Executive Director, Leadership Jacksonville Inc.
Mission
Leadership Jacksonville develops youth and adult leaders to assume greater responsibility as community trustees who improve the quality of life for self, family and community.
Serving Jacksonville
Jacksonville-based; established in 1976.
Those served
Leadership Jacksonville works with high school students, college students and adults who live, attend school or work in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties. Each year, the programs are at capacity: Adult Leadership Jacksonville program, 56; Collegiate Leadership Experience, 44 students; Youth Leadership Jacksonville, 56 high school juniors; and the New Leadership Summit for CEOs and senior level executives who are new or relatively new to the community, 20.
Biggest challenge
I am a graduate of Leadership Jacksonville, Class of 1987, a past board member and longtime volunteer. I took on this new role May 20 and continue to be impressed by the organization, the staff and volunteers. The previous executive director, Isabelle Spence, was a tremendous leader. Filling her shoes will be a challenge.
Biggest satisfaction
This is yet to come. I have rolled up my sleeves and am looking forward to the satisfaction of building on a 37-year legacy of developing community trustees who have an incredible impact in Northeast Florida.
Hometown
Jacksonville
First experience with community service
Many years ago Lutheran Social Services ran a program through which volunteers were matched with seniors who needed a friend, a ride, an occasional phone call or outing to the doctor or store. I was matched with a delightful lady who mostly wanted to talk and have human contact. I'm sure that I gained as much from our visits as she did.
Your job before Leadership Jacksonville
Interim executive director of the Jacksonville Children's Commission.
Upcoming events
Saturday: Book signing for the debut novel by Linda Foley, (Leadership Jacksonville '86), professor emerita of psychology, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Green Erth Bistro, 1520 Hendricks Ave.
Contact information
www.leadershipjax.org
(904) 396-6263, ext. 21