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This is not how your story ends, it's just the beginning.
LEADERSHIP
Stephanie Shepard - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Hope Above Fear exists because I saw firsthand where systems fail youth, and I refused to accept that reality as permanent.
I have always been passionate about supporting at-risk youth. With over a decade of experience as an educator, I have dedicated my career to amplifying the voices of young people who feel unseen and unheard. After the loss of my son, Isaiah Shepard, I felt a profound calling to continue this mission in his honor.
I believe that as we work to create light for others, we naturally light our own way.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
VICE PRESIDENT
VICE PRESIDENT
SWENEDA MCDONALD
DIRECTOR OF MEDICATED-ASSISTED TREATMENT AT LAKEVIEW
I volunteer because I believe togetherness is the cure for suffering, and no one should have to face hardship alone. Volunteering allows me to show love in simple but powerful ways—through connection, hope, and access to resources that can change lives. It gives me the
SWENEDA MCDONALD
DIRECTOR OF MEDICATED-ASSISTED TREATMENT AT LAKEVIEW
I volunteer because I believe togetherness is the cure for suffering, and no one should have to face hardship alone. Volunteering allows me to show love in simple but powerful ways—through connection, hope, and access to resources that can change lives. It gives me the opportunity to help reduce stigma, spark healing, and honor those we’ve lost while giving a voice to those who are still struggling. Serving my community has renewed my perspective and strengthened my commitment to spreading hope, recovery, and emotional well-being. Through volunteering, I’ve built meaningful friendships with people who share my values and passion for helping others thrive. It’s deeply fulfilling work—and sometimes even joyful—knowing that one conversation can encourage someone to seek the support they deserve. Nothing matters more than making a difference, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve.
VICE PRESIDENT
VICE PRESIDENT
VICE PRESIDENT
BRE GARRETT
ASSOCIATE ENGLISH PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA
I volunteer because service deepens my empathy and helps me better understand the unseen stories within my community. Volunteering allows me to listen more closely, connect more meaningfully, and show up as my best self. Through Hope Above Fear, I’ve seen how educati
BRE GARRETT
ASSOCIATE ENGLISH PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA
I volunteer because service deepens my empathy and helps me better understand the unseen stories within my community. Volunteering allows me to listen more closely, connect more meaningfully, and show up as my best self. Through Hope Above Fear, I’ve seen how education and advocacy can save lives and transform grief into action. Being part of this work has strengthened my personal and spiritual well-being and reminded me that even small efforts can ease suffering and create real change. I am honored to serve as a board member and inspired by the impact Hope Above Fear has already made in Escambia County. This work fuels my commitment to raising awareness about fentanyl poisoning, mental well-being, and accessible treatment, while carrying these lessons into my teaching and community life.
TREASURER
VICE PRESIDENT
TREASURER
DEVIN ALDRICH
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR, PSYCHIATRY RESIDENCY PROGRAM AT WEST FLORIDA HOSPITAL
Supporting an organization that educates and protects our children feels both meaningful and necessary. Volunteering with Hope Above Fear is deeply personal to me, shaped by growing up in a family impacted by addiction. Through my work as a health coa
DEVIN ALDRICH
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR, PSYCHIATRY RESIDENCY PROGRAM AT WEST FLORIDA HOSPITAL
Supporting an organization that educates and protects our children feels both meaningful and necessary. Volunteering with Hope Above Fear is deeply personal to me, shaped by growing up in a family impacted by addiction. Through my work as a health coach and research assistant in a medication-assisted treatment clinic, I’ve seen firsthand how access to education and resources can change lives. Returning to my home state allows me to bring that experience into an innovative, prevention-focused organization. Volunteering has strengthened my empathy and understanding of how systems and policy can be leveraged to create change. I’m proud to be part of a mission that works to stop addiction at its root and build a safer, more supportive community for youth.
