Brandon Cumbo
Chief Executive Officer
Brandon Cumbo is the Founder and CEO of Mackenzie's Light Foundation, an organization born from every parent's worst nightmare—the loss of his daughter, Mackenzie. While no words can fully describe that pain, Brandon made the decision that her life would leave a legacy far greater than the tragedy that took her away. From that loss, Mackenzie's Light Foundation was created to bring hope, support, and compassion to families facing their own struggles.
For Brandon, the foundation is more than a nonprofit—it is a promise. A promise that Mackenzie's light will continue to shine through acts of kindness, community outreach, and support for those who need it most. Every family helped, every child encouraged, and every life touched becomes part of the legacy she left behind.
Raised in Interlachen, Florida, Brandon developed a deep appreciation for community, service, and helping others from an early age. Those values have guided him throughout his life and continue to shape the mission of Mackenzie's Light Foundation today.
A dedicated community leader and volunteer, Brandon has spent years investing in the lives of children and families. As a youth baseball coach for numerous seasons, he has mentored hundreds of young athletes, teaching lessons that extend far beyond the game itself. His focus has always been on building character, confidence, teamwork, and perseverance while creating an environment where children can thrive and make lifelong memories.
In addition to coaching, Brandon has organized charitable events, community initiatives, and programs that have positively impacted countless families. His passion for service is rooted in the belief that even small acts of kindness can create lasting change.
Today, Brandon leads Mackenzie's Light Foundation with a vision of transforming grief into purpose. Through family assistance programs, community partnerships, fundraising efforts, and outreach initiatives, the foundation works to provide hope, support, and encouragement to those facing difficult circumstances.
While Mackenzie's life was far too short, her impact continues to grow through the foundation established in her honor. Brandon's mission is simple: to ensure that her light continues to shine in the lives of others and that her legacy becomes a beacon of hope for families for generations to come.
Chief Operating Officer
Jessica Smith
Jessica Smith is a devoted wife, mother, small business owner, and online seller who is passionate about serving her community and making a positive impact in the lives of others. Her commitment to helping those around her is rooted in both personal experience and a deep belief in the power of compassion, connection, and support.
As a survivor of mental health struggles, Jessica understands firsthand the importance of awareness, advocacy, and breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness. Mental health challenges have touched multiple generations of her family, and she has endured the heartbreaking loss of both loved ones and close friends to mental health-related struggles. These experiences have strengthened her dedication to educating others, supporting those in need, and helping individuals find hope during their darkest moments.
Professionally, Jessica has a background in law enforcement and corrections, bringing valuable experience in public service and community engagement. In December 2023, she proudly earned her certification as a Paralegal, further demonstrating her commitment to personal and professional growth.
Jessica is married to her best friend and treasures the time she spends with her family. While she actively supports many charitable causes, mental health awareness and suicide prevention remain closest to her heart. Through her work with Mackenzie’s Light Foundation, she is dedicated to honoring lives impacted by mental health struggles and helping bring light, hope, and healing to others facing their own challenges.
Karina Cumbo
Chief Information Officer
Karina Cumbo serves as the Chief Information Officer for Mackenzie’s Light Foundation, where she utilizes her technical expertise and passion for service to support the organization's mission and outreach efforts. As Mackenzie’s stepmother, her commitment to the Foundation is deeply personal, and she is honored to help preserve Mackenzie’s legacy through meaningful community impact.
Karina is a proud United States Air Force veteran with more than six years of experience in the information technology field. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Software Development and has dedicated her career to leveraging technology to create efficient, innovative solutions that support organizations and the communities they serve.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Karina is a devoted wife and mother who places family at the center of everything she does. Much of her free time is spent at the ballpark cheering on her children in baseball and softball, where she enjoys supporting youth athletics and building lasting memories with her family.
Karina also serves as an administrator for the Interlachen Word of Mouth Facebook community, helping connect residents, share important local information, and promote community engagement throughout the region.
Through her service with Mackenzie’s Light Foundation, Karina is dedicated to helping provide hope, support, and resources to children and families while ensuring the Foundation continues to grow and reach those who need it most.
