Tallahassee – Volunteer Florida CEO Chester Spellman announced the inaugural class of VF’s LeaderCorps Program today. The 2015 LeaderCorps Class is comprised of 21 service leaders from across Florida who will raise awareness of the impact of national service and advocate for volunteerism and civic engagement in their local communities.

“Volunteer Florida’s LeaderCorps program will amplify the impact of national service in Florida, engage Floridians through public service projects, and develop community dialogue and civic participation,” said Volunteer Florida CEO Chester Spellman.

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Members of the Inaugural Class of Volunteer Florida LeaderCorps, pictured with VF Program Director Paula DeBoles-Johnson, VF CEO Chester Spellman, and Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service

Members of the 2014-2015 LeaderCorps class will jointly execute regional service projects.  They will also receive leadership training opportunities designed to guide their professional development as they enter or re-enter the workforce in Florida.

“Volunteer Florida puts 1300 AmeriCorps members to work in schools and communities across the state,” continued Spellman. “The LeaderCorps program allows us to select emerging leaders from among these members who will help us continue to make AmeriCorps a meaningful, inclusive, and high-impact service opportunity for Florida. They will serve as ambassadors of Volunteer Florida and our AmeriCorps programs statewide. We are excited to see the inaugural class of Volunteer Florida LeaderCorps get to work!”

To learn more about LeaderCorps, visit http://www.volunteerflorida.org/leadercorps/.

Volunteer Florida 2015 LeaderCorps members by name and host organization:

Michelle Altemus, Breakthrough Miami
Carrie Bastanzi, Polk Education Foundation
Agnes Bien-Aime, Communities in Schools of Miami
Hannah Boyd, Peacemakers Family Center
Dominique Clarke, Breakthrough Miami
Faye Cochran, Communities in Schools of Miami
Kelsi Disch, Palm Beach Literacy Coalition
Tiffany Fason, Communities in Schools of Jacksonville
Ronnie Gaines, Department of Children and Families
Mario Hodge, Department of Economic Opportunity
Darsey Len Kelly, Northwest Florida State College
Emma Ladson, Communities in Schools of Miami
Alexis Luis, Palm Beach Literacy Program
Deidre Moore, Big Brothers Big Sisters St. Lucie-Indian River
Antoinette Roberts, Communities in Schools Miami
Xavier Rodriguez, Clearwater Police Department
Ronald Sickles, Teach for America Jacksonville
Susan Snell, Polk County Education Foundation
Debra Trent, Leon County School Board
Kaylesha Webster, City of Orlando
Tasheka Wilson, Communities in Schools of Miami