OFFICE TEAM
President and CEO
Laura Ospina-Knight
Laura has been advancing the mission of United Way of Pasco County since 2019. She began as Campaign Manager & Senior Associate, progressing to Director of Development, Vice President, and now President & CEO. Under her leadership, UWPC has expanded its community impact through initiatives including the Fighting Human Trafficking Program with over $1.5M in State Appropriations Grant, Homeless Prevention Program, COVID-19 relief efforts distributing $2.4 million to local residents and businesses, and the Hurricane Relief Initiative.
Prior to joining UWPC, Laura gained experience at Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice and Simon Property Group. She holds degrees in Marketing and Operations Management from Florida Gulf Coast University and is currently pursuing her MBA. Laura also serves on the boards of Leadership Pasco, Rotary Club of New Port Richey, and Vincent House Pasco, strengthening her ties to the community she serves.
Fighting Human Trafficking Program Manager
Benjamin Ortberg
Ben has a long history of helping those affected by domestic violence and human trafficking. He began his professional career in military service in the Army and Airforce. Then during his 15 years in law enforcement, he was often the first point of contact for survivors. After these careers, Ben worked as a Victim Advocate, where he accompanied survivors to court hearings, assisted them through the legal process, and provided critical resources and support.
In 2021, Ben joined United Way to develop and operate the Fighting Human Trafficking Program. Initially estimated to assist 12 survivors over three years, the program has grown significantly, serving over 400 survivors with emergency hotel stays, transitional housing, and comprehensive support services. Benjamin helped acquire millions of dollars in funding for this cause. He manages functions such as housing placement and maintenance, casework with the clients, and human trafficking data analysis with doctorate students from University of South Florida’s TIP Lab.
Ben holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. He is a Nationally Credentialed Advanced Level Advocate with the Comprehensive Victim Intervention Specialist designation through the National Advocate Credentialing Program. Ben is a member of the Mel Greene Institute to Combat Human Trafficking and the Tampa Bay Safe Alliance.
Executive Assistant
Kimberly Kirk
Kimberly Kirk, originally from Kalamazoo, Michigan, brings more than 25 years of experience in education and administration. She previously served in administrative roles at Emory University and University of Phoenix in Georgia before relocating to Tampa, Florida.
Kimberly currently serves as Executive Assistant to the President/CEO of United Way of Pasco County. In her role, she manages communications, coordinates events and meetings, and helps distribute health and human service resources to the community, including during times of disaster. She leads our VITA intake calls to schedule appointments. She also assists with case management for the Publix Employees Financial Assistance Fund and the Duke Energy Share the Light Fund.
Program Victim Advocate
Kaitlin Carroll-Cruz
Kaitlin has over 10 years of experience in advocacy, community services, and nonprofit programs. She currently serves as the Program Victim Advocate for the Fighting Human Trafficking Program, providing trauma-informed advocacy and comprehensive case management to adult and minor survivors of human trafficking. In this role, she coordinates individualized services, safety planning, crisis intervention, community resources, and partnerships with law enforcement, healthcare providers, and social service agencies to support survivors’ safety, stability, and long-term recovery.
Prior to joining the program, Kaitlin spent six years with the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office as a Victim Advocate and four years with Hope Services as a Program Coordinator for the Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST). She holds an Associate’s Degree in Psychology from the College of Central Florida and is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology at the University of Florida. Kaitlin has also volunteered as a Guardian ad Litem and within the school system, reflecting her commitment to supporting children, families, individuals with disabilities, and those facing difficult circumstances.
Grant Writer
Bailey Brynjolfsson
Bailey was born and raised in Tampa and has a passion for serving her community. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management from the University of West Florida and a Master’s degree in Water Sustainability from the University of South Florida. After college, Bailey served in the Peace Corps in Cambodia, teaching English to students in grades 3–8. Her experience in the Peace Corps deepened her commitment to community service and inspired her career in the nonprofit sector.
Before joining UWPC, Bailey worked with Feeding Tampa Bay, helping secure more than $5 million in state, federal, local, and private grant funding while mentoring teams in grant development. As UWPC’s Grant Writer, Bailey identifies new funding opportunities, develops compelling proposals, and communicates UWPC’s impact through comprehensive grant reports, helping secure resources that strengthen the organization’s programs and impact on Pasco County residents.
Community Impact and Allocations Manager
Andrea Toro
Andrea Toro earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of South Florida in 2023. At United Way of Pasco, Andrea has been instrumental at managing the volunteers and resource distribution for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. She oversees inventory and corresponds scheduling to site leaders. Andrea’s exceptional graphic design skills came in handy with designing VITA promotional materials, fundraising event materials, and reports and pamphlets. She is currently writing grants for the organization. Every spring and summer, Andrea manages the Community Impact Grant Application process, scheduling and interviewing agencies; leading panels; conveying the grant allocation to agencies.
Andrea's professional journey includes working as a substitute teacher, where she supported students of all ages and abilities, fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment. She also brings valuable experience in IT support, adept at resolving complex technical issues with exceptional customer service. Certified in Google Data Analytics, Andrea excels in strategic planning and data analysis.
Bookeeper
Yuliia Skorobohatova
A graduate of Donetsk National University, Yuliia brings extensive accounting experience from Ukraine, where she served as Chief Accountant for a distribution company and managed accounting functions for more than 20 businesses. After relocating to the United States, she continued to expand her professional knowledge by completing accounting training at the New York School. Her international experience, attention to detail, and dedication to accuracy have made her a valuable member of the United Way of Pasco County team.
At UWPC, Yuliia manages bookkeeping and financial records across a wide range of organizational operations and programs, including overhead and administrative expenses, fundraising events, county partnership contracts, the Homeless Prevention Program, VITA, and the Fighting Human Trafficking Program. She plays an important role in maintaining accurate financial documentation, tracking program expenditures, and ensuring funds are properly accounted for in accordance with organizational and grant requirements. Her careful financial management helps support UWPC’s day-to-day operations, strengthens accountability to funders and community partners, and ensures the organization remains prepared and in good standing for its annual audit.
Senior Associate of Strategic Partnerships
Marissa Abanico
Marissa Abanico, M.A. in Communication and Public Relations, serves as Senior Associate of Strategic Partnerships at United Way of Pasco County. In this role, she cultivates relationships with over 40 local businesses to expand community support, engagement, and volunteerism. Marissa has been instrumental in creating signature programs and events, including the Pull for Pasco fundraiser, the Light Up the Night human trafficking awareness event, and the organization’s first Holiday Meal and Toy Drives. She also leads collaborations with corporations and schools to maximize community impact.
In addition, Marissa develops compelling marketing materials, crafts grant proposals ranging from small private grants to large federal funding, and prepares high-level communications including presidential letters, press releases, and media pitches. Her work ensures that UWPC’s initiatives are effectively promoted and that community stakeholders are informed and engaged.