The Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County’s (JWB) Interim CEO Michael G. Mikurak recently announced the promotion of Rebecca Gross Tieder from Director of Public Policy to the new role of Chief Public Awareness Officer (CPAO), effective October 1. 

As Chief Public Awareness Officer at JWB, she will advocate for children and families through education, legislative action, and authentic relationship-building.

In this role, Ms. Tieder will also serve as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, responsible for shaping and leading JWB’s public awareness, outreach, and education strategies, increasing JWB’s visibility, building public support, and mobilizing action.

“Becca is a passionate changemaker whose career has been defined by a deep commitment to improving lives. She brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership experience in advocacy and public affairs,” Mikurak said at the time of the announcement. “This promotion puts her in a position to have even greater strategic impact.”

Ms. Tieder’s influence spans both nonprofit and for-profit sectors. She founded two organizations recognized globally for their work in combating sexual assault, earning accolades such as a Telly Award and keynote invitations—including the prestigious “Conference on Ethics in America” at West Point. Her expertise has reached more than 500 universities and been featured on major media outlets including FOX, ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, NPR, and in publications like Self, Marie Claire, and Cosmopolitan.

A dynamic speaker and educator, Ms. Tieder has inspired more than 2 million people through lectures, TEDx Youth talks, and her role in the documentary “You Are the One.” She has also advised senior White House officials and brought her wit and insight to the nationally syndicated politainment podcast “Dishonorable Mention.”

Ms. Tieder brings unwavering optimism and creative spirit to this new role, seeing challenges as opportunities and thriving on bringing diverse perspectives together to build stronger, more connected communities.

JWB in an independent special taxing district that has been committed to making children a priority for 80 years. The organization invests in programs, services, and initiatives so children are ready to learn, succeed, and thrive in homes, schools, and neighborhoods that are healthy and safe.

On September 25, JWB leadership and staff brought together nearly 50 members representing 20 organizations for the Pinellas Preventable Child Deaths Planning Team.

Leaders reviewed new data and the FY2026 strategic plan, engaging in a dynamic dialogue focused on consistent education, coordinated materials, and strong community partnerships aimed at preventing the leading causes of death for young children: infant sleep-related suffocation, drowning, and abusive head trauma.  

Participating organizations included:

• BayCare Kids
• CASA Pinellas
• Clearwater Police Department
• Department of Children and Families;
• Drug Free America Foundation
• FDOH-CHPM
• Healthy Families–Pinellas DOH
• Healthy Start Coalition of Pinellas
• John Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
• Mace Anthony Williamson Foundation
• Palm Harbor Community Services Agency
• Palm Harbor Fire Rescue
• Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
• Pinellas Department of Health
• Pinellas DOH–WIC & Nutrition
• Pinellas Nurse Family Partnership
• Safe Kids Pinellas–Suncoast Safe Kids
• St. Pete Fire Rescue
• Suncoast Center
• Sunstar
• Treasure Island Fire Rescue
• United Way Suncoast

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During the September JWB Board Meeting, Chief Operating Officer Karen Boggess recognized and celebrated JWB’s fourth and final KidsFirst Award Winner of 2025: Johanny Crisostomo.     
 
Johanny is an Infant/Toddler Teacher at R’Club Early Learning Academy. For 17 years, she has poured her heart into creating an environment where little ones can grow, thrive, and build the foundation for lifelong learning.  
 
Johanny’s journey is inspiring. She started with just a high school diploma and a love for children. Over the years, while raising her own family, she earned her CDA credential, her associate degree with honors, and, most recently, her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education leadership—Summa Cum Laude! All while working full-time and mentoring others.  
 
She excels at creating a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for the children; using play and structured activities based on age-appropriate curricula, Johanny fosters their social, emotional, and cognitive development. Her team lovingly refers to her as the “Toddler Whisperer!”      
 
She was announced as a KidsFirst awardee at a surprise presentation in August among her peers at R’Club Lemon Street. We’re proud to call Johanny a KidsFirst Award winner, alongside Paul Kleeman, Gabriella Moran, and Pilar Bradley. We are excited to celebrate each of them at the 2025 KidsFirst Awards Luncheon in October, where we’ll also announce our Dillinger-McCabe “Putting Children First” Leadership Award winner. 

Earlier this week, JWB Interim CEO Michael G. Mikurak had the opportunity to thank our Pinellas Legislative Delegation for the work they do to ensure a strong and vibrant future for our county’s children.

He offered JWB’s subject matter experts on issues such as early childhood development, quality early learning, children’s mental health, and fatherhood.

Plus, he invited delegation members to join him as a Bosses for Babies champion during a breakfast at JWB on October 1–and, to kick off JWB’s 80th Anniversary, he extended an invitation to our annual KidsFirst Awards Luncheon on October 24.

Community Engagement Manager Yaridis Garcia with the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County (JWB) was recognized as Largo’s 2025 Hispanic Heritage Month Honoree at the City Commission Meeting on September 17.  

After opening the meeting with an official proclamation of Hispanic Heritage Month in Largo running September 15 to October 15, Mayor Woody Brown (pictured above. right) invited Largo’s Community Engagement Administrator Julianne Perez, who is also Chair of JWB’s Mid-County Community Council, to introduce Ms. Garcia (above, left) and the reason she was being honored during Hispanic Heritage Month. 

Ms. Perez remarked on Garcia’s impactful work and contributions throughout Pinellas County and in Largo in particular: “We recognize your leadership at JWB and with local partners, which brings great value to community members…. We know that you have also been a tremendous advocate and community connector for Spanish-speaking and Hispanic/Latino families, expanding access to critical information and resources for those communities. We see your dedication to supporting a healthy, happy, and safe community for everyone and we greatly appreciate all you do!”

In her response, Ms. Garcia expressed deep appreciation to the City Commissioners for this honor and spoke in her usual heartfelt way about how her heritage inspires and informs the work she does in the community. 

Each year, JWB invests more than $6.5 million in seven Neighborhood Family Centers to provide comprehensive, core family-support services and programs. Each site uniquely serves its diverse citizens, including families of Hispanic heritage, and promotes the necessary protective factors that foster child well-being and strengthen families.

JWB is immensely proud of Ms. Garcia for her contributions to our work and applauds her leadership throughout the County; Interim CEO Michael G. Mikurak (second from right below) and COO Karen Boggess (right) joined Ms. Garcia and her husband (to her immediate left) as well Largo staff and JWB Community Members to witness the recognition ceremony. We wholeheartedly agree with Largo City Commission’s recognition of her dedication and example as they celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.