Our Speaker will be joining us IN PERSON!

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Kim Bednarek is a seasoned executive who will conceptualize, plan, and execute on a broad vision. She is an entrepreneurial and resourceful ieader who thrives in challenging business environments. Kim is highly regarded for her capacity to collaborate successfully, across diverse constituent groups, and deliver on the mission, vision, goals, and progressive development of an organization.

Kim currently serves in the role of Executive Director with the Okefenokee Swamp Park, lnc. (OSP), a 76-year old, 501(c)(3) non-profit, as a key partner to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and the state of Georgia. Kim's competencies with transformational management have driven the OSP to significant revenue growth since she took the helm in 2020. Alongside an experienced and dedicated Board of Trustees, Kim repositioned the OSP to serve as an engine for education, research, and economic development in rural southern Georgia.

Kim served as the Head of School for The Discovery School in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, a nationally recognized Montessori lnternational Baccalaureate academic program from 2007-2020.  During Kim's 13-year tenure, The Discovery School experienced phenomenal growth including: doubled the campus size through land acquisitions; provisioned a LEED multi-purpose building to complete the rebranding of the school; optimized enrollment growth and revenue; achieved philanthropic goals by completing multiple million-dollar campaigns to support future development of the school; and finalized the lnternational Baccalaureate candidacy, as well as the inaugural American Montessori Society and Florida Council of lndependent Schools accreditations.

Kim earned her Bachelor of Arts in English, with a Minor in Marine Biology, from the University of New Hampshire and her Master of Business Administration with Honors, Leadership Development from Jacksonville University. She holds a Montessori Administrator's credential, is a graduate of Leadership Florida Education, served 2-terms on the Florida Council of lndependent Schools board and was a member of the Leadership Development Committee of the American Montessori Society. Kim currently serves as the Board Chair of the St. Marys Riverkeeper; on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, and on the steering committee for the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge' UNESCO inscription process.