- December 17, 2025
Ormond Beach resident and CEO of the Community Foundation of East Central Florida announced her retirement May 30.
Nita Schmellick is leaving on a high note.
The president and CEO of Community Foundation of East Central Florida, Schmellick announced her retirement May 30 after the foundation successfully raised $32,000 for 46 local nonprofits during Give Local Day.
“We have been a quiet group working behind the scenes a lot of the time,” Schmellick said in a press release, “but our main focus is to build a group of funds that will help to make our nonprofits more sustainable over time.”
Dr. Victoria Kluwe will be taking over as president and CEO.
“Nita is an incredible role model of servant leadership,” Dr. Kluwe said in a press release. “She compassionately seeks to help individuals and the community to obtain what they need to improve their lives and to leave a legacy for their children and future generations to come. I am honored to follow in her footsteps.”
The foundation, which was started in 2000, celebrated it’s 14th anniversary before Schmellick retired.
“I am very excited about the future of the foundation,” Schmellick said. “I am leaving it in good hands.“
