Bill Bentley, president & CEO

Bill Bentley has devoted his life to building a world where every child has the opportunity to thrive. An exceptional and dynamic leader with skills honed in a distinguished career that includes non-profit, government and private sector experience, he leads Voices for America’s Children, a nationwide advocacy network that speaks out for children on Capitol Hill, in State Legislatures, and in City Halls.

Bill began his career in public service as a Juvenile Probation Officer with the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services. Rising through the ranks he earned a frontline view of the special needs of youth in crisis, the juvenile justice and child welfare systems.

Eventually, Bill took those experiences and skills and used them to direct the Florida Network of Youth and Family Services, a highly successful statewide coalition of private nonprofit organizations serving children, youth, and families. He led the organization’s legislative lobbying efforts that resulted in an agency budget increase of over $10 million within seven years.

In 1991, Bill was appointed Assistant Deputy Secretary for Operations & Planning at the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services. At the agency where he began his career, he was responsible for the policy formation, operations, program planning and development, training and development, and strategic planning for all of the agency’s programs. Facilitating the reorganization of what was, at the time, the largest state government agency in the nation, Bill helped to conceive, write, and lobby the legislation to decentralize and streamline the agency.

As the President & CEO of the Ounce of Prevention Fund, Inc., he led the development and implementation of local innovative demonstration programs addressing maternal and child health, child welfare, juvenile justice, and family support programs.

In 1995, Bill was appointed Executive Director of the Florida Governor’s Commission on Community Service. He oversaw the state entity responsible for promoting volunteerism and citizen service as a means of solving community problems. Working closely with statewide public and private organizations, federal agencies, and local communities, he developed and implemented community service programs focusing on educational success (K-12), mentoring, public safety, environmental issues, and human needs.

Former United States Senator Harris Wofford tapped him in 1997 to serve on the senior management team at the Corporation for National and Community Service. Directing the Department of Evaluation and Effective Practices, Bill was responsible for the organization’s national program evaluation, leadership development, training, and technical assistance efforts. He also assisted in the development of public policy affecting national and community service.

In 2000, Bill’s unique experiences and talents were recognized by the Points of Light Foundation, a premier national organization that promotes volunteer service and coordinates a network of 335 volunteer centers throughout the country. As Executive Vice President & COO, he collaborated with the CEO in the management and oversight of the organization.

Bill received his undergraduate degree in education from Florida State University and his master’s degree from Florida State University’s School of Social Work. Bentley and his wife reside in Silver Spring, Md., and have two adult daughters.