Dr. Robert Colton is a distinguished physician, entrepreneur, and community leader with a career spanning over four decades in medicine, healthcare innovation, and philanthropy. He is the co-founder of Thema Brain Health, an organization dedicated to preserving brain health, preventing cognitive decline, and advancing the early diagnosis and treatment of dementia.

Dr. Colton graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Biochemistry from the University of Pennsylvania, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He earned his M.D. from the University of Miami School of Medicine, graduating second in his class and being inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha as a junior. His postgraduate training included residencies in Internal Medicine and Neurology, a fellowship in Nephrology, and service as Chief Resident in Internal Medicine. He is board certified in both Internal Medicine and Nephrology.

After moving to Boca Raton, Dr. Colton practiced Internal Medicine and Nephrology from 1984 until his retirement from clinical practice in 2011. He served as Chief of Medicine at Boca Raton Community Hospital and was repeatedly recognized as one of America’s Best Doctors by Castle Connolly.

A pioneer in healthcare delivery, Dr. Colton conceptualized and co-founded MDVIP, now the largest concierge medicine company in the United States, serving over 300,000 patients with more than 1,000 affiliated physicians nationwide. MDVIP was acquired by Procter & Gamble in 2009 and later by Goldman Sachs.

Together with his spouse, Dr. Andrea Colton, he launched ClearlyDerm, a multi-location dermatology practice in South Florida, which grew to five locations and over 100 employees before its sale to Schweiger Dermatology in 2024.

Dr. Colton is deeply committed to community service and philanthropy. His leadership roles include serving as Past President of the Board of the Jewish National Fund South Palm Beach County, Vice Chairman of Doctors for Israel, and board memberships with the American Affiliates of Ben Gurion University, Florida Atlantic University’s Medical School and School of Social Work, and Pine Crest Schools.

Dr. Colton continues to contribute his expertise and vision to advancing healthcare and supporting charitable initiatives in South Florida and beyond.

Dr. Ley has worked in the substance use disorder treatment field since 2010. Currently, he serves as Executive Vice President at Caron Treatment Centers, overseeing its operations in Florida. In this role, he provides strategic and operational direction as well as clinical vision and leadership. His experience encompasses instituting programs to maintain best practices and a high-quality continuum of care while creating and overseeing financial models to ensure fiscal health.

Before this, he served as Executive Director for the eastern region at Hazelden Betty Ford, where he oversaw operations and programs in Naples, Florida; Chicago; and New York City. He has also worked for Valley Hope Association in the Midwest as Senior Vice President of Operations and Chief Clinical Officer, overseeing operations across seven states.

A native of Nicaragua, Ley moved to Miami at the age of 11 and has spent a large portion of his life in Florida. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and finance from the University of Florida and spent the early part of his career in banking, business, and financial analysis. In long-term recovery himself, he felt inspired to work in addiction treatment and earned his Master of Arts in clinical mental health counseling from St. Mary’s University and his doctorate in professional counseling, with a specialization in addictions and positive psychology, from Mississippi College. Dr. Ley later earned a second master’s degree in healthcare transformation from the University of Texas at Austin.

He has also served as co-chair of the Alcohol and Drug Counselor Committee for the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC), the world’s largest credentialing body of addiction professionals, from 2013 to 2015. He has also been a subject matter expert for the IC&RC in diverse capacities regarding counselor certification standards, knowledge base development, and international examinations.

Cara Gallo Massey is an accomplished journalist specializing in the healthcare, consumer, and non-profit sectors. She graduated with honors from Florida Atlantic University, where she received a B.S. in Biological Sciences. In 2014, she and her son, Dylan Massey, established the Charles Russell Massey Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund in memory of her late husband, Charles Massey, Ph.D. Dr. Massey served as an Associate Professor in FAU’s Criminal Justice Department for 32 years, where he also held the position of Department Chair. He was the founder of the New Pines Project, a crime-prevention initiative for at-risk youth, which later became the Boys and Girls Club of Boca Raton.

The endowment fund, the first scholarship offered to students pursuing degrees in Criminology and Criminal Justice at FAU, celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2025. Over the past decade, the fund has provided tuition assistance and internship opportunities to deserving students whose goals reflect Dr. Massey’s vision of reducing crime through prevention programs and local community outreach.

Cara has been a longtime supporter of the College of Social Science and Criminal Justice and is deeply honored to join the College’s Inaugural Philanthropic Advisory Board.

“It has been a privilege to be able to award a scholarship each year through the endowment fund, but I am overjoyed that, in this role, I will have the opportunity to impact many more deserving students. I’m excited to work alongside such talented colleagues on the board to advance the College’s mission of fostering positive change, strengthening community partnerships, and enhancing the College’s reputation and reach.

Moreover, it is an honor to carry forward my husband’s legacy as an educator at FAU and to celebrate his passion for his students and his contributions to the field of criminology. Through both the scholarship and my service on this board, I am proud to help ensure that Charles’ commitment to education, mentorship, and community impact continues to inspire future generations.”

Alongside her work as a medical journalist, Cara supports many local non-profits, including the Miracle League of Palm Beach County, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Achievement Center for Children and Families.

Michael Ross brings over a decade of experience in business and marketing, where he supported both small startups and large agencies, managing cross-departmental teams and driving success through creative problem-solving, conflict mediation, and empowering individuals to utilize their strengths.

