promise Team members
At Promise, our collective strength resides in the diversity, experience, and passion of our team. This dynamic group of professionals come from various backgrounds, each bringing a unique set of skills and expertise to support the mission of Promise. Each member is dedicated to ensuring that the Promise community thrives, offering the best possible services and support to our residents. As you get to know our team members, you will find that the common thread binding us is our unwavering commitment to enriching the lives of those we serve.
Jeff Kiel
President/CEO
Jeff joined Promise in 2020 following careers at media companies Gannett and Knight Rider. He held senior leadership roles including Regional President, President and Publisher, VP/Sales, and VP/Finance and CFO. He graduated from the University of Florida Fisher School of Accounting and became a Florida CPA. In his early career, he worked with Ernst and Young, an international accounting firm.
Jeff has a long history of nonprofit involvement including United Way, Chambers of Commerce, Hospital Foundations, Special Olympics, etc. Most recently, Jeff served as United Way of Brevard County Board Chair and Countywide Fundraising Chair. Jeff proudly serves as an Advisor for Casa Familia, a nonprofit in Miami-Dade County. The organization plans a community for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Jeff and his wife Gayle have two children.
Jeff was born in Brooklyn, New York, and spent most of his life in Miami and San Jose California. He moved to Brevard County in 2012 with his wife Gayle and their two children. Their son Ryan is married to Joanna with sons Brady and Ryder. Their daughter Alexa is married to Josh, with a daughter named Rowan and son named Caleb.
Donna McWilliams
director of Development
Donna began working at Promise in Brevard in 2015. As our Director of Development, Donna spearheads the planning of our annual fundraising events, including our Diamond Royale casino night and our Runway of Dreams fashion show. She has always been drawn to the non-profit world, with her first experience being a co-founder of Candlelighters of Brevard in 1990 where she was grateful to serve on the development team for five years.
Donna found her true passion for working with individuals with disabilities in 1987 while volunteering with Space Coast Early Intervention, now known as Space Coast Discovery, throughout the years. Later in 1997, she started working in the classroom and eventually moved into development in 1999 through 2004. Several of our Promise residents were students at Space Coast Early Intervention Center and Donna feels like she has come full circle, having known many of these residents and their families for over 30 years.
A Florida native, Donna graduated from Eau Gallie High School in 1982. She has four children and seven grandchildren. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, especially when it involves boating or fishing.
Donna feels very lucky to work with such a passionate team of people and witness firsthand the impact Promise has on our residents. She says it is gratifying to watch them grow, become independent, and have all the same things she has been afforded in life. Donna sees our residents as a gift and feels blessed to learn daily from some of the most humble, determined, and inspiring teachers on Earth.
Mary Griffin
Finance manager/social media
Mary was hired as Promise’s Finance Manager in June 2020. Born and raised in Rockledge, Florida, Mary began her Accounting career in 1983 with Florida Today Newspaper (Gannett, Co., Inc.). She spent the first 11 years working up through the ranks of the Finance department before taking a 10-year break to be a stay-at-home mom to her 3 daughters.
She returned to Florida Today in 2004 and spent the remaining 16 years of her career as a Senior Accountant working directly with Gannett Financial Shared Services (South Region) supporting multiple newspapers before leaving in 2020 due to a corporate layoff. Mary feels blessed to be able to work alongside such a dedicated group of individuals. In her spare time, Mary enjoys visiting Disney theme parks and spending time with her daughters – Sara, Alicia and Emily – and five grandchildren – Amelia, Hailey, Jocelyn, Zachary, and Marceline.
Felecia Smith, MSW
Resident services director
Felecia Smith has dedicated more than 20 years to child welfare, mental health, and services for individuals with disabilities across residential, foster care, and community-based settings. She has held senior leadership roles providing strategic oversight of multidisciplinary teams and complex programs serving children, youth, and adults with high and diverse needs, with a strong emphasis on trauma-informed and person-centered care.
Originally from Alabama, Felecia earned her Bachelor of Social Work degree in Huntsville, Alabama, and completed her master’s degree at Troy University in Brunswick, Georgia. She is currently completing her Master of Social Work. Her leadership vision centers on building strong, accountable systems that support both staff and the individuals served. She is committed to creating programs where safety, stability, and dignity are not goals, but standards.
Cindi Spainhour
Resident community program manager
Since 2021, Cindi Spainhour has served as the Manager of the Resident Community Program, overseeing life skills classes, educational programming, and a variety of resident enrichment activities. With more than 45 years of experience in education and a Master’s Degree in Applied Learning and Instruction, Cindi brings a wealth of expertise to her role.
Drawing on her extensive background, Cindi assesses the needs and interests of Promise residents to develop engaging curricula and meaningful programs that foster personal growth and lifelong learning. She also cultivates strong community partnerships to secure grant funding, obtain educational supplies and resources, and recruit dedicated volunteers who enhance program offerings.
