Equality Florida announced March 25 that it had added several new staffers to its ranks, which will help the statewide equality organization reach more areas of the Sunshine State.
According to Nadine Smith, Executive Director of Equality Florida, the new staffers come from diverse backgrounds but share the same commitment to equality.
Jess Osborn was the Campus Program Manager for Fairness For All Families at the University of Central Florida and is now the Statewide Outreach Coordinator based in Equality Florida’s Orlando office. After graduating from UCF, she worked for the Human Rights Campaign as the Southern Regional Field Organizer and worked toward the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, among other crusades. In 2012, Osborn moved back to Orlando to serve asthe Deputy Campaign Manager for the successful campaign to Elect Joe Saunders.
In Jacksonville, Equality Florida has brought on Rob Vidler as that city’s Development Officer. In this role, Vidler will coordinate Jacksonville’s growing Equality Florida team and plan community events, like the annual Jacksonville Gala. He will also be responsible for recruiting new sponsors, creating donor stewardship and organizing mixers. He is a Jacksonville Native and is a longtime supporter and volunteer of Equality Florida.
In the realm of New Media, Equality Florida can now turn to Brittany Link, a former communications intern for the organization. Link works in the Gainesville office and is responsible for helping manage Equality Florida’s communication interns, social media sites and e-mail marketing. She is a graduate student at the University of Florida and plans to graduate in May 2013 with a Political Science degree.
Equality Florida’ new Statewide Field Director is Michael Farmer, who will replace Joe Saunders. Saunders held the role until he successfully campaigned for the Florida House of Representatives last year. Farmer will lead development programs and staff in Orlando, Sarasota, Jacksonville and Tallahassee. He will be based in Orlando.
And finally, Equality Florida’s New Media Director is Sue Hoffman, who is based in Tampa Bay. Hoffman has 20 years of experience in marketing and communications and has received more than 40 local and national marketing awards. She joined the team full time in 2012 as the New Media Manager, where she managed the organization’s social media, e-mail marketing and print publications.
In her new role, Hoffman will lead on all of Equality Florida’s communication plans and will direct new media staff, interns and volunteers.
