Social services nonprofit names interim CEO

SARASOTA — After announcing a permanent CEO last year, Jewish Family & Children’s Service of the Suncoast is on the hunt once again. 

Nelle Miller has stepped into the interim CEO role for the time being. Arthur Lerman stepped into that same role in June 2020 before the organization named him non-interim CEO in January 2021. Lerman went on to pursue other opportunities after a year in the role. 

“Nelle is a strong community leader who seeks out ways to collaborate and build impact within our nonprofit community,” Kathie Roberts, JFCS board chair, says in a statement. “We are thrilled to have Nelle’s business acumen and human service focus in the role of JFCS interim CEO.”

Miller is the Community Foundation of Sarasota County's immediate past chair. She’s held other board chair positions with Glasser Schoenbaum Human Services Center, All Faiths Food Bank and The Sarasota-Manatee Jewish Federation. 

The interim CEO has a longstanding background in nonprofit leadership, according to the release. As a board and governance leader, Miller’s focus has been on social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion. 

JFCS will now begin a national search for a permanent president/CEO, which is expected to take six to eight months. 

Jewish Family & Children’s Service of the Suncoast provides counseling, personal support and financial assistance to youth, families, veterans, seniors and individuals who are homeless in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, Lee, Desoto and Collier counties. For 35 years, JFCS has provided services to people in need regardless of their religious background.