One Nation

Ellen Katzman, ACSW is the Executive Director at Pace Center for Girls in both Pasco and Polk counties. With a rich educational background, she holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a master's degree in social work from Indiana University. Ellen has dedicated over 40 years to the nonprofit sector, beginning her career as a youth director at the Jewish  Community Center in Indianapolis. She made history as the first woman to serve as Executive Director of Jewish Family and Children Services in Indianapolis and later as the joint Executive Director of both the Charleston Jewish Community Center and the Jewish Federation. For the past eight years, Ellen has been the Executive Director at Pace Center for Girls in Polk and took on the additional role as the Pasco Executive Director almost four years ago. Remarkably, she is currently the only Executive Director overseeing two Pace centers simultaneously and works tirelessly to advocate for Pace girls and their families. Her lifelong mission has been to support children, families, and to help build community. Outside of her professional endeavors, Ellen prioritizes her family and her two beloved dogs Hazel and Maggie.

Ryan Pratt is a passionate community leader currently serving as District Executive Director with the Tampa Metropolitan YMCA. He works at the New Tampa YMCA located in Tampa Palms and provides oversight of the East Pasco YMCA in Zephyrhills in addition to the Dade City YMCA. He has been with the YMCA for five years after moving to Florida from Ann Arbor, Michigan. After graduating from Eastern Michigan University, he was a Corporate Fitness Center Director for over 10 years.

In his current role, Ryan has successfully exceeded his Annual Giving Campaign targets each year with the support of his 20-member Advisory Board. He also provided Association oversight of their Aquatics Department, including 14 pools throughout Hillsborough and East Pasco counties. Recently, he led the launch of the Tampa YMCA’s Drowning Prevention Program with the goal of providing free programing throughout the community to over 10,000 individuals per year. He currently provides oversight for the Director of the YMCA Swim Leagues where they offer Developmental and  Competitive Swim at all Tampa YMCA locations.

Outside of work, Ryan lives in Land O’ Lakes with his wife and two young boys who are heavily into sports. He tries to help coach his son’s teams as much as possible and he enjoys spending time golfing and fishing.

Andrea N. Brvenik serves as the Vice President of Government Relations and General Counsel for Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC), where he has been a valued member of the team for over three years. Bringing extensive experience to this role, Brvenik has previously held significant positions such as Chief Academic Officer, Academic Dean, and Professor, showcasing his deep commitment to academic excellence.

As a licensed attorney in Florida and the Federal Bar, Brvenik is well-versed in the legal landscape and brings a wealth of knowledge to PHSC. His expertise extends to lobbying and negotiation, complemented by his background as a former Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator in Civil and Family matters and a Florida Approved Arbitrator. Additionally, he has held executive roles in the private sector, further broadening his perspective and skills.

Brvenik's legal acumen and leadership are instrumental in effectively engaging with government agencies and officials, advocating for the needs and interests of PHSC's students, faculty, and staff. His seasoned practice as an attorney and his diverse professional background enhance his ability to navigate the complexities of government relations and legal counsel, ensuring PHSC's strategic objectives are met with proficiency and integrity.