New Members Edition 2019!
Updated: Nov 30, 2019
1. Brianna Anderson
I was born and raised in DeLand, Florida, DeLand has always been home to me! I graduated from Flagler College in 2014 with a degree in Communications. Shortly after graduation, I met my husband and we were recently married in March of 2019. Mitch and I reside in Maitland, Florida where I work for a Tech Startup leading HR. I volunteer at Seminole County School, teaching children the importance of financial literacy. In my free time, I enjoy singing Karaoke to my favorite song: “What’s up?”, riding my scooter around town and working out with my husband! Anytime I’m back home in DeLand, you can find me at Tom’s Pizza, grabbing a hot slice!
2. Teresa Apgar
I was raised in Southern Maryland and moved to Hollywood, Florida in 1966. DeLand became my home in 1974. My husband of twenty years, Bob, and I are raising my thirteen-year-old grandson, Mark. I have another grandson, Isaac, who many of you know since he stayed with us a lot throughout the years. He’s twenty years old this year. I’ve been involved in the DeLand community leading and serving on many Board of Directors. I have been a member of many service organizations. I’ve been a member of different women's clubs over the past forty years and have held many positions at the State level. Currently, I’m a member of the Persimmon Hollow Woman’s Club which I founded and served as its first President. I’m thrilled to be a member of the Krewe of Amalee again and look forward to making new friends.
3. Lillian Brunacci
I am Lillian Brunacci born in Managua, Nicaragua and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana where I lived for thirty-four years. My last job was Operations Manager for the Ritz-Carlton in New Orleans. My husband, Frank Brunacci (a former chef), and I have been married for sixteen years. We opened our first fresh truffle import business near Chicago ten years ago, sold it, and are onto our second. We have two children Isabella, 14, and Massimo, 12, who both swim for the West Volusia Killer Whales in DeLand. We have our canine son Romeo, 10, a Bergamasco. After living in several cities and states, we moved back south to DeLand five and a half years ago. As a family, we enjoy traveling, watching sports (especially the New Orleans Saints) and spending quality time with family and friends. I was happy to be introduced to the Krewe of Amalee with New Orleans traditions and community. We are slowly immersing ourselves in DeLand and look forward to making it our home for many more years to come.
4. Jennifer Bryant
I am Jennifer Bryant, a commercial artist with two awesome kids and a fantastic husband of twenty years. I was born and raised in frigid but beautiful New Hampshire and decided shortly after my twenty-first birthday to quit my job and pack a car to move to Florida. After some lean years and a lot of shenanigans, I made wonderful friends and met my husband. We live in DeLand and I teach art from my working studio behind my house. I love so many things! I speak French and have been to Europe multiple times. The first time was when I was only twenty and backpacked for two months by myself. Reading and movies are more enjoyments, and my perfect day is either at the movie theater or the beach. I volunteer at both kids’ schools doing backdrops and props for various events, but my favorite volunteer opportunity is the Veteran’s Surf Event with Oceans of Hope. They use modified surf boards to help wounded veterans enjoy a day at the beach and catch waves. By far, my favorite music is anything 80’s! “Take On Me” by Aha is the most perfect song and video. I LOVE to dance and even won some swing dance contests back when I was single. I am super excited to be a part of the Krewe this year and help create a gorgeous Ball while making new friends with dynamic women!
5. Lindsey Carelli
I was Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, I hold a Master of Theological Studies degree from Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, and a B.A. in Religious Studies from The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma. During my time in Fort Worth, I worked for The Multicultural Alliance, a non-profit organization providing programming and educational forums that address the opportunities and challenges of living in a pluralistic society. In 2014, I moved to DeLand, Florida to work at Stetson, serving as the University’s first Assistant Director of Interfaith Initiatives. In this position, I am responsible for creating and implementing comprehensive interfaith programming, working with religious and non-religious student organizations and coaching student leaders with a team of University Chaplains and the University’s first Hillel Director. I am married to Robbie Carelli, co-owner and co-founder of Persimmon Hollow Brewing Company. We will celebrate our third anniversary in January. Since 2012, I have been a vegetarian and a practitioner of meditation and yoga. I am currently working towards my SIYI yoga certification in Precision Alignment Yoga. You can find me practicing at The Yoga Shed in DeLand. In my spare time, I enjoy exploring the beauty of Florida by swimming in the springs, birdwatching, hiking, and kayaking. Favorite band: Fleetwood Mac (also my dad’s favorite band, it is “rumored” I’m named after Lindsey Buckingham ☺)
6. Staci Cooper
My name is Staci Cooper and I am a proud mother of a beautiful young woman who attends the University of Central Florida. I am blessed to be a part of the AdventHealth family and love the fact that we change people’s lives every day. My deepest passion is helping individuals and their families on their journey through dementia as a Certified Dementia Educator through the National Institute of Dementia Education. Always Lead with your Heart.
