Girls Inc. of Sarasota County launches national search for executive director

Girls Inc. of Sarasota County, a nonprofit organization that focuses on innovative programs to help prepare young women to lead successful, independent and healthy lives, is launching a national search for an executive director.

Robin Rose, who has successfully led the award-winning organization as the executive director for the past two years, is relocating to St. Augustine to be closer to her husband.

The organization has experienced tremendous growth and has marked new milestones over the past two years, including the complete retirement of the Nadel settlement debt, the most successful annual luncheon in the organization’s 27-year history and the launch of several nationally acclaimed programs, such as the Code Initiative, Champions for Girls giving circle and the High School Initiative. Girls Inc. of Sarasota County was also recently designated as a national pilot site for the Literacy Program and awarded the Kellogg Foundation grant.

Additionally, Girls Inc. of Sarasota County is home to one of just 30 girls nationally to be recognized as a national scholar, and Rose was selected as one of only four executive directors to sit on the National Strategic Planning Committee.

“We are so proud of what this organization has accomplished with Robin’s help and leadership over the past two years, and while we embark on the difficult process of finding someone to fill her shoes, we are grateful for her service and understand her decision to focus on her family,” said Jennifer Compton, board chair of Girls Inc. of Sarasota County.

The nonprofit has assembled a search committee tasked with finding a new leader to move the organization forward and continue its important mission of creating strong, smart and bold girls with programming that enhances their lives and prepares them for the future.

Compton has appointed board member Christopher Pinckney as chair of the search committee. The remaining members of the committee are current and past board members with extensive and diverse professional backgrounds, including educational leadership and governance, business and financial management, law and long-term experience with the organization.

Rose will stay on as executive director and continue her duties in their full capacity until a new director is hired and will assist with the transitioning process.

“While I am reticent to leave, and this was a gut-wrenching decision for me, I know that I am leaving at a time when the organization is stronger than it has ever been. It is in great hands with a solid plan for its future,” said Rose. “It gives me great comfort that since we are in a time of growth and stability in all other areas, and have successfully restructured our team and realigned our mission, that this transition will be made seamlessly and smoothly. This was a deeply personal decision that I had to make in order to focus on my marriage and my husband,” said Rose.

About Girls Inc. of Sarasota County

The Girls Inc. educational experience focuses on the development of the whole girl and equips girls in grades K-12 with the skills they need to successfully navigate gender, economic and social barriers and grow into healthy, educated and economically independent adults, prepared employees, and strong and ethical leaders. Our programs bolster their emotional, physical, and mental health and give them the support to achieve their goals boldly and confidently. For more information about Girls Inc., contact Kay Mathers at 941-366-6646 or visit girlsincsrq.org.