Carolyn Eastman has served as the Director of Communications for the Children's Board of Hillsborough County for over 10 years. She was responsible for convening a consortium of child serving agencies to support the Heart Gallery project in 2003. Under Carolyn's leadership, the Heart Gallery, formerly operated by volunteers, now has a staff and serves over 100 children annually. The Heart Gallery Tampa Bay became the first gallery to have audio recordings with the photos, has become a model for emerging exhibits and is a leader in best practices. Carolyn continues to oversee the project and support the Heart Gallery in media relations in addition to her role in communications for the many Children's Board programs.
Jesse Miller began working with the Heart Gallery as a volunteer photographer in 2002 and for the past three years has served as the Director for the Heart Gallery of Tampa Bay. With a background in the arts and working with at-risk youth populations, Jesse is a published photographer and aspires to create more navigable systems for adoptive families while increasing direct services that improve the quality of life for kids in care. Jesse serves as Vice President of the Heart Gallery of America and is an interim board member for the Heart Gallery of Florida, a collaboration of Florida Heart Galleries that she recently organized and facilitated.
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"I think of each Heart Gallery shoot as a celebrity assignment. There will be unexpected delays, last minute location changes, set and lighting issues, clothing fiascos and then, of course, the toughest challenge still remains - capturing a magical moment in the hectic, emotional life of a child living in foster care. The stakes are high. Our success isn't measured by artistry alone. Rather, we carry the weight of uniting a hopeful child with their forever family. "
-Jesse Miller, Heart Gallery Director and Photographer
From her article,
How to Photograph Hope
Melissa Twomey began with the Heart Gallery as part time staff in 2004. She has over 20 years experience in marketing and promotions in consumer products, sports and non-profit industries. She became a mentor when a former employer sponsored a female foster teen, a role she continues to embrace with sensitivity, responsibility and pride. Her work with foster children inspired her to become a Guardian ad Litem and she hopes to mentor another child in the future.
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