BBBSPBMC adds to staff; celebrates anniversary
Yvette Flores Acevedo, president/CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties (BBBSPBMC) recently announced the addition of two new staff members, as well as the significant anniversary of the nonprofit’s Vice President of Programs.
Jeanette Otero, who has over 20 years’ experience in social work and social service will be a Match Support Specialist at the 501(c)(3). In her new role, Otero will offer consistent guidance and encouragement to mentors and mentees, addressing any concerns, challenges, or questions that may arise during the mentoring journey.
In the past, she has managed office operations, coordinated special events, and advocated for persons with developmental disabilities.
Otero graduated from Florida State University with a B.S. in Social Work/Psychology. She is a member of the Exceptional Student Educator Advisory Council in Palm Beach County.
For relaxation, she enjoys volunteering, attending outdoor activities and festivals, traveling, camping, dancing or teaching ballroom dance, and spending time with her daughter and family.
Otero believes that positive, uplifting, and supportive people help others to thrive and become the best version of themselves. She feels that every individual has gifts to share and is passionate about supporting and empowering others to achieve their goals.
Damian Perez is Event Coordinator and will be planning and executing fundraising events, as well as serving as liaison with event vendors.
The lifelong resident of West Palm Beach grew up playing sports. Perez is bilingual in English and Spanish. He is a graduate of St. Leo University, where he received an Associate of Arts and is attending Palm Beach State to pursue his Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. Prior to BBBS, he worked at ESPN West Palm as a marketing event supervisor and content creator.
In his spare time, Perez enjoys playing soccer and being outdoors engaging in all kinds of activities. His family inspires him, and helping those in need is an important part of his life.
Perez is looking forward to setting up events that benefit youth and the community in his new role at BBBSPBMC.
Celebrating a major milestone at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties is Katie Knapfel, Vice President of Programs, who is marking her tenth anniversary at the nonprofit.
Knapfel sets the strategic direction of the programs, and oversees design and implementation, and quality. Prior to joining BBBSPBMC in 2013, she spent a decade working for the School District of Palm Beach County as an Exceptional Student Education Educator and Coordinator.
Knapfel graduated from the University of Florida with a Batchelor of Arts Education and a Master of Education. For relaxation, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, going on family vacations, and cheering for the Gators.
She loves seeing the relationships between mentors and mentees develop and believes that “a hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”
One of the most satisfying parts of Knapfel’s job is seeing programming develop, grow, and serve more children in both Palm Beach and Martin Counties.
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