Michael Warner, Senior Contract Manager

Michael Warner is a dedicated advocate for children and children’s rights. Looking at him as a youth it would have been hard to imagine such a rag-tag ruffian would eventually amount to anything. It is exactly these experiences that provide the bedrock upon which he has built his many years of service to youth around the world.

Michael spent his youth in Colorado and Montana and was keen on spending time in the great outdoors. After his graduation from the University of Montana he became a volunteer teacher with the Harvard based non-profit WorldTeach. During his time in the Kalahari desert of Namibia, he first worked with educators and youth in developing their English language skills. Later he also helped start a women’s economic development project that mined local clay, which they then processed and turned into pottery. It was during this time that he met his wife Sharon, who was recording and writing about the mythological stories of the Nama people. They later worked together as high school teachers and travelled widely over southern Africa. Michael also worked with UNESCO, UNICEF and the Ministry of Education in developing a curriculum for Namibian teacher training as well as several textbooks used for upper level English.

Upon his return stateside Michael got heavily involved into technology startups, both in development of the technologies as well as the business. During this time he also earned his MBA, with an emphasis in e-commerce. He gained the reputation of being someone who could move a small business from an idea and meager sales to a multi-million dollar venture. Several of the companies he worked with on the ground level have grown into leaders of their respective industries. His current activity with startups finds him mostly in the role of a consulting partner/investor.

Michael’s natural inclination towards service turned him back towards human services.  He spent several years with Eckerd Youth Alternatives as a Director of their violence prevention program, Hi-Five. He expanded programming, including new a new mentoring program as well as developing an exciting afterschool curriculum. Over 4000 youth were served during his tenure. As a Senior Contract Manager at JWB he has been able to use many of his varied skills to bring about real improvement to the youth and families of Pinellas County.

Email Michael: mwarner@jwbpinellas.org

Call Michael: 727-547-5654