Kathleen Slesnick Kauffman was inducted as the 45th Junior Orange Bowl president during the organization’s recent inaugural Denim & Diamonds gala.
The gala hosted local business, community, and philanthropic leaders and included a ceremony to induct the president and board of directors for the 2015-16 festival year.
The 2015-16 board of directors includes: immediate past president, Peter Tolmach; president-elect, Charles Knight; vice presidents, Samantha Jones and Adhys Obeso; secretary, Michelle Benitez-Bermudez; treasurer, Sam Burritt, and directors Barbara Waters, Isa Goenaga, and Maggie Hill.
Junior Orange Bowl past president Jeannett Slesnick performed the swearing- in ceremony of the new board of directors and president.
Kauffman will focus on broadening the reach of the organization and opening new opportunities for South Florida’s youths.
“Our major goal for this upcoming year is to really promote the organization to the community at large,” Kauffman said. “We are also strengthening our community partnerships and exploring new opportunities for events that would interest the youth of today, including robotics and soccer. We want to provide more of our local youth with the chance to participate in our activities even if they are not currently a part of any organized team or school program.”
Kauffman is the Historic Preservation Chief of Miami-Dade County and has served in active leadership roles as a member of the Junior Orange Bowl for many years, most recently serving as the chair of the Junior Orange Bowl Parade from 2011 to 2013.
Kauffman has a rich family history with the Junior Orange Bowl as her father, Don Slesnick II; mother, Jeannett Slesnick, and brother, Don Slesnick III, all served as presidents of the Junior Orange Bowl.
The Junior Orange Bowl serves the South Florida community and the youth of the world by providing wholesome, competitive, and multicultural experiences through athletic and academic events. The Junior Orange Bowl will celebrate its 67th festival season in 2015-16.
If you want to volunteer for an event or become a member of the Junior Orange Bowl visit online at www.JrOrangeBowl.org or call 305- 662-1210.
