Who We Are
We are an ambitious group of community leaders who recognize the need for empowerment through hands on experiences to connect people to nature. Our working farm provides the perfect landscape to connect people to nature, providing an intrinsic value and sprouting community contributions and betterment. We are an organization based on hard work, acceptance and empowerment through farm-based activities.
OUR BOARD
Tiffany Lehman
Kyle Christianson
Ashleigh Ebrite
Founder and CEO
President
Tiffany has spent the last 15 years in the insurance industry as agent/owner of a start-up independent agency. Her dedication to non-profits started while she was attending the University of Florida and it only grew stronger over the years. Tiffany is dedicated to her community and makes this obvious with her devotion to the non-profit sector. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Leadership Collier Foundation and Chair for the Youth Leadership Collier program. Tiffany was awarded the 2015-2016 Volunteer of the Year award for her countless hours of service to the Leadership Collier Foundation. She was featured in the 2016 Distinctive Women’s magazine as well as eBella’s 2016 issue of Influential Women Leaders. With a love for nature and passion for giving back, Tiffany sold her agency and started Empowerment Farm in November of 2022.
Ashleigh Ebrite
Kyle Christianson
Ashleigh Ebrite
Co-Founder
Vice President
Born and raised in Tallahassee, Florida, Ashleigh is a true Floridian. She moved to Gainesville, Florida and earned her degree in Zoo Animal Technology and soon after worked as a zookeeper for Naples Zoo and Zoo Miami. After fulfilling her dream to work with exotic animals, Ashleigh shifted her career goals to insurance. Since Ashleigh’s family has a long history of insurance educators and agents, the territory came naturally. She enjoys spending time with her husband and working on their homestead where she raises ducks and chickens and has a flourishing garden that she is constantly researching for best practices and techniques.
Kyle Christianson
Kyle Christianson
Kyle Christianson
Treasurer
Kyle is a Certified Financial Planner(tm) professional and partner with Evangelista & Christianson, Wealth Advisors of Raymond James in Naples. Kyle was born in North Dakota and grew up in the "Cowboy State", Wyoming, where he graduated from the University of Wyoming. Go Pokes! Not long after moving to Florida in 2000, Kyle met and married his lovely wife Miranda. They live in Bonita Springs and are blessed to have three healthy and active children, Grace, Ava & Jake. Kyle enjoys anything outdoors especially camping in the mountains (not Miranda's favorite). If not in the office it means he is going to Grace's dance or cheer, Ava's volleyball or basketball or Jake's basketball or jujitsu. As a family we enjoy traveling, time at the pool, going the beach or a park. With a soft spot for children's organizations and a belief in giving back to our local community, Kyle is proud to serve Empowerment Farm.
Libby McHugh
Libby McHugh
Kyle Christianson
Director
Libby McHugh is an accomplished professional with over 20 years of experience in the financial industry. Currently, she serves as the Managing Director of Relationship Management and Service at Charles Schwab Investment Management (CSIM), where she oversees the institutional side of the business for three SMA managers acquired by CSIM.
Libby has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Economy from Tulane University. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and a graduate of the Schwab Advance LEAD Program, Leadership Collier™, and the inaugural class of Growing Associates in Naples (GAIN™) through the Leadership Collier Foundation. Additionally, Libby is a graduate of the Dale Carnegie Course on Effective Communication & Human Relations. Libby is a devoted wife and parent to three children, including twin boys and a girl.
Nina Gray
Libby McHugh
Mike Mccomas
Director
A Naples resident since 1979, Nina Gray has been dedicated to our community, professionally and through her volunteer work. She was employed for 25 years by Collier County nonprofits. In 1982, Nina was hired by Avow Hospice (then known as Hospice of Naples) to launch this fledgling organization and became its first CEO. In 1999, she began as a Neighborhood Health Clinic volunteer and subsequently became the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Advancement Officer. Additionally, she is a Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor who specializes in individual and group therapy to help people navigating life transitions. Nina’s personal commitment to our community is unwavering. It is her knowledge and passion for our community that led her to create the Collier Resource Center. This nonprofit organization connects people, at no charge, with health and human service resources.
Mike Mccomas
Libby McHugh
Mike Mccomas
Director
Mike, originally from Cleveland, OH attended Ohio State University before his service in the US Marine Corp Forces Reserve from 1967-1973 and moving to Collier County in 1974. As founder of Leadership Collier and Big Cypress Wilderness Institute his philanthropic dedication is evident in everything he does. Mike is currently the Regional Sales Manager for Seaholm Automatic Watches and a councilman on the Everglades City Council. Mike also served on the Leadership Collier Advisory Council and has a passion for developing individuals through actions not words. As a current resident of Everglades City Mike enjoys fishing on his rare down time.