By Dina Gentry, Director of Development
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Sierra | June 9, 2025
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Sierra (BBBSNS) is proud to announce the appointment of Florence Parks as its new Chief Executive Officer. With more than 25 years of experience in the mentoring field and a legacy of leadership at both the local and state levels, Parks brings deep expertise, vision, and heart to the organization’s mission of igniting the power and promise of youth.
Parks’ career is rooted in service and transformation. She has held leadership roles with organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of the North Coast, Sierra Forever Families’ Wonder Mentoring Program, and the faith-based Shoulder to Shoulder initiative. Her experience includes everything from supervising staff and program specialists to designing statewide mentor certification processes. Florence has also served as Chair of the BBBS State Association and has been an active voice in the California Mentoring Partnership and MENTOR, the national mentoring network.
“I am honored to join Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Sierra at such a pivotal time for youth mentoring in our region,” said Parks. “I’ve seen firsthand the incredible impact a caring adult can have on a young person’s life. I’m committed to strengthening and expanding this work so even more children have the opportunity to thrive.”
BBBSNS Board President Stephanie Carlson shared her enthusiasm about the appointment:
“We are proud to welcome Florence as the new CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Sierra. Her lifelong commitment to mentoring youth and her strong track record of statewide leadership make her an ideal choice to guide the organization into its next phase of growth. Florence brings both vision and passion to the role, and we are confident she will strengthen our mission of igniting the potential of every young person we serve.”
Brenda Frachiseur has been the BBBSNS CEO for the last 12 years, will retire at the end of June and expressed,
“I have complete faith in Florence who brings with her a wealth of experience—over 25 years in the mentoring and positive youth development field, including the past six years at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the North Coast. She has a deep passion for mentorship and a visionary outlook that will guide this organization into its next chapter. I believe, without a doubt, that under her leadership, BBBS of Northern Sierra will soar to new heights.”
As CEO, Parks will lead BBBSNS’s efforts to grow community-based and school-based mentoring programs across El Dorado, Nevada, and Placer Counties. Her strategic priorities will include expanding access for youth in foster care, building new partnerships, and ensuring the agency remains a strong, inclusive force for mentorship in the Sierra region. Her official start date is Monday, June 16.
For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Sierra, visit www.bbbsns.org
