Barbara McQuinn, District 1
Term expires: November 2024

Assistant: Kristina Doctor
Phone: 561-434-8038
barbara.mcquinn@palmbeachschools.org
kristina.doctor@palmbeachschools.org 

Barbara McQuinn was born in Orlando, Florida and graduated from Deland High School. She has resided in Palm Beach County since 1968.

McQuinn has more than 30 years of experience as an educator in the Palm Beach County School District. She began her educational career as an instructional aide at Riviera Beach Elementary School, where she discovered her love for working with children. 

She earned a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and worked as a teacher at Palm Beach Gardens Elementary and Allamanda Elementary. She went on to earn a master’s degree in mathematics education and taught mathematics at Palm Beach Gardens Community High School. After teaching for 12 years, she accepted a position as a mathematics specialist to work with teachers on mathematics instruction.

Her first position as a school administrator was at Suncoast Community High School. She was hired to recruit the first class into Suncoast as a magnet school in 1989. She later served as principal of Palm Beach Gardens High. During her tenure at the school, she was awarded the Florida Education Commissioner’s Principal Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership. She completed her career with the School District as an Area Superintendent.

McQuinn has remained involved with education since her retirement. She has served as a Student Intern Supervisor with Palm Beach Atlantic University and as a School Advisory Council member at Jupiter Middle School. She also earned trainer certification in Applied Ethics at Palm Beach State College.

She was elected to the Palm Beach County School Board on November 8, 2016, taking office on November 22, 2016.

Alexandria Ayala, District 2
Term expires: November 2024

Assistant: Damarys Nina
Phone: 561-434-7481
alexandria.ayala@palmbeachschools.org
damarys.nina@palmbeachschools.org

Alexandria Ayala represents District 2 on the Palm Beach County School Board. District 2 encompasses central Palm Beach County and includes parts of West Palm Beach, Greenacres, Palm Springs, Cloud Lake, Lake Worth, Lake Clarke Shores, and Haverhill. Ayala was elected on August 18, 2020 with 56% of the vote, in a three-way race.

She is the first Latina elected to the Palm Beach County School Board, and her goal is to ensure that every child has an opportunity to succeed, that policies work to close the student achievement gap, and that decisions are made with transparency so that parents, teachers, and the community all have a voice in the decision-making process. 

Ayala is committed to ensuring a safe, inclusive school environment, proper fiscal management of the budget, and protecting the arts, choice, and career academy programs that are critical to student education and success.

She currently serves as The Markarian Group’s Director of Community Engagement, a critical part of the firm’s commitment to its neighbors and the organizations that are dedicated to ensuring progress and prosperity, as well as to making the community a great place to live and work. Consistent with the firm’s culture, Ayala works alongside public and private organizations to serve in a variety of capacities, doing well, by doing good.

Ayala has a decade of experience in community advocacy, government, and legislative affairs. She has previously served as a Legislative Aide on the Palm Beach County Commission, where she formed successful partnerships and supported policy initiatives that address our community’s concerns. 

She has also served as a Legislative Aide in The Florida House of Representatives, where she worked on constituent issues and supported efforts to craft policy that affected Palm Beach County’s families, businesses, and schools.

Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Palm Springs, Florida, Ayala graduated from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor's degree in Political Science and a minor in Journalism Studies. She is an alumnus of the Palm Beach County School District, having attended three District-operated schools. Committed to empowering the community through engagement and service, Ayala is proud to serve with various organizations throughout Palm Beach County.

Karen Brill, District 3 (Board Vice Chair)
Term expires: November 2026

Assistant: Kristina Doctor
Phone: 561-434-8038
karen.brill@palmbeachschools.org
kristina.doctor@palmbeachschools.org 

Born in the Bronx and raised in New York’s Rockland County, Ms. Brill has resided in unincorporated Boynton Beach for more than 32 years. Elected to the Palm Beach County School Board in November 2010, Ms. Brill has been actively involved in public education locally and at the state level for more than 28 years, most notably as an advocate for students with disabilities.

Ms. Brill is a 2020 graduate and lifetime member of Leadership Florida. She is also a graduate of Florida’s Partners in Policymaking, served six years on the State Advisory for the Education of Exceptional Students, chaired the Palm Beach County School District’s ESE Advisory Committee, and served five years as President of the Exceptional Student Education Coalition of Palm Beach County. She has also served on the School Advisory Committees at Morikami Park Elementary School, Odyssey Middle School, and Park Vista Community High School.

In 2002, at the successful conclusion of a federal complaint against the state of Florida regarding the FCAT, Ms. Brill received a gubernatorial appointment to the FCAT Blue Ribbon Task Force. She later assisted in the creation of legislation that enables students with disabilities to obtain a standard high school diploma by demonstrating mastery of the state requirements and helped write the District’s Inclusion Plan for students with disabilities.

