Ms. Christi became the third Executive Director in Girls Place history in September 2017. Christi’s background includes 15 years as Program Director at Girls Place. She received her Bachelors of Science in Sport Management from UF in 1999 and her Masters of Science in 2001. Christi was honored to be chosen as an Impact Award winner from Business in Greater Gainesville Magazine in 2016.
The People
Meet the Staff
Christi Arrington - Executive Director
![IMG_1300[1]](https://secureservercdn.net/192.169.223.13/ff4.eb5.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/IMG_13001-e1549035854283-scaled-225x225.jpg "IMG_1300[1]")
Kaihla Szunko
Operations Director Kaihla@girlsplace.net
B.S., Central Michigan M.S., University of Florida
Joined Team GP June 2014
![IMG_8980[1]](https://secureservercdn.net/192.169.223.13/ff4.eb5.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_89801-scaled-225x225.jpeg "IMG_8980[1]")
Tara Counts
Operations Director Tara@girlsplace.net
B.S., NC State University
M.S., University of Florida
Doctoral Student, University of Florida
Joined Team GP April 2014
![IMG_1297[1]](https://secureservercdn.net/192.169.223.13/ff4.eb5.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/IMG_12971-e1548976196241-scaled-225x225.jpg "IMG_1297[1]")
Nevada Smith
Program Director Nevada@girlsplace.net
A.S., Santa Fe College
Joined Team GP February 2015
![IMG_1293[1]](https://secureservercdn.net/192.169.223.13/ff4.eb5.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/IMG_12931-e1548890126216-scaled-225x225.jpg "IMG_1293[1]")
Charlie McKnight
Athletic Director Charlie@girlsplace.net
B.S., University of North Florida
Joined Team GP September 2018
![IMG_E1287[1]](https://secureservercdn.net/192.169.223.13/ff4.eb5.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/IMG_E12871-scaled-225x225.jpg "IMG_E1287[1]")
Lynn Little
Program Director
Lynn@girlsplace.net
A.A., Santa Fe College
Joined Team GP August 2018
Kate Williams, LMFT
BrainPower Coordinator Kate@girlsplace.net
B.S., University of Florida, M.Ed and Ed.S, University of Florida
Joined Team GP July 2019
Jamie Edmondson
BrainPower Counselor
Joined Team GP May 2020
Ms. Devin
Facilitator/ACHIEVE Counselor
Room 6 (Middle School)
Joined Team GP December 2014
Mr. Sinclair
Driver
Joined Team GP August 2016
![IMG_E1296[1]](https://secureservercdn.net/192.169.223.13/ff4.eb5.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/IMG_E12961-scaled-225x225.jpg "IMG_E1296[1]")
Ms. Nikki
Administrative Assistant
Joined Team GP January 2017
![IMG_1567[1]](https://secureservercdn.net/192.169.223.13/ff4.eb5.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/IMG_15671-e1559565191423-scaled-225x225.jpg "IMG_1567[1]")
Ms. Shakyah
Counselor Red 3 Group
Joined Team GP May 2018
![IMG_E1291[1]](https://secureservercdn.net/192.169.223.13/ff4.eb5.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/IMG_E12911-scaled-225x225.jpg "IMG_E1291[1]")
Ms. Jeane
ACHIEVE Counselor Room 8
(K-3rd Grade)
Joined Team GP July 2018
![IMG_E1295[1]](https://secureservercdn.net/192.169.223.13/ff4.eb5.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/IMG_E12951-scaled-225x225.jpg "IMG_E1295[1]")
Ms. Cassidy
ACHIEVE Counselor Room 7
(4th-5th Grade)
Joined Team GP November 2018
![IMG_1569[1]](https://secureservercdn.net/192.169.223.13/ff4.eb5.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/IMG_15691-e1559568645223-scaled-225x225.jpg "IMG_1569[1]")
Ms. Mo
Counselor Yellow 4/5 Group
Joined Team GP March 2019
![IMG_1833[1]](https://secureservercdn.net/192.169.223.13/ff4.eb5.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/IMG_18331-e1569435965744-scaled-225x225.jpg "IMG_1833[1]")
Ms. Tamakia
ACHIEVE Counselor Room 6
(Middle School)
Joined Team GP August 2019
![IMG_1970[1]](https://secureservercdn.net/192.169.223.13/ff4.eb5.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/IMG_19701-e1573167206836-scaled-225x225.jpg "IMG_1970[1]")
Ms. Chressy
Counselor Green/Blue Group
Joined Team GP November 2019
![IMG_2191[1]](https://secureservercdn.net/192.169.223.13/ff4.eb5.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/IMG_21911-scaled-225x225.jpg "IMG_2191[1]")
Ms. Sabrina
Counselor Pink/Red 2 Group
Joined Team GP November 2019
Ms. Alyssa
Administrative Assistant
Joined Team GP February 2020
Ms. Ally
ACHIEVE Counselor Room 7
(4th-5th Grade)
Joined Team GP September 2020
![IMG_1108[1]](https://secureservercdn.net/192.169.223.13/ff4.eb5.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_11081-225x225.jpg "IMG_1108[1]")
Ms. Andie
BrainPower – Comfort Dog
(current on immunizations)
Joined Team GP June 2016
![IMG_1653[1]](https://secureservercdn.net/192.169.223.13/ff4.eb5.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/IMG_16531-scaled-225x225.jpg "IMG_1653[1]")
Ms. Moose
BrainPower – Comfort Dog
(current on immunizations)
Joined Team GP May 2016
![IMG_E2196[1]](https://secureservercdn.net/192.169.223.13/ff4.eb5.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/IMG_E21961-scaled-225x225.jpg "IMG_E2196[1]")
Ms. Marley
BrainPower – Comfort Dog
(current on immunizations)
Joined Team GP September 2019
Board of Directors
Tara Counts, President – University of Florida
Amy Howard, Secretary – Venture Realty
Freedlengton Joseph, Treasurer – Joseph Engineering
Mary Kay Carodine – University of Florida | Myra Morgan – Retired, University of Florida |
Boisy Waiters – University of Florida | Zina Evans – University of Florida |
Lukisha King – Santa Fe College | Shelby Lucas – Volunteer |
Hannah Farrell – University of Florida | Charlotte McMillan – Barnes Healthcare |
Mercedes Quiroga – Retired | Sybil Samuel – Cox Communications |