TFC ANNOUNCES THAT KARI BATES HAS JOINED TFC’S BOARD; ASHLEY KIM WEISS IS NAMED TFC’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
TFC is proud to announce that Kari Bates has joined TFC’s Board of Directors. Kari is the President and CEO of The ARC of Jacksonville. Located in Jacksonville, Florida, The ARC of Jacksonville serves over 500 men and women with intellectual disabilities through innovative residential, educational, vocational and recreational programming. Kari began working for The ARC of Putnam County in 2015 and served as its Executive Director from 2019 to 2021. In 2021, Kari became the President and CEO of The ARC of Jacksonville. Kari is passionate about improving the lives of individuals with developmental differences and believes communities are transformed when people of all abilities are valued for their unique contributions. Prior to joining The Arc, Kari worked in acute-care hospitals, managing a variety of programs. She received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Health Administration from the University of Central Florida. In 2018, Kari was named “40 under 40” by the Palatka Daily News and in 2021 she received the University of St. Augustine Force for Good Award.
TFC is also proud to announce that Ashley Kim Weiss has been named TFC’s Executive Director. Ashley has been the National Coordinator for TFC since 2017. Ashley has increasingly taken on more responsibilities and Executive Director better captures her important role with our organization. Ashley is also the President & CEO of Elevare Community, which provides consulting services in housing development, residential placement and life planning for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Ashley is a National Certified Guardian and licensed California Professional Fiduciary. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance and Management from the University of Illinois, Chicago, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the Claremont Graduate University’s Drucker School of Business.
These two important changes to our leadership strengthen TFC’s ability to pursue its mission to unite, protect and advance the rights of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For more information about TFC, please visit www.togetherforchoice.org.