by Nancy Kinnally
July 2013

ORLANDO, Fla. — Maria E. Henderson, an insurance consultant at the law firm of Akerman Senterfitt, took office July 1 as immediate past president of The Florida Bar Foundation, a statewide charitable organization that provides leadership and funding for justice in Florida.

Henderson, who earned a bachelor of science in math and physics at the University of Florida and a master of science in management information systems at The American University, is the first non-lawyer to serve as president of the Foundation.

“My service on the board has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career, and I am grateful to work at Akerman, where such service is encouraged,” Henderson said.

Henderson, who works in Akerman Senterfitt’s Tallahassee office, began serving on the Foundation board in 2004 as one of its public members. She has chaired the Foundation’s Improvements in the Administration of Justice and Legal Assistance for the Poor/Law Student Assistance grant committees, as well as its Finance & Audit committee, and served on its Development and Executive committees. She also has served on the Capital Campaign Committee of Florida Legal Services.
Henderson previously served on the Board of Trustees of The Tampa Museum of Art, and on the Second Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee of The Florida Bar.

Henderson is a Florida Bar Foundation Fellow and a member of the Foundation’s Gold Society as well as its Legacy for Justice, which recognizes those who have made or facilitated major gifts or bequests to the Foundation.