The Leadership Jacksonville Board of Directors has named Gracie Simendinger Chief Executive Officer for the organization.

Simendinger is currently the Director of Development at the Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry (BEAM). She will take over the CEO position in August, succeeding Jill Langford Dame who announced her retirement in March.

Simendinger’s experience includes team management, fundraising, public affairs and marketing, organizational effectiveness, program and partnership development and change management. She is the President of the JAX Chamber Downtown Council, at-large member of the Women’s Giving Alliance steering committee and has served in various leadership roles with local organizations.

She has a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Florida State University with minors in Spanish and Hispanic Marketing Communications and a Master of Education from Jacksonville University.