Wellfit Girls announces new leadership transition
Wellfit Girls, a Southwest Florida nonprofit dedicated to empowering teen girls, is pleased to announce Brooke Spencer as the new executive director for the organization. Colby Robertson, the organization’s director for the last seven years, is stepping into a new co-founder role and will continue to support the organization as treasurer of the board.
Based in Naples and serving Southwest Florida and beyond, Wellfit Girls provides unique and meaningful leadership, fitness and empowerment programs for teen girls in middle and high school. The program uses experiential learning and outdoor adventure to build positive relationships with youth, expand their self-confidence and increase resiliency. The program has grown exponentially in Wellfit Girls’ seven-year history, expanding from an inaugural class of 11 girls in 2014 to 47 girls in 2019. More than 120 girls make up the Wellfit Girls alumnae network. Pivoting to continue programming through the COVID-19 pandemic has proven the resiliency of the organization and the growing need for these services within the community.
“I am beyond proud of what this organization has accomplished over the years,” says Robertson. “It is time for someone else to lead this important work. I have no doubt Brooke is ready for this new leadership position. Her fresh perspective, new ideas and strong work ethic are a wonderful asset to Wellfit Girls. I can’t imagine a better person to lead the organization into the next phase of its journey.”
A Naples native, Spencer has been with Wellfit Girls since 2017. Proof of Wellfit Girls’ commitment to empowerment, she has climbed the ranks as volunteer, administrative assistant, program coordinator and then program director before taking on the role of executive director. On top of her programming responsibilities, Spencer has worked side-by-side with the leadership team learning and executing much of the day-to-day operations and administrative work. Spencer earned a master’s degree in public administration for Florida Gulf Coast University. She has also earned a number of credentials during her time with Wellfit Girls that add immense value to the organization. Her leadership development over the last three years has supported the continued growth and impact of Wellfit Girls’ programs and its expansion in Southwest Florida.
“When I joined Wellfit Girls, I found a sisterhood, family and safe space for my own personal and professional growth that I didn’t have growing up. Now, my mission in leading Wellfit Girls is to offer girls the support they need to grow into successful, confident women with a strong voice,” says Spencer. “Wellfit Girls is a way of being, a movement, a revolution of girl’s and women’s leadership. As I step into this role, I look forward to strengthening a culture of empowerment within our community.”
Robertson and Jill Wheeler co-founded Wellfit Girls together in 2014.
“Wellfit Girls is founded on innovation, open-minded collaboration and championing the sisterhood,” says Wheeler. “It is with great enthusiasm that we welcome Brooke Spencer into the role as executive director. She embodies resilience, creative vision and empowered leadership. Colby and I will continue to support her and nurture the organization’s growth as founding board members. I am personally excited to develop our training program and work closely with our leadership team as we expand and grow in our next chapter.”
To learn more about Wellfit Girls and its mission, visit www.WellfitGirls.org or call 239-333-9502.
About Wellfit Girls
Wellfit Girls is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Southwest Florida. The mission of Wellfit Girls is to inspire, challenge and empower teen girls to climb high in all areas of life. A United Way partner, Wellfit Girls provides a unique and meaningful leadership, fitness and empowerment program specifically designed to empower teen girls to believe they can do anything. The program concludes with a life-changing wilderness expedition. The Wellfit Girls curriculum guides girls through a combination of physical, mental and interpersonal challenges designed to prepare them for the final expedition, as well as the rest of their lives, with a goal to inspire and empower each girl while nurturing and developing each girl’s individual leadership style. To learn more, call 239-333-9502 or visit www.WellfitGirls.org.
