Meet Our Team
Peter Lucas
Board President
I’m Peter Lucas and I have served on the Hope Effect Board of Directors as President since 2016. I realize that the residents of our community have many unmet physical and spiritual needs. We can make a difference through the effort of our volunteers and outreach programs to the hungry, homeless and single parent families to provide a “hand up” to a better quality of life. I want to serve our community in this role and in any other useful capacity needed so that I can contribute to the practical needs of our community including food, clothing, education and following the pattern Jesus spoke of in Matthew 25:35-40. Previously, I have served in leadership roles on several church boards, have owned & operated my own business, and hold an MBA from Xavier University. I currently work for IQPC Exchange as a Conference Director.
Tony Byrd
Board Director
I’m Tony Byrd and I’ve been honored to serve on the Hope Effect Board since its inception in 2013. Whether it’s through food and clothing distribution to the under-resourced, helping children access quality education, our other outreach initiatives, I’m grateful for all of the ways the Hope Effect team impacts the Tampa Bay community on a daily basis. And I’m sure the best is yet to come. On a personal note, I’m happily married to the lovely Heather Byrd, I’m the father of 4 amazing kids, and I serve as Lead Pastor of the greatest church I know – MorningStar Church of Tampa.
Genie Byrd
Board Director
I'm Genie and I have been actively involved with Hope Effect since it’s inception in 2013. My husband, James, and I live in Augusta, Georgia. We have three children, eleven grands, and four great-grands. We count ourselves blessed that two Haitian children will soon join our family. I am a graduate of Lee University, the University of South Florida, and the University of West Georgia. After retiring from thirty-four years as classroom teacher, counselor, assistant principal and principal, I am now devoting my life to writing children’s books and I've released my 5th book. I enjoy motivational speaking and participating in Project Linus, a national organization that makes blankets for children in grief.
Carol Jean-Felix
Board Director
I'm Carol Jean-Felix and I have the pleasure and honor of serving on the Hope Effect Board since 2022. I'm originally from New Jersey, child of Latino immigrants from the Dominican Republic. I'm grateful for the opportunities and knowledge passed onto me by generations before that have shaped me into the woman I am today. I'm also a mother of two amazing children, a college age daughter and middle schooler son. Professionally I work within Managed Health Care and in my free time I enjoy serving our Tampa and surrounding community in any way I can. I am mindful to observe the needs of those I come across during my daily activities and am passionate about building relationships through finding common ground. Both personally and professionally I have first hand knowledge of just how detrimental access to basic everyday necessities like food, shelter, clothing, supportive resources and access to care can be to so many all around us. I'm excited to offer my skills towards achieving the mission of Hope Effect by helping to be a bridge in and around the Tampa Bay area.
Dee Dee Mackenzie
Treasurer
My name is Dee Dee Mackenzie and I’ve served on the Hope Effect Board of Directors as Treasurer since 2016. I’m a native of New Jersey and fell in love with nonprofits when I was a teenager. I was inspired by serving as a volunteer for the Special Olympics, YMCA, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters which gave me a deep passion for charitable work. I graduated with a BA in Economics and Business Administration and moved to Florida to escape the cold temperatures of the northeast. I met my husband Aaron in Florida and we now have two beautiful school age daughters. It’s an honor to serve on the Board where the mission aligns with my personal lifelong passions.