Special Olympics Florida received its newest Board of Director member, Josh Wilson. Wilson is Nemours Children’s Health System director of public relations, and he is a top strategic communications advisor. With that skillset, Wilson will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in public affairs, media relations and strategic partnerships, along with significant business and financial expertise. “I spend most of my waking hours thinking about how to effectively tell the Nemours story to a wide variety of audiences. I hope my background in public relations will bring the board some fresh ideas around communications that will help shine an even bigger light on the amazing work of the Special Olympics, and we can reach more people across the state,” said Wilson.  

Having worked with children and young athletes for a couple of years, Wilson discovered his passion of helping others. “Long before I came to Nemours, I developed a passion for helping people with intellectual disabilities through my uncle, Tom, who had Down syndrome. He was always very involved in activities like bowling, and I know that it created a lot of joy for him and comfort for my mom and aunt to know their brother was having such a good time making friends and being involved. I think that perspective will be an excellent reminder that the Special Olympics programs benefit the athletes and the entire family.”

When asked what made him want to join the board of directors, Wilson mentioned the connection both positions at Nemours and now the Special Olympics have already established. “My employer, Nemours Children’s Health System, has a really strong relationship with the Special Olympics as many of our patient families benefit from the organization’s programming. In particular, we have supported the Young Athletes Program, which creates opportunities for kids two to seven years old. I was able to witness the smiles the Special Olympics created for not just the children participating but their families as well, which is also vitally important. I was able to meet some of the organization’s leaders and saw first-hand that this was a very well-run nonprofit.”

One of the first things Wilson would like to implement as a board member is learning about the audiences the Special Olympics has struggled to reach to determine if there’s a way to share the organization’s story with them. Some goals of his while serving on the board are to help Special Olympics Florida grow and continue to reach more Floridians who would benefit from the programming. “In particular, I am interested in the Healthy Athletes program, which is focused on improving athletes’ ability to train and compete. From my vantage point at one of the state’s three freestanding children’s hospitals, I hope I can advance the mission of that particular initiative.”