Learn About the 2026 KCCI Catalyst Team
Meet the team behind all the recent growth around Tallahassee – KCCI’s 2026 Community Catalyst Team. The group is a diverse, skilled set of leaders who have come together to serve the community with their impactful ideas. With a wide range of experience, they have already created The Stacks, Leon County’s largest outdoor public mural system, and brought public art projects to the areas near four Leon County Schools. Get to know them by reading below.
First up, meet Tena Pate!
What I Do: I am a Florida Supreme Court Certified County Civil and Family Court mediator.
3 Words That Represent Me: Servant-leader, Focused, Collaborative
Claims to Fame: First generation college graduate
Wish There Was More Time For: Long walks and time at the beach and mountains with family and friends.
Mentors / Influencers: Local non-profit leaders and community organizations and volunteers who plug away day in and out making our community a better place to live. Berneice Cox, Katrina Rolle, Monique Ellsworth, Jocelyn Fliger, Governor Jeb Bush.
Excited to Be a KCCI Community Catalyst Because: I simply love our community and state. I am most excited about this opportunity to be a part of an effort that is focused on enhancing our community and its neighborhoods for our citizens.
Meet Catalyst Carla Juarez Farley!
Claims to Fame: Serving as President of the Junior League of Tallahassee and leading community-driven initiatives alongside an incredible group of women.
Wish There Was More Time For: Reading — one book a month this year. Baby steps, but I’m excited about it.
Acquired Wisdom: Real change happens when you listen first, build trust, and keep showing up.
Grew Up In: Born in Peru and raised in Boca Raton.
Excited to Be a KCCI Community Catalyst Because: I love a good brainstorm session and being in spaces where creative ideas turn into real community impact.
Meet 2026 Community Catalyst: Chris Petley
What I Do: I am the Communications Director for Leon County Schools; I help tell stories about the positive impact our neighborhood schools have on students, families and community.
Wish There Was More Time For: Executing ideas.
Favorite Music: I enjoy an eclectic playlist that will jump from Mobb Deep to Bailey Zimmerman and Bon Jovi while adding in local artists like Lincoln alum Spratta.
Acquired Wisdom: Actions over words. One step at a time. Don’t wait to start.
Proudest Accomplishments: My proudest accomplishment was leading the Wall of Remembrance Memorial project where we established the creation of a monument dedicated to Leon County Schools’ students who died while in military service to our county since 1991. It is located in front of the Bloxham Building downtown. We can never forget the sacrifices of those that fought for the freedoms we have today.
Wish Tallahassee had: A standalone Pollo Tropical. IYKYK!
Excited to Be a KCCI Community Catalyst Because: I am excited to work with like-minded people focused on making our neighborhoods the best they can be through creative outlets.
Meet 2026 Catalyst Mary McVicar!
What I Do: I am a tax advisor working with very cool clients.
3 Words That Represent Me: Wanderlust, Curious, Focused
Claims to Fame: Traveling to the Arctic circle.
Favorite Place in TLH: The parks in Tallahassee.
Favorite Music: Singer/songwriter, Americana and indie music.
Acquired Wisdom: When everything seems uncertain or stressful, turn on a baseball game.
Mentors / Influencers: Great female writers Margaret Atwood and Lauren Groff & world activists Malala Yousafzai and Leymah Gbowee.
Proudest Accomplishments: Serving in the Peace Corps and the lasting friendships from those years.
Excited to Be a KCCI Community Catalyst Because: I believe in being a change agent and KCCI does just that with its catalysts – all representing good in the community.
Introducing KCCI Catalyst Sam Varn!
What I Do: I’m recently retired so my job now is to live my best life, supporting things in Tallahassee like KCCI, spending more time with my wife and looking for other ways to contribute.
Claims to Fame: Perhaps growing my former (I sold it to my son in January of 2025) company, Awards4U. I was fortunate enough to assemble an all-star team of 40 individuals that really did a great job. Through their efforts and hard work, we grew to be one of the largest and premier awards and recognition companies in the U.S.
