The Community Foundation for Ocala Marion County announces the retirement of Barbara Fitos as Executive Director effective February 28th and effective February 1st, the appointment of Lauren Deiorio as the new Executive Director. Ms. Fitos will continue to provide assistance during the transition and as needed throughout the year. The Board of Directors and Chairman Frank M. Hennessey expresses its appreciation for Barbara’s untiring dedication and commitment to the Foundation over the past six years and acknowledges her work in its development as the Foundation’s first Executive Director. “It has been a joy and an honor to build the Foundation from its inception and I look forward to seeing the next phase of its evolution under Lauren’s leadership”, stated Ms. Fitos.
Lauren Deiorio joins the Community Foundation from the Public Education Foundation of Marion County where she has been Fund Development Director for the last six years. Prior to that, Lauren spent six years in Public Accounting with a CPA firm in Louisville, KY after graduating from the University of Louisville in 1992 with a Business and Finance degree. Lauren has worked with the Community Foundation in a leadership role with the Non-Profit Business Council and is well qualified to lead the Community Foundation in its ongoing commitment to serve our community. We are indeed fortunate to have Lauren join our team as Executive Director. We wish Barbara the very best on her well-deserved retirement and wish Lauren every success in her new undertaking.
