Page 6 - The Islander - December '23

Page 6, The Islander

NoNprofIt News

The Arc Of Palm Beach County Selects Award-Winning

Executive John Peters, CPA, As New CFO

The Arc of Palm Beach of experience in financial leadership, strategic business counties. Most recently, he was self-employed as a CPA
County is delighted to management, and fiscal responsibility. and founded GoKnock, an active 501(c)(3) faith-based
announce the appointment “We are thrilled to have John as the new CFO of The nonprofit. From 2007 to 2015, Peters served as the CFO at
o f a wa r d - wi n ni n g , Arc. He is a person who can embody our mission of Palm Health Foundation, Inc. in West Palm Beach. During
nonprofit financial expert improving the lives of the people we serve, their families, his nine-year tenure at the $100 million nonprofit, public
John Peters, CPA, as its and our community,” said Pamela Payne, CEO of The Arc health care foundation, Peters was named Nonprofit CFO
new chief financial officer. of Palm Beach County. “John will be instrumental in our of the Year by the South Florida Business Journal. He also
Peters joins The Arc of plans to increase the services we offer, and to improve served as CFO for the NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale.
Palm Beach County with lives and experiences for individuals with developmental “I am honored to be a part of this great organization
an incredible reputation and intellectual disabilities.” and excited to bring financial leadership during this
as a nonprofit executive. Prior to joining The Arc, Peters served in multiple incredible season of growth and expansion,” said Peters.
He has more than 30 years CFO leadership roles in Palm Beach and Broward Photo by Tracey Benson Photography

The Nonprofit Community Was Honored In Person At

The Kravis Center At Annual Hats Off Nonprofit Awards

Nonprofits First recently
held the Fifth Annual Hats
Off Nonprofit Awards
at the Kravis Center
in the Cohen Pavilion.
The evening celebrated
nonprofit organizations in
Palm Beach County who
contribute and dedicate
themselves to improving
and strengthening our
community. Chaired by
Natalie M. Alvarez, of Key
Private Bank, the sold-out Courtney Mickens, sponsor Sara Bonhomme, MVP of the Year; Perry
event themed “Hats Off, and committee member, Borman from Webauthor, sponsor Community Partners of South Florida Innovation Award
Masks On” filled the room JMI Institute for Global
with attendees wearing Entrepreneurship
hats of all shapes and sizes,
from French berets to cowboy hats and top hats to
handmade themed hats. The surprise emcee was Bill
Bone who inspired the audience with his eloquent words
saying “Let the season begin” as this event was the official
kickoff to season in Palm Beach County. Music from
nonprofit, Digital Vibez, set the tone with popular beats
to move and shake as people made their way to the stage
to accept their awards.

Loggerhead News from page 5

criteria to select finalists and winners. This year’s judges Karen Chambers, FAU Community Health Boys & Girls Clubs, Large Nonprofit Mary O’Connor, Eric Roby, Trudy Crowetz,
include Sally Murray, daughter of LMC Founder Eleanor Center, Community Collaborators Award Jaene Miranda, Childondra Sheppard, Jessica Cecere and Shamus Gordon
Fletcher; Susan Murray, deputy vice president of Oceana
U.S. Pacific and granddaughter of Eleanor Fletcher; “Our goal was to celebrate together
Greg Marshall, marine biologist and filmmaker; Joel safely and thanks to our generous sponsors
Sartore, longtime contributing photographer to National and enthusiastic nonprofit community we
Geographic magazine and author of The Photo Ark: were able to do it. Congratulations to all
One Man’s Quest to Document the World’s Animals; Lad the nominees and honorees, they are truly
Akins, curator of marine conservation for the Phillip & inspiring,” said Jessica Cecere, CEO of
Patricia Frost Museum of Science and an inductee into Nonprofits First.
the Scuba Diving Hall of Fame; Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, The Honorees Are
marine biologist and author; Sylvia Earle, Ph.D., president Nonprofit of the Year:
and chairman of Mission Blue and a National Geographic Small – Dress for Success Palm Beaches
Society Explorer in Residence; and Brian Skerry, award- Medium – Speak Up for Kids of Palm
winning National Geographic photographer and film Beach County
producer. Large – Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach
To purchase tickets or to sponsor the Go Blue Awards, County
visit marinelife.org/connect/goblue. Nonprofit Innovation – Community
Photos by Loggerhead Marinelife Center Partners of South Florida
Nonprofit Volunteer of the Year – Marsha Burkhardt, 211
Palm Beach/Treasure Coast
Hats Off to Heroes Award – Dr. Seth Bernstein, United Way
of Palm Beach County
Nonprofit MVP of the Year – Sara Bonhomme, Arc of Palm
Beach County
Nonprofit Professional of the Year – Jacquie Shorter, Feed
the Hungry Pantry of Palm Beach County
Community Collaborators Award – YWCA of Palm Beach
County and FAU’s Community Health Center
Nonprofit Executive of the Year – Kimberly McCarten, Arc
of Palm Beach County

Community Partners of South Florida Nonprofit News on page 7