Favorite Places in TLH: All of it! There’s just so much here.
Acquired Wisdom: I’m now 72 and I’ve learned that I’m no smarter than I was when I was 22, just a whole lot wiser. I’ve learned to be more patient and to try to coax the best out of someone when I can.
Wish Tallahassee Had: Less traffic and better infrastructure planning.
Excited to Be a KCCI Community Catalyst Because: I have always given back as a business owner and now I hope I can personally contribute in some small part to this year’s Catalysts successful projects.
Meet 2026 Community Catalyst: Holly McPhail! She is a 2024 catalyst that has returned for another year of fun and creativity.
Other Gigs: Chief Strategist/CEO, Windwood Communications & Consulting
Areas of Focus: Nonprofit, community development, kids.
Claims to Fame: Most city hall selfies. Long story.
Wish There Was More Time For: Travel. Hands down. There is so much of the world that I want to see.
Upcoming trips planned for Wales, Iceland, Thailand and Peru.
Favorite Film: Shawshank Redemption.
Mentors / Influencers: I am inspired by so many people but the person I would most want to spend an hour with is either my dearly departed “Papa” or Neil deGrasse Tyson. They both were/are champions of curiosity as a life skill and had/has a way of infusing humor into complex storytelling. It’s an art I admire.
Meet Community Catalyst Tangela Lofton, a wonderful part of the KCCI team.
What I Do: I lead the Florida SBDC at FAMU, supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses across North Florida through consulting, training, and economic development initiatives.
Claims to Fame: Re-launching the FANG Incubator, expanding rural entrepreneurship initiatives, and championing programs that close the wealth gap through small business growth.
Wish there was more time for: Rest, travel, and creative thinking
Favorite Music: Hip Hop
Acquired Wisdom: Consistency compounds — small, purposeful actions done daily lead to big, meaningful outcomes.
Mentors / Influencers: Shawnta Friday‑Stroud and Shelley Johnson
Grew Up In: Miami, Florida
Wish Tallahassee Had: More late‑night healthy food options and more youth‑focused entrepreneurship hubs.
Excited to Be a KCCI Community Catalyst Because: I’m passionate about shaping innovative, inclusive communities and believe KCCI’s work accelerates meaningful change through collaboration.
Get to know Community Catalyst Laura Barrett – learn about her below!
What I Do: As a manager of a local office in a large environmental consulting firm, I have the opportunity to deliver innovation and solutions for our clients and mentor staff on the business and technical aspects of our work.
Claims to Fame: Former gymnast and gymnastics coach, can grow my own vegetables, owner and partner in Amicus Brewing Ventures.
Favorite place to visit either in TLH: In Tallahassee, I love to hike or bike at Alford or Miccosukee greenways.
Wish there was more time for: Reading, exercise, family time.
Favorite Music: Indie and Rock
Acquired Wisdom: The answer is always no if you do not ask the question. Ask the question.
Wish Tallahassee had: More live music at Adderly Amphitheater.
Excited to Be a KCCI Community Catalyst Because: I LOVE Tallahassee and the community we have built. I want to be a part of creating beautiful places and spaces where the community can see ourselves reflected and want to enjoy those spaces and places with family and friends.
Nicole Spina is one of our 2026 KCCI Community Catalyst!! Let’s get to know Nicole!
Claims to Fame: Known for my love of design and creative graphic work, and for managing four very opinionated hound dogs at home.
Favorite Place in the World: Macho de Monte Cascade in Chiriquí, Panama.
Acquired Wisdom: If you stay curious and consistent, there’s nothing you can’t learn.
Mentors / Influences: I’m fortunate to be mentored by the principals at my firm and inspired by sustainable designers such as Tatiana Bilbao.
Wish Tallahassee Had: More community centered spaces.
Excited to Be a KCCI Community Catalyst Because: I get to help create something meaningful for the community I now call home.
