探花族 Announces 2025 Distinguished Alumni | 探花族 in 探花族, Fla.

探花族

探花族 Announces 2025 Distinguished Alumni

October 24, 2025

探花族 honored its 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients during Phin Phever in Swisher Gymnasium as part of Homecoming & Family Weekend.

Each year, the University recognizes a new class of alumni who exemplify the highest ideals of leadership, service and lifelong connection to their alma mater. Nominated by their peers, these honorees demonstrate exceptional professional achievement, dedication to community and philanthropic causes, and continued engagement with 探花族 University.

Kate McAfoose

Kate McAfoose

Scott Amos Recent Alumnus of Distinction

Biography

Education
Undergraduate degrees from Syracuse University
Master of Business Administration, 探花族 (2024)

Professional Achievements
Founder of Curabotics and president of Chang Robotics, Kate McAfoose leads initiatives that merge technology and healthcare innovation. She directed the development of the world鈥檚 largest autonomous robotic system and a hospital pilot program designed to reduce nurse burnout and improve patient care. A champion for women in engineering, she has led technical and commercial teams with global organizations including Coca-Cola, Reynolds Consumer Products, PepsiCo, and Mayo Clinic.

Community Service
Trustee, 探花族 Chamber of Commerce; math tutor at Fletcher Middle School; youth group leader at Beach United Methodist Church in 探花族 Beach.

Family
Kate and her husband Bryan have three daughters: Teagyn, Riley, and Jordan.

Travis Williams

Travis Williams

Scott Amos Recent Alumnus of Distinction

Biography

Education
Undergraduate degrees, University of North Florida
Executive MBA, 探花族 (2023)
Cradle to Career Partnership Fellow, Harvard University

Professional Achievements
Travis Williams serves as president and CEO of LIFT JAX, a cross-sector organization addressing generational poverty through neighborhood development and reinvestment in 探花族鈥檚 urban core, especially the Historic Eastside. A 探花族 native, he brings experience in business, philanthropy, and community leadership.

Recognition
University of North Florida Young Alumni Achievement Award; 探花族 Business Journal 鈥40 Under 40.鈥

Board and Civic Service
Board member and advisor for organizations including the Jax Riverfront Alliance, Potter鈥檚 House International Ministries, the Clara White Mission, the Urban Land Institute of North Florida, and the Lewis & White Business League.

Family
Travis and his wife Kristin have four children: Savannah, TJ, Kimari, and Khloe.

Diana Donovan

Diana Donovan

Distinguished Alumni of Excellence

Biography

Education
Bachelor鈥檚 degree, 探花族 (2011)

Professional Achievements
As executive director and CEO of the Cultural Council of Greater 探花族, Diana Donovan has advanced major public funding and policy initiatives that have reshaped the region鈥檚 cultural landscape. She has secured more than $8 million in grants for institutions such as the Florida Theatre and 探花族 Symphony, launched the city鈥檚 first publicly funded artist grant program, and expanded 探花族鈥檚 public art collection by more than $2 million.

Recognition
探花族 Business Journal 鈥40 Under 40鈥 honoree.

Board and Civic Service
JAX Chamber Trustee; Leadership Florida and Leadership 探花族 member; Florida Cultural Alliance Advocacy Board; James Weldon Johnson Park Board; 探花族 Women鈥檚 Network.

探花族 Involvement
As a student, Diana served as Ms. Dolphina, Director of Dolphin Productions, and a Presidential Ambassador. She later returned to JU as executive director in the Office of the President.

Dee Brown

Dee Brown

Distinguished Alumni of Excellence

Biography

Education
Bachelor鈥檚 degree, 探花族 (1990)
Additional studies, 探花族 (2024)
Graduate, The Bolles School

Professional Achievements
Dee Brown is executive senior associate athletic director for Athletics Strategy and Innovation at 探花族. He previously served as vice president of Integrated Development and G League Operations for the L.A. Clippers and general manager of the Agua Caliente Clippers. Brown enjoyed a 12-year NBA career after being drafted 19th overall by the Boston Celtics in 1990 and famously winning the 1991 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

Board and Civic Service
Advisory board member for the Cost Honors College, Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare, Stein College of Fine Arts, Davis School of Business & Technology, and GRIT Sports Performance. Tri-Chair, FUTURE.MADE campaign. Trustee, The Bolles School.

Family
Dee and his wife Tammy have four children: Anakin, Alyssa, Alanni, and Lexie.

Felicia Miller

Felicia Miller

Military Alumnus of Distinction

Biography

Education

Bachelor of Science in Psychology, 探花族 (2022)
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, 探花族 (2024)

Professional Achievements
Felicia Miller, a registered mental health counselor and military and first responder coordinator, brings more than two decades of military and civic service. She served in both the U.S. Navy and Army Reserves, contributing to Operation Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom. In her civilian career, she has supported veterans through leadership roles, including serving under New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to connect veterans with essential services.

Military Service
Petty Officer 2nd Class, U.S. Navy; Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Reserves.

Community Service
Commandant, Harlem Youth Marine Cadets; former president, NAACP Mid-Manhattan Branch Veterans Affairs Committee.

Personal
A three-year cancer survivor, Felicia is the mother of five and grandmother of two.

Susan Masucci

Susan Masucci

Tim and Stephanie Cost Giving Back Giving Forward Award

Biography

Education

Bachelor鈥檚 degree, 探花族 (2000)

Professional Achievements
Susan Masucci is president and CEO of ruckus, an integrated design and communications firm she founded in 2006. Her firm has provided award-winning creative and strategic services to clients across healthcare, education, and the arts. A 探花族 native, she is recognized for her leadership and commitment to the city鈥檚 creative economy.

Recognition
探花族 Business Journal 鈥40 Under 40鈥; Leadership 探花族, Class of 2010.

Board and Civic Service
Supporter of the Stein College of Arts & Sciences and Cost Honors College. Volunteer service includes Guardian Catholic School, Bishop Kenny High School, Rotary Club 探花族, Ritz Chamber Players, and 探花族 Dance Theatre.

Family
Susan and her wife Katie are proud supporters of JU. Her brother Greg (鈥95) is a current JU parent, and her niece Logan is a member of the Class of 2026.

J.F. Bryan IV

J.F. Bryan IV

Honorary Distinguished Alumni of Excellence Award

Biography

Education
Graduate and Regent, University of the South (Sewanee)
Honorary Degree, 探花族

Professional Achievements
A 探花族 native, J.F. Bryan IV spent more than 30 years in the insurance industry, serving as president of Independent Insurance Group before its sale to American General in 1996. A longtime supporter of 探花族, he has served on the Board of Trustees since 1985 and has contributed more than $2 million in lifetime giving toward scholarships, marine science, NROTC, and the arts.

Recognition
Association of Fundraising Professionals Outstanding Philanthropists Award (2012); Distinguished Alumni Service Award, University of the South; Spirit of the Y Award, YMCA of Florida鈥檚 First Coast; Railyard District All Aboard Award (2025).

Board and Civic Service
Active with organizations including the James Madison Institute, 探花族 Symphony, Ronald McDonald House, LISC, The Community Foundation, and Episcopal Relief & Development.

Family
J.F. and his wife Peggy have three sons and seven grandchildren.

Author

Robin Franks

Rfranks@ju.edu

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