LaShawn Russ-Porterfield

LaShawn Russ-Porterfield currently serves as a Regional Executive Director for the Florida Department of Education Bureau of School Improvement. Prior to her role with the State of Florida, she served as an Executive Director of turnaround and elementary school regions in Duval County Public Schools. She is a dedicated educator with over 23 years of experience in education as a classroom teacher, reading coach, assistant principal, principal, and district leader. Her passion, keen expertise, and experiences within education serve as an asset to our Foundation. 

Ms. Denisha Houston, MSN, MedSurg-BC is a native of Gainesville, FL, and a graduate of Buchholz High School.  She currently serves as a Program Coordinator in Nursing Education and Basic Life Support Program Director for the Veterans Health Administration.  

Denisha began her career as a Certified Nursing Assistant.  Since that time, she has served as a Registered Nurse, Chemo Registered Nurse, and Clinical Nurse Educator before assuming her current role.  With a passion for education, she thrives on aiding people in the pursuit of their passions and purpose.  Denisha has been developing nurse leaders from nursing schools throughout Central Florida, including the University of Florida and Santa Fe for over 11 years.  

Denisha received her Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Santa Fe College.  She went on to receive her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Central Florida and her Lean Six Sigma greenbelt from the Veterans Health Administration.