Mercy Quiroga, President

Dr. Mercy Quiroga believes that serving her community is her life-long passion. Now retired and living in Gainesville, Mercy was also very active with the Mental Health Clubhouse in Miami. She has seen first hand how Clubhouse programs like ours can make people’s lives better. Before retiring and moving to Gainesville, Mercy was a Campus President at Miami Dade College and Broward College along with Provost of New World School of the Arts. 

Shoab Rana, Vice President

Shoab’s main reason for associating with GOC was his son’s health issues. As he became more familiar with the mission of GOC and the way it helps its members cope with their health challenges, he would characterize this organization as no less than amazing. He joined the board so that he could contribute to this noble cause. Over the last few years, he has seen it grow tremendously and all the people working there are passionate and dedicated which is the main reason for its success. He is really happy to be a part of it.

Jennifer Elder, Secretary

Jennifer has a PhD in Nursing and Developmental Psychology. She worked as an RN in psychiatry. She started Arbor House and Mom’s Place with her husband, Steve Elder, to help mothers needing assistance. Her interest in the Gainesville Opportunity Center stems from her belief that GOC’s mission and values are consistent with her own. She has been particularly impressed with the success of one member with whom she and her husband helped for many years.

Joanne Edde, Treasurer

Joanne was originally from on Long Island, NY. She has two children, 6 grandchildren, two hens and one mean rooster. She enjoys gardening and canning, blues music festivals, and traveling. She started my banking career as a teller and today work as a community banker with over 20 years experience. She loves to help people!

Michael Conlon

Dr. Conlon is an experienced administrator, biostatistician, informatician, IT expert, and emeritus faculty member of the University of Florida. Dr. Conlon joined the GOC board in 2018.

Alexis Henderson

Alexis Henderson is a peer specialist who is a founding member of the Gainesville Opportunity Center. Her belief in how effective the Clubhouse model is comes from personal lived experience. The GOC is a place where people are respected. Both Members and staff create an atmosphere of wellness and recovery where people are met where they are at without judgment. Primary focus is on strengths and giving people encouragement and credit for every step of their recovery journey.  The Gainesville Opportunity Center is not only a beautiful concept, but it is effective in addressing needs and implementing real change in individuals’ lives.

Manny Quiroga

Manny is a UF graduate who is happy to be back in Gainesville for his retirement. Manny taught autistic high school children in the Miami-Dade public school system. Manny has been very active on our Board and has played a major role in planning several GOC events.

Reid Schreiber

Reid joined the board in 2018 as a Member Representative. He has an Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Florida. He is a Certified Recovery Peer Specialist. He loves the sense of community at the GOC. He has seen my own life transformed by participation in the GOC’s program after over 10 years as an active Member. Serving on the board provides opportunities for him to increase advocacy for individuals living with mental illness.

Bill Stephenson

Bill Stephenson chairs the Department of Humanities and Foreign Languages at Santa Fe College, where, in his 25 years at the institution, he has also served as Professor of English and English Department Chair. He has taught courses in Humanities, composition, and British and World Literature at Santa Fe. Bill earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration at the University of Florida in 2022. Bill’s work in the community includes nearly 20 years mentoring middle school and high school students through Florida’s
Take Stock in Children scholarship program. He and his colleagues at SF are currently developing Free to Learn, a program to support Santa Fe students with past history of incarceration.