SECRETARY
SECRETARY
TREASURER
JESSICA CLOUD
ESCAMBIA COUNTY SCHOOL COUNSELOR
I volunteer because helping others and making a meaningful difference gives purpose to my life. After losing my 18-year-old to fentanyl, I was searching for a way to turn grief into something that could help others. Meeting the founder of Hope Above Fear felt like a natural connection—aligning
JESSICA CLOUD
ESCAMBIA COUNTY SCHOOL COUNSELOR
I volunteer because helping others and making a meaningful difference gives purpose to my life. After losing my 18-year-old to fentanyl, I was searching for a way to turn grief into something that could help others. Meeting the founder of Hope Above Fear felt like a natural connection—aligning my desire to serve with my need to find purpose through loss. Through this work, I am driven to encourage open conversations, provide education, and spread awareness to help save lives. Volunteering has transformed my grief into action and allowed me to honor my child’s life by protecting others. Knowing this work makes a lasting difference in our community gives meaning even to the darkest days.
DIRECTOR
SECRETARY
DIRECTOR
WALTER (JOEY) KERMAN
CORE SUPERVISOR OF ESCAMBIA COUNTY EMS
As a paramedic, I see firsthand the devastating impact substance use has on young people and families, and that reality drives me to act beyond emergency response. Volunteering with Hope Above Fear allows me to be proactive—educating, mentoring, and supporting youth before they rea
WALTER (JOEY) KERMAN
CORE SUPERVISOR OF ESCAMBIA COUNTY EMS
As a paramedic, I see firsthand the devastating impact substance use has on young people and families, and that reality drives me to act beyond emergency response. Volunteering with Hope Above Fear allows me to be proactive—educating, mentoring, and supporting youth before they reach a point of crisis. This work gives young people tools to make healthier choices and reminds them that someone cares about their future. Seeing youth grow stronger and more resilient, knowing I played a small role in their journey, is incredibly meaningful. Volunteering has deepened my sense of purpose and strengthened my belief in compassion, community, and prevention. It’s a powerful reminder that saving lives isn’t only about emergencies—it’s also about showing up early and consistently.
DIRECTOR
SECRETARY
DIRECTOR
PAULA LOWRIMORE
STUDENT INTERVENTION SPECIALIST
SANTA ROSA DISTRICT SCHOOLS
After 30 years as an educator and student intervention specialist working with justice-involved youth, I’ve seen firsthand how addiction can derail young lives—and how powerful the right support can be in changing that trajectory. I first met Stephanie during a Teen
PAULA LOWRIMORE
STUDENT INTERVENTION SPECIALIST
SANTA ROSA DISTRICT SCHOOLS
After 30 years as an educator and student intervention specialist working with justice-involved youth, I’ve seen firsthand how addiction can derail young lives—and how powerful the right support can be in changing that trajectory. I first met Stephanie during a Teen Court presentation, and her willingness to turn deep personal pain into purposeful action left a lasting impression on me. What she was building through Hope Above Fear felt courageous and necessary, and our shared experiences with addiction created an immediate connection. Volunteering allows me to collaborate with a community that believes in guidance over judgment and hope over fear. Being part of this work reminds me that we don’t have to face overwhelming challenges alone—together, meaningful change feels possible. I’m grateful to be part of a movement focused on changing outcomes for youth and helping rewrite stories for the better.
DIRECTOR
DIRECTOR
DIRECTOR
PAMELA O'BRIEN
BAPTIST ER PATIENT NAVIGATOR
Volunteering allows me to extend my commitment to service beyond my profession and act from a place of genuine compassion and responsibility to my community. It continually reminds me of the strength that exists within individuals and the power of showing up for one another. Through this work, I’v
PAMELA O'BRIEN
BAPTIST ER PATIENT NAVIGATOR
Volunteering allows me to extend my commitment to service beyond my profession and act from a place of genuine compassion and responsibility to my community. It continually reminds me of the strength that exists within individuals and the power of showing up for one another. Through this work, I’ve gained greater gratitude, empathy, and perspective, and I’m reminded how meaningful even small acts of support can be. Volunteering has helped me grow more patient, compassionate, and aware of the diverse challenges people face. It has given me a strong sense of belonging and purpose, rooted in simple human connection. This experience continues to shape who I am both personally and professionally, inspiring me to keep contributing in positive ways.
DIRECTOR
DIRECTOR
DIRECTOR
DENNY WILSON
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION
ESCAMBIA COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Coming Soon!
DIRECTOR
DIRECTOR
DIRECTOR
ERIC RUTLEDGE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BAPTIST BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Details coming soon!