Meet our Team
JENNIFER JOHNSON | FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
I founded Brave like Ellie to honor and carry on the memory of our daughter Elizabeth. I am motivated to lead Brave like Ellie by this Maya Angelou quote: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” I experienced many trials watching my daughter Ellie fight MDS and AML cancer. Through that time Elizabeth and our family were blessed in so many ways through the journey, and now that we know more ways we can help others, we want to do so. Building relationships and helping others has been the consistent element woven through my career life that has brought me the greatest Joy. My hope is that our community of Brave like Ellie brings Joy, Love and Comfort to the families affected by pediatric cancer. I am inspired by Ellie to bring JOY to these families through our Brave Boxes. I hope to encourage bravery to those fighting pediatric cancer and the families of those kiddos.
AUTUMN HOLMES | VICE PRESIDENT
I have been feeling a call to serve more for a while and have a passion for bringing joy to people when they need it most. When I saw BLE had a need for more volunteers, I felt like it would be a great fit! I have worked in Administration for nearly 10 years with an eye for process improvement and hope to streamline our databases that can add value to our client and community engagement.
BILL FLOYD | CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OFFICER
I chose to be actively involved with Brave Like Ellie because of the personal impact it had on my own family. In 2020, my youngest daughter, Wilson, was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma. During her treatment, Brave Boxes brought comfort and joy in the middle of some incredibly hard days. That experience stayed with me, and now I want to help other families feel that same love and support. After more than 30 years in for-profit leadership, I shifted my focus to nonprofit work, combining my background in operations, strategy, and philanthropy with a passion for giving back. I currently serve on two nonprofit boards, have held leadership roles on past boards, volunteer regularly, and am earning my Nonprofit Management Certificate as I actively pursue a career in the nonprofit sector. I care deeply about building strong, compassionate communities. My greatest hope for Brave Like Ellie is that no family walks through childhood cancer feeling isolated or unseen. I want every child, sibling, and parent to know they are not alone, and that even in the hardest moments, there are people who care, who understand, and who are showing up with kindness and hope.
ADAM WAYNE | TREASURER
Adam Wayne is a speaker and accounting professional with over 20 years of accounting experience ranging from financial reporting, internal controls and consulting. His analytical skills, heart for serving and passion for business has benefited him over his career helping his clients find innovative solutions and helping them realize tax savings, finding operational efficiencies and increase profit margins.
Adam started Neway Financial Management in 2012 to provide accounting, advisory and tax services to small business owners. In 2022, he purchased a Supporting Strategies franchise to better support his bookkeeping clients with expanded services such as bill payment, payroll, and accounts receivable management. Adam focuses on providing the financial support that entrepreneurs need to grow their businesses and service their clients, through cash flow management, tax planning and profit planning.
After starting as an engineering major at the University of Arizona, Adam changed majors and graduated with a B.A. in Mathematics from Arizona State University. In 2006, he graduated with a M.B.A. and a Masters in Accounting and Financial Management from DeVry University, and he became a licensed CPA the following year. Adam is licensed as a CPA in California and Texas, and he is Profit First. Professional, Certified Value Builder, and a Certified Mergers and Acquisition Advisor.
Adam has been teaching and presenting for over 20 years to audiences ranging from elementary students to Board of Directors. He has also taught financial literacy in faith based organizations and educational institutions. He enjoys giving back to the community and has volunteered with Meals on Wheels and the Texas Food Bank.