Rebecca Taylor Cohen, Director

(Appointed July 2025, Term ends April 2027)

Rebecca, an active member of the LWVPBC for eight years, has deep roots in Palm Beach County. As an undergraduate at FAU, she co-led Palm Beach County’s Crisis Line (South County). After grad school at Duke University in Durham, NC, Rebecca came home to Palm Beach County for a career in nonprofit eldercare and mental health.

Leadership in nonprofit organizations led to her life-long love for program development and grant writing. In the years after early retirement for an older-age marriage, she has enjoyed grant writing, program development, and hands-on civic engagement as a volunteer. 

Donna Colabella, Director

( Elected 2026, Term ends April 2028, originally Appointed Nov 2025)

For most of Donna’s adult life she lived in New Jersey, where she raised three children. She and her husband became Florida residents in 2015. Donna joined the League in 2022 when a friend invited her to an event at which she was introduced to National Popular Vote. Intrigued by the work this team was doing, she joined them. Now she serves as Co-chair of the Membership Team. 

Donna has served others in various positions: seventh-grade language arts teacher, chiropractic assistant, clinical manager in an orthodontic practice, co-creator and co-teacher of course curriculum in her New Jersey church, and co-leader of small groups.

Donna has always valued working in tandem with others. Her belief is cooperation yields more than singular effort. She looks forward to moving ahead with the Membership Team and keeping close to the tried-and-true road, but also exploring some new paths along the way.

Cassondra A. Corbin-Thaddies, Director

(Elected 2024, 2026, Term ends April 2028)

Dr. Cassondra A. Corbin-Thaddies is an innovative instructional designer and educational technology advocate, dedicated to empowering educators and leaders. She champions mindset shifts and racial equity, creating transformative learning experiences globally.

With 20+ years in education, Cassondra's expertise includes learning technology, executive coaching, and training. She has positively impacted over 2500 teachers and 500 schools worldwide.

A collaborator with Stanford University's Graduate School of Education, she contributes to professional development and the EdTech Genome Project. Cassondra, who holds a Ph.D. in Instructional Design and Technology, is the founder of Connect to Greatness, Inc., and the Vice President of Coaching and Professional Services at Learning Innovation Catalyst (LINC).

Marion Harper, Director

(Appointed October 2026, Term ends April 2027)

Marion joined the League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County in early 2026 after considering where she could make the biggest difference in her community. With so many important issues demanding attention, she kept returning to one idea: voting is at the heart of it all.

She believes an informed electorate is a strong electorate and that every vote matters. This drew her to the League’s mission of voter education, civic engagement, and encouraging participation in the democratic process.

Professionally, Marion is a Senior Human Resources Business Partner with more than 20 years of experience in retail leadership, organizational development, talent management strategy, and process implementation. Her career has focused on connecting organizational goals with practical, people-centered solutions.

Outside of work and volunteering, including serving on her HOA board, Marion enjoys time with her husband and two dogs, exploring new places, sharing meals with friends, gardening, and relaxing with a good book or BritBox series.

Whitney Powell, Director

(Appointed November 2025, Term ends April 2027)

Whitney Baldwin Powell is a native of West Palm Beach. She is the wife of County Commissioner Bobby Powell and the mother of Chandler Victoria, and she is a partner at Cole, Scott, & Kissane, P.A. Whitney attended Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration. She continued her education at the FAMU College of Law and graduated in 2013 in the top half of her class. While in law school, she was awarded the distinguished Percy R. Luney Spirit of Service Award, given to a law student who excels in service to both the community and the FAMU College of Law.

She is a Past President of the F. Malcolm Cunningham, Sr. Bar Association and the former General Counsel of Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter of the National Bar Association. Whitney is active with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Palm Beach County Bar Association, and many other community organizations. Whitney is the owner of Fab & Flair, a fashionable sunglass boutique.

Kate Renchin, Director

(Elected 2023, 2025, Term ends April 2027)

Kate traces a lifelong interest in civil and voting rights, justice, and the legal system back to high school days writing for the school newspaper, heading the Women’s Judicial Board at the University of Wisconsin, and teaching literacy and volunteering at a women’s shelter.

