Executive Board
Nicole Azzi - Director
I wanted to join FAB the second I heard about it on campus. I view FAB as an opportunity to learn about making social change through service. Some of my most memorable FAB experiences were during my Gerontology Trip when I listened to elderly patients tell entertaining stories, give thoughtful advice, and repeatedly express their appreciation. Because of FAB, I have been exposed to a diversity of thoughts, beliefs, and backgrounds. This has made me realize the importance of learning from others. Through leadership positions within FAB, I have also learned to express my enthusiasm in ways that will have a positive impact in the community. The experiences I have had with FAB perfectly ties in with my future goals of becoming a social entrepreneur who can solve social problems with thoughtful, innovative ideas.
E-mail: ntazzi@ufl.edu
Eleni Steinman - Internal Communications
I have always been concerned with the social issues that plaque our country and the world around us. At the end of my freshman year I was lucky enough to find FAB to use as a platform to address this passion of mine. FAB has not only provided me with an avenue to participate in the fight for social change, but has also provided me with a place on UF's vast campus to call my own, an opportunity to learn and grow, and, above all, life-long friends. The education and friendships I have developed through FAB have shaped my UF experience as well as impacted my future career goals. FAB is not just a club; it is a life changing an experience that I have truly benefited from.
E-mail: eleni@ufl.edu
Gabi Cervoni - Events Coordinator
I joined FAB in my first semester as a freshman at UF. I never imagined FAB would inspire, motivate, and change me as profoundly as it has in the past two years; through FAB I've learned the great importance of active citizenship and working for social change. My most memorable FAB experience took place during my Animal Refuge trip.
While walking toward our worksite, one of the preservation's tigers named Rajiji "chuffled" at me, purring and indicating he was happy to see me. It was such a rewarding experience to feel, for that brief moment, that my service was genuinely improving the lives of the majestic, endangered tigers living within the preservation. This experience is one I will certainly never forget, and it serves as a reminder to me of the change I've made in the world through my participation in FAB. One of the greatest things I have gained from FAB is a sense of community, specifically many new friendships and connections which I've formed as a member of this organization. FAB has provided me with a great network of social and service connections that have led me to become a more prominent active citizen on campus, in Gainesville, and beyond.
E-mail: gcervoni@ufl.edu
Bryant Shannon - Issue Developer
I naively joined FAB as a freshman, because I wanted to get involved with hands on community service at the University of Florida. I traveled to San Ignacio, Belize my first year to work with HIV/Aids. I had such an amazing experience with my FAB Group that I decided to be a site leader the following year, in which I lead a trip to Quetzaltenango, Guatemala for a trip related to Poverty & Development. FAB has been such an integral part of my UF experience. I have learned so much from FAB and gained friendships that otherwise never would have occurred. After college, I plan to pursue a Master's Degree in either Engineering or Public Health. FAB has helped me discover my passion for infectious diseases and international development. FAB provides many opportunities for UF students to meet new people, serve in new places, and develop new passions.
E-mail: bshannon@ufl.edu
Dominic S Iorio - Issue Developer
I joined FAB as a way to transition from just talking about doing community service work and actually getting my hands dirty and doing it. Along the way, I met great individuals with similar interests, learned a lot about an assortment of different issues like children's health and homelessness/poverty. FAB has been integral part of my life for four years and each year I have learn something new about myself; this organization isn't about just change in a community but also about personal growth and development. This organization allowed me to fine-tune my leadership skills as a site-leader and I am excited about my future role as issue developer on the FAB Executive Board.
E-mail: diorio17@ufl.edu
Ariel Drescher - Summer/Winter Issue Developer
Although I originally joined FAB without much service experience or knowledge (Key Club at my high school consisted of an induction and 3 meetings), I've become incredibly passionate about volunteerism and active citizenship through my FAB experiences. During my freshman year, I lead the Domestic Homelessness and Poverty trip and was exposed to an issue I hardly ever had to confront in my hometown. That trip made me realize there is a lot of experience I won't get from the typical "college experience" and inspired me to continue learning about myself and the world through FAB. Since then, I've joined the board, gone on another trip and come in second place to Stephanie at several Indie Night dance-offs. I've only come to love FAB more each year and hope to share with enthusiasm with all current and future FABers!
