Introducing MENTOR Florida and Its Inaugural CEO

PALM BEACH, Fla., June 5, 2024 (Newswire.com) - Malika Harrison has been hired to serve as the first President and CEO of MENTOR’s newest statewide Affiliate MENTOR Florida.

This strategic expansion allows MENTOR to expand the quality and quantity of mentoring for young people throughout Florida beyond the previous footprint in Palm Beach County. For the past 15 years, the Mentor Center of Palm Beach County has been a long-standing and successful MENTOR Affiliate. The leadership of United Way of Palm Beach County has galvanized the mentoring community by securing resources to strengthen mentor program practices and serve more young people through quality mentoring experiences.  

While support for Palm Beach County has been strong, the rest of the state has advocated for an expanded Affiliate footprint to deliver mentoring services and resources and to meet the needs of communities and families across Florida. The Mentor Center and United Way have collaborated on the expansion of mentoring services and the development of MENTOR Florida to serve the entire state.  

Backed by its fiscal sponsor Colabria, MENTOR Florida will aim to further enhance the impact of mentoring across the state. The Mentor Center, continuing its mission in Palm Beach County, will serve as a founding local partner, funding and connecting local mentoring programs while collaborating closely with MENTOR Florida.

"We are thrilled to join forces with MENTOR Florida and the broader MENTOR nationwide network, setting the stage for transformative growth in mentoring across our state,” says Daniel Alberttis, President of the Board of Directors of Enterprise Palm Beach Inc. (Colabria). “This partnership represents a commitment to elevate the mentoring landscape, ensuring that our youth receive the support and guidance they need to thrive. We are dedicated to fostering this initiative and are eager to witness the profound impact it will have on empowering the next generation." 

In conjunction with this exciting expansion, MENTOR is pleased to introduce MENTOR Florida’s new CEO Malika Harrison, who began her role on May 28. Harrison, a Florida native, is a seasoned community leader and business executive with over 20 years of experience in community relations, social impact, philanthropy, grants management, and communications across both corporate and non-profit sectors.

“It is a privilege to have the opportunity to lead MENTOR Florida,” says Harrison. “My commitment to uplifting the community, especially youth, is deeply rooted in my upbringing and desire to make a difference. I have experienced the promise that mentoring, empowerment, and exposure create opportunities to overcome challenges, resulting in positive outcomes and bright futures. I am excited to deepen MENTOR’s impact in Florida at such a crucial time and I look forward to creating meaningful partnerships, securing funding and advocating statewide to enhance the mentoring movement.”

As the former President of MASH Consulting, she has led communications for minority-owned businesses and held leadership roles at Truist, Orlando Magic, and S&P Global while also being a dedicated volunteer and mentor.

“Malika Harrison's appointment as the inaugural CEO of MENTOR Florida heralds a new era of empowerment and connectivity for Florida’s youth. With her extensive network and unwavering passion, Malika is poised to forge invaluable connections across the state, fueling MENTOR Florida's mission to ensure every young person has the opportunity to thrive under the guidance of a caring mentor,” said Nancy Stellway, member of MENTOR Florida’s Mentoring Program Leadership Council and Steering Committee.

As MENTOR Florida begins its operations, it remains committed to the mission and vision of MENTOR National, which is the unifying champion for quality youth mentoring in the United States. 

Jermaine Myrie, CEO of MENTOR National, remarked, “We’re thrilled to be launching MENTOR Florida and couldn’t ask for a better leader than Malika Harrison to steer this initiative. This expansion is a testament to our commitment to extend our reach and impact to ensure that every young person has access to the mentoring and support they need to thrive. I am excited to collaborate with local communities and stakeholders across the state of Florida and look forward to supporting our newest Affiliate as they blossom in the space.”

ABOUT MENTOR

Our mission is to expand the quality and quantity of mentoring relationships nationwide. Potential is equally distributed; opportunity is not. A major driver of healthy development and opportunity is who you know and who’s in your corner. 

Almost 35 years ago, MENTOR was created to expand that opportunity for young people by building a youth mentoring field and movement. The result: a more than 10-fold increase in young people in structured mentoring relationships. Today, we are the expert voice representing a movement that is diverse and broad and seeps into every aspect of daily life — meeting young people everywhere they are from schools to workplaces and beyond.

Source: MENTOR