FIGHT FOR ZERO LEADERS, GRASSROOTS MEMBERS, ALLIES & VOLUNTEERS
As a community-driven organization, we depend on individuals to volunteer their time, skills, knowledge, and resources. Everyone we unite with has a personal connection to nature and is passionate about fighting for zero diseases and pollution in Florida. We are fortunate to have people who desire change and are invested in this mission. This is why we highlight those who have selflessly volunteered with Fight for Zero, whether with administration work, citizen science, education, or signing up for projects and events; we appreciate everyone who has helped us protect the environment and lives.
Founder & Executive Director Stel Bailey
Stel Bailey is the Chief Executive Director of Fight for Zero, a National PFAS Contamination Coalition (NPCC) Co' Facilitator, and a nationally recognized environmental health advocate who is a cancer cluster survivor and community leader passionate about protecting Florida's natural resources and human health.
Bailey's life took an unthinkable turn in 2013 when her father, brother, the family dog, uncle, and herself were diagnosed with cancer without a family history. Their case was so unique that they had genetic testing, which showed no mutation genes, indicating they did not have an increased risk of developing the disease. It was documented in Bailey's medical records that her cancer was likely environmentally caused.
Determined to find answers, Bailey began crowdsourcing cancer cases where she grew up in Brevard County on Florida's space coast. As she publicly shared her family's case, she connected with others across Florida impacted by diseases in unusual ways.
Through extensive research, Bailey learned that her family was exposed to man-made substances and legacy contamination from the Department of Defense and space industry activities. There was careless dumping of hazardous chemicals into the county's waterways, multiple cancer cluster investigations dating back to the 1970s, ALS and other disease cluster concerns, and in 1978 the drinking water in Brevard County was rated the worst in the United States.
As a cancer survivor, caregiver, mom, and military dependant, Bailey became passionate about clean water, toxic exposures, the environment, and disease prevention. Since being in remission from cancer in 2014, Bailey has been invited as a community liaison for the National Academy of Sciences, is a leading voice in environmental health for numerous agencies, and is a well-known motivational speaker who works to connect impacted communities with academics.
Her powerful testimony of overcoming illness and losing loved ones to environmentally-caused diseases has given her an influential platform to educate and inspire others to care more about the ecosystem.
Deputy Director Jeff Dubitsky
Jeff Dubitsky is a father of five living in Satellite Beach, Florida, next to Patrick Space Force Base, where a 2018 Department of Defense report showed the third-highest detected levels of PFAS chemicals nationwide. PFOA and PFOS were found at 4.3 million parts per trillion in the groundwater near Dubitsky's home. Additionally, he learned that his neighbors in South Patrick Shores lived on top of land used as a military landfill by the Navy decades ago. He assisted neighbors in getting a Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS) investigation by helping dig up military debris, bringing awareness, writing emails, and contacting Erin Brockovich's team, who came to Satellite Beach in September of 2018. Dubitsky works as the Vice President of Fight For Zero, the south Brevard Director, and is on a mission to ensure his children have a future free from toxic exposures.
West Coast Director Cheryl Jozsa
Cheryl Jozsa successfully got the Department of Health in Manatee County, Florida, to launch a cancer study after learning that over 500 Bayshore High School graduates were diagnosed with rare diseases at young ages. Jozsa's sister, Terri, a 1979 graduate of Bayshore High School, was among the alumni. After extensive research, she learned that her sister was likely exposed to harmful toxins from a former machine parts manufacturing company near the school. Jozsa has spent over a decade connecting with impacted families, fighting for better regulations on school drinking water and environmental safety, and is passionate about protecting children from dangerous exposures. She works as the West Coast Director for Fight For Zero and is a recognized statewide advocate bringing attention to polluters and disease rates.
Zero Waste Program Manager Elizabeth Baker
Elizabeth Baker is a Brevard County resident passionate about plastic-free living and litter prevention. Baker educates communities on how litter endangers the environment, wildlife, and economy and is helping change how we think about waste. Vulnerable communities are at the most risk of harmful exposures from landfill emissions, which is why Baker is working on creative solutions to lessen the amount of trash we produce. She spends countless hours photographing and video-recording trash throughout communities while organizing cleanups to stop the source of pollution from entering our waterways, soil, air, and bodies. Baker is a powerful voice urging people, businesses, and the government to consume responsibly, ethically, and consciously.
Pinellas County Leader Emerald Cromwell
Emerald Cromwell is a nurse from Pinellas County, Florida, diagnosed with rare adrenal cancer (ACC) and learned of two close friends with the same disease. She took it upon herself to get better-detailed data on adrenal cancer for those who attended Boca Ciega High School and surrounding communities. Shannon Jager, Cromwell's best friend, passed at 42 of adrenal cancer, and "Shannon's Walk" was formed to continue cancer research at Moffitt Cancer Center. Cromwell works alongside colleagues on cluster-based research to aid in disease crowdsourcing efforts. Her passion led her to become an advocate and voice for those exposed to environmental toxins and facing rare diseases. Cromwell continues her battle against adrenal cancer.
Environmental Science Program Manager Josh Bailey
Josh Bailey is a US Army veteran and currently serves the public as an employee of the National Park Service. Bailey became passionate about protecting Florida's natural resources, which led him to pursue a Bachelor of Science in environmental science at Southern New Hampshire University. At SNHU, his studies focused on conservation biology, ecology, and natural resources.