E-mail: arield@ufl.edu
Ashley Rector - Fundraiser
I am 20 years old and a senior majoring in Business Administration. I hope to attend law school next year with interests in both corporate law and criminal defense. My past experience in FAB includes participating on the Criminal Justice and Environmental Preservation trips my freshman year, and Site Leading the International Children's Medicine trip this past spring. I joined FAB because I wanted to get hands on experience doing service and because I love that feeling you get when you help people. My most memorable experience in FAB was working in the playroom at a children's hospital in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and having the opportunity to interact directly with young patients. FAB is important in my future goals because it has helped me develop my leadership skills and has also helped shape where I stand on certain issues, which I certainly hope to bring to a career in law. Besides having gained wonderful experiences through FAB, I have gained many friendships that I hope will continue in the coming years.
E-mail: ashleyr1@ufl.edu
Ashley Ellis - Fundraiser
I learned about FAB my freshman year and it sounded like a fun way to get involved on campus. Through FAB I have made countless friendships, developed numerous skills, and actually made a difference in local communities. As a participant, I experienced how a FAB trip can break stereotypes about various social issues. As a site leader, I bettered my public speaking and communication while developing my leadership skills throughout the year. I am so excited about this year and I can't wait to go on another FAB trip!
E-mail: amariee@ufl.edu
Stephanie Davlantes - Public Relations
I spent years and years following in my sister's momentous footsteps-- dressing up as the Little Mermaid, striving to be a third-grade Catholic nun, etc.-- so when she went on multiple FAB trips and practiced to be a Site Leader, there was no doubt that I would involve myself in FAB. I went on my first FAB trip during the summer of my sophomore year and have gone on five trips since: four as a participant, one as a Site Leader. The most incredible FAB trip I went on was Coffee Sustainable Development and Growth in Costa Rica. This trip, in addition to beating people in dance offs at Indie Night with the 08-09 FAB Board, comprises my most memorable FAB experiences. Through Reorientation, FAB has helped me to further my mad rapping abilities, will surely benefit my future career goals. This year, I am serving my second term as Director of Public Relations for FAB. Through this organization, I hope to spread the word of social change. Be hands-on: make a difference in this world.
E-mail: std88@ufl.edu
Alex Michael Handfinger - Site Leader Trainer
Alex Michael Handfinger loves Florida Alternative Breaks with all of his heart, but can not marry it under Florida Law. Nonetheless, he spends every waking moment dreaming back to the glory days of when they first met. Alex knew that he wanted to shine his light upon the world, and this organization gave him the fulfillment of doing so.
Like a fine wine, FAB has improved with age, and twice site leading taught Alex Michael the burdens and joys of being responsible for facilitating the education and inspiration of paying participants. He hopes to both creatively and effectively convey this responsibility to this year's site leaders. He is fearful of graduating, for will he ever love again? "You ain't gonna miss your water until your well runs dry." - Bob Marley
E-mail: ahandy@ufl.edu
Rebeca Rodriguez-Crespo - Treasurer
FAB was an amazing opportunity to serve the community, travel, and bond with 13 other incredible people like never before. It provided me the sense of belonging to something much larger and more important than myself and when I heard about it through a friend, I was immediately hooked. Since, I've had the chance to embark on two life changing social issues - Gerontology and Native American Immersion. On both trip, each uniquely different, I became inspired to incorporate community service into a permanent part of my life. Helping others became a new passion. I took that passion a step further when i decided to lead a trip of my own. During the Native American Immersion, with the help of my Co-Site Leader, I discovered new areas of strength and had the chance to develop myself as a leader and inspire others to be as passionate about service.
E-mail: rrcrespo@ufl.edu
Beth Nahlik - Staff Advisor
My passion is working with college students who strive to be active citizens and advocates for social change. As the staff advisor for FAB this is what I get to do every day and I absolutely love it! My first involvement in alternative breaks came while working on my bachelor's at the University of Central Missouri. I spent a week in inner-city Chicago working with at-risk children in the school system. It was an incredibly powerful experience that changed my outlook on life and helped me to understand how incredibly blessed I am. If you're wanting to get involved on campus, meet awesome people, and make a difference in the lives others look no further than FAB!