Executive Leadership
Shawn Salamida - President/CEO
Shawn Salamida, President and CEO of Partnership for Strong Families (PSF), is responsible for the oversight of all facets of the community-based care agency that manages child welfare services for 13 counties, with an annual budget exceeding $28 million. Salamida serves on the Board of Directors for the Florida Coalition for Children Foundation, with member agencies from all across the state. Salamida also serves on the board of the Alachua County Children's Alliance, acting as Board Chair in 2011. Additionally, he serves on several local and state-level committees pertaining to child welfare issues. Mr. Salamida has worked in the field of children's services for 19 years, serving as administrator both in mental health and child welfare organizations. Prior to being appointed CEO of PSF in 2008, Salamida served as Vice President of Administrative Services at Community Partnership for Children in Daytona Beach, Florida. In 2009, the Florida Coalition for Children presented Salamida with the Distinguished Service Award. Salamida holds a master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from Rollins College and a bachelor's degree in Mental Health and Human Services from Franciscan University.
Thelma Clayton - Senior Vice President of Programs
Thelma Clayton was appointed Senior Vice President of Programs in November 2008. Ms. Clayton oversees all operational programs, including out-of-home care, adoptions, case management and partner family recruitment. Prior to working for Partnership for Strong Families, Clayton served as the Operations Program Administrator for the Department of Children and Families. In 2007, Clayton was presented with Partnership for Strong Families' Shining Star Award. In addition, she has received the Outstanding Performance Award from the Department of Children and Families in 2004 and the Ellen Foster Award and Outstanding Service to Dependent Children, Eighth Judicial Circuit Court Award in 1999. Clayton holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Florida and a Master of Arts in Adult Education from the University of South Florida.
Pebbles Edelman - Senior Vice President of Clinical and Community Services
Pebbles Edelman, appointed Senior Vice President of Clinical and Community Services in 2009, is responsible for the oversight and development of all clinical and family preservation programs within PSF's system of care, as well as provider and community relations. Prior to working with Partnership for Strong Families, Edelman served as the Program Director at Meridian Behavioral Healthcare. She has received numerous awards for her achievements, including the Distinguished Service Award for Exemplary Service to the Counseling Profession from the University of Florida in 2006 and a Meridian Outstanding Supervisor Award in 1998. In addition, she was presented with Partnership for Strong Families' Rising Star Award in 2009. Edelman holds a master's degree and a specialist's degree in counselor education from the University of Florida and has been a Licensed Mental Health Counselor since 1997.
Robert Holowiak - VP of Human Resources and Staff Development
Bob Holowiak joined Partnership in November, 2009. In his role, he provides leadership and consulting support to the organization on all HR matters including staffing, compensation and benefits and people development. He is responsible for the strategies, policies and programs needed to attract, motivate, develop and retain the people resources of the company.
Prior to PSF, Bob held senior HR executive positions in the private sector. Most recently he was with Rexam PLC, a British company, where he had been Vice President, Human Resources for the Americas and later for the Closures Division. Previously he held the position of Vice President – Human Resources with the Chinet Company, a subsidiary of Huhtamaki, Inc. Bob has a Bachelor’s Degree from Manhattan College and an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business.
Michael Reneke - Senior VP of Finance & Administration
Amanda Gray - VP of Finance
David Glennon - VP of Information Technology
Since 2004, David Glennon has been the Vice President for Information Technology, overseeing the agency’s communications network, software development and data management. Prior to his employment with PSF, he worked as an Operations & Management Consultant for the State of Florida’s Department of Children and Families in Gainesville. Glennon holds a Bachelors degree from the University of Florida.
