WHO WE ARE

Homelessness is one of our nation’s most serious problems. While there are many causes of homelessness, the primary cause is the growing gap between housing costs and income.  On any given night hundreds of individuals and families are homeless or on the verge of becoming homeless in Palm Beach County. The Homeless Coalition was formed in 1986 and incorporated in 1989 as The Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County, Inc.

Over the past 30 years, the face of homelessness has changed. Today 1 in 5 children living in Palm Beach County are living in poverty.

The Homeless Coalition is a 501(c) 3 not for Profit Corporation that serves as a catalyst for community collaboration to prevent and end homelessness in our community.   

Our Mission


Building Coalitions and Inspiring Pathways to Help End Homelessness.

Our Vision


Ending Homelessness in Palm Beach County

COMMUNITY PLAN TO END HOMELESSNESS

Fundraising and awareness events, volunteer opportunities, and news dissemination all support the goal of sustaining the “Community Plan to End Homelessness”. Our fundraising strategies include writing grants, foundation funding and most importantly support from our community members. Promoting and receiving support from community, individuals, local businesses, corporations and organizations large and small is essential to continuing the Community Plan to End Homelessness.  Without the support of the community at large, many families and individuals who are in immediate need of shelter and services, would not have the opportunity to end their homelessness.

The objective of the Community Plan to End Homelessness in Palm Beach County is to continue to create a local response system that will end homelessness. In order to meet this objective, a set of action steps have been developed which address current gaps in services, particularly as they relate to a number of underserved populations whose specific needs are not currently being met by those services available in our community.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

The Homeless Coalition Board of Directors meet monthly and serve on numerous committees. Each director goes through a nomination process to serve as a member for two years and can serve up to six years. The board is engaged and committed to ending homelessness in Palm Beach County.

Christian E. Bergstrom, CHRS
President

As Director & Senior Benefits Consultant for Gehring Group, Christian assists in strategic and budget planning for large group clients as it relates to employee benefits programs, making recommendations and providing guidance with regard to compliance with health care reform. His reputation in the industry has earned him the invitation to sit on the agent advisory councils of two of the largest group insurance carriers in the State of Florida.

Christian earned his Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from the University of Texas and is a member of National Association for Health Underwriters, State and Local Government Benefits Association as well as The Council for Insurance Agents & Brokers.

Dina D’Angelo
Vice President

Dina D’Angelo is a Sr. Client Manager with Cigna, where she specializes in government sector business throughout the State of Florida. Her experience includes working with the local governments in Palm Beach County for the last 15 years. In addition to her client management responsibilities, Dina also serves as a liaison for Cigna, supporting various community sponsorships and volunteer events.

Dina has 23 years of experience in the health insurance industry and is a licensed Health Life and Variable Annuity Agent. She resides in Palm Beach County with her husband and two sons.

Paul E. Dumars, Jr.
Immediate Past President/Treasurer

Paul E. Dumars, Jr. is a local finance professional with more than 15 years of experience. During his financial career, he has worked in the information technology, food and beverage manufacturing, and retail expansion industries.

Paul earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Louisiana State University, and his Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Management and Finance from Northwood University.

Sally Chester
Member

Sally D. Chester, MS, RN, BC, has been a long-time community volunteer with an extensive background in nursing. Some of her past board and community service involvement includes chairing Palm Beach Medical Society’s Heroes in Medicine, acting as an Arc of Palm Beach County board member, and medical operations director for the Palm Beach Marathon Festival.

Sally has more than 45 years of experience in nursing and health care. She received her Bachelor in Nursing from Hartwick College, and her Masters in Health Education from Nova Southern University.

James Crowley, Esq.
Member

James “Jamie” Crowley is a land use attorney at Gunster. He represents developers and property owners on a wide range of development projects who require approval from local, county and state regulatory agencies. He has worked on large-scale planned development, public-private partnership and urban infill projects throughout Florida, but focuses his practice on South Florida.