Currently, Ms. Brill serves on the Board of Directors of the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County and serves as a member of the Palm Beach County Community Alliance. She serves as a delegate on the Coalition of Boynton West Residential Associations (COBWRA) and is a member of the COBWRA Growth Management and Education Committees. Additional memberships include the Florida School Board Association, Realtors Association Broward/Palm Beaches/St. Lucie, Forum Club of the Palm Beaches, Economic Forum of Palm Beach County, BIZPAC, League of Women Voters, National Council of Jewish Women, Hadassah and Palm Beach County NOW.

Ms. Brill graduated summa cum laude from Palm Beach Atlantic College with a Bachelor of Science in Organization Management and received her Master of Business Administration from Palm Beach Atlantic University. She has an extensive and diverse business background, having worked at RCA Records and later for Malcolm S. Forbes in New York. Upon moving to Florida, she worked in Private Wealth Management for Deutsche Bank (Legacy Bankers Trust), spent a year as Executive Aide to Clerk and Comptroller Sharon R. Bock, and then joined Richard S. Bernstein & Associates as Director of Business Development and Marketing. Following her election to the School Board, Ms. Brill embarked on a successful new career in real estate and is an award-winning Realtor/Broker Associate with The Keyes Company.

Erica Whitfield, District 4
Term expires: November 2026

Assistant: Angela Santacruz
Phone: 561-434-8139
erica.whitfield@palmbeachschools.org
angela.santacruz@palmbeachschools.org

Erica Whitfield has always wanted to make a difference in peoples’ lives, especially the lives of children. In 2014, she ran for a seat on the School Board in order to better serve her community and all the children of Palm Beach County. In November of 2014, she was elected to the Palm Beach County School Board for District 4.

Ms. Whitfield is a native Floridian with a passion for the community, and the health, achievement, and success of children. She attended the University of Florida where she received a Bachelor of Health Science degree. She went on to earn a Master of Public Health degree from Emory University.

Prior to her service on the School Board, Ms. Whitfield worked at the Palm Beach County Health Department, where she focused on chronic disease education and community partnerships. Ms. Whitfield continued her career at the School District of Palm Beach County serving as the project coordinator for the Robert Wood Johnson, “Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities” grant and a wellness coordinator for the School Food Service department. She worked to bring about policy and environmental changes to make our students healthier.

Since becoming a School Board member, Ms. Whitfield has championed public health issues. She worked to implement the first policy requiring Hands-Only CPR to be taught to every student before graduation. For the past several years, she has served as the Chair of the United Way’s Childhood Hunger Action Committee – Childhood Subcommittee, and implemented Backpack and Food Pantry programs throughout the District, bringing in many community partners. She is championing improved academic success at private early learning centers in Lake Worth and Delray Beach through Community Collaborative sponsored by the Early Learning Coalition. She is building connections between the principals and the City Commission in Lake Worth through the Education Advisory Board and at City Commission meetings. She serves on the American Heart Association Palm Beach County Market Board, the PBC Homeless Advisory Board, the Early Learning Coalition, the Greater Florida Consortium of School Boards, Pine Jog Board of Directors and is a member of Leadership Florida, Leadership Palm Beach County and the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches. Ms. Whitfield lives in Lake Worth Beach with her husband and two children, one of whom is a current student in our schools and a younger child who is a future student.

Frank A. Barbieri, Jr., Esq., District 5 (Board Chair)
Term expires: November 2024

Assistant: Kristina Doctor
Phone: 561-434-8038
frank.barbieri@palmbeachschools.org
kristina.doctor@palmbeachschools.org 

Frank Barbieri was born and raised in Akron, Ohio and moved to Boca Raton, Florida in 1984. He was elected to the Palm Beach County School Board in 2008 to represent District 5, the district that includes all of the schools in West Boca Raton and the city of Boca Raton, as well as other parts of Palm Beach County. He previously served as School Board Chair in 2010-2011, Vice Chair in 2013-2014, and now once again holds the position of Board Chair.

Since his initial appointment, he has been a strong voice and advocate for teachers and parents. He values and cares deeply about children's well-being, and works hard to ensure that all children receive the best education and access to resources.

Currently, Barbieri is an attorney with Sachs Sax Caplan, a major law firm in Boca Raton and a pioneer in the field of homeowners association and condo association law. He concentrates his practice in the areas of estate planning and real estate. Before earning his law degree from the University of Akron, Barbieri was a police officer for 11 years in Akron, Ohio.

As a concerned and dedicated citizen of Palm Beach County, Barbieri has demonstrated a commitment to the area where he lives. His dedication to Palm Beach County is reflected in his past and current involvement with several civic, governmental, and community organizations. He served on the County’s Zoning Commission for nearly two decades, as well as the Land Use Advisory Board. He also held the position of president of the Loggers Run Homeowners Association. 

Additionally, he had roles on the advisory boards for First Southern Bank, Loggers' Run Middle School, and Sandpiper Shores Elementary School. He served on the board of directors for the West Boca Community Council, Best Foot Forward, and the Business Development Board. He also served on the Value Adjustment Board, the Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce, and the board of trustees for the George Snow Scholarship Fund.

Barbieri has been married to Rita Barbieri for more than 50 years. They have three children and three grandchildren. He enjoys spending time with his family and close friends.

