Officers - Voting

Elizabeth Amador, University of New Mexico, Commission Chair, Southwestern Representative

Elizabeth Jacquez-Amador is the director of student financial aid at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM. She holds the FAAC^® designation and she has a master's degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in organizational leadership. Elizabeth began in financial aid as a work-study student in 2007 and has made a career, working her way through various roles, and overseeing different areas, such as scholarships/funds and student employment. Since 2015, Elizabeth has been actively involved with NMASFAA (New Mexico), SWASFAA (Southwest) and NASFAA. She will be serving as the SWASFAA President in 2025 and was part of the 2021-22 NASFAA Diversity Leadership Program. Outside of the financial aid world, Elizabeth enjoys traveling with her son and husband.

Jessica Flogaites, University of Pittsburgh, Commission Past-Chair, Eastern Representative 

Jessica Flogaites has worked in higher education since 2007 and currently serves as the associate director of financial aid strategic initiatives and partnerships at the University of Pittsburgh. Before joining Pitt, Jessica held financial aid positions at Western Illinois University and Hastings College in Nebraska, where she was an active member of NeASFAA. Jessica holds the FAAC^® designation and earned a Ph.D. in educational studies with an emphasis in leadership and higher education from the University of Nebraska. Jessica's research publications include "Financial Aid Director: Educator, Leader, or Manager" (Doctoral Dissertation, 2019). 

Commissioners

Juan "Chico" Dimas, University of Denver, Rocky Mountain Representative 

Chico Dimas is a committed financial aid professional who began his career at the University of Denver as Financial Aid Advisor. He brings a student-centered, culturally responsive approach to his work, helping students navigate the financial aid process with empathy and insight. Chico has actively contributed to the financial aid community through conference presentations at RMASFAA and CAFAA (Colorado), and by developing a DEIB mentorship policy for his institution. As a member of the RMASFAA DEI Committee, he supports diversity efforts across the region. Chico also was a member of NASFAA's DLP Class for 2023-24. 

Bretta Carithers, Kennesaw State University, Southern Representative 

Bretta Carithers has worked in higher education since 2007 and currently serves as the director of processing and scholarships at Kennesaw State University. Bretta began her career in financial aid as an intake specialist at her alma mater in the office of financial aid at the University of South Florida. She has bachelor’s degrees in finance and management and a master’s degree in business administration. She earned her FAAC^® designation in January 2024 and has earned 12 NASFAA professional credentials. Bretta is an active member of her state and regional associations of student financial aid administrators, where she has served on committees, presented on special topics, and served as an instructor at the SASFAA New Aid Officer Workshop.

Bretta has a passion for serving and educating students and her community. In her free time, she actively volunteers in the community, engaging with at-risk youth and those facing housing insecurities. Through service and advocacy, Bretta continuously strives to be a source of hope for her community.

Shawn Domingo, San Joaquin Delta College, Western Representative 

Shawn is the Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships at San Joaquin Delta College. Shawn holds the FAAC^® designation, an associate's degree in ethnic studies and political science, a bachelor's degree in psychology, and is currently working toward his master's degree in educational leadership. He has been in financial aid for 20 years and worked for various segments, from proprietary 2 year, to 4-year public, 4-year private, and community college. Shawn has served CASFAA as the segmental representative for Community College, as well as a trainer for both the CASFAA and WASFAA training committees. He has also served as a faculty member for the WASFAA Sister Dale Brown Summer Institute. He has co-chaired the CASFAA Emerging Leaders Academy, which is a week-long academy dedicated to the development of future leaders in the state of California.

As a member of the LGBTQ community, first generation college student, as well as coming from a low-income family, Shawn believes attention and focus on DEI initiatives is more important now than ever in higher education.

Lee Bray, Pitt Community College, Commissioner-At-Large

Lee Bray currently serves as the Senior Director of Financial Aid, Veterans Affairs and Student Resource Centers at Pitt Community College. Lee has earned a Bachelors Degree in business Management and Masters in College Student Personnel. She started her financial aid career as a Federal Work-Study student in the FA office while obtaining her undergraduate degree. She has since worked in the capacity of financial aid counselor, Assistant Director and eventually Senior Director for the past 18 years. Lee has been a member of NCASFAA for several years, including her time as President. She is also an active member of NASFAA and SASFAA, and has served as a NASFAA Adjunct Instructor and on various NASFAA Committees. Originally from Pennsylvania, Lee enjoys the warm weather down south, kayaking, camping, golfing and going to the beach.

Chad Olson, Iowa State University, Commissioner-At-Large

Chad is the Director of Student Financial Aid at Iowa State University. Chad began his financial aid adventure as a graduate assistant at Iowa State over 20 years ago. He has served as MASFAA (Midwest) and IASFAA (Iowa) President and enjoys serving on the Site Committee for both associations. He has been recognized with the MASFAA Meritorious Service Award and the IASFAA John Heisner Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award.

Public Representative

Adrienne Sutton, IOM, Limitless Association Solution Resource, Public Representative 

With decades of experience in association management and leadership, Adrienne specializes in credentialing, professional development, and operational strategy. Her background includes leading roles at NBSTSA and Partners in Association Management, where she advanced national credentialing initiatives and launched education foundations. As COO and Chairman of Limitless Association Solution Resource, she helps organizations build high-impact certification programs – from concept to accreditation –helping associations drive relevance, value, and growth through smart strategy and streamlined execution. Adrienne currently also serves as Public Member for the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas.

Officers - Nonvoting

Dana Kelly, NASFAA, Fiscal Officer (nonvoting member)

Dana has over 20 years of experience working in the higher education community and has been active in multiple state and regional associations. She is a former president of NCASFAA and has been an active member of SASFAA. Prior to joining NASFAA, Dana served as the director of financial planning at High Point University in North Carolina for 12 years. She has also worked on both the lender and servicer side of student aid, most recently for Nelnet. She received her bachelor's degree from Guilford College and she holds a master's degree in public administration and a master's degree in organizational management. Dana has daughter, Sloane. She is by far her greatest accomplishment. 

Susan Shogren, NASFAA, Director of Certification and Credentialing   (nonvoting member)

Susan Shogren is the director of certification and credentialing for NASFAA. Her passion is helping financial aid professionals gain the recognition they deserve for the work they do supporting the dreams and aspirations of college students across the country. Susan has worked in financial aid for over 30 years, including at the University of Portland and the University of Maine. Prior to joining NASFAA, she provided Title IV regulatory compliance training to schools across the country on behalf of NELA and USA Funds. She has been recognized for her contributions over the years by both the Oregon Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (OASFAA) and the Western Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (WASFAA).

Susan graduated from the College of William and Mary in Virginia, and holds the Association for Talent Development's Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) certification, as well as the Certified Credentialing Professional (ICE-CCP) certification from the Institute for Credentialing Excellence. She works remotely from Portland, Oregon.

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