Fulfilling Potential

After 20 years as a corporate executive in the U.S. and England, Symeria Hudson decided to take on a new role as CEO of Chapman Partnership. Not only was it a professional goal for her to work at a non-profit, but she also has a personal connection to the cause. “My uncle was homeless and unfortunately passed away without finding the right resources to help get him off the streets,” she says. “Knowing first-hand the hardships of poverty and housing instability, I’m ready to take on a new and innovative approach to ending homelessness in our own community.” Since 1995, Chapman Partnership has provided essential services to more than 110,000 individuals experiencing homelessness in South Florida — including nearly 25,000 children. As such, they provide emergency shelter to 800 residents daily, comprehensive case management, meals, health, dental services, psychiatric care, daycare, employment training, job placement and assistance with securing stable housing. Since her tenure, she’s shifted to the organization toward a comprehensive business model that addresses homelessness across all demographic groups from early childhood development to adults and their recently launched Social Enterprise Academy. “Our goal is to combine out-of-the-box solutions with forward-thinking approaches,” she says. “As a woman and a minority, I’m driven by serving as a role model and demonstrating that anyone can reach their true potential.”; ChapmanPartnership.org.