Tallahassee, FL: Connecting Everyone with Second Chances (CESC) announced today that Samantha Vance has been appointed as new CEO of the organization, effective July 26, 2021. Vance has been known as a successful business and nonprofit leader who carries a wealth of leadership experience and passion for supporting her local community.
CESC is a nonprofit organization with a mission to end homelessness by opening doors to opportunity, housing, and independence. The Kearney Center is one of the programs CESC provides to the community. The Kearney Center, founded by Rick Kearney, provides emergency shelter to those experiencing homelessness, in addition to services like GED training, prayer groups, and workforce development.
At a joint City County Workshop last week, officials approved $6.2M in federal funds for homeless services and affordable housing, continuing their long-standing efforts to reduce homelessness. Samantha was in attendance, supporting CESC.
“Samantha has proven to be an invaluable partner for CESC as a nonprofit business strategist,” said President & Board Chairman, Rick Kearney. “I have great confidence that under her leadership and management, CESC will be positioned to strengthen the core of our organization and extend our outreach through new programming.”
Samantha Vance comes from humble beginnings with a life-long history of serving the homeless. Her passion stems from a personal situation. Recently she hosted The impact Show interviewing her mother, who was once homeless while pregnant with her. Her mother was to turn her life around with the help of her community. Samantha hopes that the combination of experience in leadership and her passion for helping those in need will take the Kearney Center to higher heights.
To date, Samantha has raised close to $1M for nonprofits in the State of Florida. She has been recognized throughout the state with several high-achieving awards, and in 2020 appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to serve on the State Advisory Board for the Department of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention assisting with the management and allocation of close to $3M in federal funding. For 12 years, Samantha has run a consulting firm helping over 25 nonprofits, small businesses, and politicians nationwide. Vance is the Founder and Executive Director of Ladies Learning to Lead (L3), a Statewide organization that provides training and resources to prepare young ladies for college, careers, and life. She will continue her support of the organization, soon stepping into the role as Chair of the Board. Vance also led administrative operations, under Emmett Reed, for Florida’s first and largest advocacy organization for long-term care providers, Florida Health Care Association. Prior, she was the head of operations at California State University East Bay assisting with management of a $4.8M budget for the library centers and served as financial project manager at Alliant International University, San Francisco.
“After spending my career in nonprofit management, operations, and consulting, I’m excited to take CESC in a new direction consisting of programming and resources to better the lives of those we serve and reduce homelessness,” said Vance, commenting on her election. “I am grateful to have a committed Chairman and Board of Directors who are excited to establish a new plan to enhance the quality of our programs and services and reduce homelessness in our city.”
Samantha earned an A.S. degree in business management from Tallahassee Community College, later graduating from Florida State University with a bachelor’s in political science.
About CESC
CESC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a goal to offer help and hope by creating solutions that provide a path to self-sufficiency to those in poverty. The organization executes this mission through a variety of projects – each with their own intent and purpose. For more information, visit http://cesctlh.org/.
Media Contact:
Claire Fry
E: claire@impactcoregroup.com
P: 772.713.7346