Women's Resource Center under new leadership

An area nonprofit dedicated to women’s education and empowerment has named a new executive director, highlighting the group’s ambition to expand its community outreach.

The Women’s Resource Center — a 34-year-old Sarasota-based nonprofit that provides women with life skills training, career services and scholarships — tapped Valerie Goddard to be its next executive director.

Goddard, a Massachusetts native born to a military family and educated abroad, has 25 years of executive experience, holding positions such as executive director of a United Way agency in Tampa, Fla., and deputy director of child development for the Department of Defense.

As a gubernatorial appointee to the special taxing district under Governors Jeb Bush, Charlie Crist and Rick Scott, Goddard’s responsibilities included allowing $36 million to community organizations in Hillsborough County.

“We are thrilled that Valerie has become a part of the rich legacy of service that has been established at the Women’s Resource Center of Sarasota County,” said Renée Hamad, WRCSC board president, in a prepared statement. “Together, with the board, staff, volunteers and Valerie’s experience and talents, we will work collaboratively to develop strong partnerships as well as expand our outreach in the greater Sarasota community.”

Contact Nolan Peterson at [email protected]