Get ready for the 2026 Xello Florida summit

speaker, best-selling author, and sales mentor passionate about helping others break through their limits. Learn more at toddspeciale.com/about.

An award winning "B.R.A.C.E." Advisor with over 15 years of college and financial aid planning experience. The consulting group she initiated, CC&C, facilitates college and career planning workshops throughout South Florida and is expanding to conduct scholarship workshops throughout the country. Learn more at thescholarshipplug.com/our-founder.

Working with students in a variety of capcities for over 30 years, Christopher has had ten years in Education. His passion for students and their post-secondary success is reflected in his belief that all students have the opportunity to succeed. Empowering students by educating them on the choices and the pathways they can go through to achieve their post-secondary goals reinforces his passion for student success.

Bio: Danielle Malfara is the Coordinator of College & Career Counseling for the School District of Osceola County. Her background includes both higher education and K-12. She currently serves on the Xello-Florida Advisory Committee, Junior Achievement Osceola Advisory Board, and UpliftED Advisory Council. She previously taught 6th-12th grade science and AVID as well as served as a high school College & Career Counselor.

Kevin Farrell, workforce coach for the Martin County School District, supports CAP grant initiatives and CTE programs. Kevin previously had a distinguished military career spanning 24 years, with work in Military Police, Intelligence and Air Defense, recently retiring as a field grade officer, residing in Stuart, FL.

Lisa began her career with Procter & Gamble, leading a commercial business unit and developing national training programs. With experience in recruitment, onboarding and business management, Lisa now serves as a consultant, building strategic plans and developing programming for the Florida Energy Workforce Consortium, PBC STEM Ecosystem and FIRST robotics.

Originally from Puerto Rico, I hold an Accounting Certificate earned in high school CTE, a Bachelor’s in Business, and a Master’s in Adult Education. With four years teaching CTE and three years as a college Career Coach, I’m committed to advancing student career and academic success.

Meghan Leach is the Integrated Education & Training (IET) and Workforce Manager at the Literacy Alliance of Northeast Florida. She began her career teaching abroad and now develops programs that blend academics and job training to help adult learners build skills, find employment, and achieve economic self-sufficiency.

Mistie Palmer, Workforce Development Programs Manager at AdventHealth, leverages 20 years of clinical and operational leadership to build inclusive, future-focused healthcare talent pipelines. She holds a Master’s in Healthcare Administration and has volunteered with youth for 15 years. Mistie is also a wife and mother of three teenage sons.

A dedicated school counselor with experience across K–12 and correctional education, I began as a substitute and special education teacher. With degrees in sociology and special education, school counseling and currently pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership, I’m passionate about equipping, advocating for, and empowering students to become tomorrow’s leaders.

Rachel Kusher is in her 20th year as a school counselor and has been with Broward County Public Schools since 2018, currently working at J.P. Taravella High School in Coral Springs. Rachel is passionate about helping high school students find their purpose and connecting them to their futures.

Rachel Tease Ludwig is Vice President of Talent Development at the Florida Chamber Foundation. She leads statewide initiatives to strengthen Florida’s talent pipeline, aligning education and workforce strategies with the Florida 2030 Blueprint. Rachel is passionate about expanding opportunities and helping learners become earners in a growing, competitive economy.

Robert Palmer, Ed.S. is a Senior Administrator in Orange County Public Schools. He is responsible for data monitoring/tracking of college/career readiness indicators. With his team of District Postsecondary Counselors (4) they support staff across 23 High Schools to ensure that students can identify and complete steps toward their Postsecondary Plan(s).

Valerie has served her Pinellas community for more than 20 years as a school counselor and presently as a School Counseling Supervisor for the past 4 years. Her number one goal: ensure every child has access to career exploration and post-secondary options, along with resources and guidance for their plans to come to fruition.