Board Member

Kali Denault

Originally from Illinois, Kali obtained her Bachelors of Science Degree in Marketing as well as her Master of Business Administration from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale before beginning a sports marketing career at the University of Notre Dame. After a career change and the smart decision to moveto Tampa in 2016, she and her husband became avid real estate investors. Kali owns and manages residential and commercial property as well as assists her clients with their real estate needs as a Real Estate Advisor with Premier Sotheby’s International Realty in South Tampa. Giving back has been an important part of Kali's life for a long time. Along with being a board member of High Hopes in High Heels she serves on the board of the Port Tampa Civic Association, a member of the Junior League of Tampa, and as a military spouse an American Legion Auxiliary member. Kali, her husband Matt, daughter Madelyn and pup Murphy live on St. Pete Beach. When she takes a break she loves watching football and boating with her family.

Board Member

Heather Hembree

Before putting down roots in Florida, Heather grew up in rural Illinois. In 2007, Heather found herself in sunny Tampa. Falling in love with the culture and vibe of the city, she couldn’t think of a better place to call home. She gains a unique perspective as a home health speech therapist, working with the geriatric population. This only inspires a deeper commitment to serving others. From crowdfunding for health care workers, to creating a pen pal program for seniors, to volunteering at the local food bank, to leading a grassroots hurricane relief effort after Hurricane Ian; Heather believes that no matter how big or small the good deed – our light always shines on others. With a commitment to creating community, her passion is serving women and mothers - the backbone of our communities. In her spare time, Heather adventures around the world with her husband, is an avid DIY-er and is now more smitten than ever after welcoming her first child, Rhodes. She spends her nights snuggling her fur baby Winnie and dreaming up new ideas to create community through events. 

Board Member

Erin Hawkins

Erin was born upstate New York but was raised in California. She is a Navy Veteran who served during the Iraqi Freedom and Kosovo crisis, Erin's dedication to service extends beyond her military career. Her passion for giving back to her community led her to join High Hopes in High Heels after attending one of the infamous high heel hunts in South Tampa with other members. Since then, Erin has been an active and dedicated member of our board, contributing her strategic insights and leadership skills to drive our organization's success.

In addition to her role with our charity, Erin volunteers with other organizations such as What the Buc, further exemplifying her commitment to strengthening and uniting the community. She is deeply passionate about making a positive impact and believes in the power of community involvement to create meaningful change.

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Outside of her professional and philanthropic endeavors, Erin is an avid traveler and sports enthusiast. As a mother, she values the importance of exposing her son to diverse experiences and cultures, instilling in him a love for exploration and learning.

Board Member

Keara Geib

Keara is originally from Northern Virginia and serves as Vice President for the COO Global Business Office at Citi. She currently resides in St. Petersburg, FL with her husband, two children and a wiggle butt named Oliver Twist. Her greatest passion is working with like-minded partners in Tampa Bay to identify and address urgent needs that not only raise funds but also bring much needed awareness to causes within the community we serve. This important work, mission and the truly inspirational women within High Hopes in High Heels is what led Keara to join and be a member since 2015. In her spare time, Keara plays golf, fishes and is in a bowling league with her friends and family. She is proud to be a Florida Gator and believes Horace says it best, "Don’t just think, do."

Board Member

Rebecca Fordham

Rebecca is originally from Southeastern Wisconsin and has been a Florida resident since 1996. Rebecca lives in Safety Harbor, FL with her husband, youngest son and their two fur babies. She has two older sons who also live and work in the area. Rebecca is an educator with Pinellas County Schools where she has been a Gifted and Talented Teacher for the past 15 years. Being actively involved in her community was a value learned from her mother. Her service grew through the many hands-on experiences they shared giving back throughout the years. She continues this passion by providing opportunities for her children and students to volunteer throughout the community. Being part of, the like-minded women of High Hopes in High Heels has provided her the opportunity to touch and impact the lives of those she serves throughout the Tampa Bay area.