Venerria Thomas

Venerria Thomas serves as the Director of the Community and Family Services Department for Orange County, Florida, since April 2023, providing strategic vision and administrative oversight to ten operating divisions, including programs related to Head Start, Parks and Recreation, and Community Action Partnership. Prior experience includes roles as Director of the Department of Human Services for the City of Newport News, where Venerria manages public benefits programs and health initiatives, and Director of Family and Aging Services in Hillsborough County, overseeing an extensive network of health and human services. Venerria has also held executive positions in various organizations, including St. Johns County, Senior Services, and Zion Preparatory Academy, demonstrating a robust background in leadership and strategic planning within public and nonprofit sectors. Educational qualifications include an MBA in Finance and Administration from Willamette University and a BS in Journalism and Communications from Northwestern University, complemented by several leadership certificates.