Meet the Team — Top Buttons

Sarah Powers

FOUNDER & CEO

Sarah Powers is the founder and CEO of Top Buttons. With 20 years of experience working with youth and young adults through ministry and civic work, she first developed the concept for Top Buttons while earning her degree in Human Services at Southeastern University. After 14 years working in nearly every aspect of Top Buttons, her role today focuses on strategic development, fundraising, donor and community relationships, board development, and supporting the leadership team.

A writer, speaker, mother of four, and passionate follower of Christ, Sarah feels called to empower young women with the encouragement and practical resources they need to pursue their God-given purpose. Her four children who are now young adults, are her greatest gift, both challenging and inspiring her everyday.

Always up for the next great adventure, Sarah loves to travel, hike and explore. An endurance cyclist who grew up competing in water sports, she says a little competition keeps her steady. She believes some of life’s greatest growth comes from pursuing things that stretch us beyond our own strength, learning from the times we fall short, and having the courage and faith to keep going.

Genelle Kelly

Genelle serves as Chief Operating Officer of Top Buttons, where she provides strategic oversight for operations, team development, financial stewardship, retail strategy, compliance, and program support in alignment with the organization’s mission.

A mission-driven operations leader, Genelle is passionate about building organizations that are effective, people-centered, and sustainable. Her career has centered on strengthening nonprofits from the inside out — bringing clarity, structure, and thoughtful systems to mission-centered work. From launching a national scholarship program to overseeing large-scale mentorship and youth initiatives, Genelle has consistently focused on turning vision into thoughtful, measurable action.

At Top Buttons, Genelle is committed to operational excellence that protects the mission, supports the team, and expands the organization’s ability to serve young women with dignity, clarity, and care. Her leadership is rooted in integrity, collaboration, accountability, and stewardship, with a deep belief that strong infrastructure allows mission-driven work to flourish.

Genelle holds a Master of Public Administration from Florida International University, along with a Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Policy and Management. Outside of work, she finds joy in hiking, traveling with her husband, and taking long walks with their beloved rescue dog, Libby.

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER

Christiana Hester

DIRECTOR OF RETAIL OPERATIONS

Christiana Hester is the Director of Retail Operations for Top Buttons, overseeing the Winter Haven and Lakeland boutiques. While she loves leading teams and serving the organization's mission, her favorite title will always be Mom. She and her husband of six years have three children and lovingly parent a blended household. Her greatest joy is spending quality time with her family.

Raised as a pastor's daughter, she developed a heart for ministry at an early age. Her passion for encouraging women and children has remained at the center of both her personal and professional life.

Growing up in a one-income ministry household, Christiana learned to appreciate the creativity and beauty that can be found through thrifting. What began as a disliked necessity became a lifelong love of fashion and styling, teaching her to recognize hidden potential - both in clothing and in people. She also enjoys painting and creating custom wall murals, a passion inspired by a high school art teacher who encouraged her to believe in her God-given talents.

Christiana's background includes graduating from Word of Life Bible Institute, earning her cosmetology license after graduating from Traviss Technical College, and serving in roles as a CNA, VPK assistant, and licensed cosmetologist. Guided by Proverbs 31:25, she strives to lead with grace, encourage others with compassion, and help young women recognize their God-given worth, confidence, and purpose.

Keyana Meade

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Keyana serves as the Program Director at Top Buttons, where she leads our Wearing Confidence, RefreshHer and Shine internship programs that empower girls and women to recognize their worth, build confidence, and step into their purpose. Passionate about creating meaningful opportunities for transformation, she oversees partnerships, program innovation, and community outreach. Keyana believes that every young woman deserves to feel seen, valued, and equipped with the resources to thrive. Through her leadership, she has helped strengthen collaborative relationships with schools and community organizations while developing programs that combine practical support with confidence-building experiences. She is committed to creating spaces where girls and women are encouraged, empowered, and reminded that they were created with purpose.

Outside of her work, Keyana enjoys spending time with friends and family. She also finds great fulfillment in investing in the next generation through pastoring her church's youth ministry alongside her husband. She is passionate about investing in the next generation both professionally and personally, helping young people grow in confidence, character, and purpose!

Payton Spears

WEARING CONFIDENCE PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Payton serves as the Wearing Confidence Program Coordinator at Top Buttons, where she is dedicated to empowering girls and young women through mentorship, educational opportunities, community outreach, and access to essential resources.

A Lakeland native, Payton brings a personal connection to the organization’s mission, which fuels her passion for supporting at-risk youth and helping young women build confidence, self-worth, and a strong foundation for their future. As a licensed hairstylist, she also contributes a unique skill set that aligns with Top Buttons’ mission of helping young women present their best selves to the world. Through her work, Payton remains committed to serving her community and creating lasting, positive change in the lives of the girls and families she supports.

Sarah Smith

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND DESIGN

Sarah serves as the Director of Marketing and Design at Top Buttons, guiding the organization's brand and online presence. She supports the team in all things digital, from photographing Program Sessions to overseeing communications, and many things in between.

With a background in Graphic Design and English, and with an MBA in the works, Sarah is passionate about sharing the best of Top Buttons–its impact. She is dedicated to showing the mission's importance through every photo and newsletter and is extremely humbled to have the privilege of supporting young women in the boutiques by listening to their stories, encouraging them, and uplifting them through photography.

Sarah balances her time with Top Buttons with her graduate assistantship and her classes. In what remains of her spare time, Sarah enjoys beach trips, writing, coffee, and taking care of her fish tanks.