Charlotte County, FL – March 9, 2026
Women’s History Month in 2025 will be one for the history books at the Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA). Tallahassee, Fla. (March 6, 2025) – The Florida Sheriffs Association is proud to announce the successful graduation of Class 2 of the Florida Sheriffs Women’s Leadership Academy. This groundbreaking leadership program is designed to elevate women currently serving in leadership roles within Florida’s Sheriffs’ Offices.
The academy, held from March 2-6, 2026, hosted by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office at the Thrasher-Horne Center at St. Johns River State College, provided a 32-hour immersive experience focused on career development, leadership, and mentorship. The program featured industry-leading experts, including Florida’s four elected female sheriffs—retired Sheriff Susan Benton (Highlands County), retired Sheriff Sadie Darnell (Alachua County), Sheriff Michelle Cook (Clay County), and Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz (Miami-Dade County). These trailblazing leaders shared their experiences, challenges, and leadership strategies to inspire the next generation of women in law enforcement.
“The Florida Sheriffs Women’s Leadership Academy continues to play an important role in developing the next generation of leaders within our profession,” said Florida Sheriffs Association President and Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma. “As we celebrate the graduation of the second Women’s Leadership Academy, we are proud to see talented women from sheriffs’ offices across Florida building the skills, mentorship connections, and confidence needed to lead their agencies into the future. Programs like this also support the goals of the 30×30 Initiative, a national effort to increase the representation of women in law enforcement to 30 percent by 2030. By investing in leadership development today, we are strengthening the future of law enforcement in Florida.”
The program’s curriculum covered essential leadership topics, including:
- The History of Women in Florida Law Enforcement
- Mentorship and Career Advancement
- Resiliency in Law Enforcement
- Recruitment and Retention Strategies
- Effective Communication and Emotional Intelligence
- Mental Health and Self-Awareness
The Florida Sheriffs Women’s Leadership Academy is not only a milestone for the state but a trailblazing initiative in breaking down barriers and overcoming stigmas faced by women in law enforcement.
“The Women’s Leadership Academy reflects the Florida Sheriffs Association’s continued commitment to developing strong leaders within our profession,” said Florida Sheriffs Association Executive Director Matt Dunagan. “The women graduating from this year’s academy, along with the mentors and instructors, are strengthening the leadership pipeline for sheriffs’ offices across Florida and helping create more opportunities for women to advance and lead in law enforcement.”
The Florida Sheriffs Association remains committed to fostering leadership and professional growth within the law enforcement community, ensuring that the next generation of women leaders are well-equipped to serve and protect Florida’s communities.
For more information about the Florida Sheriffs Women’s Leadership Academy and the mission of the Florida Sheriffs Association, visit www.flsheriffs.org.
Florida Sheriffs Women’s Leadership Academy Class 2 Graduates:
- Alachua County – Lieutenant Heather Phillips
- Baker County – Sergeant Erica Bass
- Bay County – Manager Stephanie Grogan
- Bradford County – Major Dawn Mueller
- Charlotte County – Corporal Aleya LaVance
- Charlotte County – Corporal Shelley Shaw
- Citrus County – Lieutenant Allison McLaughlin
- Clay County – Sergeant T’Neisha Masline
- Collier County – Sergeant Kayla Harp
- Collier County – Sergeant Anna Horowitz
- DeSoto County – Sergeant Jennifer Bailey
- Escambia County – Sergeant Melissa Scruggs
- Flagler County – Supervisor Savannah MacLellan
- Franklin County – HR Chief Dana Pavon
- Glades County – Sergeant Stacie Murray
- Hendry County – Sergeant Laura Hernandez
- Hernando County – Director Kinsey Boylan
- Highlands County – Lieutenant Kimberly Gunn
- Hillsborough County – Corporal Gabriela Coll Cardenas
- Indian River County – Captain Angela Rosado-Jones
- Jacksonville – Commander Nuria “Archie” Archbold
- Jacksonville – Officer Jennifer Scott
- Lake County – Chief of Staff Kristy Marden
- Leon County – Executive Director Leslie Rabon
- Marion County – Supervisor Starlether White
- Marion County – Master Sergeant Tanya Rodriguez
- Miami-Dade County – Lieutenant Mirtha Viton
- Miami-Dade County – Lieutenant Sharita Guerra
- Nassau County – Sergeant Brandy Turman
- Nassau County – Manager Kayla Lumpkin
- Orange County – Lieutenant Kathleen Ela
- Osceola County – Captain Jacqueline Molzer
- Palm Beach County – Captain Terria Sanford
- Pasco County – Marissa Gochenour
- Santa Rosa County – Communications Director Janna Huter
- Sarasota County – Sergeant Erica Howell
- Seminole County – Manager Heather White
- St. Johns County – Corporal Krissie Padgett
- St. Lucie County – Lieutenant Angela Flowers
- Volusia County – Manager Lauren Mandese
- Wakulla County – Lieutenant Ashley Hudson
- Walton County – Sergeant Jessica Thomas
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“I am fortunate to have this caliber of women in my agency and in leadership roles. Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with many incredible females who have worked to chip away at the old stigma that law enforcement is a ‘man’s job’. In fact, some of the most influential members I have known have been women, with each one making it better for the next. I’m excited for what these ladies will take from this academy and bring back to Charlotte County.”
Sheriff Bill Prummell
CCSO Corrections Captain Tabbatha Carter, who attended and graduated from the first academy last year, also attended this academy as a presenter.
