Ilene E. Wilkins
President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Ilene E. Wilkins is the president and CEO of UCP of Central Florida and oversees all areas of the agency. Wilkins holds a master’s degree in public administration from Suffolk University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology and math from New York University.  She came to UCP in 1995 as the Downtown Orlando/Holloway campus director and was promoted to president in 2002.  Prior to her employment with UCP, Wilkins was executive director for the Massachusetts Association of Professional Foster Care.  Currently, Wilkins is a member of the National Urban Special Education Leadership Initiative Doctoral Cohort at the University of Central Florida and is a board member for the Orange County Early Learning Coalition.

Jill Wisth
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Jill Wisth, CFO, is responsible for building, strengthening and leading all financial functions for UCP of Central Florida. Wisth joined UCP in 2008 and has an M.B.A. in finance and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Nova Southeastern University. With more than 18 years of experience she has a reputation for unwavering accuracy, credibility and integrity in financial reporting. Wisth is an active citizen in the Central Florida community, getting involved in both professional and charitable organizations.  She has been involved with UCP as a volunteer for more than eight years, most recently as treasure of the board of directors, and is also an active member of the Central Florida Chapter of Financial Executives International and the National Business Woman Association.

Jim Santiago
Senior Director of Operations

Jim Santiago, senior director of operations, is responsible for ensuring UCP of Central Florida's programs and services are effective and efficient for our students, clients and team members. Before joining UCP, Santiago was vice president of operation for a nonprofit credit union in the Orlando region. Prior to that, he was the CEO of TMC Communications Company in Orlando and set up offices throughout the US and London. Santiago has been very active in the Central Florida community serving as a development and community advisory board member for Hospice of the Comforter and also the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. In 2008 he was presented the Jefferson Award for Public Service by Mayor Rich Crotty, for his outstanding community service mentoring children in the underserved areas of Orlando. 

Melissa Killian
Senior Director of Human Resources

Mellissa Killian, senior director of human resources, is responsible for maximizing the effectiveness of the organization's employees while minimizing financial risk in an effective, legal, fair and consistent manner. With approximately 240 employees, Killian and the human resources department focuses on implementing sound policies and action plans that allow and provide employees to opportunity to grow and succeed.  Killian has more than 20 years of experience in HR and has received various certificates in the HR field.  Currently she is working toward her Senior Professional in Human Resources Certification.  Killian’s areas of specialty include benefits administration, employee relations, training & development, risk management and safety and loss prevention.

Marni Stahlman
Senior Director of Development

Marni Stahlman is Senior Director of Development and directs UCP's fundraising efforts, , corporate development and donor relations. She has been a professional consultant specializing in organizational maturity, fund and membership expansion, and management and alliance enrichment to associations and small business. Marni was formerly co-founder and Vice President of Health, Educations and Development for QualKids Corp., a medical and education content and curriculum platform to child development providers. Prior to that she was the C.E.O. of ValueMark Behavioral Healthcare Hospital in Orlando. She currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Educational Facilities Authority for Orange County and is a past member of the Florida Bar Grievance Committee for the Ninth Circuit and former Chair of the Orange County Citizen’s Review Commission. In 1997 the Orlando Business Journal selected her as one of the city’s “40 Under 40.”

Irma J. Rosa
Senior Director of Therapy Practices

Irma J. Rosa is senior director of therapy practices and oversees the functions, training, and practices associated with UCP’s physical, speech, and occupational therapy programs.  She has a degree in physical therapy from the University of Puerto Rico and holds a Neuro-Developmental Treatment certification in pediatrics. In 2007, Rosa was recognized as one of Therapy Times “Most Influential People”.  Rosa has more than 20 years of experience in therapy services and was a physical therapist at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children & Women prior to joining UCP. Before moving to Florida, Rosa was the coordinator for physical therapy services at the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus Pediatric Clinic and an academic instructor for third year physical therapy students.

Joanne Solomon
Senior Director of Education Practices

Joanne Solomon is senior director of education practices and manages UCP’s early intervention educational program.  She has a bachelor’s degree in special education from Southern Connecticut State University and an Early Interventionist Credential from the State of Illinois.  Solomon began her employment with UCP in 1999 as the West Orange Campus Director.  In August 2002 she was promoted to her current position.  Prior to coming to UCP, Solomon was program director and family services coordinator for Easter Seals Florida.

Melanie Bolton
Director of Community Projects

Melanie Bolton is director of UCP’s community projects program which consists of 6 speech-language pathologists providing therapy to more than 250 children enrolled in the area’s Florida Head Start program and two teachers providing early intervention education to children in their home.  She began working at UCP in 2001.  As director, Bolton is responsible for the management of the intake process from start to finish. This includes ensuring each child is evaluated, authorized and placed with the appropriate therapist. Bolton has a bachelor’s degree in speech and hearing sciences from Eastern Michigan University. Her highest accomplishment to date at UCP is increasing the number of children served through the Head Start program from 85 to more than 250.

Ellie Hauser, LMHC
Director of Supportive Counseling

Ellie Hauser is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and provides the families of UCP, and our community, with a place to locate resources and information on how to cope with the many challenges they face.  She has been employed at UCP since 2000 and has developed, implemented and enhanced the Supportive Counseling Program which not only serves UCP families but all of Central Florida.

Hauser has been licensed by the state of Florida since 1992 and is also a certified addiction professional and trauma specialist. She is a trained first responder and has worked earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes and Ground Zero (9-11).  In addition to counseling families and siblings, Hauser also provides consultations and workshops on many subjects to church groups, community organizations, physicians, attorneys, etc. in the Central Florida community.

Tony Rodriguez
Director of Faciliites

Tony Rodriguez is charged with ensuring the safety of staff, children, families and volunteers at UCP’s six campuses.  Rodriguez joined UCP in 2000 and has years of experience in construction, repair, and maintenance from working in public school systems in Connecticut and Massachusetts. His highest accomplishments include assisting the design and construction team that built UPC’s Pine Hills and new East Orange/Bailes Campus.   In addition to general maintenance and building requests, Rodriguez all is responsible for establishing and maintaining relationship with outside vendors and Orange County Public Schools, fire, safety and health personnel.

Paul Sershon
Director of Recreation & Adult Services

Paul Sershon is the director of recreation and adult services at UCP of Central Florida. Sershon joined UCP in 2007 and is responsible for the management of programs and activities offered at the Loch Haven Park Neighborhood Center. These programs provide participants a positive environment where they can partake in interactive activities. Sershon has a bachelor’s degree in fine art from California State University and has more than 20 years of experience as an instructor and director of programs that help people with disabilities develop positive life skills. Prior to joining UCP Sershon was chief executive officer of Developmental Disabilities Service Organization in Sacramento, California.