The USF Foundation Board of Directors recently welcomed three dynamic new members to advance its mission of inspiring philanthropy and stewarding resources that support USF’s pursuit of excellence.
Sherri Berger, MS Public Health ’96; Owen LaFave, Finance ’01; and Diana Michel, Business Administration ’88, were named to the board, bringing a diverse portfolio of professional experience and fresh perspectives. Their appointments await final approval by the USF Board of Trustees at its August meeting.
Chair Debbie Nye Sembler and Vice Chair Brad Bernstein, Finance ’84, are entering the second year of their term leading the board.
Sherri Berger
Sherri Berger currently serves as senior advisor at Boston Consulting Group. She previously served in multiple roles at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention over a 27-year career, including chief of staff and chief operating officer. During her tenure, she oversaw operations for responses to major public health crises, including Ebola, Zika and COVID-19.
Berger is well recognized across executive levels of government for her ability to innovate and solve operational challenges and is the recipient of the 2023 Robert W. Jones Award for Executive Leadership. She also received the 2015 USF College of Public Health Outstanding Alumni Award and served on the college’s advisory board for multiple years.
Owen LaFave
Owen LaFave serves as Pinellas County market president for The Bank of Tampa. He previously held roles as senior vice president of commercial real estate at The Bank of Tampa and vice president of commercial real estate at TD Bank Group. LaFave brings more than 25 years of banking experience in the Tampa Bay area and hosts The Bank of Tampa’s "Money Market" podcast.
In 2025, he served as chair of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce Board of Governors and currently serves on the board of the St. Petersburg Economic Development Corporation, and Neighborhood Lending Partners as past chair. LaFave is also a Life Member of the USF Alumni Association and a Lifetime Member of USF Women in Leadership and Philanthropy.
Diana Michel
Diana Michel is a luxury real estate professional with more than 30 years of experience, currently serving as a Realtor® with Coldwell Banker Realty in Sarasota, Florida. She specializes in waterfront properties and Sarasota's premier residential communities and has earned Sarasota Magazine's Five Star Customer Satisfaction Award for 20 consecutive years.
Prior to real estate, Michel founded Michel Sports Marketing, where she directed public relations and marketing for multiple boat manufacturing lines. She is a Life Member of the USF Alumni Association and former member of its board of directors. Michel has established two scholarships at USF — one in memory of her father and another honoring her mother-in-law — reflecting her deep commitment to education, philanthropy and community service.