CYNTHIA HAFFEY, Director
Cynthia has thirty-one years of experience in museum administration. She is a graduate of Fine Arts at the University of South Florida, Tampa, and began her professional career at the Museum of Science and Industry during their successful $36m capital campaign, making a positive impact on their programs for 10 years. She has since contributed her professional experience to prestigious organizations such as the University of South Florida, Polk Museum of Art, and Young At Art Children’s Museum, Fort Lauderdale.
Cynthia returned to her home in Lakeland in 2011, accepting the leadership position as executive director for Platform Art, Inc. expanding the cultural arts and developing a public art initiative in central Florida.
Sue Bentley is a former educator and small business owner. She loves the arts and has dedicated a large part of her life to supporting them. She served for many years as a Trustee of the Polk Museum of Art, including as Chair of the Board of Governors. Sue was the second President of the Polk Arts Alliance, the cultural umbrella for Polk’s art organizations; served on the Board of the Imperial Symphony Orchestra; and was President of the Historic Polk Theatre Board. In addition, Sue served as a Trustee of the National Symphony Orchestra, a part of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C.
Kim works at Publix Super Markets, Inc. She began her Publix career in 1981, as a part-time cashier at Publix Store #001 in Winter Haven, Florida. While working on her degree in computer science, she made the transition from the retail environment to Publix’s Data Processing department, where she enjoyed the balance of working with people and systems. She later built and implemented a company-wide emergency response program, led efforts to implement data security and compliance as well as take the company to a stronger position with recycling and waste reduction. She currently is a Business Relationship Manager and enjoys going to work every day. She received her BA from Warner Southern in Organizational Management in 2000. She is a current member the Lakeland Rotary and serves on the board. She’s from Winter Haven and is passionate about our community and all it has to offer.
Julie is an Environmental Consultant in Lakeland with the planning and design engineering firm, Kimley-Horn and Associates. Julie was born and raised in Gainesville, Florida and graduated with a B.S. in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation in 2010 and is currently finishing an MS in Interdisciplinary Ecology, both from the University of Florida. Before her career in the private sector, Julie worked for the State of Florida as a wildlife biologist. She landed in Polk County in 2013 to partner with the agricultural community in co-managing their land for wildlife habitat. Julie has a passion for the human dimension of natural resource conservation and providing innovative solutions to environmental protection. While her clients often refer to her as “bat girl”, “eagle girl”, or “tortoise lady”, Julie also has a love for the arts and is honored to serve as a member of the Platform Art Board to bring art and culture to our community.
Kathryn Koch is Managing Advisor with Lanier Upshaw in partnership with Baldwin Krystin & Sherman since 1998. Born in Sioux City, Iowa, she moved to Winter Haven, Florida in 1978 and graduated from Polk Community College and Warner Southern College in 1990. She currently serves on the boards for Give Well Foundation, Polk Education Foundation, Friends of Bonnet Springs Park, Cornerstone Hospice and Citrus Center Kiwanis board (current president). She is also a past president, receiving the Distinguished Club and Distinguished Kiwanis member for 2005, and is past Lt. Distinguished Governor for Kiwanis Division 15. In her free time Kathryn enjoys reading, working out, walking and anything to do with water.
Victoria Lowe of Birmingham, holds an MS in Art from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. After graduation, she relocated to Washington DC to continue her art career, exhibiting in the south and mid-Atlantic region. After working in the White House, she opened Art Studio Bed & Breakfast in Dupont Circle, welcoming guests and showing works of emerging artists for thirty years. She moved to Lakeland in 2006 and is currently touring a 40-year working retrospective of her paintings at museums in the south and midwest. Victoria has been teaching at Florida Polytechnic University since its opening in 2014.
Victor Prebor received degrees in both visual art and architecture, resulting in a career that maintains a duality of focus. During the past 30-plus years, his passionate solutions have earned numerous awards for both architectural designs and artistic creations. In addition, Victor is proud to have received the Dudley Uphoff Award for his involvement and promotion of Lakeland’s downtown community. In 2016, he formed Prebor 3 Architecture, a full-service architecture and interior design firm with a focus on high-end residential, commercial, and office space. His office includes gallery space for his artwork. Victor is known for creating emotion-based solutions that are function-driven and environmentally centered.
Sandra is a shareholder in the Lakeland office of GrayRobinson, PA, who practices in estate and tax planning, estate and trust administration, with an emphasis on business succession planning involving closely held businesses. Sandra was born in Winter Haven, Florida. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland in 1983 and her juris doctor degree from the George Washington University in 1987. She was elected to the Order of Coif, was a member of the Moot Court Board and was editor of the Law Review. In 1985, she served as a legislative intern for The Honorable Lawton Chiles, U.S. senator from Florida. In 1987, she served as a judicial intern for The Honorable Kenneth W. Starr, U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
Early access to exclusive events, salons, and lectures
Support students seeking higher education and careers in the art field
Receive an invitation to Annual Sponsor/Member Salon
Learn details of new art projects in advance
Meet other art enthusiasts
Encourage a new generation of artists