Jamie graduated from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, and the University of Florida’s honors program.

Frances Ferguson
Secretary 

Frances Ferguson has 35 years of experience in the aviation and gas turbine industry with Pratt & Whitney. She is currently the Associate Director of Compliance at Pratt & Whitney in Jupiter, Florida, where she promotes and enables ethical conduct and compliance.

Frances serves her community as a Leaders United member at United Way Martin County, and volunteers with the Ethics Coalition of Palm Beach County. Originally from Scotland Frances moved to San Diego, California in 1985. She relocated with Pratt & Whitney to Florida in 2016, and resides in Martin County.

Sperio Georgedakis
Member

Spero Georgedakis is the Founder and CEO of Good Greek Moving & Storage, Florida’s largest moving and storage company. Inspired by his career in law enforcement, Spero made it his mission to provide the best relocation services with honest pricing, in an industry that is plagued by rogue and unscrupulous movers. Within 5 years, he built a multi-million-dollar franchise ‘The Good Greek Way’ which is based on the values of Honesty, Strength, and Courage. Spero’s success is a testimony to his entrepreneurial experience in various businesses and expertise in advertising and brand building. Thanks to Spero’s leadership, Good Greek has transcended the moving and storage industry to offer total relocation solutions, which include real estate services, auto transport, junk removal and more.

The Good Greek Spero, is involved in helping the community and serves as a board member in multiple non-profit organizations, including The Good Greek Foundation.

Rachelle Litt

Rachelle Litt
Member

A 30-year resident of Palm Beach Gardens, Rachelle was elected to the Palm Beach Gardens City Council in March 2017, and appointed Vice Mayor in April 2019. She and her husband Dr. Jeffrey Litt have raised three children, Amanda, Brandon and Austin in the city Rachelle and Jeff are still proud to call home.

Rachelle has been serving as the City liaison to the Palm Beach County League of Cities, Florida League of Cities and Palm Beach County Water Resources Taskforce since her election to the Council.

As outgoing Chairwoman of the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce Environmental Subcommittee of the Economic Development Committee, Rachelle worked to identify and communicate sustainable best practices that can be replicated by the region’s business community, while enhancing their bottom line. She is also actively involved in the Chamber’s Smart and Connected Region Initiative and Chamber efforts to increase Essential Services and Affordable Housing in the County.

Michelle Oyola McGovern
Member

Michelle Oyola McGovern serves as Director of Government and Community Relations for Baptist Health South Florida, South Florida’s largest non-profit healthcare system.

Prior to joining Baptist Health South Florida in 2019, Michelle served as State Director for U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, for whom she had worked for 18 years.

Michelle is past president of The Forum Club of the Palm Beaches, past president of SunFest, and a founding member and first president of West Palm 100. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees for both the Central Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce and The Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches, and on the Palm Beach County Advisory Commission on Women. Michelle is a Florida native and graduate of Florida Atlantic University. Michelle and her husband, Wellington Councilman John McGovern, have two daughters, Emilia and Victoria.

Michele Poole
Member

Neil Schiller, Esq.
Member

Neil Schiller assists clients with legal matters involving land use, zoning and development, government contracts and procurement, and local, state and federal lobbying. A veteran of South Florida politics since his days at the University of Miami, Neil has run many successful political campaigns in Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, and St. Lucie counties. Through these campaigns and his 20 years of practice as an attorney and lobbyist, Neil has developed a network of contacts in local, regional, state and federal business and political circles, including local civic activists. In 2009, The South Florida Sun-Sentinel included him in its “Super-Lobbyist” list for his extensive work before the County Commission, and in 2017, the Palm Beach Post said Neil was a “veteran of public hearings.”

Kelly L. Smallridge
Member

Kelly L. Smallridge is president and CEO of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County. She is currently the longest tenured economic development president in the state, and has a solid track record in facilitating some of the largest job creation projects for Palm Beach County. Kelly has worked at the Business Development Board for 30 years, and has garnered multiple prestigious recognitions.

