Staff

The Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF), the founding organization of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, has appointed Maria Jimenez-Lara its new Chief Executive Officer, effective May 1, 2015. Ms. Jimenez-Lara previously served as Director of Foundation Services and Grants Director for NCEF, responsible for overseeing the charitable grant process in conjunction with the trustee-driven Grant Committee.

Prior to joining NCEF, Jimenez was Redlands Christian Migrant Association’s (RCMA) Director of Charter Schools. She brings with her over 20 years experience in program development, designing effective educational programs for at risk children, and collaborating with various community based organizations. Among her major contributions are the development of five charter schools for at risk children, two housing developments for low income families, and a founding member of a domestic violence prevention organization.

Jimenez’s commitment to safe guarding the most vulnerable in our community is a natural fit with NCEF’s mission to support charitable programs that improve the physical, emotional and educational lives of underprivileged and at risk children in Collier County.

Jimenez holds two undergraduate degrees from Florida International University and Universidad de las Americas. Jimenez is a graduate of Hodges University with a master’s in public administration. Her civic involvement includes serving on District XI Juvenile Justice Board and various non-profit organization boards. Some of her accolades include Woman of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, Homestead, Florida and one of El Nuevo Miami Herald’s “Rising Latino Leader”.

Lisa Juliano is the Director of the Naples Winter Wine Festival Events & Communications. In that position, her responsibilities include the management and oversight of logistics, management and production for the Festival, the nation’s premiere charitable wine auction. Since its inception in 2001, the event has raised over $161 million to serve underprivileged and at-risk children in Collier County.

Lisa began her professional career working for the DiRona Award-winning Ram’s Head Inn restaurant in Abescon, New Jersey as the Private Dining Coordinator. In 1998, she relocated to Naples to start a family business – Sweet Caroline’s Sandwich Shop & Bakery, located on Immokalee Road. After selling the family business, she went back into event planning and management with Lexus and the Naples Botanical Garden. Lisa was recruited to join the Naples Children & Education Foundation staff full-time to serve as Festival Coordinator in 2010. She was promoted to her current position in early 2014. Born and raised right outside of Atlantic City, New Jersey, Lisa earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from Indiana University – Bloomington.

Joan Larson, CPA

Joan Larson joined Naples Children and Education Foundation (NCEF) in January 2017 as the newly appointed Chief Financial Officer. 

As a graduate of Hodges University with both a Bachelor’s Degree in Business (cum laude) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting (magna cum laude); Ms. Larson went on to attain her CPA designation in 1999.  Ms. Larson is also a proud graduate of the Leadership Collier class of 2012.

Ms. Larson brings over a decade of experience working in public accounting as a Senior Auditor, specializing in not for profit auditing and then another decade working in the CFO/COO capacity in the not for profit industry.  Most recently, Ms. Larson served as the CFO and COO of the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce where she received an outstanding service award from the Board recognizing the impactful contributions she made to the organization in modernizing the accounting department; cost cutting initiatives and serving as a positive mentor and leader to the professional staff. 

Raised in family business in Nova Scotia, Canada; Ms. Larson possesses a work ethic second to none.  Born of an entrepreneurial father, and a fashion designer mother, Ms. Larson has a fully developed creative side.  She conducts herself with a very high level of integrity which was recognized throughout the organizations, boards and staff members with whom she has served over the years. 

Ms. Larson is thrilled to join this esteemed team of professionals supporting a mission which aligns so closely to Ms. Larson’s personal commitments and community involvement over the past couple decades.