Wendy Spencer

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Wendy Spencer, Chief Executive Officer, Volunteer Florida

Wendy Spencer, Chief Executive Officer, Governor’s Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, commonly called Volunteer Florida

Wendy Spencer was appointed in 2003 as the Chief Executive Officer of the Governor's Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, commonly known as Volunteer Florida.

Spencer's 25-year career includes work in volunteer organizations like United Way, plus a vast background in marketing, public relations, community development, major event planning, and management. She has raised more than $35 million for communities throughout her career, and has delivered more than 1,000 speeches and presentations. Her most recent position prior to assuming leadership at Volunteer Florida was Director of the Florida Park Service, where she managed 1,700 full- and part-time employees and more than 5,000 volunteers for 158 award-winning state parks.

As CEO of Volunteer Florida, Spencer is responsible for the management of more than $18 million in federal, state, and local grants that engage citizens in volunteer activities.

Some of the programs Volunteer Florida manages include Florida AmeriCorps, through which as many as 1,000 volunteers dedicate a year of their lives to service in the areas of education, environment, human needs, public safety, and homeland defense. Volunteer Florida is the official volunteer organizer in times of disasters, working closely with the Florida Division of Emergency Management. During Florida’s record-breaking hurricane season in 2004, Volunteer Florida coordinated more than 140,000 volunteers and donated items totaling more than $63 million, which was to become the largest mobilization of volunteers in the history of U.S. natural disasters to date.

Volunteer Florida also aggressively works to help communities start Volunteer Centers. Volunteer Florida partners with Florida's Volunteer center network to strengthen volunteer efforts statewide.

In May 2005, Spencer received the President’s Call to Service Award from President George W. Bush for her dedication and service to others throughout her life.

On February 14, 2006, Spencer was appointed to the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. In her role with the President’s Council, Spencer acts as an "Ambassador of Service" for the President's vision of fostering a culture of citizenship and volunteer service in our country. Through her appointment to the President's Council, Spencer also works to promote the President's Volunteer Service Award.

Volunteer Florida is a governor-appointed, bi-partisan commission that promotes volunteerism and serves to help meet community needs. Volunteer Florida's mission is "Strengthening communities through volunteerism and service."^[1] web.