7. Jennifer Dubreuil
Hello Everyone, my name is Jennifer Dubreuil. I was born in Sudbury Ontario Canada and relocated to DeLand, Florida three and a half years ago with my family. I am a Registered Nurse and have been doing it for twenty-three years. After graduating I worked for four years as a Medical Surgical Nurse trying to find the right fit. I then stumbled upon Labor and Delivery and I realized that it was my calling. Bringing babies into the world is the most precious gift that I am lucky to be a part of. My family and I relocated from Canada three and a half years ago in search of the best possible place to be where the temperature stayed above 32F for the entire year!! I have been working at Advent Health Deland since making my way down to sunny Florida on the Labor and Delivery unit where I am a Charge Nurse and Mentor to the new nurses coming into the field. I have been blessed and lucky to be married to my wonderful husband, Richard, for nineteen years! Wow, time flies when you are having fun! We have two beautiful children, Kevin who is 17 and Chloe 15. Kevin just graduated high school and still needs to figure out what he wants to do now that he is part of this “adult.” world. Chloe is in her junior at Deland High and is very active in JR ROTC. She knows her path and would like to attend medical school. We have always loved to travel and see what is out there… away from the snow. That is how we got lucky and stumbled upon Deland. Close enough to the beach with an amazing vibe. I have been hearing about the amazing women involved with Krewe from my friend and sponsor, Michelle, and am looking forward to the friendships and memories to come. P.S. My favorite music is definitely 80’s Hair Bands.
8. Karen Finstad
My name is Karen Finstad and my husband is Duane Finstad, a retired Systems Engineer with Honeywell Aerospace and a former Marine A-4 pilot. We moved to DeLand in 2014. Together we have four children and eight grandchildren living in Kansas, Florida and Indiana. I was born in Lawrence, Kansas and I lived in Kansas most of my life. I graduated from Washburn University with a degree in Political Science. I moved to Washington D.C. in the early 90's serving as the President and CEO of the National Fund for the US Botanic Garden for 6 years. In 2014, I retired as the Executive Director of the Delta Dental of Kansas Foundation and moved to Florida.
I presently serve as the Vice President of the Persimmon Hollow Woman's Club here in Deland and I am a member of the Tiger Bay Club in Daytona where I serve as a member of their board. In 2017-18, I served on the Florida House Board of Trustees in Washington, D.C.
Past Volunteer and Board Service includes: President of the Oral Health Kansas Board of Directors; Member of the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce where I served on the Government Relations Committee; Co-Chair for Washburn University Alumni Association, The Martha Stewart Garden Party, a fundraising event for the New Alumni Building; Columbia Hospital for Women Washington DC - National Women's Health Resource Center Board, Executive Committee member and Treasurer of the Board; Kansas State Society Board of Directors, Washington DC and Chair of the National Cherry Blossom Festival annual Congressional Reception; Mt. Vernon Home of George Washington Board member of the Life Guard; Chair of the Kansas Film Commission; Board of Directors member for the Kansas Food Bank, Chair of the BOO Ball; Founder of the Friends of Cedar Crest, a non-profit association for the historical restoration of the Kansas Governor’s Mansion; Chair of the National Governors Spouses Association Washington DC and First Lady of Kansas 1981-1986.
Hobbies: Volunteering in Politics; Entertaining; Traveling
Music genre: 60’s Rock
9. Stephanie Ford
I was born in DeLand, FL, I am the daughter of Alex and Vincetta Ford, I lived in DeLand for twenty-seven years and am a graduate of Father Lopez High School and Valencia College, and a member of Trinity United Methodist Church of DeLand. I moved to Orlando in 2007 to pursue a career in Event Management. I currently serve as the Vice President of Customer Experience, Night In Boxes an experience based subscription box company which creates experiences for families and couples to connect in deep and meaningful ways. Night in Boxes, is based in Aiken, South Carolina. I am the proud furever mom of two cats, Stevie Wonder and Peanut. My passions are gardening, yoga, cooking & baking, and spending time with family and friends. In high school, I performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and competed on the Nationally ranked Father Lopez Dancing Green Waves. I have an appreciation for all genres of music.
