EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Hello My Name is Brandy Canada-Williams

Brandy Canada-Williams is a seasoned nonprofit executive with over 13 years of experience in organizational management, particularly within the affordable housing, construction and disaster recovery sectors. She has been instrumental in developing partnerships, overseeing personnel, and crafting strategic plans to meet her organization’s objectives. Her leadership has facilitated the completion of over 1,070 homes in a single year, enabling disaster survivors and their families to return home.

Brandy’s commitment to community service is further exemplified through her affiliations with various organizations. She serves as a mentor to emerging nonprofit leaders, sharing her insights on effective program development and community engagement strategies. Her ability to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds has been instrumental in building collaborative partnerships that drive meaningful change.

Recognizing a gap in services during her extensive work, Brandy founded Safer Living—a fully developed 501(c)(3) organization supported by her community, family, and friends.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Brandy has raised three young men who have embraced selfless service. She and her family enjoy outdoor activities and are always eager to learn new things from the people they meet throughout their community engagements.

Board of Directors

Cristina Castillo

Board member

Cristina Castillo, Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, Cristina Castillo has always been called to a life of service. The importance of community and philanthropy was instilled in her during her formidable years at the Academy of the Holy Names in Tampa, FL, and continued into her college years at Florida State University.

The desire to give back to the community drove her to a career in law and specifically public service. Ms. Castillo was an Assistant State Attorney in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit for eight years before joining the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.

Ms. Castillo and her husband are avid animal lovers and are frequently fostering animals in need. Ms. Castillo embraces new experiences and is currently committed to visiting all 63 National Parks.

Frank Genco

Board member

Frank Genco was born and raised in Tampa and works as Senior Counsel and Vice President for Citi Global Markets Inc.  His focus is laws and regulations focused on financial services firms, primarily broker-dealers.  He graduated from Jesuit High School in Tampa, double-majored in Finance and Real Estate at Florida State University, graduated with honors from Nova South Eastern University’s law school, and obtained his Master of Laws (LL.M.) from Georgetown University in Securities and Financial Regulation.  Formerly, he was Special Counsel for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Vice President at Raymond James, and private practiced at his own firm for four years before joining Citi.  He has a  commitment to doing right versus wrong and trying to do what is best for society, his family, his friends, and himself.  He has a sixteen-year-old  daughter, Sofia, and two Miniature  Pinchers, Mila and Zeus.  He enjoys  family time, church, friends, serious banter, and  the Tampa Bay Rays.

  • FGenco@Safer-Living.Org

Randy Leonard

Board member

Randy Leonard is a proud, lifelong Floridian. He works as a corporate counsel for Google LLC, focusing primarily on the areas of physical and cyber security and data protection. Formerly, he was an Assistant United States Attorney and judicial law clerk. Mr. Leonard is also a proud military veteran, having served on active duty in the Navy for seven years. During that time, Mr. Leonard served in Washington, D.C., Annapolis, Maryland, and Afghanistan. Now a reservist, Mr. Leonard holds the rank of lieutenant commander. Mr. Leonard is also an adjunct professor at Thomas M. Cooley Law School and a dedicated student at Ybor City Jiu Jitsu Club. For years Mr. Leonard has been an active supporter of the veterans support organization Team Red, White & Blue, and he has a deep desire to repay his many blessings with service to his community and to those who have been less fortunate. With his wife Hadley, their son Dean, and their dog Lincoln, Mr. Leonard tries to get outside and be active whenever his schedule permits.

  • RLeonard@Safer-Living.Org

Linda Waldrop

Board member

Linda Waldrop, of Plant City, FL, is the Office Manager for Serenity Meadows Memorial Park. She has a strong background in Accounting, Payroll including Payroll taxes and Insurance. With a keen eye for detail, her responsibilities include overseeing financial data, ledger entries, reports, and accounts payable/receivable. She has been providing excellent service for over 25 years in the field of accounting and got her accounting certification from Hillsborough Community College. Linda enjoys time with family and friends.  She is married and has two stepchildren and one grandchild with whom she loves to spend time.

  • LWaldrop@Safer-Living.Org

Laura Varacchi

Board member

Laura Varacchi, SR Regional Property Operations Manager for IMT Residential, Nationwide Apartment Operator with solid experience managing all phases of multi-family assets consisting of 6 communities totaling 2,039 apartment homes in FL, NC, and SC.  Her experience is in new construction and building rehabilitation of older assets. She enjoys developing long-term relationships with all her associates, local businesses, and vendors, providing exceptional customer service to all her residents, and retaining long-term relationships. In her spare time, Laura enjoys spending time with her two daughters and her family.

  • LVaracchi@Safer-Living.Org