Board Members

Jessica is a devoted mother, lifelong friend, and passionate advocate for advancing health and hope through clinical research. As the mother of one son, Jessica’s personal life is grounded in love, connection, and family. She has shared a deep and enduring friendship with Melissa for over 25 years, a bond built on trust, loyalty, and unwavering support. Through love and heart, she proudly holds the honor of being Payton’s aunt, a role that reflects the meaningful relationships she cherishes most.

Professionally, Jessica brings more than 20 years of experience in the clinical research industry, where she has dedicated her career to helping others through scientific progress and innovation. Her work has been driven by a strong commitment to improving patient outcomes and contributing to research advancements that make a real difference in people’s lives. Throughout her career, she has combined expertise with compassion, ensuring that the human impact of research remains at the center of her efforts.

Jessica’s passion for helping others extends beyond her professional role and into her personal mission. She is deeply motivated by the belief that awareness is the first step toward change. Through her involvement with the foundation, Jessica’s goal is to help spread awareness through education, advocacy, and meaningful engagement with the community. She aspires to empower others with knowledge, foster understanding, and inspire action that leads to lasting impact.

Guided by her experience and heartfelt dedication, Jessica continues to champion efforts that honor those affected and uplift families. Her work reflects both her professional strengths and her personal values; compassion, commitment, and a steadfast desire to make a difference.

Sara is a devoted mother of two daughters and a proud business owner serving her community along the Emerald Coast. Through her work running a successful cleaning company, she has built not only a livelihood but also lasting relationships within the community she calls home. Known for her strong work ethic, kindness, and reliability, Sara brings care and dedication to everything she does—both professionally and personally.

Sara’s connection to Payton and her family began in 2023, when they met during a production of Clue at Stage Crafters Community Theatre. What started as a chance encounter quickly grew into a deep and meaningful friendship. Since then, Sara and Payton’s family have been inseparable “stuck together like glue.” Their bond has been strengthened through shared experiences, including many shows, vacations, holidays, and sleepovers, creating a tapestry of memories filled with laughter, support, and love.

Sara’s involvement with the foundation is rooted in this cherished relationship and her desire to honor Payton’s legacy. She hopes that Payton’s name continues to be heard and that her story is told in a way that brings comfort, awareness, and understanding to others who are walking similar paths. Sara believes that through sharing Payton’s story, the foundation can offer hope, foster connection, and help others feel less alone.

Guided by compassion and a strong sense of purpose, Sara is committed to ensuring that Payton’s impact lives on. Her dedication reflects both the depth of her friendship and her belief in the power of storytelling to heal, inspire, and create meaningful change.

David “The Dave” Goodfriend was born and raised in Ames, Iowa. He enlisted in the United States Air Force at 18, serving as a Crew Chief on the AC‑130H at Hurlburt Field, Florida. A veteran of both Afghanistan and Iraq, David completed his active-duty service in 2011 and continued his career in aviation as a contracted aircraft mechanic and later as a senior instructor, training and mentoring new Airmen.

David met Payton in 2022 during a production of Clue at Stage Crafters Community Theatre, later forming a close bond while they worked together as Assistant Stage Managers in the 2023 production of Brighton Beach Memoirs. Their shared time in theatre created a meaningful connection built on collaboration, creativity, and friendship.

In honor of Payton, David created the telescope placed beside her headstone and helped procure the green bench made from over 160 recyclable bottles—offering a peaceful space for loved ones to visit, reflect, and keep her memory close.

Joyce Germany‑Grubb is, by heart, a mother to many—opening her home and her heart to all those around her. She has shared a meaningful connection with the Raulerson family for nearly 15 years, a relationship rooted in trust, love, and mutual support.

Joyce’s bond with the Raulerson family grew through years of shared experiences, unwavering encouragement, and a deep sense of chosen family. Her presence has been a constant source of care and strength, offering guidance, comfort, and a safe place for others to lean on when needed.

Through her involvement with the foundation, Joyce’s hope is to bring awareness to bullying and to help communities come together to ensure children know they are not alone. She is passionate about creating safe spaces where children are free to be themselves, have a voice, and are encouraged to believe in their own worth. Joyce’s vision is for every child to feel seen, supported, and empowered to flourish and shine just as Payton did.