More than a dozen young professionals from a variety of industries have been selected for the 5th annual class of the JAX Chamber Hightower Emerging Leaders Fellowship.

The Fellowship is named for Mike Hightower, who as JAX Chamber Chair in 2009 helped launch ImpactJAX, the Chamber’s young professional organization. The Fellowship is a program to connect talented young professionals with community leaders and each other.

Fellows in the 2021 class are:  

• Monica Albertie, Mayo Clinic, Operations Manager
• Kimberly Allen, 904WARD, Chief Executive Officer
• Aracelly Brito, Baptist Health, Director of Operations and United States Navy, Healthcare Administrator
• Jonathan Cagan, Cagan and Cagan LLC, Managing Attorney
• Natalie DeYoung, Wingard, Director of Communications and Public Relations
• Kimano Edwards, Taylor Day, Attorney
• Cameron Frazier, Becoming Collegiate Academy, Executive Director
• Stephanie Garry Garfunkel, Jacksonville Public Education Fund, Director of Communications & Advocacy
• Charles Garrison, Carlton Construction, Business Development Manager
• Nelson Greene, Parkside Investments, Private Wealth Advisor
• Nicole A. Hamm, Eastern Quality Foods, Sales Coordinator
• Von Johnson, Teach for America, Managing Director, Statewide External Affairs
• Kevin Kennedy, GuideWell, Principal Corporate Development and Strategic Investments
• Mark McCombs, Renaissance Jax, Founder and Executive Director
• Laura Phillips Edgecombe, Bread & Board, Director of Catering, Events & Community
• Jackie Rowland, Russell Rowland Inc., CEO/President
• Vaughn Winmond, Truist, Vice President, Professional and University Banking Consultant

The JAX Chamber is the business membership organization dedicated to driving quality economic growth in Northeast Florida to make this region the best place to live, work and play. Membership provides the opportunity to connect with and buy from other Chamber members. The connections result in business growth and a more prosperous economy.