from staff
After a lengthy career as a business writer and columnist at the Florida Times-Union, Karen Brune Mathis assumed the role of Executive Director of Dreams Come True last week. Dreams Come True is the First Coast’s only locally-based nonprofit organization dedicated to fulfilling the dreams of children with life-threatening illnesses. Since 1984, Dreams Come True has fulfilled more than 2,150 dreams of area children and their families battling life-threatening illnesses.
Before joining Dreams Come True, Mathis spent almost 30 years at the Florida Times-Union in capacities including metro columnist, business columnist, senior business writer, and business editor. Her media career includes experience in print, online and broadcast. Mathis represented the Times-Union on First Coast News in regular appearances for seven years. She frequently appeared on Week in Review on WJCT.
A member of the Leadership Jacksonville Class of 1998, Mathis has earned numerous community awards including the Girl Scouts of Gateway Council Women of Distinction Award in 2004 and the Frances Bartlett Kinne Merit Award in 2000, given by the Jacksonville Business and Professional Women’s Club. She has been recognized by the Catholic Women’s Council, Family Care Connections and Girls Inc. Mathis holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the University of Missouri.
Dreams Come True has fulfilled the dreams of more than 2,150 children since its inception in 1984. To be eligible, a child must be diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, be between the ages of 2 and 18, be referred by his or her physician, and live in or be treated in the First Coast or Southeast Georgia area. Dreams Come True applies all contributions, unless otherwise designated, directly to the dreams of children. For more information, please call 296.3030 or visit www.dreamscometrue.org.