Leadership Awards

The Florida Alliance for Arts Education recognizes leaders who work in various capacities to ensure that arts education is available in all Florida schools and communities and that arts education is of the highest quality. Leadership in the areas of education, administration, and community are recognized.

2024 FAAE Leadership Award Recipients

Business Leader

Community Foundation of Broward

Community Volunteer

Thomas Tompkins

Doris Leeper Award

Steve MacKinnon

Elected Official

Joe G. Tedder

School Administrator

Michelle Matthews

School District Leadership

Joseph D'Ambrosi

Dr. Mary Palmer Legacy Trailblazer

Christopher Burns

Excellence in Arts Education

Michelle Ottley-Fisher

Past FAAE Leadership Award Recipients

Excellence in Arts Education


Jamie Kent

Elected Official


Terrence Freeman

Dr. Mary Palmer Legacy Trailblazer Award


DeWitt Cooper

Community Volunteer


Corey T. Williams

School Administrator


Laketiha Mincey

Doris Leeper Award


Nzingah Oniwosan

School District Leadership


Deborah Pepe

Business Leader


Molly Deckart