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South Council Luncheon Speaker

The Honorable Lori Hershey is a champion for students and public education. Leading for over two decades, on School Advisory Councils, Booster Boards, PTSA Boards, Strings on the River and DCPS School Safety and Security Advisory Committee. Making a difference for children has been central to her multi-faceted career as she has worked with non- profit organizations like Communities in Schools and The Jacksonville Children’s Commission. Ms. Hershey is an educator at heart and a former middle school teacher who is certified in Critical Thinking Strategies and Instructional Design by the National Institute for Teaching Thinking. Ms. Hershey values opportunities for students to participate in fitness. She has written grants to support run/walk programs for students in Duval and Clay Counties which impacts 18,000 students annually. Ms. Hershey received the Judges Choice Award in 2014 for grant writing. A licensed real estate agent since 2001. Currently, her license is with Watson Referral Realty. She has been recognized as an Emerging Leader by the Florida School Board Association and currently serves on the Leadership Committee. Ms. Hershey is engaged in public education on the state and national level. She serves on the Board of Directors for The Florida School Board Association and the Council of Great City Schools. Ms. Hershey is a Certified Board Member which is a distinction held by 28% of Board Members in the State of Florida. She served as Vice-Chair of the School Board in 2018 & as Chair in 2019. A graduate of Stetson University, Ms. Hershey is a true lifelong learner. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and is currently working on her Doctoral degree through Grand Canyon University. Ms. Hershey lives in Mandarin with her husband Scott. All four of their children are graduates of Duval County Public Schools.