Florida Panhandle Board of Directors

Jenny Lawless, Chair, has been a registered nurse for 31 years. She received  her BSN from Jacksonville University. After losing two loved ones to suicide, she pursued her Masters of Prevention Science with a focus on Suicide Prevention from Oklahoma University. She has been involved with AFSP since 2013, beginning with the Oklahoma chapter and since 2018 with the Florida Panhandle chapter. She has been a board member since 2019 and served as the Out of the Darkness walk chair for three years. Jenny lost her husband to suicide in January 2023. She also helps with advocacy, tabling events, and teaching classes. In her spare time, she loves anything outdoors and spending time with her four nieces and new great-nephew. 

Donna Morgan, Secretary, grew up in a military family; she traveled to many places for the first seven years of her life, and then her family settled in Fort Walton Beach.   Donna has worked at Bridgeway Center for 20 years, wearing many different hats. She is now in one of the most fulfilling roles in her career, managing One Hopeful Place, a single men and women homeless shelter, and the HUD Independent Living Program. She is drawn to those who are struggling with mental health, substance misuse, and the unsheltered in our community. Donna has worked with the AFSP for 8 years, volunteering at the Out of Darkness Walk and many other activities. She has served on the AFSP Board for 3 years. She has also served on the Okaloosa Anti-Drug Coalition as the President and the Vice President, the Okaloosa Transportation Disadvantage Board, and the National Coalition for the Homeless Board. Donna has two daughters and six grandchildren.

Elizabeth Qualiana, Treasurer, is a proud veteran’s wife and mother. Over the years, her family has moved on orders, and she was blessed to make some wonderful friends.  Over time, she was able to expand her work experience working with individuals or families struggling in life. After many of years of putting it off, Elizabeth went back to school and obtained her bachelor’s degree in human services.  During her time in collage, she was worked with adolescents who struggled with suicide.  Elizabeth also completed her internship at One Hopeful Place, where she is now the shelter supervisor. She has participated in the Out of Darkness Walk for the last three years. Elizabeth's passion is working with those that struggle with mental health or substance use. 

Cindy Kelly - As a longtime resident of Fort Walton Beach, Cindy Kelly is dedicated to helping the members of her community. She does this in many ways, including working as the Clinical Executive Coordinator and Outreach Coordinator at a community behavioral health center. Five years ago, Cindy discovered the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention by participating in the Emerald Coast Out of the Darkness Walk through her job and, as they say, the rest is history. She has been volunteering for various AFSP functions ever since. Cindy currently serves as the Walk Chair for the Emerald Coast Walk. Cindy is proud to be on the Board and excels in bringing people together to bring awareness to suicide prevention in the area. 

Hannah Waldschmidt lives in Pensacola, Florida and has just begun serving on the Panhandle Board of AFSP this past summer. Hannah participated and promoted the Hike for Hope Walk in Panama City in the spring of 2023 with some of her commercial contractor members of Associated Builders & Contractors of North Florida Chapter. Hannah works from Tallahassee to Pensacola, Panama City and everywhere in between. Suicide is the leading cause of death in the construction industry, and she is a passionate leader advocating for the cause in her industry and personal life.

Hannah grew up in Indiana with a large family of seven including 2 brothers and 2 sisters. She has had the pleasure to also live in Florida, Louisiana, and the Carolinas. Growing up many of her friends and family suffered with depression and anxiety. In which some of them turned to drugs and alcohol to cope with their feelings when all it really did was mask them. Some were led to attempt suicide themselves including her childhood best friend multiple times. Fortunately, her best friend is still alive today thanks to a strong support system, therapy, and a multitude of other caring souls helping her survive day by day.

Hannah has always felt drawn to help people suffering in this manner. She genuinely cares and feels compassion and empathy for the personal struggles that people go through. Giving back to her communities, her church, her work, and in her life in general is what she is about. Faith focused and always looking up and moving forward with perseverance and happiness in all things. Even after the recent tragic death of her youngest brother. Hannah strives to be a positive influence and touch the lives of everyone she encounters by being kind and full of hope and love.

Hannah spends her free time at the beach, paddleboarding, playing basketball, practicing yoga, bicycling, gardening, baking, reading, and singing. Hannah has over a dozen nieces and nephews whom she adores ranging from 4 to 32. She also has two beloved pets, Sophie & Beau at home. Hannah is grateful to have been asked to serve on the Panhandle Chapter of AFSP and lead others to hope in living life fully. 

