Hernando’s Matheny named to Excel By 5 Board of Directors
Excel By 5, Inc. is pleased to announce that Gia Matheny, Community and Economic Development Director for the City of Hernando, has been elected to its board of directors.
For almost a decade Matheny has provided experience in community and economic engagement in both professional and volunteer capacity. Her current work with the City of Hernando, which she joined in 2013, focuses on government and public relations as well as strategic planning, grant writing, volunteer recruitment, fundraising and implementing cornerstone city initiatives such as Hernando Excel By 5, Hernando Water Tower 10K, and Hernando Farmers Market. Matheny engages in multiple volunteer organizations, such as Interfaith Council on Poverty, Inc., Hernando Optimist Club, and Hernando Chamber of Commerce.
“Gia Matheny is a true leader in community development demonstrating what is possible for children and families in communities that prioritize children,” says Dr. Eileen Beazley, Executive Director of Excel By 5, Inc. “Gia’s civic experience and successful strategies have undoubtedly brought ideas to reality for children of Hernando. Gia’s leadership has helped Hernando bring in over $10,000 over the last year for the 550+ children enrolled in the Hernando Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Gia is a true leader with the heart of a servant. We are thrilled to welcome Gia to Excel By 5, Inc. Board of Directors.”
The City of Hernando joined Excel By 5 in 2013. The community coalition has continued to serve the children of Hernando in creative and innovative ways. Hernando recognizes the importance of the early years as critical for their community’s future.
Excel By 5 is a Mississippi-only community-based certification designed to improve a child’s well-being by age five. For over a decade, Excel By 5 has encouraged community-based collaborations to work strategically by utilizing research-based best practices to use and enhance existing resources to optimize the care and education of young children. This work and support assists in preparing children to enter school happy, healthy and ready for life-long success. Excel By 5, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization.
Excel By 5 news release