Lynette Larsen
Chief Marketing Officer
Lynette Larsen was born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia, and is a graduate of Norfolk Christian High School. She is blessed with a loving husband, three children, and six grandchildren who bring tremendous joy and purpose to her life. Outside of her volunteer work, Lynette enjoys reading, gardening, and spending quality time with her family.
As the Chief Marketing Officer for Mackenzie’s Light Foundation, Lynette is dedicated to sharing the Foundation’s mission and raising awareness about mental health and suicide prevention. Her commitment to this cause stems from personal tragedy following the loss of her beloved granddaughter, Mackenzie, at the age of 16. Determined to ensure that Mackenzie’s light continues to shine, Lynette has devoted herself to promoting hope, education, and advocacy for individuals and families affected by mental health challenges.
Through community outreach, awareness initiatives, and educational efforts, Lynette strives to help others find support, understanding, and hope during difficult times. Her compassion, resilience, and unwavering dedication to the Foundation’s mission serve as a powerful testament to her desire to transform loss into purpose and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Lynette is honored to play a role in carrying Mackenzie’s legacy forward and helping create a future where mental health is openly discussed, support is readily available, and no one feels alone in their struggles.
Sandra Buchanan
Chief Volunteer Officer
Sandra Buchanan is a devoted wife, mother, and passionate advocate for keeping Mackenzie’s memory alive through service and community outreach. As the mother of Mackenzie’s brother and sister, Corbin and Everleigh, Sandra has been a part of Mackenzie’s life since she was just two years old and remains deeply committed to honoring her legacy.
Family is at the center of Sandra’s life, and she cherishes the time she spends with her loved ones. An avid animal lover, she also enjoys visiting the beach, making candles, caring for her growing collection of plants, and expressing her creativity through tattoos.
Sandra is honored to be involved with Mackenzie’s Light Foundation and is grateful for the opportunity to help ensure Mackenzie’s light continues to shine brightly. She believes in the Foundation’s mission of bringing hope, support, and awareness to others, and is dedicated to helping make a positive impact in the lives of individuals and families facing difficult challenges.
Through her involvement with the Foundation, Sandra is proud to help carry Mackenzie’s legacy forward while supporting efforts that inspire healing, understanding, and hope throughout the community.
Katelyn Cumbo
Events Director
Katelyn Cumbo is a proud resident of Interlachen, Florida, a devoted mother, and the Events Director for Mackenzie's Light Foundation. As a full-time mom, she is passionate about serving her family and her community, using her creativity and organizational skills to plan meaningful events that bring people together in support of mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
As Mackenzie's aunt, Katelyn's dedication to the Foundation is deeply personal. Honoring Mackenzie's memory and preserving her legacy inspire everything she does. She is committed to creating events that foster compassion, strengthen community connections, and remind others that hope is always within reach.
Having faced her own mental health challenges, Katelyn understands the importance of feeling seen, heard, and supported. Her personal experiences have fueled her passion for helping others and encouraging open conversations about mental health.
As Events Director, Katelyn works to organize impactful community events, fundraisers, and outreach initiatives that further the Foundation's mission of transforming loss into purpose. She is honored to help ensure that Mackenzie's light continues to shine, bringing hope and healing to individuals and families throughout the community.
Kim Nielson
Chief Experience Officer
Kim Nielson serves as the Chief Experience Officer of Mackenzie's Light Foundation, bringing more than 23 years of experience in healthcare and a lifelong passion for serving others. As a Registered Nurse, she has dedicated her career to providing compassionate care, advocating for patients, and supporting individuals and families through some of life's most challenging moments.
A Florida resident for more than three decades and a proud Middleburg resident, Kim is a devoted wife and mother of two sons. As a parent of adolescents, she understands the unique challenges today's youth face and is deeply committed to promoting mental health awareness, resilience, and hope. Her personal experiences, combined with her healthcare background, have reinforced her belief that compassion, education, and meaningful human connection can change lives.
As Chief Experience Officer, Kim is focused on ensuring that every family, volunteer, donor, and community partner experiences the heart of Mackenzie's Light Foundation. She is passionate about creating welcoming, supportive, and impactful interactions while helping expand the foundation's outreach and community partnerships.
Kim is honored to serve alongside the foundation's leadership as they continue Mackenzie's legacy by bringing light, hope, and healing to individuals and families who need it most.