerational wealth transfer, taking into account diverse cultural priorities that impact financial and family planning. She is also the best-selling author of The Legacy Blueprint: A Guide to Bringing Generational Wealth Within Reach.
-Panelist-
Sara Kemperman
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Lake Michigan Credit Union
Sara Kemperman is Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Lake Michigan Credit Union, where she provides enterprise leadership across retail banking, member experience, marketing, premier services, technology, community relations, and operations. Over her 30-year career with LMCU, Sara has grown alongside the organization, helping shape strategic initiatives that strengthen both employee and member experiences. A passionate advocate for the credit union philosophy of People Helping People, she is known for connecting strategy to purpose and helping teams understand how their work contributes to something larger. Sara is committed to developing leaders who lead with courage, authenticity, and service, and she brings clarity, collaboration, and curiosity to complex challenges. She serves on the Executive
-Panelist-
Amanda J. Stevens
Chief Executive Officer, Raymond James Bank
Amanda Stevens is the CEO of Raymond James Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Raymond James Financial. Amanda joined Raymond James Bank in 2018 as the chief operations and strategy officer.
Amanda’s background includes over 30 years in the financial services industry, previously the chief financial officer of USAmeriBancorp, Inc., where she was responsible for developing and executing the financial and strategic objectives of the company. Prior to that role, she served as an executive at Crowe in the financial services group.
Amanda is very involved in the community including serving as the Chair of the Board of Directors of the American Heart Association Tampa Bay. She serves on the board of the Florida Bankers Association and previously served as Vice President on the board of The Helen Gordon Davis Centre for Women in Tampa. Amanda earned a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and is a licensed certified public accountant in the state of Florida.
Committee of the Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes Board of Directors and sponsors LMCU’s Women Intentionally Leveraging Leadership employee resource group. Outside of work, Sara enjoys family time, distance running, and personal growth.
Beyond the Playbook: Building Community When There Is No Script
Community Building
Sponsored by Lake Michigan Credit Union (LMCU)
-Panelist-
Dr. Sarah Combs
CEO & President, Metropolitan Ministries
Dr. Sarah Combs, CEO & President of Metropolitan Ministries, brings more than 25 years of leadership in helping families in need throughout Tampa Bay. Her vision and expertise in securing funding, forging strategic partnerships, and developing innovative financial strategies have strengthened the organization’s impact.
Previously, Sarah led revitalization efforts at University Area CDC, securing $150 million and uplifting underserved neighborhoods. She is actively involved with local boards, including the USF Center for Entrepreneurship and the Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce, supporting initiatives for children and families. Renowned for her commitment to sustainability and collaboration, Dr. Combs continues to advance Metropolitan Ministries’ mission, inspiring positive change and hope for the homeless and at-risk families in the community.
-Panelist-
Jennifer Lynn Murphy
Senior Vice President of Commercial Banking, Truist Bank
Jennifer Lynn Murphy is a distinguished financial executive with more than 40 years of experience advising closely held and family-owned businesses. As a leader at Truist, she is known for aligning the bank’s capital capabilities with the long-term goals of her clients.
A Tampa Bay resident for nearly three decades, Jennifer has dedicated her career to leadership, mentorship, and community engagement. She has championed women’s advancement through organizations including the Women’s Presidents Organization and the National Association of Women Business Owners and has served as both a JCPenney Golden Rule Award Judge and National DECA Judge.
Jennifer has mentored students with the USF WLP program for several years, helping guide and inspire emerging leaders. In 2021, she founded a women’s group at Truist that continues to provide connection, support, and professional development while fostering civic engagement throughout Tampa Bay.
Her community leadership includes serving as Chair of the Finance Committee at Bell Shoals Church, supporting Lions World Vision’s Women of Vision Leadership Group, and holding numerous civic and professional board positions, including Chairwoman of the Tampa Metro YMCA Governance Board. Jennifer’s dedication to empowering others, serving her community, and developing future leaders reflects a lifelong commitment to making a meaningful impact.
