
Founder & CEO
Danica Joan Dockery is a nationally recognized educator, mediator, and nonprofit leader who has spent over two decades guiding families through the turbulent challenges of divorce, custody, and conflict with compassion, clarity, and courage. As the Executive Director of Kids Need Both, Inc. and Managing Partner of the Hope4Families Alliance, Danica is at the forefront of a transformative movement to restore dignity to the family court experience and protect children from the harmful fallout of parental conflict.
With a Master’s in Education and certifications as a Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator, Guardian ad Litem, and Custody Coordinator, Danica blends deep professional expertise with personal resilience. Her own five-year custody battle—marked by trauma, false allegations, and profound social fallout—ignited her mission to ensure no parent or child has to face the system alone or uninformed.
Danica has developed a powerful library of court-approved educational programs that teach families how to navigate legal processes, develop healthy parenting plans, and reclaim peace in the midst of conflict. She is a dynamic instructor, sought-after speaker, and lead editor of the Building Bridges of Hope book series, which amplifies the voices of family court survivors and changemakers.
As a member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts and the National Anger Management Association, Danica continues to influence the field with practical tools, trauma-informed education, and a fierce commitment to breaking generational cycles of dysfunction.
Danica’s work embodies the belief that children need both parents—and that empowered parents can write new legacies, even from the most broken beginnings.
Board of Directors & Advisory Council

Dawn Endria McCarty
Dawn brings over 20 years’ experience in the information and cyber security field to her own company, Securing Everything. She is an international speaker, a principle in the “Erasing Family” Documentary, the former founding Chair for the National Parents Organization of Florida, and a Guardian ad Litem. Dawn brings the perspective of a surviving adult child of divorce or separation, in high conflict cases. Her mantra is that “Parents may get a divorce; children do not divorce their parents!” She is an advocate for the voice of children around the world, who have had a parent erased. Her mission is to educate parents and other interested parties of the importance that children maintain as close to equal access with both of their parents as possible.

Robert Thompson
Robert Thompson is a highly respected director and advocate for children’s rights, best known for his work with the non-profit organization Kids Need Both. He has been instrumental in developing programs that support children from separated families, emphasizing the importance of maintaining strong relationships with both parents. Robert’s passion for helping children stems from his own personal experiences, and he is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of those who are most vulnerable. He is widely respected for his integrity, compassion, and dedication to the cause of children’s rights, and continues to be an influential voice in the field.

Nathan Benamoz (Technologies)
At 21, Nathan managed vehicle deliveries at Tesla for the entire state of Florida, the largest delivery region outside of California. He was a top performer, on track to advance rapidly, with an assured successful corporate career, but opted to burn this boat to pursue his dreams. Having closed this door, Nathan opened another one, where he discovered and cultivated his talent, in marketing and media. He’s been employed by, and managed business development projects, in industries including finance, healthcare and personal development. His work with Kids Need Both is helping us get clear on our message, our infrastructure, and is designing our innovative media platforms.

In Memoriam – Joan Morfesy Davies Briand (Local Communities)
In 2023, we bid farewell to a beloved advocate, Joan Morfesy Davies Briand, who recently passed away. She was a professor in the Business Management department at Polk State College, a Speech Communication Instructor at South Florida State College, and a Speech Communication Adjunct Instructor at Hillsborough Community College. In addition to her academic pursuits, Joan was a published writer, award-winning creative designer, and video producer. She also served as an on-camera personality, a teacher, a leader, a coach, a devoted mother, and a loving wife.
Throughout her life, Joan exemplified creativity and resourcefulness. She deeply understood the value of “letting go” as a profound gift to oneself, and she encouraged others to embrace this wisdom sooner rather than later. Furthermore, Joan discovered that the path to joy is never out of reach, no matter one’s age or circumstances. She believed in the power of reclaiming oneself, finding fulfillment, and rediscovering purpose. For those who felt burdened by life’s baggage or had lost sight of their why, Joan’s wisdom echoed a simple truth – the magic resides within each person, waiting to be unlocked.
Requesting Committee Nominations in these areas
We request your assistance in identifying potential candidates to serve on our committees. We are currently looking to expand our team and are seeking individuals who are dedicated, passionate, and have the necessary expertise to contribute to our mission.
If you know of anyone who would be a good fit for our committees, we would greatly appreciate your nomination by providing their name and contact information to info@kidsneedboth.org with Subject Line: Candidate Nomination. Additionally, if you have any suggestions or recommendations for how we can improve our search for committee members, please do not hesitate to share your thoughts.
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