Staff

Driven by her passion for people and making a difference, Laura joined the Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF) team in October of 2021.

Laura graduated from Suffolk University in Boston, MA with a Bachelor of Science in Management with a Minor in Marketing.

While earning her degree, Laura worked in her family’s heat-treating company, gaining experience in a range of departments – from loading the furnaces to sales. Following graduation, she continued her work at the company, making the shift to the marketing department where she worked closely with the sales department at a software company in Cambridge, MA.

While taking time to raise her children, her family moved to Westerville, Ohio. Laura volunteered in her daughters’ schools and helped create several fundraisers for their sports team, which are still raising money for the high school teams.

After raising her family in Westerville for 16 years, she moved back to Boston in 2016 where she attained her National Producers License for Life and Health. Laura currently remains a licensed insurance agent. During her years as an executive assistant at Northwestern Mutual, she enjoyed preparing lunches for the homeless in Boston and delivering them during her lunch hour.

After making the permanent move to warmer weather by relocating to Naples, Laura looks forward to being involved in the community and working to improve the lives of the underprivileged children in Collier County through her career at NCEF.

Tracy Connelly was appointed Chief Development Officer for the Naples Children & Education Foundation in September 2020. He is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) with 30+ years of experience leading fundraising teams and volunteers and planning and executing capital and endowment campaigns. Tracy received his BA degree from Western Michigan University, and in addition to working at the WMU Foundation he joined the staffs at Indiana University, Lee Health Systems Foundation, the Guadalupe Center and now NCEF. Tracy manages the Development Department at NCEF that encompasses Annual Giving, the Capital Campaign, Major & Planned Giving, Grants and Endowment Planning. Tracy has been a full-time resident of Naples since 2005 along with his wife Kathy, three daughters, one son, a son-in-law and two grandchildren. He serves on the board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals-Collier and Lee Chapter and is a member of the Estate Planning Council of Naples.

Caprice Del Vecchio joined the Naples Children & Education Foundation in October 2020 as the Events Coordinator.

Caprice brings a collective eight years of experience in the hospitality industry, including experience in hotels, restaurants, and lifestyle. In addition, she brings over 3 years of experience in the events industry through her time as the Senior Special Events Manager at the Hilton Naples in Naples, Florida and the Convention Services Manager at the Embassy Suites Denver Downtown in Denver, Colorado.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Caprice moved to Florida after graduating high school and attended Florida Gulf Coast University. She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Resort and Hospitality Management with a concentration in Event Management. She is also a graduate of the Honors Program with Special Recognition. Throughout her life, she has dedicated time to various charitable organizations.

Caprice is excited to be a part of the Naples Children & Education Foundation and help further their mission.

Coming from a background of adversity and being raised in the child welfare system, Emily Flack is devoted to contributing to the betterment of the underprivileged and at-risk children in our community. Emily was born in Reno, Nevada and was adopted out of foster care at age seven, with her two siblings. Emily was raised in central Florida where she graduated with her Associates in Arts degree, simultaneously with her high school diploma.

Emily Flack graduated from Florida State University in a two- year time frame, with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Throughout her college experience, Emily was very active in the school system, volunteering with multiple programs that served underprivileged youth. She volunteered with organizations that primarily focused on enriching education as well as providing preventative resources to assist children behaviorally. Upon graduating from FSU, Emily promptly began working with children and adults with mental health diagnoses, reoccurring addiction and those actively in crisis at a mental health facility in Tallahassee, Florida.

In 2018, Emily relocated to Naples, Florida, working in production management and design development at local advertisement and commerce companies, given her passion for art. Emily then cycled back to child welfare, working as a child protective investigator with the Florida Department of Children & Families, actively identifying neglect and abuse in the community. In her role, Emily actively sought out solutions to better the lives of the children impacted, as well as connecting families with resources in the community. Emily worked with many of the NCEF beneficiaries and saw the direct positive impact of the Naples Winter Wine Festival on a daily basis.

Emily is excited to continue serving the underprivileged and at-risk children of Collier County through her work at Naples Children & Education Foundation.

Born and raised in Naples, Florida, Jane Gray is passionate about improving the community and making it a more equitable place for all. As Grants Coordinator, Jane is excited to make a difference in the lives of the children in Collier County.

Jane graduated magna cum laude from the University of Florida in 2020, with degrees in Political Science and Economics as well as a certificate in International Relations. At UF, Jane was very involved with the Bob Graham Center for Public Service, participating in multiple programs such as the Graham Center Student Fellows and Graham Civic Scholars. In her senior year, Jane was able to further develop her public service and administrative skills as the Graham Center student assistant, a role in which Jane worked alongside the Center’s staff in enhancing citizenship and training student leaders to enact progress in the state and beyond. In college Jane was also very active with Florida’s preeminent student political journal, the Florida Political Review, where she served as Editor-in-Chief during her senior year.

After graduating, Jane began working as an infant teacher at Bestday Care Center in Estero, Florida. Through her time working with children, Jane discovered a passion for equity in education, and she believes that all children deserve the opportunity to succeed and be happy. Jane is very excited to work with NCEF and pursue its mission towards improving the physical, emotional and educational lives of underprivileged and at-risk children in Collier County.

The Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF), the founding organization of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, appointed Maria Jimenez-Lara as CEO in May of 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, Florida Council of 100, the Florida Pre-Paid College Foundation Board and SAMHSA Grant Advisory Committee member.

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.

Danielle Lomanno graduated summa cum laude from Metropolitan State University of Denver with a degree in English and Psychology. She spent 3 years working with girls ages 11-21 with mental and behavioral disorders. In 2015, she moved from Denver to Naples.

After moving to Naples, Danielle spent 6 years working for a flooring franchise company specializing in logistics, business development and relationship management.

She has a passion for helping those in need and has volunteered with multiple organizations over the years. Danielle is looking forward to continuing her career with NCEF and making an impact in the lives of children in Collier County.

In her free time, she enjoys writing and spending time with her husband and two kids. When she needs to unwind, she heads to the beach.