Marcia Andrews, District 6
Term expires: November 2026

Assistant: Angela Santacruz
Phone: 561-434-8139
marcia.andrews@palmbeachschools.org
angela.santacruz@palmbeachschools.org

On November 2, 2010, Marcia Andrews was elected to serve on the Palm Beach County School Board for District 6 and was reelected in 2014 and 2018.

As a School Board member, her focus is on student academics and personal achievement. She works closely with the Superintendent and the School Board to ensure policies are in place that support student success.

Mrs. Andrews is actively involved with the Educational Advisory Boards in the communities of District 6. She visits schools and is available to assist regional superintendents, principals, teachers, and staff. She is always available to assist parents. As of 2012, she established a School Board Member satellite office in the Glades Region and School Board meetings are simulcast from there as well.

Her work with the School Board is highlighted by the approval of the School Board to build three new schools for the Glades Region. Gove Elementary School opened in August 2013, Glade View Elementary School and Rosenwald Elementary School opened in August 2015.

She established the Glades Career Readiness Roundtable (GCRR), a group of business leaders, non-profit organizations, parents, community leaders, and educational institutions formed to meet the academic and career needs of students and adults. GCRR has secured more than $2 million of funding for needed programs in the Glades Region, including pre-apprentice programs at West Technical Educational Center. She stays connected with businesses in District 6 with memberships in the following Chambers of Commerce: Central Palm Beach County, Wellington, Belle Glade, and Pahokee.

Mrs. Andrews has and continues to hold leadership roles in education, community, social, and civic organizations. She has received numerous honors from many groups for her work. She currently serves on the Boards of Palm Beach County Communities in Schools, Take Stock in Children, 15th Circuit Juvenile Justice Advisory Board, PBC Criminal Justice Commission, Equality Florida LGBTQ+ Advisory Board, Council of the Great City Schools Executive Committee, Florida High School Athletic Association Representative Assembly, Sweet Dream Makers Advisory Board, and U.S. Selective Service Board. She is a former member of the Florida School Boards Association (FSBA) Board of Directors and former Chair of FSBA Equity Committee. She is also a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and Payne Chapel A.M.E. Church.

Mrs. Andrews is a dedicated professional with 44 years of experience as an educator in the Palm Beach County School District. Her passion for helping others led her into the field of teaching at the middle school level. Through the years, she has served as an assistant principal, principal, director, and chief officer of human resources. Mrs. Andrews has been instrumental in recruiting thousands of teachers to the Palm Beach County School District. After retirement, she started volunteering in the community and later founded her company, Up Front Consulting, LLC.

She grew up in Palm Beach County and graduated from Roosevelt High School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Education from Florida Atlantic University and a master's in Administration and Supervision from Nova Southeastern University. She enjoyed teaching her students and worked hard to make sure they were successful. She wants to continue to be a change agent for building better school and community relations.

Mrs. Andrews has been married to Robert Andrews for 50 years and has one daughter who is a teacher, and five grandchildren. She has been a resident of the western communities for more than 30 years. She enjoys tennis, exercising, speed walking, and taking care of her best friend, Piper, a Yorkie Poodle.

Edwin Ferguson, District 7
Term expires: November 2026

Assistant: Damarys Nina
Phone: 561-434-7481
edwin.ferguson@palmbeachschools.org
damarys.nina@palmbeachschools.org

Edwin Ferguson is the Founder and President of The Ferguson Firm in Riviera Beach, FL. The firm opened in 2005, just months after Mr. Ferguson graduated from the Barry University School of Law. Over the course of his career, Mr. Ferguson has honed his advocacy skills by fighting for the rights of persons injured due to the acts of others and also by fighting to defend the rights of persons who have been accused of committing criminal acts.

Mr. Ferguson's passion for the law is partly due to his desire to help others injured as a result of the wrongful acts of others. Days before Thanksgiving in 2002, Mr. Ferguson's mother, Abby, died in an automobile accident that was caused by the reckless acts of another motorist. Mr. Ferguson has taken the pain of his mother's loss and turned it into a never-ending source of energy and focus to be utilized in addressing the needs of his clients and the community.

A licensed attorney in Florida and Maryland, Mr. Ferguson's practice is primarily focused in the areas of personal injury and real estate, with a small segment of his practice reserved to handle select criminal cases. Mr. Ferguson is a member of the Palm Beach County Bar Association and F. Malcolm Cunningham Bar Association.

Mr. Ferguson gives back to the community through the presentation of his “Know Your Rights - Navigating Police Encounters” seminar that he has held throughout Palm Beach County since 2012. Alongside his service within the community, Mr. Ferguson currently serves as the Board Member for District 7 with the School District of Palm Beach County. As a product of Palm Beach County, he attended Lincoln Elementary School, Bear Lakes Middle School, and graduated from Suncoast High School.

When he's not fighting for the rights of his clients or performing public services for the community, Mr. Ferguson spends his time with his wife (Keli) their two children (Xavier and Abby), the family’s French bull dog (Zeus), reading, exercising, and rooting for his beloved Miami Dolphins and Miami Heat.