Meet Chris Carlberg, one of our 2026 KCCI Community Catalysts!
What I Do: Ph.D student at Florida State University’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning.
Claims To Fame: Former Youth Services Manager at Ability 1st, The Center for Independent Living of North Florida.
Acquired Wisdom: The endeavor of placemaking is intimately tied to the story and memory tied to that specific space. Understanding the story shapes this endeavor and makes the place feel more richly grounded in the lived experience.
Mentors / Influencers: Dr. Kelly Kinahan; Dr. Kathleen Conti; Dr. Meaghan McSorley; Shannon Kuch; Kyle Sill; Carolyn Johnson; Melissa Wyllie
Introducing Pamela Monroe!
What I Do: Leon County Public Library Director
Claims to Fame: Mother of 3 sons and none of them broke any bones while they were little or ended up in the emergency room!
Wish there was more time for: Travel and honestly reading the books I keep saying that I am going to read…someday.
Proudest Accomplishments: In 2025 FSU School gave me the Distinguished Alumni Award. have always wanted to be a great librarian. This award made me feel as if I need to do more and be more for the profession in a good way.
Next in the spotlight: KCCI Catalyst Lori Elliott!
What I Do: Florida Public Relations Association, FSU Opening Nights board, Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra
Time In TLH: 3+ decades!
Claims To Fame: Local tennis team National Champs
Grew Up In: Clearwater
Roots for: FSU – GO NOLES!
Wish There Was More Time For: Travel, learning languages, cooking.
Get to know KCCI Catalyst Alex Delgado!
What I Do: Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency
Acquired Wisdom: Your voice is your greatest planning tool. Use it boldly, use it often, and help others find theirs too.
Wish There Was More Time For: Reading through an ever-growing “to be read” stack.
Mentors / Influencers: My professors for their guidance, colleagues for their inspiration, friends for their support, and coffee machine for its daily dose of motivation.
Proudest Accomplishments: Earning President’s Gold Volunteer Service Award for an organization that accumulated 1000+ hours of community service.
Excited to Be a KCCI Community Catalyst Because: I get to help transform everyday places into meaningful experiences rooted in culture, history, and imagination.
Join us in meeting our lovely 2026 Catalyst Shannon Devine!
What I Do: Travel agent specializing in Disney & Universal vacations.
Acquired Wisdom: Consistency is more important than perfection.
Claims to Fame: Disney expert and iced coffee connoisseur.
Mentors / Influencers: I’m inspired by strong women who lead with courage, kindness, and creativity.
Areas of Focus: Social media content creator, travel agent, marketing, and finding new places to love in Tallahassee.
Time Spent in Tallahassee: 18 years
Roots For: Florida State!
Excited to Be a KCCI Community Catalyst Because: I think it’s important to make a positive impact on your community and I have loved calling Tallahassee my home for many years!
Introducing KCCI Catalyst, Karen Brooks!
What I Do: Capital City Bank Knowledge Manager
Claims to Fame: Former Marching Chiefs Majorette
Time Spent in TLH: 47 years, born & raised!
3 words that represent you: Organized, creative, tenacious.
Acquired Wisdom: “As long as you’re green, you’re growing. But when you think you’re ripe, you begin to rot.” – my grandma.
Proudest Accomplishments: My amazing son and learning that an old dog can learn new tricks by way of a complete career change at a certain age.
Excited to Be a KCCI Community Catalyst Because: I’m very proud of my hometown, and I hope to help enhance it in any way I can!
Get to know KCCI Catalyst Ryan Kline!
What I Do: Cofounder of Tallahassee Web Design
Areas of Focus: Communications, Creativity, Websites, and Digital Marketing
Wish There Was More Time For: Getting everything done.
Acquired Wisdom: Trying to break the “Good, Fast, Cheap” triangle of service. I was always told that you can only pick two, but I am trying to make all three attainable in my work.
Keep following along with KCCI to see the AMAZING work these catalysts do for our community.