Leadership at Pace

Cindy Caldwell is the Associate Director of Academic Professional Development at Pace Center for Girls, Inc., where she leads professional learning initiatives to enhance teaching and academic growth. She and her team take a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach to equipping educators with research-based strategies for effective instruction. 

Before joining Pace, Cindy spent six years with a national education research and evaluation nonprofit, traveling nationwide to support state education agencies and districts with technical assistance, training, and implementation of Grow Your Own teacher programs, teacher evaluation systems, new teacher induction programs, and school safety initiatives. 

With over 20 years in K-12 education, Cindy specializes in new teacher development, instructional leadership, and creating safe, supportive learning environments. She spent much of her career in Miami-Dade County Public Schools as an educator, federal grant project director, and executive director. She led new teacher induction, strengthened teacher recruitment, expanded Grow Your Own initiatives, and oversaw the district’s alternative certification program for career changers. She holds a degree in Elementary Education, completed graduate studies in Urban Education, and is a National School Reform Faculty Critical Friend Coach. 

Cindy serves on Miami Dade College’s School of Education Advisory Committee and the U.S. Department of Education's Effective Educator Development Advisory Council. Her other areas of expertise include educational technology, crisis de-escalation, professional learning communities, and leveraging social media analytics for research dissemination. 

April Burgess is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Masters-level Certified Addictions Professional, Nationally Certified Counselor, and Qualified Supervisor. Currently serving as the Senior Director of Behavioral Health at Pace Center for Girls, April brings over 15 years of experience in community behavioral health with training in acute psychiatric care. In addition to her role, she serves as the organization’s Clinical Director for Florida-based DCF-licensed prevention and intervention substance use services, as well as the Continuing Education Director for the Florida State Board for Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling.  From 2017-2024, April helped lead the Girls Coordinating Council, a community advocacy group founded by Pace. She also led the launch of Pace’s universal prevention and intervention substance use program services and has been integral to the expansion of Pace’s therapy services beyond Florida. April is passionate about improving access to high-quality social and clinical services for the communities Pace serves.  

Aggie Pappas, M.S.W., has been instrumental in the growth and success of Pace Center for Girls since 1992. Her visionary leadership is evident in transformative programs like the Reach Therapy Program Model and the Girls Coordinating Council model, which have been replicated across Florida and nationally.

As the founding Pace Broward Executive Director for 28 years, Aggie oversaw staff leadership development, program design and expansion, resource development, board recruitment, and operation oversight. Her contributions include strategic planning, grant writing, fundraising, and community engagement initiatives.

In 2021, Aggie was promoted to Vice President of Program & Innovation for Pace's National Office, leading new initiatives and supporting multiple centers. She remains deeply engaged in community efforts, advocating for girls and enhancing care systems. As the current Vice President of Program Strategy, she conducts training sessions on gender-responsive programming and trauma-informed care.

Before Pace, Aggie gained social work and management experience at The Salvation Army and Covenant House Florida. A Bronx native, she holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from Fordham University and a master’s degree in social work from Barry University. She also contributed to a book on Restorative Justice and supporting girls in diversion programming. Aggie's career exemplifies her dedication to community betterment and advocating for young girls' well-being.

Lymari Benitez, Ph.D., joined Pace Center for Girls in June 2015.  In her role as the Senior Director of Program Information and Impact, she utilizes information to support 23 communities in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, helping girls change their life trajectories. Lymari has been instrumental in building Pace’s data infrastructure and analytics program, which supports the sustainability and replication of the organization's model. Her expertise lies in evaluating non-profit programs serving youth, which is further strengthened by her previous roles. Prior to joining Pace, she served as the lead evaluator of the Statewide System of Care Expansion Initiative for Children and Youth supported by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Lymari also gained experience at Harlem Children's Zone, where she led program evaluation activities for this community-based organization dedicated to children's healthy development in Central Harlem. Her educational background includes a doctorate in environmental psychology from the City University of New York and a master's degree in industrial/organizational psychology from the University of Puerto Rico.