Hernando, FL – July 18, 2022 – Pace Center for Girls (Pace), a nationally-recognized model that provides education, counseling, training and advocacy for girls and young women, proudly announces the appointment of Xonjenese Jacobs as Executive Director of Pace Hernando.
“Xonjenese has made a tremendous impact at Pace Center for Girls, supporting and advocating for thousands of girls and young women throughout Florida,” said Mary Marx, Pace President and CEO. “Her leadership and passion will continue to make a remarkable impression on our girls, their families and the broader Hernando community.”
With nearly two decades of nonprofit and social service experience, Jacobs has held various roles throughout Pace — in Jacksonville, Hillsborough and Hernando. She returns to Pace Hernando after serving as the Associate Director of Program Performance at Pace’s national office where she supervised programming across Pace’s 21 centers throughout Florida.
“When girls and young women have access to trusted support, they have the opportunity to reach their highest potential, leading to positive outcomes for themselves, their families and communities,” said Jacobs. “It’s an honor to lead Pace Hernando and empower our next generation of girls and young women.”
Jacobs has worked extensively on access to education and mental health services for underserved communities through roles at Hillsborough County Public Schools and the University of South Florida’s College of Public Health and School of Social Work. Currently, she is pursuing her Doctorate in Public Health and reporting on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health among African American adolescent girls.
“For many girls in Hernando County, coming to Pace is one of their first opportunities to have their mental and emotional health needs met,” said Gail Armstrong, Senior Director of Program Performance at Pace Center for Girls and former Executive Director of Pace Hernando. “I look forward to seeing Xongenese continue to expand our model in Hernando and reach more girls.”
Jacobs holds a Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Public Administration, Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace certification.
For more information about Pace Hernando or if you know a girl who could benefit from Pace, please visit https://www.pacecenter.org/locations/hernando.