Helping Boys Develop Positive
Character for a Lifetime!
Helping Girls Develop Positive
Self-Esteem for a Lifetime!
Helping Boys Develop Positive
Character for a Lifetime!
Helping Girls Develop Positive
Self-Esteem for a Lifetime!
Nancy Lemon is the Founder & CEO of Girls With Confidence. She has been conducting workshops for young girls in the Tampa Bay area since 2004. Nancy started her work helping girls develop stronger self-esteem and confidence with The Ophelia Project as a mentor for their Young Women's Leadership Board and as a Certified Girls Circle Facilitator.
Nancy founded Girls With Confidence in 2011 with the focus on starting confidence building at an early age. She saw there was a huge need for programs that help young girls develop a love for themselves at an early age and for teen girls to manage through the challenging times of dealing with peer pressure, fitting in and making good decisions.
Nancy decided to establish the non-profit The Confidence & Leadership Foundation to help scholarship more young ladies. Every girl should be allowed the same opportunity to attend our programs regardless of their families financial circumstances. Donations in this area will allow girls to attend confidence & leadership building programs such as after school workshops, events or summer camps. In addition, The Confidence & Leadership Foundation will be able to provide programming for organizations, communities and schools in need.
Nancy is also the President of Professional Development Group (est. 1999) where she is a corporate trainer and consultant in the area of Leadership and Interpersonal Communications. Some of her clients include Mosaic, Hillsborough Community College, Polk State College, Walmart, Blue Cross Blue Shield and many more. Nancy has been facilitating workshops for adults and children for the past 30 years. Nancy lives in Lithia, FL with her husband Brian of 28 years. Her son Jake, attends Canisius College in NY.
Shayla Lucey grew up in the Tampa Bay Area and was one of the very first participants at Girls With Confidence, where she learned invaluable life lessons. After attending, she returned as a volunteer and, following college, joined the team as Program & Marketing Director—continuing to contribute to the program that shaped her early experiences.
Shayla graduated from Florida State University with a double major in Business Management and Marketing and a minor in Psychology. While at FSU, she served as President of the Case Competition Club, was active in Delta Zeta sorority, and participated on the kNOw More Student Advisory Board to promote awareness of power-based personal violence.
Passionate about helping others, Shayla loves her role at Girls & Boys With Confidence—seeing the same life-changing impact that shaped her as a child unfold in the lives of so many kids is beyond rewarding.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, practicing hot yoga and Pilates, and exploring her new love for reading.
The Confidence & Leadership Foundation is a 501c 3 nonprofit organization that was formed in the Fall of 2019 to help support Girls & Boys With Confidence in 2 main areas of scholarships and special projects where kids need extra support and guidance. As many of you know, many hands make light work and we have some amazing women who have stepped up to help make these goals possible.
Susan Giffin joined our volunteer team at Girls with Confidence in 2021 and our board in 2022. Susan is an advocate for supporting the healthy development of the young women and men in our community. Susan works with community organizations including church ministries, youth organizations and women’s outreach centers.
Susan and her family moved to Fishhawk in 2016 and are thankful for the community that has welcomed them. Susan has 15 years of professional experience in human resources, finance and counseling. Her husband owns his own consulting business. They are eager to support the community that they now call home.
Their family enjoys being on our beautiful ocean either boating or fishing and spending days in our many area amusement and animal parks. They travel as much as their schedule allows, to new places as well as to visit family that lives across the country. They love being Floridians, but will always be Ohio State Buckeye and Pittsburgh Steeler’s fans!
Joanne Paretta joined the Board of The Confidence & Leadership Foundation in June 2025, bringing over a decade of experience serving on Parent Teacher boards, most recently as Programming Chair for Newsome High School’s PTSA. Originally from New York, she moved to Lithia in 2022 with her husband, Roger, and is a proud mom, stepmom, and “MiMi” to two granddaughters.
A lover of the outdoors, reading, shopping, and all things NY sports, Joanne is passionate about creating opportunities for youth to grow with confidence. She’s excited to continue serving the community and helping empower the next generation of leaders.
