IMMOKALEE, FL (March 15, 2021) – RCMA, Florida’s largest provider of nonprofit early childhood education, announced today the promotion of Gloria Padilla, Immokalee native and long-time community leader, to Community Relations Manager. As part of RCMA’s Development Team, she will be one of RCMA’s key ambassadors with varied responsibilities including relationship-building with community leaders state-wide and coordination of RCMA’s largest annual fundraiser, the Lipman Family Golf Classic, taking place May 22, 2021.
Gloria has provided outstanding, heartfelt leadership and knowledge in serving the children and families of Immokalee. We are thrilled to have her step into this important position, Isabel Garcia, RCMA’s executive director said
Ms. Padilla, joined RCMA in 1982 as a Head Start teacher located in our Fort Myers location and quickly rose to a supervisory position as the Area Coordinator. She was awarded a Congressional Medal of Honor in 2018 for coordinating the immediate recovery efforts for Immokalee residents following Hurricane Irma’s devastating impact.
She serves as vice-chair for the Immokalee Unmet Needs Coalition and is a member of the National Head start Association, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. And board member for One By One Leadership, Dream Catchers, The Soccer Pit.
