Five new board members and expansion of staff announced
As Second Heart Homes continues work to expand its impact throughout the Sarasota community, the nonprofit — which operates 14 homes serving 86 formerly homeless men and women —”is strengthening its leadership team with five new board members, a new annual fund and growth manager, and additional property management and case management staff,” the organization has announced.
“To support its continued growth,” a news release explains, “Second Heart Homes created the new position of annual fund and growth manager.” Joining the organization in that role is Brianne “Bri” Schuler, who previously served as executive director of the 50 Mile March Foundation, the release notes. Schuler also has held fundraising leadership roles with The Salvation Army and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the release continues.
“We’re delighted to welcome Bri to our team,” said Megan Howell, founder and executive director of Second Heart Homes, in the release. “Her experience in nonprofit leadership and fundraising will help strengthen our development efforts as we continue to grow.”
Howell added in the release that the organization also has welcomed Diana Wyatt and Wayne Lorentzen to its property management team and Derrick Boyd to its case management team, “strengthening the organization’s three core pillars: housing, supportive case management and, of course, love.”
The release points out, “The new board members bring expertise in business, finance, law, technology, philanthropy and nonprofit leadership.” They are as follows:
- Paul Zak, who “brings executive leadership experience” from Texas Instruments, Emerson Electric, McDonnell Douglas and Sprint. He also is the former president and CEO of ACC, and he served as chair of Hope Faith, “one of Kansas City’s largest organizations serving individuals experiencing homelessness,” the release notes.
- Matthew Straeb, “executive vice president of AlertFM/Global Security Systems and co-founder of the Heart Gallery of America. He also serves as president of the Heart Gallery of Sarasota, sits on The Salvation Army Advisory Board and is a recipient of the Florida Governor’s Points of Light Award.”
- Dionysios Skaliotis, “a financial adviser with Merrill Lynch, where he leads Skaliotis Ulysse & Associates. He has volunteered more than 400 hours with Second Heart Homes and the Education Foundation of Sarasota and was named Second Heart Homes’ 2025 Man of the Year.”
- Norman Vaughan-Birch, “the former managing partner of Kirk-Pinkerton, Sarasota’s oldest law firm, and a former member of The Florida Bar Board of Governors.” He also has served Mote Marine Laboratory in volunteer leadership positions for more than 35 years.
- Veronica Brandon Miller, who has “served in executive and advancement leadership roles with ShelterBox USA, the Smithsonian Institution, Goodwill Industries, the National Safety Council and the Navy League Foundation. She brings more than 35 years of experience in philanthropy, fundraising and nonprofit leadership.”
The Second Heart Homes board of directors also include David Lyons, chair; James Cox, treasurer; Sarasota County Judge Erika Quartermaine; Thomas Tryon; and Claudia Barnett, the release adds.
For more information about Second Heart Homes and its housing model, visit SecondHeartHomes.org.