A proud Florida Atlantic alumnus, Michael transitioned from business to a career in clinical social work, earning his Master of Social Work degree at the Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work. He now serves as a Registered Clinical Social Work Intern (RCSWI) psychotherapist, specializing in helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life’s challenges with a strength-based, person-centered approach. Drawing on empathy, creativity, and optimism, Michael creates a supportive environment where clients can build resilience, develop coping strategies, and achieve personal growth.

As both an alumnus and practitioner, Michael brings a unique perspective to the Philanthropic Advisory Board, advocating for FAU students and the community he proudly represents.

Dr. Heidi Schaeffer is a Florida-based physician and a nationally recognized leader in human trafficking awareness, intervention, and advocacy for abused, neglected, and abandoned children. Named a 2025 “Hometown Hero” by Boca magazine, Dr. Schaeffer is celebrated for her support of social work and healthcare students and her instrumental role in advancing legislation for continued education about human trafficking and domestic violence.

Dr. Schaeffer’s academic journey began with dual bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Psychology, graduating as valedictorian in both. She earned her M.D. from the University of Miami School of Medicine in 1998 and completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Licensed to practice medicine in Florida since 2000, she holds faculty appointments at the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies and at Florida Atlantic University’s College of Medicine as a Clinical Affiliate Assistant Professor.

A passionate advocate, Dr. Schaeffer is President-Emeritus of the Human Trafficking Coalition of the Palm Beaches and serves on the executive board of ChildNet. She is also involved with the FLITE Center, AVDA, and the American Medical Women’s Association. She sits on the advisory board of Sweet Dream Makers. Her leadership has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Florida Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Advocate of the Year (2017), ChildNet Child Champion of the Year (2023), the Spirit of Community Award from the Florida Commission on the Status of Women (2022), the FLITE Center Hero Award (2022), and recognition for her presidency of the Palm Beaches Coalition (2020).

Dr. Schaeffer’s philanthropic work includes serving as Honorary Chair for the “Grandma’s Angels Holiday Luncheon” and the “Honor Your Doctor” Luncheon for Downtown Boca Rotary. In 2023, she established the Dr. Heidi Schaeffer Resilience, Hope, and Healing Fund at Florida Atlantic University, providing $5,000 fellowships to social work students completing clinical practicums in community-based placements. The University of Miami School of Nursing’s Simulation Hospital dedicated “The Dr. Heidi Schaeffer Lab for Education and Training Against Human Trafficking” in her honor in 2021.

Rachael Schmidt is a mindfulness-based educator, coach, and founder of Common Sixth, a lifestyle company devoted to supporting deep connection and authentic living. With over two decades of experience in spiritual development and mindful self-discovery, Rachael provides others with accessible, real-world practices that bring clarity, calm, and meaning to the complexity of the human experience.

Her work is rooted in compassion and curiosity, supporting individuals and groups—including leaders, students and private clients—as they reconnect with their inner wisdom and navigate life with greater intention.

Rachael also serves as a Community Fellow at Florida Atlantic University’s College of Social Work and Criminal Justice, where she offers mindfulness education and integration for faculty, undergraduates, and graduate students—bridging contemplative practice with academic and professional life.

Retired Chief Javaro Sims was born in the City of Boynton Beach, Florida. Chief Sims is married to Karen Sims; they have one daughter, Kisten Sims Hilton, and a grandson, Kace Sims Hilton. Chief Sims played professional football in the CFL and qualified for the Olympic trials in 1980 and 1984. He was also inducted into the Florida A&M University Sports Hall of Fame in 2022. Chief Sims worked as a schoolteacher for four years.

Chief Sims began his law enforcement career in 1992 with the Delray Beach Police Department. Chief Sims was promoted to sergeant in 1997, promoted to lieutenant in 2003, promoted to captain in 2010, promoted to assistant chief in 2014, and appointed to chief of police in 2018, becoming the first African American chief in the department’s history. Sims worked in several divisions to include Community Patrol, Community Policing, Investigations, Narcotics, School Resource Officer, Special Service, Special Operations, and Walking Beat. Chief Sims graduated from Lake Worth High School, received his BS degree from Florida A&M University, and his master’s degree from Lynn University.

During Chief Sims’ law enforcement career, he had the privilege of graduating from the FBI National Academy, 255th session, University of Virginia, Senior Management Institute for Police Executives at Harvard University, The Southern Police Institute, University of Louisville, Future Law Enforcement Executive, Future Police Chief Seminar, Leadership for the Law Enforcement Executive, and Criminal Justice Executive Institute Associates. Chief Sims professional affiliations are FBI National Academy Association, Florida Police Chief (district 13 director), Palm Beach County Association of Chiefs of Police (president 2021 & 2022), National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, Police Executive Research Forum, Palm Beach County Homeless Coalition Board, Palm Beach County Heroin Task Force, Palm Beach County Substance Awareness Coalition, Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission, AVDA Board of Directors, Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission Court System Task Force, Palm Beach County School & Community Safety Initiative Behavioral Health Task Force, Domestic Violence Coordinated Community Response Core Planning Team and Palm Beach County, Law Enforcement Planning Council (chair 2022).

Chief Sims received over one hundred awards and recognitions during his law enforcement career to include the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award from President Joseph R. Biden. Chief Sims lives by the words that his mother instilled in him: “Be the author of your own book of life”.