Lou Ann Powell, The Florida Bar Foundation’s Chief Financial Officer, passed away Nov. 10 due to complications from a terminal illness.  A certified public accountant since 1980, Powell joined the Foundation in 1991 and oversaw its fiscal administration, including governance, finance and investments.

Lou Ann Powell

“Lou Ann loved people, and she loved being around them, almost as much as she loved the Foundation,” Donny MacKenzie, the Foundation’s executive director, said. “She was a big part of the Foundation and served it well for 31 ½ years.  We will miss her dearly.”

Powell earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration/accounting from Bowling Green University in Ohio. Before joining the Foundation, she served as corporate controller for a real estate development and management company in Central Florida and as division controller for a restaurant chain.

Powell will be remembered for her three decades-worth of contributions to the Foundation, her mastery of the game of bowling, her kind-heartedness, and her love of cats.

Former Foundation president John Patterson, who was awarded the 2022 Medal of Honor in June, accepted the award on behalf of the access to justice community, specifically Powell. “She’s always understood the necessity for integrity, accuracy and transparency in the finances of the Foundation. Lou Ann’s hard work helped the Foundation grow and succeed, and her dedication to its mission will continue to inspire us. She will be remembered with fondness and respect by all who had the privilege of working with her.”

In December 2023, The Florida Bar Foundation changed its name to FFLA. Posts prior to this date contain our former name.