These days she pursues her work as Co-Chair of the Palm Beach County Voting Rights Coalition and the Palm Beach County Election Protection program, while serving on the board of the League of Women Voters, NAACP West Palm Beach, and the Steering Committee of Coming to the Table South Florida. Kate is also a past board member of ACLU Florida and Palm Beach County.

Elizabeth Shapiro, Director

(Elected 2023, 2025, term ends April 2027)

Liz grew up in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Her undergraduate degree is in Home Economics Education and her graduate degree is in Food Service Administration. She worked for Magic Pan Restaurants in Chicago, and then worked with the National Restaurant Association as a seminar instructor. Liz’s duties included developing seminars and making presentations throughout the United States.

Liz and her husband moved to Boca Raton in 1985 where they raised their two daughters. Liz spent 20 years working for the School District of Palm Beach County as a high school Culinary Arts Instructor and a district administrator.

Liz has been a member of American Association of University Women for more than 30 years and has held several leadership positions including as President. She is currently Vice President for Membership.

Liz has volunteered for Catholic Charities and was Sustainer Chair for the Junior League of the Palm Beaches. She currently volunteers for Harmony House and is also a member of National Jewish Women's Council of Palm Beach County.

Cindy Sheehan-Hartwell, Director

(Elected April 2026, Term ends April 2028)

Cindy became a member of the League of Women Voters in Exeter, New Hampshire in 1986. Friendships between Republican and Democratic League members and politicians were customary. Members worked full time, leadership roles went unfilled and this chapter sadly disbanded.

In 2016, a retired educator, Cindy and her husband moved to downtown West Palm Beach. She joined League of Women Voters Palm Beach County and experiences include:

•  Observer Corps attending PBC Commissioner and School Board meetings

•  Special Events

•  Civics Education

•  Voter Services

•  Voter Rights

•  Community Outreach

As a former Co-Chair of LWVPBC Community Outreach, Cindy’s goal is for LWVPBC events to reflect the diversity of the residents of Palm Beach County. People of all ages, races and political affiliations will discuss, question and listen to each other while working for an inclusive democracy. Working together in a nonpartisan manner, we will become better informed voters and cooperative neighbors.

Patty Whitehill, Director

(Elected 2024, 2026, Term ends April 2028)

Patty’s first memory of volunteering was stuffing envelopes for candidates, and later in 1965, registering new voters with an active youth group. She learned the importance of voting early from her mother who mused that democracy was like a garden—it needs constant tending. Her grandmother joined The National Women' s Party with Alice Paul in 1919, and her great grandmother was hosting suffragist coffee klatchs in the early 1900s.

With a degree in psychology, Patty worked in retail as a manager and later as a luxury vacation travel agent for over a decade. She then lived in Bergamo, Italy, for a year earning her Montessori Elementary degree, earned her IB Middle Years certification in technology and humanities, and has worked as a teaching assistant, teacher, and administrator.

Patty currently is an academic therapist and lives in Boca Raton with her husband and two chihuahuas. She enjoys volunteering for the LWV with her daughter as they continue their family legacy of fighting for women’s rights.

Megan Wiston, Director

(Appointed November 2025, term ends April 2027)

Megan is an accomplished nonprofit leader with more than 15 years of experience serving communities in Palm Beach County. Her lifelong commitment to service began during her Quaker primary school years in Philadelphia and has continued throughout a career devoted to improving the health and well-being of children and families.

As Director of Programs at the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County, Megan oversees the Literacy AmeriCorps program, in addition to three other programs, strengthening literacy engagement across the county. Before joining the Literacy Coalition, Megan spent more than a decade in child welfare, developing expertise in program supervision and community outreach. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Child Study from Tufts University and a Master’s degree in Public Health Education from Emory University.

Megan has lived in Lake Worth, Florida, for more than 20 years with her husband and is the proud parent of three adult children.