Additionally, she has also had the opportunity of showcasing the BDB’s accomplishments on national outlets, such as CNBC and the New York Post.

Melissa McKinlay
Member

Melissa McKinlay joined the board in July 2023. She is the Vice President of Government Relations at WGI, a Former Mayor and County Commissioner, Palm Beach County, and a graduate of Florida State University.

Ilan Kaufer
Member

Ilan Kaufer joined the board in August 2023. He is an attorney and the External Affairs Manager for Florida Power and Light and the Former Vice Mayor of the Town of Jupiter. Kaufer is a graduate of the University of Virginia and the University of Florida.

Not pictured:

Andre Wade
Member

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

The Homeless Coalition Board of Directors meet monthly and serve on numerous committees. Each director goes through a nomination process to serve as a member for two years and can serve up to six years. The board is engaged and committed to ending homelessness in Palm Beach County.

Christian E. Bergstrom, CHRS
President

As Director & Senior Benefits Consultant for Gehring Group, Christian assists in strategic and budget planning for large group clients as it relates to employee benefits programs, making recommendations and providing guidance with regard to compliance with health care reform. His reputation in the industry has earned him the invitation to sit on the agent advisory councils of two of the largest group insurance carriers in the State of Florida.

Christian earned his Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from the University of Texas and is a member of National Association for Health Underwriters, State and Local Government Benefits Association as well as The Council for Insurance Agents & Brokers.

Dina D’Angelo
Vice President

Dina D’Angelo is a Sr. Client Manager with Cigna, where she specializes in government sector business throughout the State of Florida. Her experience includes working with the local governments in Palm Beach County for the last 15 years. In addition to her client management responsibilities, Dina also serves as a liaison for Cigna, supporting various community sponsorships and volunteer events.

Dina has 23 years of experience in the health insurance industry and is a licensed Health Life and Variable Annuity Agent. She resides in Palm Beach County with her husband and two sons.

Paul E. Dumars, Jr.
Immediate Past President/Treasurer

Paul E. Dumars, Jr. is a local finance professional with more than 15 years of experience. During his financial career, he has worked in the information technology, food and beverage manufacturing, and retail expansion industries.

Paul earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Louisiana State University, and his Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Management and Finance from Northwood University.

Sally Chester
Secretary

Sally D. Chester, MS, RN, BC, has been a long-time community volunteer with an extensive background in nursing. Some of her past board and community service involvement includes chairing Palm Beach Medical Society’s Heroes in Medicine, acting as an Arc of Palm Beach County board member, and medical operations director for the Palm Beach Marathon Festival.

Sally has more than 45 years of experience in nursing and health care. She received her Bachelor in Nursing from Hartwick College, and her Masters in Health Education from Nova Southern University.

James Crowley, Esq.
Member

James “Jamie” Crowley is a land use attorney at Gunster. He represents developers and property owners on a wide range of development projects who require approval from local, county and state regulatory agencies. He has worked on large-scale planned development, public-private partnership and urban infill projects throughout Florida, but focuses his practice on South Florida.

Jamie graduated from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, and the University of Florida’s honors program.

Sperio Georgedakis
Member

Spero Georgedakis is the Founder and CEO of Good Greek Moving & Storage, Florida’s largest moving and storage company. Inspired by his career in law enforcement, Spero made it his mission to provide the best relocation services with honest pricing, in an industry that is plagued by rogue and unscrupulous movers. Within 5 years, he built a multi-million-dollar franchise ‘The Good Greek Way’ which is based on the values of Honesty, Strength, and Courage. Spero’s success is a testimony to his entrepreneurial experience in various businesses and expertise in advertising and brand building. Thanks to Spero’s leadership, Good Greek has transcended the moving and storage industry to offer total relocation solutions, which include real estate services, auto transport, junk removal and more.

