WHO WE ARE
CURRENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Ground Up Project was established through the dedication of our Founding Board, a group of parents who all have children on the autism spectrum. United by both personal experience and a shared vision, we are committed to building meaningful opportunities and inclusive spaces for adults with special needs. Our collective guidance and passion laid the foundation for The Resting Tree and our future residential community.
Lisa Pitell
Founding Member
Chief Executive Officer
Lisa Y. Shorts Pitell is an attorney who lives and practices law in Niceville, Florida. Lisa and her husband are the parents of a child with autism who currently attends the Emerald Coast Autism Center.
Over the past 10 years, Lisa has focused all of her charitable inclinations toward nonprofit entities serving the autism community. As a result, she organized a group of ECAC parents into a think tank to address the need for housing scenarios for adults with autism in our community. She is a founding member of The Ground Up Project, Inc. and current Chief Executive Officer of the organization.
Brittany Lynch
Founding Member
Chief Operations Officer
Brittany Lynch is a dedicated military wife and proud mother of two—including a son on the autism spectrum who currently attends Emerald Coast Autism Center. With a degree in Biology and a passion for advocacy, she brings both heart and strategic vision to her work.
Over the past decade, she has served on the ECAC PTO, gaining hands-on experience in leadership and special needs advocacy. These experiences, along with her personal journey, led her to become a founding member of The Ground Up Project. Brittany is driven by a deep commitment to inclusion and continues to champion spaces where individuals with autism feel safe, valued, and empowered.
Heather Danos
Founding Member
Chief Financial Officer
Heather Danos, a Louisiana native and proud mother of three, brings both heart and financial insight to her role as Chief Financial Officer. A graduate of LSU with nonprofit experience, she co-owns a local small business with her husband and understands the importance of sustainable, mission-driven growth.
Since moving to Niceville in 2017 for their middle child to attend Emerald Coast Autism Center, Heather has been an active part of the special needs community, serving on the school PTO. Her personal and professional experiences fuel her dedication to building a more inclusive future through The Ground Up Project.
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Whitney Wyatt
Founding Member
Chief Marketing Officer
Whitney Wyatt is a founding board member of The Ground Up Project, a dedicated nurse, and an active community volunteer. As a proud mother to her son Spencer and stepdaughter Valentina, Whitney brings both compassion and personal experience to the organization’s mission.
Her commitment extends beyond the boardroom—Whitney plays a vital role in fundraising efforts and regularly lends her time to school PTO initiatives and local outreach. Her heart for service and belief in inclusive opportunities make her a driving force behind the work of The Ground Up Project.
Kristin Gilmore
Kristin Gilmore is a Delaware native, residing in Niceville, Florida with her husband and their four children. She is a veteran of the Air Force Reserves, and retired in 2023. Her husband’s military career brought the family to Okaloosa County in 2017. The family’s oldest son is diagnosed with severe Autism; his needs serve as a reminder that disabilities do not end at 18 years old.
Kristin works as a public school administrator. She relies on her background in community health and educational leadership to advocate for individuals and their families who are impacted by developmental disabilities. She is honored to use her personal and professional experience to support the mission of the Ground Up Project.
Former / Founding Board Members
We honor and thank these individuals for their dedication and contributions to The Ground Up Project.
Brianna
O'Brien
Founding Member
Brandy
Hambright
Founding Member
Eric
Hambright
Founding Member
Kendra
Brownlee
Founding Member
Heidi
Blalock
Founding Member
Advisory Board Members
Maria White * Laura Mullinax * Brandy Hambright * Eric Hambright * Tonice Krueger * April Pretz
ECAC Liaison
Heidi Blalock