Interested in joining our Board?
We’re always looking for passionate individuals who believe in our mission and want to make a meaningful impact in the lives of kids and families in our community. If you're interested in becoming a board member with The Confidence & Leadership Foundation, we’d love to hear from you! Simply CLICK HERE to fill out the application.
Julie Dodd is a proud mom of three girls and a passionate advocate for helping young people grow in confidence, character, and courage. She believes every child deserves a space to discover their independence, overcome challenges, and develop a strong sense of self-worth rooted in acceptance and authenticity.
Professionally, Julie serves as Vice President of Experience for Investment Banking at Raymond James, where she has spent nearly 20 years in Capital Markets supporting execution, logistics, and professional development. She is also a Sustaining Member of the Junior League of St. Petersburg, a volunteer judge for the SIFMA Foundation’s InvestWrite competition, and an active member of Radiant Church. Her husband, Mike, owns and operates Propane Ninja, a Plant City business that reflects their shared commitment to community involvement and giving back.
Outside of work, Julie embraces life with curiosity and adventure. She enjoys racing sailboats, paddleboarding, and exploring Florida’s natural beauty as a proud bird enthusiast and conservationist. Julie is honored to support The Confidence & Leadership Foundation’s mission to help every child build resilience, embrace who they are, and shine with confidence.
Shawn is a River Hills resident, a devoted mom of three, and a proud military wife. Through her family's military service, she has lived all over the world - experiences that have shaped her global perspective, adaptability, and heart for service.
Now rooted here in our local community, Shawn is the owner of a successful travel agency and an active, engaged community member. Her leadership, life experience, and passion for connection are incredible assets to our organization as we continue to grow and serve families in our area.
Andrea Heeps brings a lifelong commitment to service, education, and community engagement to her role with The Confidence & Leadership Foundation. As an educator, military spouse, volunteer, and community advocate, she has spent decades supporting young people and families in both military and civilian communities. Her experiences living throughout the United States and abroad have strengthened her belief in the importance of resilience, connection, and opportunity for all girls.
Throughout her career, Andrea has been passionate about helping young people build confidence, develop their strengths, and discover their potential. Through her work in education and volunteer service, she has encouraged students and families to grow, lead, and thrive.
Andrea is honored to serve on the Board of The Confidence & Leadership Foundation and is committed to advancing the organization’s mission of empowering girls through mentorship, leadership development, and community support. She believes that confident girls become capable leaders who create positive change in the world around them.
Jamie Caldwell was first introduced to Girls & Boys With Confidence through her daughters, who participated in the programs and experienced firsthand the positive impact of confidence-building, leadership development, and meaningful friendships. Seeing their growth inspired Jamie to become more deeply involved in supporting the organization's mission.
As a dedicated homeschool parent and advocate for youth development, Jamie believes that helping children build confidence, character, and leadership skills is just as important as academic success. Through years of homeschooling her children, she has witnessed the transformative power of encouragement, mentorship, and community support.
Jamie has a long history of community involvement, including service with the Junior League, coaching youth sports, and leadership roles through her church. She and her husband, Jim, are proud Tampa Bay residents and local business owners. As a board member of The Confidence & Leadership Foundation, Jamie is honored to help expand access to programs and opportunities that empower children to discover their strengths, build confidence, and become future leaders.
Alexa Loprino is a Florida-certified educator with experience teaching in schools throughout the Tampa Bay area. She is passionate about helping children build confidence, discover their unique strengths, and develop the skills they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom.
Inspired by the lasting impact of Girls With Confidence and The Confidence & Leadership Foundation, Alexa believes every child deserves opportunities to grow in confidence, build meaningful relationships, and develop leadership skills. Seeing the transformation that takes place through these programs motivates her to give back and support the organization's mission
As a member of the Board of Directors, Alexa is honored to help expand access to confidence-building programs and opportunities for children throughout the community, empowering the next generation to believe in themselves and become confident leaders.
