The Samaritan Resource Center (SRC) board of directors announced that Zeynep Portway is the center’s new Executive Director. Portway, a workforce development professional and longtime Orlando resident, will focus her talents on continuing to elevate the organization’s goals, growing its network of supporters, and serving some of the county’s most vulnerable – the homeless.

“We are delighted to have Zeynep on board to lead the SRC, and are excited to see how her experience will benefit the center, and of course, most importantly, our clients,” said Bill “Roto” Reuter, SRC board president. “We couldn’t have asked for a more dedicated and compassionate person to give SRC the attention it needs for continued growth and supporting the people we serve.”

Portway’s most recent service to the Orlando community was as the Market Leader for Manpower, an organization dedicated to helping people find jobs, and as the Program Manager of Impact Families at Goodwill Industries of Central Florida.

“I am here at SRC because I love the opportunity to help people and organizations find innovative ways to develop and improve,” Portway said. “People are always the most valuable resource in any organization and that extends to the people our organization is serving. Our clients depend on us during their most challenging times, and I’m honored to help our center be a beacon of light for them.”

Since its founding in 2013, SRC has provided case management and other crucial services to more than 3,000 homeless and at-risk people in east Orange County and its surrounding areas.

Portway’s work includes serving as the Florida Region Director of Training for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense program that promotes cooperation and understanding between military reservists and their civilian employers, and as the health care committee chair on the Board of the League of Women Voters.

She is also the communications chair for the GOOD Network 2020 Conference – the Greater Orlando Organization Development Network.

While Portway spends the bulk of her time zeroing in on improving her community through her professional career and volunteer service, she does admit to a few other interests and long-term goals. “When I’m not working on solving world peace, I dream about being a beach bum with an extensive book collection and a few (hundred) rescue cats.”

Portway is a graduate of Columbia University where she earned a degree in political economy. She is currently working on a professional certification in innovation management and entrepreneurship.