-Panelist-
Celeste Roberts
Co-Founder, President & CEO - The Skills Center
Celeste Roberts is the President and CEO of The Skills Center, a sport-based youth development and education nonprofit she co-founded in 2007, where she leads efforts to improve academic success, life skills, and economic mobility for youth ages 3 to 18. With more than 30 years of nonprofit leadership experience across Florida and Ohio, Celeste has transformed the organization into a multimillion-dollar enterprise, spearheading a $28 million capital campaign, completing a $20 million New Market Tax Credit allocation, and overseeing the development of a 55,000-square-foot Youth Opportunity Center in East Tampa.
Her leadership also extends to managing a 40,000-square-foot business park, guiding a collective impact initiative with five Black-led nonprofits, and generating meaningful economic impact in historically underserved communities. A recognized community leader, Celeste has received honors from ONYX Magazine, the Tampa Bay Business Journal, the Tampa Organization of Black Affairs, the Junior League of Tampa Bay, and Florida Trend’s Florida 500. She holds an MBA and lives in Tampa with her husband, Ken, and their daughter, Kennedy.
From Vision to Venture
Entrepreneurship
Sponsored by Grindley Williams Engineering
-Moderator-
Haley Ayure
Buchanan, Corporate Attorney and Shareholder, Head of Emerging Companies Practice Group
Haley Ayure, a shareholder at Buchanan and Emerging Companies Practice Group Leader, is an entrepreneurial-minded business transactions lawyer, focusing on a range of domestic and international corporate transactions. Haley advises businesses through each stage of the business cycle, including formation, fundraising, operations, acquisitions, and sale. Concentrating on venture finance and mergers and acquisitions, Haley represents a variety of clients in many industries, including startups, growth stage and established companies, entrepreneurs, investors, private equity, venture capital and more. As a startup founder herself, Haley is committed to understanding the real-life concerns of her clients as she guides them through transactions.
-Panelist-
Carlyn Neuman
Owner & Founder - 360 Realty Tampa
Carlyn Neuman is a licensed Florida attorney, real estate broker, title agent, developer, and entrepreneur. As the founder of Silber Law Group, 360 Realty, Clear Title Partners, and Black Sheep Partners Development, she has created a fully integrated real estate network that provides clients with strategic guidance at every stage. Known for her leadership, innovation, and industry experience, Carlyn combines legal, transactional and development knowledge to deliver exceptional results. A dedicated mother of two and an active Tampa community leader, she is committed to empowering clients, fostering meaningful relationships, and creating lasting impact through real estate, business, and community involvement.
-Panelist-
Kelley Prince, M.A., BCBA
President & Founder - Behavioral Consulting of Tampa Bay
Kelley Prince is the President and Founder of BCOTB. Since beginning her career in behavior analysis in 1998, she has dedicated her work to improving the lives of children with autism and their families through evidence-based Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services. She earned her master's degree in Behavior Analysis from the University of South Florida in 2005 and founded BCOTB while still in graduate school. Over the past twenty-three years, she has grown the organization from a solo home-based practice into a five-location provider with over eighty employees, committed to clinical excellence and compassionate care.
-Panelist-
Julia Thrasher, DHSc, MSW, BSN, RN
Founder, Co-Owner and CEO - Healnexxt
Julia is a pioneering healthcare executive, strategist, and transformational leader with more than 20 years of experience across the healthcare continuum. With advanced expertise in organizational leadership, trauma-informed care, global health, and nursing, she brings an integrated perspective to workforce engagement, care transformation, and sustainable system design. She is advancing a connected care movement that challenges fragmentation, burnout, and reactive models by aligning mission-driven organizations around shared accountability, seamless transitions, and exceptional experiences for patients, families, and care teams. Her Connected Care Model promotes multidisciplinary cohesion, reduces gaps in care, simplifies complexity, and creates lasting value. For Julia, this work is more than a profession—it is a calling. Through mentorship, innovation, and servant leadership, she is committed to developing future leaders, championing whole-person wellness, and helping redesign healthcare in ways that restore trust, strengthen communities, and support healthier generations to come.