Fort Lauderdale – Marlene Williams, a retired Xerox International executive who was the first African American woman to be named vice president of Graphic Arts in the Southeastern United States, overseeing the U.S and Canada, has been elected as board chair of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County for a two-year term.

Williams, the nonprofit organization’s first Black woman board chair, has served on its board for seven years, and brings unmatched international business experience and heartfelt commitment to the agency’s top leadership position, said Malena Mendez, the agency’s president and CEO.

“With her depth of knowledge of our community, the business world and our one-to-one mentoring program, we couldn’t be more thrilled to have Marlene as our new board chair,” said Mendez. “Marlene sparks enthusiasm by her visionary approach and has always been a leader who serves by example. We’re thankful for her and all of our board members.”

Joining Williams on the executive board are Lania Rittenhouse of Spirit Airlines, vice chair; David Angel, Esq., treasurer; Chelsea Koff of Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson, P.A., legal counsel; and Guillermo “Willy” Gomez as immediate past chair.

Two new community leaders joined the Big Brothers Big Sisters directors: WolfCreek Consultants owner Jay Reynolds and top executive Manuel Catedral. Reynolds also is the past president of the Alpha Phi Alpha, committed to mentoring youth of color through its Men of Tomorrow program, which aligns with the Big Brothers Big Sisters mission. Catedral is a certified coach who genuinely enjoys mentoring the next generation of leaders and professionals, empowering the youth to reach their maximum potential.

For more than 50 years, the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County has been to ignite the power and promise of youth. Visit bbbsbroward.org.