The Good Greek Spero, is involved in helping the community and serves as a board member in multiple non-profit organizations, including The Good Greek Foundation.

Frances Ferguson
Secretary

Frances Ferguson has 35 years of experience in the aviation and gas turbine industry with Pratt & Whitney. She is currently the Associate Director of Compliance at Pratt & Whitney in Jupiter, Florida, where she promotes and enables ethical conduct and compliance.

Frances serves her community as a Leaders United member at United Way Martin County, and volunteers with the Ethics Coalition of Palm Beach County. Originally from Scotland Frances moved to San Diego, California in 1985. She relocated with Pratt & Whitney to Florida in 2016, and resides in Martin County.

Rachelle Litt

Rachelle Litt
Member

A 30-year resident of Palm Beach Gardens, Rachelle was elected to the Palm Beach Gardens City Council in March 2017, and appointed Vice Mayor in April 2019. She and her husband Dr. Jeffrey Litt have raised three children, Amanda, Brandon and Austin in the city Rachelle and Jeff are still proud to call home.

Rachelle has been serving as the City liaison to the Palm Beach County League of Cities, Florida League of Cities and Palm Beach County Water Resources Taskforce since her election to the Council.

As outgoing Chairwoman of the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce Environmental Subcommittee of the Economic Development Committee, Rachelle worked to identify and communicate sustainable best practices that can be replicated by the region’s business community, while enhancing their bottom line. She is also actively involved in the Chamber’s Smart and Connected Region Initiative and Chamber efforts to increase Essential Services and Affordable Housing in the County.

Michelle Oyola McGovern
Member

Michelle Oyola McGovern serves as Director of Government and Community Relations for Baptist Health South Florida, South Florida’s largest non-profit healthcare system.

Prior to joining Baptist Health South Florida in 2019, Michelle served as State Director for U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, for whom she had worked for 18 years.

Michelle is past president of The Forum Club of the Palm Beaches, past president of SunFest, and a founding member and first president of West Palm 100. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees for both the Central Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce and The Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches, and on the Palm Beach County Advisory Commission on Women. Michelle is a Florida native and graduate of Florida Atlantic University. Michelle and her husband, Wellington Councilman John McGovern, have two daughters, Emilia and Victoria.

Michele Poole
Member

Neil Schiller, Esq.
Member

Neil Schiller assists clients with legal matters involving land use, zoning and development, government contracts and procurement, and local, state and federal lobbying. A veteran of South Florida politics since his days at the University of Miami, Neil has run many successful political campaigns in Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, and St. Lucie counties. Through these campaigns and his 20 years of practice as an attorney and lobbyist, Neil has developed a network of contacts in local, regional, state and federal business and political circles, including local civic activists. In 2009, The South Florida Sun-Sentinel included him in its “Super-Lobbyist” list for his extensive work before the County Commission, and in 2017, the Palm Beach Post said Neil was a “veteran of public hearings.”

Kelly L. Smallridge
Member

Kelly L. Smallridge is president and CEO of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County. She is currently the longest tenured economic development president in the state, and has a solid track record in facilitating some of the largest job creation projects for Palm Beach County. Kelly has worked at the Business Development Board for 30 years, and has garnered multiple prestigious recognitions.

Additionally, she has also had the opportunity of showcasing the BDB’s accomplishments on national outlets, such as CNBC and the New York Post.

Melissa McKinlay
Member

Melissa McKinlay joined the board in July 2023. She is the Vice President of Government Relations at WGI, a Former Mayor and County Commissioner, Palm Beach County, and a graduate of Florida State University.

Ilan Kaufer
Member

Ilan Kaufer joined the board in August 2023. He is an attorney and the External Affairs Manager for Florida Power and Light and the Former Vice Mayor of the Town of Jupiter. Kaufer is a graduate of the University of Virginia and the University of Florida.

Not pictured.

Andre Wade

Member

Team Members