The Future 5 Awards are presented to five area young professionals that are presently growing and excelling in their respective fields and will continue to positively influence the growth, prosperity and quality of life in the Tallahassee community well into the future. Know someone who deserves to be recognized? Nominations for the Future 5 Awards are now open!
2024 Future 5 Recipients
Alexis Bondi
As the Operations and Event Manager of Tallahassee Downtown Improvement Authority, Alexis works closely with stakeholders and vendors to plan events aimed at benefitting the downtown community and its residents. When there isn’t an event going on, which is rare as DIA puts on over 100 a year, she oversees the everyday operations. A graduate of Florida State University and long-time Tallahassee resident, Alexis is passionate about fostering community pride, small businesses, sustainability, and helping people fall even more in love with living in Tallahassee.
She currently serves as the TalTech Alliance Communications Chair and recently joined the Junior League of Tallahassee.
Brian Marquez
Brian Marquez currently works as a Development Officer at the Southern Scholarship Foundation. In this role, Brian supports the organization’s fundraising efforts to meet annual revenue goals. Prior to joining SSF, Brian worked at Elder Care Services as the Communications and Development Coordinator, and at Tallahassee Community College, where he served as a Donor Stewardship Officer.
Brian discovered his passion for philanthropy as an undergraduate student at Florida State University, where he actively participated in FSU’s Dance Marathon, raising funds to support the Children’s Miracle Network.
Brian is a dedicated advocate for social justice and human rights, particularly as they relate to LGBTIQ+ issues. He currently sits on the Board of Directors for the FSU Pride Alumni Network, where he serves as Secretary, and is a member of Equality Florida’s Tallahassee steering committee and Mayor John E. Dailey’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Council.
A proud member of the Leadership Tallahassee Class 41, Brian is deeply in love with Tallahassee and everything it has to offer. In his spare time, he enjoys supporting the local craft beer scene, exploring the nature trails in the area, and watching live theatre with his partner Stevie.
Kate Murray Chase
Kate Murray Chase is a native of Tallahassee, Florida. She is a graduate of Auburn University, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. Post grad Kate moved to Atlanta, Georgia and worked as an associate in the structured settlement industry. Knowing she would always find her way home; she moved back to Tallahassee to begin a new journey in hospitality. In 2022, her idea became a reality opening Lemon & Thyme. Lemon & Thyme is a restaurant serving made-to-order salads and grain bowls, full of organic veggies, top-quality proteins and finished off with amazing homemade dressings. Lemon & Thyme is designed to shatter the idea that customized, fresh, healthy food can’t be provided conveniently for people on the go. Kate is grateful for Access’s recognition and vows to continue to do her part in making Tallahassee a vibrant ecosystem for all!
Miron Richardson
Miron Richardson is a financial industry leader, consultant, and servant leader with 17 years of customer-focused experience with 14 years in financial services, serving throughout the community. In 2021, Miron opened VyStar Credit Union’s first branch location in Tallahassee and has been involved with implementing strategic planning and community-focused initiatives to promote brand awareness, financial wellness, deposit, loan, and membership growth in a new market. As growth efforts continued in the Big Bend, Miron was promoted to the Vice President of Universal Retail Banking in December of 2022, opening VyStar’s second location comprised of a full-service branch & regional contact center, and now oversees three financial centers throughout the Tallahassee Metro area with nearly 40 employees. Miron was raised and attended the public schools of Gadsden County and shortly after graduating, he started working in the banking industry. He has a passion for helping underserved and unbanked individuals achieve financial freedom while developing high-performing and results-driven teams. Miron serves on the Advisory Board for the Knight Creative Communities Institute (KCCI), the Board of Directors for the Foundation for Leon County Schools and is a member of Leadership Tallahassee Class 41. In his spare time, Miron enjoys spending quality time with his family & closest friends, volunteering in the community, and taking road trips.
Michael McDougall
Michael has resided in Tallahassee since 2018. Originally from Dayton, Ohio, he is very passionate about serving his community. He has served on the boards for the Tallahassee Network of Young Professionals, Grow Tallahassee, and currently serves on the Access Volunteer Committee. Michael is a Leadership Tallahassee graduate (Fierce Class 40). He was also appointed to serve on the Tallahassee International Airport board in 2020 and was most recently selected to serve on the Florida Aviation Business Association (FABA) board as a representative in Tallahassee. As an avid aviation enthusiast, Michael has a pilot’s license and works for the Florida Department of Transportation Aviation Division as the Aviation Program Manager. Michael earned a Master’s Degree in Aviation and Transportation in 2016 from Lewis University (also where he earned his undergraduate degree) and is a Credited Member with the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). He enjoys working and advocating for airports across the state as his primary job duties are overseeing the State Aviation Awards program, designing, producing, and distributing the State of Florida Aeronautical Charts and Directories, and Capital funding on airport projects. Michael has also volunteered with Leon County Schools, and is helping coordinate the Youth Leadership Tallahassee Travel and Tourism day at the airport this month. Furthermore, Michael was one of 30 young professional applicants in the nation selected by the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) to go to Washington DC in June to advocate in the House and Senate for policies affecting Business Aviation. In his free time, Michael enjoys spending time with his girlfriend (Cassidy) traveling, golfing, running, trying new local venues, and being by the water.