Amber Johansen

Amber Johansen

President

Amber was born and raised in Tampa. After graduating from Leto High School, she attended Florida State University for an undergraduate degree and then the University of South Florida for a graduate degree in Government and International Studies. Her background includes working with at-risk teens and families, non-profit work, and program development.

She has been involved with First Priority of Tampa Bay since 2009, when she began serving as a Parent Partner in her son’s First Priority group. In 2013, she was appointed Executive Director and then President in 2023.

Amber is a trained Behavioral Health Coach and a Certified Nonprofit Executive (CNE) and her primary focus with First Priority is program development and donor relations. She is available to speak on a wide range of topics including First Priority, boundaries, parenting, public education and faith based issues.

Amber and her husband, Seth, have three grown children- two sons who live in Riverview and a daughter who is overseas. 

To read Amber’s article in the Journal for the Study of Religions and Ideologies: http://jsri.ro/ojs/index.php/jsri/issue/view/44

Carina Deshotels

Carina Deshotels

Executive Director

Carina was born and raised in central Florida, where she graduated from Leesburg High School and met her husband, Beau. In 2003, they moved to Tampa Bay and started a family. They are the proud parents of Landon and McKenzie.

Carina has been involved with First Priority of Tampa Bay since 2017, when she began serving as a Parent Partner in her son’s First Priority group. In 2018, she was appointed to the position of Pinellas County Director and then Executive Director in 2023. 

Carina’s primary focus is vision casting, staff management, and day-to-day operations. She loves serving students and partnering with local churches to equip this generation with the hope of Christ. 

Ben DeWitt

Ben DeWitt

Director of Church Partners

Sienna Sanchez

Sienna Sanchez

Area Director for Pasco County

Denise Harvill

Denise Harvill

Area Director for Hillsborough

Helen Rairigh

Helen Rairigh

Staff and Volunteer Chaplain

Kevin Riggs

Kevin Riggs

Area Director for Riverivew

813.422.2090

kriggs@firstprioritytampa.org

Viet Le

Viet Le

Area Director for St. Pete

Trish Lane

Trish Lane

Area Director for South Tampa

Shanel DeWitt

Shanel DeWitt

Area Director for North Tampa

Connor Grubbs

Connor Grubbs

Area Director for Seminole

Ebony Roman

Ebony Roman

Area Director for North Hillsborough

813.944.9153