Danny Chu - Executive Director

Mr. Chu has over 30 years in the Information Technology (IT) industry. He had held positions from programmer to CEO of companies that he founded. In the past few years, Mr. Chu has focused his interest, passion, experience, knowledge and skill that he acquired over years in the IT industry and being an entrepreneur to educate K to 12 students in the field of computer and robotic science. Mr. Chu founded 5C Academy in 2017 to address the shortage of IT work force by teaching computer coding that encompasses computational, critical, logical and problem solving thinking at early age starting from 1st grade.

Mr. Chu is a graduate of Virginia Military Institute with a BS in Physics. He had served on the VMI Foundation Board from 2008 to 2016.

Autumn Vaupel - Board Member

Ms. Vaupel has an extremely impressive track record in operations management, with over 20 years of experience within the technology and professional services industry. Ms. Vaupel is currently the Chief Operating Officer for Beeline, where she is responsible for customer success and strategic alliances which includes professional and implementation services, end-user training, customer support, partner enablement and account management. She is responsible for ensuring the success of each Beeline customer throughout their lifecycle in leveraging Beeline’s Vendor Management Solutions. As a member of the executive team, Ms. Vaupel is responsible for the strategic vision, business development, operations and staff development, profit and loss management, and influencing product direction. Prior to joining Beeline in 2012, Ms. Vaupel was the Vice President of Professional Services with Blackbaud Inc., where she commenced in 2006. Blackbaud is based in Charleston, South Carolina and is recognized as the leading provider of software solutions for the non-profit sector. Prior to working at Backbaud, Autumn spent eight years working and consulting with SAP America in Application and Product Development, focused on the retail industry sector.

Jennifer Levinson - Board Member

Ms. Levinson moved to the Jacksonville area in 2005 and has nearly 20 years of mergers and acquisitions experience. Ms. Levinson is the co-founder of Palmetto Capital, a private-equity group based in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL where she is responsible for sourcing, evaluating, structuring, closing and managing private equity investments on behalf of high net worth investors. Prior to Palmetto Capital, Ms. Levinson was a Principal at Ellipse Capital, a Chicago-based private equity firm, and Vice President of Corporate Development at Interline Brands, a Jacksonville-based industrial distribution company. She also worked for Mellon Ventures and was a financial analyst in the investment banking division of Robinson Humphrey. Ms. Levinson is a Board Member of Seafood Sales and Service and The Sontag Foundation and a Board Observer of The Tranzonic Companies. Ms. Levinson and her husband, Andy, live in Ponte Vedra Beach with their two children. When they are not with their kids at the beach or the swimming pool they can be found running, golfing, or playing tennis.Ms. Levinson was a graduate of Vanderbilt University with B.S. in Economics and a M.B.A from Darden at University of Virginia.

Anitha Patel, M.D. - Board Member

Dr. Patel is a board certified ophthalmologist with degrees from Columbia College, Weill Cornell Medical College and the University of Pennsylvania. She was in private practice in Connecticut for 14 years prior to moving to the Jacksonville area. She has a deep interest in issues pertaining to access to quality healthcare and education. More recently she has been involved in several volunteer efforts with local groups such as the Sulzbacher Center, American Heart Association, Vision is Priceless, the United Way and the Mal Washington Foundation.

Shayla Thomas - Board Member

Miss. Thomas is a Jacksonville native and is very passionate about serving and positively influencing the lives of others in the community. She volunteers with various local organizations on a consistent basis, has a long-standing tenure with the Donovin Darius Foundation, and is actively involved in ministry at The Potters House International Ministries. Miss. Thomas has worked in the Banking and Finance industry for 16+ years and is currently a Senior Technical Policy Writer. Her current role consists of transforming complex information into useable content for end users. In addition to her technical writing responsibilities, Miss. Thomas is also a member of the Bank volunteer council in which she advocates the company’s philanthropic strategies and drives participation.

Jennifer MacDonald - Board Member

Mrs. MacDonald combines a passion to serve others with a unique talent for solving problem.Her passion is exemplified through her previous and on-going work and volunteerism with organizations such as Palmer Catholic Academy Home and School Association, Catholic Charities, MHMR, JDRF and local Food Banks in communities where she lives. Her enthusiasm, leadership and creativity leads to happy clients and successful efforts, including fund raising in a pandemic.

Jennifer spent over 10 years in the Oil and Gas industry, notably, her problem-solving there included the development and implementation of complex processes (Ex: Sarbanes Oxley compliance monitoring, Finance validation, delegation of authority adherence and other internal controls) that required creativity, perseverance, precision and persuasion to meet aggressive deadlines and strict compliance needs.

During her tenure in both her paid and volunteer careers, she has always been a sought-after resource due to her ability to communicate with all levels. (Management to front-line workers; board members to client-facing volunteers). Jenny is well respected for her work-ethic and engaging personality. Jenny has high moral values and can be seen rooting for and serving the under-privileged wherever life takes her.