
2025 Lawton and Rhea Chiles Advocate Award
The Chiles Advocate Award honors the dedication and legacy of a Floridian who has invested significant time, energy, and resources promoting policies and programs that have inspired positive change statewide or nationally. The Chiles Advocate Award is named in honor of the former three-term U.S. Senator and two-term Florida Governor Lawton Chiles, and his influential First Lady, Rhea.
Congratulations again to our 2024 Chiles Advocate Award Recipient, Phyllis Kalifeh, Ed.D. (Children’s Forum – Retired), for her long-standing efforts in the early learning field.

Mark Wilson
Florida Chamber of Commerce

Loranne Ausley
Hollimon, P.A.

Theodore "Ted" Granger
United Way of Florida & Children's Services Council of Leon County (Retired)

Jessica Rogers
Children First, Inc.

Elizabeth Deola
Early Learning Coalition of Marion County

Crystal Yester
Primavera Preschool

Elsa Cruz
Primavera Preschool

Tamika Wolfe-McKenzie
Tamika's School Of Epicure

Megan Rose
Better Together