Governance
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors provides strategic governance, financial stewardship, and passionate advocacy for children's mental health. With 100% board participation and expertise spanning healthcare, law, finance, education, philanthropy, and community leadership, our board is deeply invested in the mission and future of Center for Child Counseling in Palm Beach County.
Board Officers
Board Chair
Eugenia Millender, Ph.D.
Florida State University College of Nursing
Psychiatric nurse practitioner and Associate Professor specializing in stress, trauma, and health disparities among underserved populations. Bilingual in English and Spanish.
Also serves on the organization's Data Committee, bringing expertise in community-level trauma, telehealth, and evidence-based mental health practice. Her international work in Haiti, Panama, and Peru has shaped her dedication to community health.
Vice Chair
Eddie Stephens
Stephens & Stevens, PLLC
Board Certified family law attorney with 25+ years of litigation experience. AV Preeminent rated and recognized in Best Lawyers in America. Author, lecturer, and motivational speaker.
Eddie's personal motto, "Do Something that Matters," drives his work at the organization. He draws on his own childhood experiences overcoming adversity to inspire others, and has spoken at Lead the Fight events reaching hundreds of community leaders.
Treasurer & Secretary
Jeffrey Petrone
SageView Advisory Group
Managing Director recognized nationally as one of the most influential retirement plan advisors in the country. Leadership Palm Beach County Class of 2010 alumnus.
Recognized in NAPA's Top 50 under 40, the 300 Most Influential Advisors in Defined Contribution, and South Florida Business Journal's Top 40 Business Professionals. Jeff's personal connection to children's mental health deepens his commitment to the mission.
Board Members
Immediate Past Chair
Bill Lynch
Jones Edmunds & Associates
Licensed professional engineer and Senior VP bringing personal experience as a natural, foster, and adoptive father to his advocacy for children's behavioral health.
Leadership Palm Beach County alumnus and BeWellPBC Stewardship Council member. Bill's family continues to benefit from behavioral health services, fueling his dedication to expanding access and reducing stigma in the community.
Director
Patsy Mintmire, MSW
Retired Clinical Social Worker
Over fifty years of experience in child welfare and nonprofits. Connected to the organization since its earliest days as All 'Bout Children and a Guardian Ad Litem for over 15 years.
Patsy's career began at one of the oldest child welfare agencies in the United States. She was introduced to founder Jane Robinson when the organization was in its infancy and has been a supporter and advocate ever since.
Director
Melissa Haley
The Haley Foundation
Philanthropist and foundation leader guiding The Haley Foundation toward social causes affecting women, children, families, and communities. Chair of the Circle of Giving.
Melissa passionately supports the organization's mission, including funding the Infant Mental Health Program and Lead the Fight. Her vision helped create the Circle of Giving, designed to drive advocacy and lasting change for children impacted by adversity.
Director
Jessica Cecere
Formerly Nonprofits First, Inc.
Former CEO of Nonprofits First with 35+ years of nonprofit leadership. BoardSource Certified Governance trainer and expert in nonprofit management and board excellence.
Graduate and active alumnus of Leadership Florida and Leadership Palm Beach County. Recipient of the 2022 Women in Leadership Award and the 2022 Leadership Palm Beach County President's Award. Has served on more than twelve nonprofit boards.
Director
Justin Perry, Ph.D.
Florida Atlantic University
Dean of the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College at FAU. Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Boston College with 15+ years of clinical experience serving children and families.
Previously served as Dean at the University of Missouri – Kansas City and first Director of the Center for Urban Education at Cleveland State University. His expertise spans hospital, residential, community, preK-12, and private practice mental health settings.
Director
Vicki Chouris
Formerly South Florida Fair
Retired President and CEO of the South Florida Fair after 40 years of service. ATHENA Award recipient, South Florida Fair Hall of Fame inductee, and past Chair of Leadership Palm Beach County.
Also past Chair of the Palm Beach State College Foundation Board, Discover the Palm Beaches, and the Florida Federation of Fairs. MBA from Palm Beach Atlantic University. Recognized with the Women in Leadership Award and PBA Distinguished Alumni Award.
President & CEO
Renée E. Layman, MS, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
With nearly 30 years of experience in mental health, Renée has led Center for Child Counseling to serve over 7,500 children annually through a HOPE-informed public health approach. She launched the Fighting ACEs Initiative in 2015, led the integration of the HOPE framework across all programs, and has built one of Palm Beach County's most respected children's mental health organizations.
Recipient of the Women in Leadership Award, Leadership Palm Beach County President's Award, and Palm Beach County Nonprofit Executive of the Year. Currently serves as President of the Florida Association for Infant Mental Health.
We don't have to wait for a child to fall apart emotionally before we do something.