Nina Yon, President and CEO of The Sharing Center, Announces Retirement After Five Transformative Years

The Sharing Center today announced that after five years of visionary leadership, Nina Yon will be retiring as President and CEO effective December 20, 2024. Nina has played a pivotal role in transforming the organization from a small, community-based charity into Seminole County’s largest and most comprehensive homelessness prevention and poverty relief organization and a recognized leader within Central Florida’s network of social services.

Under Nina's stewardship, The Sharing Center has made remarkable strides in addressing critical community needs. She spearheaded the expansion and renovation of The Oasis, a drop-in center for the homeless which provides vital support to individuals and families experiencing hardship. Nina's focus on strategic planning and execution has led to a robust expansion of The Sharing Center’s workforce development program, ProjectRISE, which has successfully graduated hundreds of participants who have gone on to secure life-changing employment.

Nina has also been instrumental in expanding The Sharing Center’s mental-health services, a critical area of need that has only intensified in recent years. Her commitment to ensuring that these essential services are available to those who need them most has made a profound impact on the lives of countless individuals in our community.

In addition to these essential programs, Nina has established one of the area’s most successful fundraising events, the annual Share the Light Gala, which recently raised more than $440,000 for The Sharing Center’s mission – all while creating unprecedented community awareness among hundreds of attendees.

"Nina’s leadership has set a strong foundation for The Sharing Center that will benefit our community for years to come," said Michelle Smith, Chairman of The Sharing Center’s Board of Directors. "Her vision and dedication have transformed our organization into a beacon of hope for those in need. Nina has poured her heart and soul into The Sharing Center, and in announcing her retirement, she has expressed a desire to focus on her health and her family. We fully support her, and we are grateful for her contributions and the indelible mark she leaves behind."

As Nina embarks on her next chapter, The Sharing Center remains committed to its mission, building on the momentum and successes achieved under her leadership. The organization's Executive Board will immediately form a committee to conduct a regional and national search for a new President and CEO who is deeply committed to the organization's fundamental mission and services.

Michelle Smith added, "We wish Nina all the best and thank her for her unwavering commitment to our mission, our community, and the thousands of lives she has positively impacted during her tenure with The Sharing Center. We have prepared well for The Sharing Center’s future and are ready for this next chapter."

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About The Sharing Center:

Through Christ, The Sharing Center provides dignified solutions for those experiencing poverty and homelessness. The organization was founded in 1986 when leaders from 17 churches around Central Florida saw a need in our community and collaborated to address it. Today, The Sharing Center has become the most comprehensive social services hub in Seminole County, serving those impacted by hardships, hunger, and homelessness.

For more information about The Sharing Center and its programs, please visit TheSharingCenter.org.