The Take Stock Manatee Team
Anne LeBaron
~ Chief Executive Officer
Anne Joined TSIC Manatee as a mentor in 2014 and continues to mentor today as well. In 2015 Anne chaired our Community Council for a year. She then became a Board Member where she served for 2.5 years. She stepped in to take the Interim Chief Executive Director (CEO) position in October of 2019 and in Feb. 2020 she took the CEO position permanently.
Anne brings with her 40 plus years of Sales, Marketing, Recruiting/Hr/Management and has extensive experience with turnaround recovery for private and non-profit organizations. Anne is originally from Texas and has worked all over the United States in her professional career. From Texas to Montana, New York and Connecticut which led her to Florida. Her two daughters live in Dallas and have blessed her with 3 wonderful grandkids Henry, Hudson, and Emilia Anne.
She graduated from Texas Woman’s University with a BS degree.
Michael Higley
~ Director of Operations
Michael Higley, with a career spanning back to 2001, brings a wealth of experience in education, technology, and leadership to his role as Director of Operations. His background encompasses work in public, charter, and non-profit education, granting him a diverse skill set. Michael excels in managing all facets of projects, from initial planning to grant implementation, progress monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.
Michael received his doctorate in e-Learning from Northcentral University. He received his Masters Degree in School Leadership and Administration and his Bachelors of Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, specializing in middle school education, from Austin Peay State University.
Michael joined the Take Stock Manatee team in 2023 and looks forward to supporting students and families throughout Manatee County. When Michael isn’t supporting his Take Stock community, he consults for a non-profit organization, NCCE, which is a professional learning organization dedicated to ed tech teaching and learning best practices.
Meloney Jones
~ College Readiness Coach
Meloney Jones has been a College Success Coach with Take Stock in Children of Manatee County since 2017. She earned her Bachelors degree in Psychology from Eckerd College and Masters Degree in Community Counseling from Slippery Rock University. Meloney and her husband have 3 amazing children. They relocated from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 2015. In her free time, Meloney enjoys watching
Steelers, Pirates and Penguins games, exercising as well as shopping at the Nike outlet!!
When asked why she works for Take Stock Manatee: “I work in the nonprofit world because I want to have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of the underserved, but highly deserving youth in our community. Our program provides the youth in our community with the opportunity to envision their goal of pursuing a post-secondary education as a reality instead of a dream through hard work and dedication. I am honored to play a small role in helping our youth reach and exceed that goal!”
“Taking it easy won’t take you anywhere.” Nike
Caitlin Fisher
~ College Readiness Coach
Caitlin graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University with dual degrees in Anthropology and Creative Writing. She began her career in educational public outreach as a docent, where she informed and educated the public about historically significant sites. It was through this role that Caitlin discovered her passion for helping others experience the joy of learning. She further pursued this passion through tutoring, focusing on empowering students to recognize and develop their potential and confidence in their educational journeys.
Caitlin believes that education is a fundamental human right, not a privilege, and she is deeply committed to helping students achieve and exceed their educational goals.
Erika Castaneda
~ College Readiness Coach
For nearly a decade, Erika has worked as a certified school counselor, helping students discover their strengths, reach their goals, and prepare for life after high school. She has worked in both Manatee and Sarasota County Schools, supporting students and families through academic planning, college and career exploration, and the transition beyond high school. Erika earned both her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and master’s degree in Counselor Education from the University of Central Florida.
After moving to Manatee County in 2019, Erika and her husband are grateful to have planted roots in the community and to be raising their two sons here. As a first-generation Cuban American, Erika understands the importance of opportunity, education, and having people in your corner who believe in you. Her personal experiences, along with her work as a school counselor, have shaped her passion for helping young people recognize their potential and believe in what is possible for their future. She is excited to bring that passion to Take Stock Manatee and make a meaningful difference in the lives of local students.
Denise McGirr
~ Mentor Coordinator
In 1995, Denise relocated from Wilmington Delaware to Florida with her husband of 43 years, Matthew. Denise, and her husband have 3 amazing daughters and 2 wonderful granddaughters. When Denise is not spending time with her grandbabies, she is basket weaving. Denise has taught basket weaving at all levels for many years and has been honing her own skills for over 20 years.
Denise, a graduate of the University of Delaware, has a long history of working in the nonprofit world. Before relocating to Florida, she worked at the Delaware State Hospital as a Sheltered Workshop Manager. Once in Florida, she worked for the Department of Children and Families as a Protective Services Case Manager and then began working at the Manatee School for the Arts (MSA) as their Testing Coordinator. Denise’s tenure at MSA included working with Take Stock Manatee for many years as MSA’s TSIC School Coordinator. Ultimately, Denise joined the Take Stock Manatee Team in the fall of 2021 as our Mentor Coordinator. Denise is also a Take Stock Mentor and enjoys spending quality time with her assigned scholar.
“Working at Take Stock Manatee allows me to be part of something much larger than myself. It gives me the opportunity to open doors, share experiences, and watch our mentored scholars grow, overcome challenges, and succeed. Sometimes, making a difference is as simple as meeting a student where they are—being there for them, listening, encouraging them, and believing in what they are capable of. Being part of their journey and watching them discover their potential is incredibly rewarding. It truly takes a village to help a student reach their full potential.”