Kay Ehas
Chief Executive Officer
Kay Ehas is CEO of Groundwork Jacksonville, the City of
Jacksonville’s nonprofit partner in creating the 30-mile Emerald Trail and restoring McCoys Creek and Hogans Creek.
Since joining Groundwork in 2017, Kay Ehas has been relentless in her pursuit of achieving Jacksonville’s dream of connected trails, parks and creeks that encircle the urban core. Kay quickly went to work developing the Emerald Trail Master Plan which was adopted by the Jacksonville City Council in early 2019. A significant portion of the trail is complete, under construction or in design. The LaVilla Link, the first segment of the Emerald Trail, opened in May of 2024
She was named a Woman of Influence by the Jacksonville Business Journal and “Downtowner of the Year” from Downtown Vision in 2023, and was a Florida Times-Union Eve Award Finalist in 2021.
Kay has 15 years of experience in local government, most recently as chief administrative officer for the Duval County Property Appraiser. She also has more than 11 years of private-sector human resources experience.
From 2004 – 2015, Kay served on the Riverside Avondale Preservation (RAP) board including three years as Board president. Under Kay’s leadership RAP created the Riverside Arts Market (RAM) and planted more than 1000 trees along neighborhood streets, among other accomplishments.
Kay came to Jacksonville as a Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA) where she worked with public housing tenant associations and a low-income senior citizens group. She earned a master’s degree in communication and graduated with distinction from the University of Florida. Kay earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in social welfare from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.
To get in touch with Kay please email kay@groundworkjacksonville.org
Gloria McNair
Chief Community Officer
Gloria McNair joined GWJax in 2018 and leads the organization's community outreach efforts. Gloria is responsible for engaging citizens in visioning and advocating for their community, helping to ensure residents have input in shaping GWJax projects including McCoys Creek, Hogans Creek and the Emerald Trail.
One of Gloria's major areas of focus is to help long-time residents stay in their homes and benefit from the prosperity the Emerald Trail will create.
Gloria’s professional career has been diverse, yet at the core of her work has been a dedication to service.  She joined the U.S. Navy and served 22 years of active service, first as a Hospital Corpsman and then as an Environmental Health Officer. After retiring in Jacksonville, she used her skills as an educator and preventive health advocate with the Florida Department of Health in Duval to support initiatives including Groundwork Jacksonville.
Gloria has a MA in Human Resource Development from Webster University, a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Excelsior and an Associates of Science degree in Environmental Health from Merritt College. Originally from South Carolina, Gloria now proudly claims Jacksonville as home for her and her husband and two daughters.
To get in touch with Gloria please email gloria@groundworkjacksonville.org
Janet Reagor
Chief Operating Officer
Chief Operating Officer Janet Reagor directs day-to-day operations including human resources, facilities and operational policies and procedures that support the growth of Groundwork Jacksonville. Janet is also responsible for the effective development and execution of programs that reflect Groundwork’s mission, values and commitment to the community.
Janet is a dedicated professional with a wealth of experience in nonprofit management, fund development and administration. She has held leadership positions with LSF Health Systems, Community Hospice & Palliative Care, Sanctuary on 8th Street and Dignity U Wear.
Her educational background complements her extensive professional experience, enabling her to excel in demanding and multifaceted roles. Janet holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Florida and a Bachelor of General Studies in Business Management & Marketing from Jacksonville University.
Janet is committed to volunteerism and community service. She is active in the Rotary Club of San Marco, the Garden Club of Jacksonville, the Women's Board of Wolfson Children's Hospital, the Junior League of Jacksonville, and Walk-Off Charities. Janet is a Leadership Jacksonville alumnus.
To get in touch with Janet, please email Janet@groundworkjacksonville.org
Leana Cianfoni
Chief Development Officer
Leana Cianfoni is a fundraising executive with 15 years of experience building revenue sources for nonprofit organizations to support mission-oriented causes and projects that are transforming communities.
In November 2024 Leana joined Groundwork Jacksonville as Chief Development Officer, charged with donor stewardship and increasing philanthropic support for GWJax programs and operations including maintenance, activation and ongoing enhancements for the 30-mile Emerald Trail.
Most recently, Leana served as Chief Development Officer for The Underline, a 10-mile 120-acre linear park and urban ecological corridor in the heart of Miami. During her tenure she increased revenue to $3.3 million, elevating unrestricted revenue sources for the park.
Leana obtained her undergraduate degree at the University of North Florida in 2007 and her graduate degree in international business from Florida International University in 2021.
Leana’s career in fundraising began at the University of Miami where she increased donor retention and stewardship to over 10,000 donors. She also served as Director of Development for HistoryMiami Museum.
In the field of environmental conservation Leana served as SE Florida Donor Relations Manager for The Nature Conservancy and as Director of Leadership Giving at the Everglades Foundation.
Leana is passionate about boots-on-the-ground work that creates economic and social opportunities, while protecting the environment and preserving the arts and history of the communities she serves. Her hobbies include exploring the outdoors, hiking, running, yoga, meditation and mindfulness practices.
To get in touch with Leana, please email Leana@groundworkjacksonville.org
Dylan Ford
Landscape Architect/Project Manager
Dylan Ford is Groundwork Jacksonville’s Landscape Architect and Project Manager, responsible for designing native landscapes for the Emerald Trail, as well as managing watershed and restoration projects for McCoys Creek and Hogans Creek. Dylan is committed to improving the quality of life in Jacksonville through green infrastructure design.