Ann Marie Curry, Healing Conversations Coordinator - After losing her 15-year-old son Reed to suicide in 2020, Ann Marie knew she had to do something to help other families so they did not have to face this tragedy. Ann Marie was not aware of Reed’s suicide ideations and wants to make others aware so they can watch for the warning signs. She wanted to find an organization that helped her local communities and youth and that is where she found AFSP. She has been a member since 2021, was a Co-Chair for the first walk in Tallahassee, FL, and is currently the Chair. She attended the AFSP Leadership Conference in Seattle, WA where she became even more passionate about being an advocate for suicide prevention. She has since become a board member and a healing conversations volunteer and enjoys tabling events with AFSP. Her ultimate goal is to bring more mental health awareness and resources to schools. Ann Marie enjoys living out in the country with her husband Dennis, daughter Keagan and German Shepherd Kane. 

Thomosa Brittany Barnes is a master level therapist and mental health counselor based in the Jackson County community. She’s a 2011 graduate of Florida State University with a Bachelors Degree  in Criminology then furthered her education by earning a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology from Troy University. Brittany is currently pursuing her licensure in clinic mental health counseling that will eventually will lead to her becoming a licensed mental health counselor.

Her professional work experiences have included providing mental health and therapy services in a variety of community and clinical settings to diverse populations of all ages from all walks of life throughout the course of her twelve year counseling career tenure.

Some of her broad areas of expertise within the mental health field are additions counseling, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, and cognitive behavioral therapeutic interventions which she has obtained specialized certifications in.

Brittany currently works full time  as a social service counselor with the Department of Children and Families. She works part-time as an outpatient mental health therapist at BlueSprings Outpatient Center of Emerald Coast Behavioral Hospital located in Marianna. In addition to her employments with these community agencies, Brittany also has her non-profit mental health organization called “BrittBrattPsychFacts and Hacks” that provides awareness of mental health through social media content, community service and awareness events, facilitation of seminars, trainings, and presentations.  Brittany recently joined the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and serves as a new board member, field advocate and social media ambassador for the Florida Panhandle Chapter.

When Brittany is not busy providing helping others, she enjoys spending time with her husband Tavaris Barnes, sons Tavarance and Tyrus Barnes, attending church, exercising, grilling outdoors, shopping, and hunting for wild game.

Ajeet Koru - After tragically losing his 14-year-old daughter, Asha Matheth, to clinical depression in February 2021, Ajeet and his family made the decision to relocate from Arizona to the East Coast. Ajeet concluded his career in technology leadership in 2023 and has since dedicated his time to volunteering as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) from May 2023 onwards, aiding foster children in navigating the intricate foster care system.

In his moments away from his altruistic endeavors, Ajeet cherishes spending quality time with his wife, son, and beloved pet dog, often venturing outdoors for hiking excursions. Ajeet is grateful to serve on the Panhandle Chapter of AFSP and lead others to hope in living life fully. 

Melissa Gann, Business Development Director at Computer Services, Inc., is a devoted wife, mother, volunteer, and Transformational Women’s Empowerment Coach. With a servant’s heart, she finds joy and purpose in helping others discover a better life.

While new to the Panhandle Chapter Board for AFSP, Melissa brings extensive nonprofit experience, having served as Director of a leading national nonprofit for nearly 8 years. Her expertise includes volunteer recruitment, development, and event planning, as well as collaboration with Volunteer Boards and youth coalitions to serve the community.

Melissa's dedication to AFSP is deeply personal, having lost her father and other family members to suicide. She is committed to raising awareness, providing support, and preventing suicide through education and outreach. Her passion stems from firsthand experience with grief, loss, and mental health struggles, and she believes in the power of reaching out for help and finding the path back to light.

In her role on the board, Melissa will contribute to Healing Conversations, fundraising, outreach, and education initiatives. She sees AFSP's mission as not only saving lives but also helping loved ones find the resources to navigate through their grief and pain. For Melissa and many others, involvement with AFSP provides a means of healing and giving purpose to their loss.

Board Members not pictured include Roberta Welch and Josh Englert.