North Florida Board of Directors

Candi Morris, Board Chair, Gainesville Walk Chair. In 2019 she became involved with AFSP when she chose to serve as walk chair for the Gainesville Out of the Darkness Community Walk because she felt the need to do something to help those persons in the community who are affected directly or indirectly by suicide. She found AFSP to be a source of information, connections, and comfort after the death by suicide of her dad.  

Candi is an Administration Assistant and  Outreach Coordinator for the Florida Department of Health. Candi, her husband and their fur child Cali lives in Gainesville, FL.   

If Candi is not volunteering for AFSP enjoys reading, Gator Football, camping, kayaking and boating with family and friends. 

Wendy Mercer, Jacksonville Walk Co-Chair. Wendy lost her God daughter to suicide in 2019 and  became  involved with AFSP by attending Out of the Darkness Walks.  She works at Mayo Clinic Florida, as a psychometrist supervisor.  She is passionate about normalizing mental health and spreading hope. 

Dr. Rick Townsend, President, The Villages Walk Chair, has been a licensed psychologist since 1983.  For 40 years he has been active as a clinician and he has taught at the undergraduate and graduate level. Rick is a past president of the North Dakota Psychological Association. He has been actively involved with AFSP since 2007, walking to raise funds, serving on chapter boards, engaging in advocacy at the state and national level, and engaging in public speaking in an effort to educate the public, support survivors of suicide loss, and most importantly to prevent suicide.  Rick is himself, a survivor of suicide loss.

Kim Whetham, Volunteer Coordinator. Kim lives in Jacksonville, where she is the Southeast Region Human Resource Director for the Non-appropriated Fund, Fleet and Family Readiness Program for the US Navy.   When she is not working or volunteering with the AFSP, you will find her reading or watching movies, spending time with family and friends, or training for the next AFSP Overnight walk. Kim started her journey by walking in various community and Overnight walks and wants to use her experience to support other suicide loss survivors and work to prevent suicide.

Kim became the Volunteer Outreach Coordinator in January 2024 and a board member in February 2024. 

Kim lost her son to suicide in July 2022.   She became involved with AFSP shortly after his death in search of a purpose and a path for healing and is grateful to have found the resources available and compassion of fellow survivors through AFSP.

Lindsay King, Treasurer, Program Chair, Ocala Walk Chair, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida. She is currently works for a Psychiatric Hospital System, ensuring that patients have access to care and getting the treatment they need. She also is the Clinical Director for a local therapy practice in Ocala. Lindsay serves as the Walk Chair for the Ocala Out of the Darkness walk and has been involved in this walk for the past several years. Lindsay serves as the Program Chair on the North Florida board.

Lindsay has a passion for normalizing mental health, and raising awareness for suicide prevention. When not working, Lindsay is with her husband and two daughters taking their dog to a dog park and enjoying time with family.

Christy Knight, Jacksonville Walk Co-chair, is a Jacksonville native and recently relocated back to Jacksonville after living in Charlotte, NC for 16 years. Christy has worked for Bank of America for over 30 years and is currently serving as a Human Resources executive.

Christy lost her best friend to suicide in 2018 and found strength in volunteering with the AFSP

Charlotte leadership team, supporting the Charlotte Out of the Darkness Walks. She is passionate about mental health and raising awareness for suicide prevention.

Christy and her husband are avid Florida State Seminoles fans, love the outdoors, and adore their two Labrador Retrievers.

Niesha Howard, AFSP L.E.T.S. Program Presenter, is an advocate for families everywhere.  A Jacksonville, Florida native, she holds close ties to her community, living and working in the geographical region in which she serves. Personal experiences have always been at the core of her inspiration to help others.  Losing her only son to suicide in 2021 pushed her out of her comfort zone into becoming an advocate for mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and parental education.

She is employed in the clinical office setting of Obstetrics and Gynecology, working as Obstetric Coordinator, where she currently manages logistics of care for nearly 600 pregnant people annually.  

She is married to Robert Howard, and mother to three daughters.  In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and is an avid runner. 

Jerry Emery joined the North Florida Board in January of 2025.  He and his wife Connie lost their son Dave to suicide in October of 2021.  He became involved with AFSP after attending an Out of Darkness walk in Ocala.  He became involved with the Villages volunteer group and joined the first Villages Out of Darkness Walk committee.  He now wishes to expand his role in working to prevent suicide and spread awareness of mental health issues.

Jerry retired in 2002 and has lived in The Villages nearly 16 years.  He was employed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services as a Regional Manager, in charge of eight investigative teams who investigated abuse and neglect of children.  He spent much of his personal time volunteering in church and service organizations.  He enjoys golfing, reading, and fishing. 

Alan Mednick, Advocacy Chair, is a passionate mental health advocate, his dedication to this mission was born out of deep personal loss, losing both his daughter Raven and his niece Ayla to suicide. That loss ignited a commitment to prevent suicide through education, storytelling, and connection.

Alan has been involved with the AFSP since 2013, previously serving on the Southeast Florida Chapter Board and now as a proud Board Member for the North Florida Chapter. While in Southeast Florida, Alan created and chaired three years of the Stand Up for Hope Comedy Fundraiser, an uplifting event designed to break stigma and raise awareness through laughter. He looks forward to bringing the show to North Florida in 2026.

He also serves on AFSP’s National Public Policy Council and is actively engaged in Local, statewide and national advocacy.

Alan is certified to deliver several evidence-based programs, including ASIST, safeTALK, Talk Saves Lives, More Than Sad, Finding Hope and It’s Real.

In addition to training and advocacy, Alan created RealConvo, a radio show on iHeartRadio focused on bringing hope to individuals and families impacted by mental health challenges and suicide. The show’s reach and impact eventually led to a nationally televised version, amplifying conversations that matter.

As a baseball coach, Alan saw the need to create a youth program that combined the power of sport with mental health awareness. He founded the Sudbury Ravens, a travel baseball team named in honor of his daughter, where players learn resilience, teamwork, and life skills alongside the game.

Alan recently relocated to Jacksonville, Florida, to be closer to his daughter, Candice and grandchildren, Aiden and Ollie. He brings with him years of lived experience, professional expertise, and an unwavering commitment to building suicide-safer communities across North Florida and beyond.