Born in California, Dylan spent most of his life in Indiana. He earned a Master's degree in landscape architecture from Ball State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics with a minor in Mathematics from Manchester University in Indiana.
Wanting to be close to family and the beach, Dylan and his wife Holly moved to Jacksonville in 2018. Prior to joining Groundwork, Dylan worked for the State of Florida as Engineering Specialist II for the Army National Guard in Saint Augustine, Fla.
Currently, Dylan is a licensed Landscape Architect with the state of Florida and is pursuing the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) designation. He is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).
To get in touch with Dylan, please email dylan@groundworkjacksonville.org
Garner Cox
Horticulture Manager
Garner Cox serves as Groundwork Jacksonville’s Horticulture Manager where he leads the horticulture team in implementation of the Emerald Trail horticulture maintenance plan. He also coordinates volunteer efforts to help keep the greenspaces along the trail healthy, vibrant, and welcoming for the entire community.
Originally from Chattanooga, TN., Garner holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Integrated Studies with concentrations in Environmental Science and Geographic Information Science from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Garner is an ISA Certified Arborist with a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification and a Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association (FNGLA) Certified Horticulture Professional. Prior to joining Groundwork Jacksonville, he held various arborist roles in both municipal and commercial settings, bringing extensive experience in urban forestry and sustainable landscape practices.
In his free time, Garner enjoys tending to his vegetable garden and cultivating a thriving food forest.
To connect with Garner, please email garner@groundworkjacksonville.
Joni Alexandre
Program Manager
Joni Alexandre is Groundwork Jacksonville’s Program Manager responsible for establishing and maintaining positive relationships with stakeholders. As part of Groundwork’s community engagement team, Joni works to ensure residents and business owners stay informed about —and have a voice in—Groundwork initiatives including the Emerald Trail and creek restoration projects. She is responsible for managing Groundwork's inter-generational CREST program as well as Groundwork's role as a lead agency in Project One Health, a strategic initiative that aims to increase the time youth spend outdoors and away from screens.
Joni brings a strong background in relationship-building through her experience in operations and account management in the financial services sector.
Joni holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of North Florida. She volunteers as the secretary of the Robinson’s Addition Neighborhood Association, one of the communities along the planned Emerald Trail. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and cooking and considers herself to be a bit of a “foodie.”
To get in touch with Joni, please email Joni@groundworkjacksonville.org
April Jordan
Development & Communications Coordinator
April Jordan is Groundwork Jacksonville’s Development & Communications Coordinator assisting with donor stewardship and amplifying Groundwork's message in the community.
April was born and raised in Jacksonville, Fla. Driven by her passion for helping others, she graduated from the University of North Florida with a bachelor’s degree in health science, and a minor in health education. With over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, April has developed expertise in community engagement, program management, evaluation, fundraising, and content development. Outside of work, she enjoys capturing candid moments through photography, traveling, and exploring the local food scene.
To get in touch with April, please email April@groundworkjacksonville.org
Michael Harris
Project One Health Coordinator
Michael Harris serves as Project One Health Coordinator, where he will introduce learning modules about topics like water quality, native birds, tree planting, pollinators, the role of insects, gardening, wildlife safety, team building, healthy eating and mind-body exercises to the youth of Brentwood.
Originally from Ypsilanti, MI., Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree in athletic training from the University of Alabama. He also obtained his Master of Arts degree in management and leadership from Liberty University.
Prior to joining Groundwork Jacksonville, Michael served as the physical education/health teacher for public and private schools in Jacksonville where he also coached several youth sports, including basketball, flag football, volleyball, soccer, as well as track and field.
In his free time, Michael enjoys exploring the city and playing in several basketball leagues. To get in touch with Michael, please email michael@groundworkjacksonville.org.
Kayla Herman
Horticulturist
Kayla Herman serves as a horticulturist, where she assists with horticultural trail maintenance, volunteer events, and environmental education.
Kayla was born and raised in Jacksonville, Fla and earned a Bachelor's degree from the University of Florida in Biological Engineering with a Specialization in Agricultural Production and minors in Horticulture and International Studies. She worked as a research assistant for the University of Florida and developed a Matlab Protocol for plant growth analysis in the Space Plants lab. There, she managed a 50 sq. ft. container farm for the Controlled Environment Engineering lab that produced up to 850 heads of lettuce per week. She studied abroad in Spain, Colombia, and Belize, and completed an engineering capstone design project focusing on waste collection in the Magdalena River in Barranquilla, Colombia. Her travels inspire her love of community and the green spaces that foster it.
In her free time, Kayla enjoys long walks in nature.Â
Mackenzee Resch
Horticulturist
Mackenzee Resch serves as a horticulturist, where she assists with horticultural trail maintenance, volunteer events, and environmental education. Born in Kansas City, Mo., Mackenzee graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Food & Life Sciences, Horticulture, Landscape, and Turf Sciences from the University of Arkansas. She has experience with the management and installation of rain gardens using native plants, urban farming, invasive species removal, and outdoor recreation. Mackenzee is passionate about connecting and educating others on the importance of growing native species in the landscape, growing your own food, and giving back to the ecosystems around us. Outside of work, she enjoys road biking, yoga, swimming, and really anything outdoors.