Pamela Landwirth's Transition in Leadership at Give Kids The World Resort

A New Chapter for Give Kids The World Resort

Give Kids The World (GKTW), the nonprofit resort dedicated to making dream vacations a reality for critically-ill children and their families, has announced a significant leadership transition. Pamela Landwirth, the long-serving President and CEO, has decided to step down from her role after an impressive tenure of over three decades. Her successor, Jordan Lomas, previously of Darden Restaurants, will serve as the interim CEO during this pivotal change.

A Legacy of Dedication

Pamela Landwirth first joined the GKTW family in 1992, eventually taking the helm as President and CEO in 1995, succeeding the organization's founder, Henri Landwirth. Over these years, Pamela has been the heart and soul of GKTW, overseeing tremendous growth and impact. The resort has expanded significantly under her leadership, now assisting over 7,600 families each year, and is poised to welcome its 200,000th family soon.

John Nichols, GKTW's Chairman, expressed profound gratitude towards Pamela for her unwavering commitment and leadership over the years. He remarked on her significant contributions to the organization and how she lives on through the Village's ongoing mission of hope and joy for children battling critical illnesses. "Pamela has ensured GKTW remains a beacon of hope for families worldwide," Nichols said.

Enter Jordan Lomas

With Pamela's transition, the board of directors has appointed Jordan Lomas as interim CEO. Lomas comes with extensive experience in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors, having recently served as Senior Vice President of Information Technology at Darden Restaurants, a significant player in the casual dining industry.

Beyond his corporate background, Lomas has a passion for community service, being a founding member of the board of A Gift for Teaching, which provides educational supplies to local schools in Orlando. He has also served on the GKTW Board of Directors since 2024, marking his dedication to the organization.

His qualifications extend to academia as well; Lomas is an adjunct instructor at the Rollins College Crummer Graduate School of Business. Leading his career prior to Darden, he gained substantial leadership experience at IBM and Elsevier, Inc. With this diverse background, Lomas is expected to guide the organization through this transition smoothly, building upon the legacy established by his predecessor.

The Road Ahead

As GKTW enters this new phase of leadership, there are pressing goals on the horizon. Nichols emphasized the importance of continuity in operations while pursuing a more permanent replacement for Pamela. The selection process aims to find an individual who not only matches the high standards set by Pamela and Henri but can also propel GKTW to new heights of service for the families it supports.

"Jordan's leadership will be crucial as we continue to seek an outstanding individual to lead us forward," Nichols added.

About Give Kids The World

Situated on 89 acres in Central Florida, Give Kids The World Village is a unique resort providing critically-ill children and their families a weeklong dream vacation at no cost. Since its inception in 1986, the Village has served over 193,000 families from all 50 states and 77 countries, making it a vital place of joy for many. The organization has maintained an impressive overhead, with over 90% of funds going directly to program services, earning a four-star rating from Charity Navigator.

With Pamela Landwirth's influential career at GKTW concluding, combined with the promising leadership of Jordan Lomas, this nonprofit is on a guided path to continue its mission of creating magical memories for families in need.