Through her leadership, innovation, and commitment to resident success, Cindi has expanded opportunities for learning, connection, and personal development. Her exceptional efforts continue to enrich the lives of residents and strengthen the overall impact of the Resident Community Program.
Desirée Bonner
Resident Services Coordinator
Desirée Bonner, Resident Services Coordinator, recently joined the Promise team in January 2024. She has over 25 years in management and professional development supporting, advocating for, and influencing policy and practice for children and adults with disabilities and their families with the New Jersey Early Intervention System, the NJ Statewide Parent Advocacy Network, and the Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern NJ. Prior to her work in the disability field, Desirée attended graduate school full time and worked as an adjunct instructor at New York Institute of Technology where she taught sociology courses to undergraduate students. She is a native of the New York/New Jersey tri-state area and has three adult children – Patrick, Ryan and Sophie. Her eldest son, Patrick, has Down syndrome.
Desirée holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. She also attended the graduate program in Sociology at The New School for Social Research in Manhattan.
Desirée (aka as Desi) loves working with the residents. She shares that her time with the residents brings so much joy, enrichment, and personal growth to her life. They make me a better person!
Sandy Coleman
RCP staff
Bio to come…
Stan Rodrigues
RCP staff & transportation coordinator
Bio to come…
Diane Dickson
Fitness & Nutrition coach
Diane brings more than 15 years of experience supporting youth and adults with disabilities throughout Brevard County. She has served in a variety of roles focused on helping individuals build independence, confidence, and life skills. Diane previously worked as a Job Skills Trainer with Brevard Public Schools’ LEAP program, where she supported young adults ages 18–22 in developing real‑world employment skills within the community.
She is also the co‑founder of the Agency for Life Transformations, an organization that provides employment and vocational services to youth and adults across Brevard County. In addition to her extensive hands‑on experience, Diane holds certifications in Integrative Nutrition, HeartMath, and Connection Practice, which emphasize mindfulness, emotional well‑being, and healthy living.
Diane has also consulted across the state of Florida on workforce training, program design, and vocational certifications, and she is a Certified Business Consultant through Vocational Rehabilitation, assisting individuals and families in developing small businesses.
Lindsey Antoine
Resident advisor & vocational coordinator
Lindsey Antoine has lived in Florida for the past 12 years and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. She has extensive professional experience working with individuals with autism, including several years of service as a Registered Behavioral Technician (RBT) and in case management roles, where she supported individuals and families in navigating services, resources, and care planning.
In addition to her professional background, Lindsey brings a deeply personal understanding to her work. Growing up with a brother on the autism spectrum has shaped her lifelong commitment to advocacy, compassion, and the importance of individualized, person-centered support.
Lindsey is passionate about improving the world for individuals who face systemic and social barriers. She is dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities, fostering independence, and giving back to the community in impactful ways. Her work is driven by empathy, experience, and a strong desire to make a lasting, positive difference.
Kelly Chiniski
Resident advisor
Kelly Chiniski joined Promise in Brevard two years ago, and since that time, she has consistently demonstrated a natural gift for supporting, nurturing, and connecting with our residents. Her willingness to help and her genuine desire to make a positive difference shine through in everything she does. Kelly is dependable, solutions-oriented, and uplifting. Anytime you see her on campus, you’re guaranteed to be greeted with her warm, friendly smile.
Kelly’s compassion is deeply rooted in her personal relationship with her cousin, who has Down syndrome. Their bond has continually inspired her and serves as a beautiful reminder that life can be joyful and extraordinary, no matter the obstacles we may face.
A longtime member of the community, Kelly has lived and worked in Brevard County since 1977, bringing decades of connection, care, and commitment to those around her. She has also been a devoted member of Holy Name of Jesus since moving to Florida, further reflecting her deep roots and enduring dedication to service.
Christy Renee
Resident advisor
Christy Renee has been a valued member of the Promise in Brevard team since January 2018. In her role as a Resident Advisor, she consistently goes above and beyond to provide compassionate support and dedicated care to individuals with disabilities, exceeding her assigned responsibilities.
Christy’s dedication is deeply personal. In addition to her many years of service at Promise, she brings firsthand experience through her sister, who has a disability. This personal connection gives her a unique depth of understanding, empathy, and commitment to the individuals she serves. Guided by strong traditional values rooted in compassion, family, and service to others, Christy dedicates the majority of her professional life to supporting and empowering people with disabilities.
Ashley Lopez
sweet sue's salon - licensed cosmetologist
Please join us in welcoming Ashley Lopez to Promise as Sweet Sues new hair stylist. Ashley has over 20 years of professional experience that she offers Promise residents, family members, staff, and others in the community.
