Palm Beach State College Foundation
For Yvonne Boice, Giving Back Is A Personal Priority
Yvonne Boice has some hard-earned advice for young women facing a challenge in life.
“Always have a plan B in mind,” she says. “Take a fresh look at the problem, apply your creative thinking and find an alternative solution.”
A longtime Boca businesswoman and philanthropist, Boice found herself at a crossroads after her husband, Grant, died of a heart attack in 1991.
“I was running a travel agency, and he was developing the Shoppes at Village Pointe,” she says. “I had to figure out how to keep the center going and finish the buildout.”
After overcoming that unexpected challenge, Boice attracted strong tenants and achieved 100 percent occupancy for many years until selling it five years ago.
Drawing on her business acumen, Boice became an active leader in the community, serving as chair of the Palm Beach International Film Festival for a decade and raising funds for Palm Beach State College (PBSC).
“It is so important to give our young adults an opportunity to go to college and find out what they want to do in life,” she says. “PBSC is a wonderful institution that opens the door to higher education for high school students throughout the county.”
For the past seven years, Boice has served on the board of the PBSC Foundation and chaired its annual STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) luncheon.
“Mark your calendar for our 8th annual luncheon on Feb. 21 at the Kravis Center,” she adds.
A devoted traveler who has visited more than 155 countries, Boice enjoys sharing her insights with people from different cultures.
“It’s amazing how travel can broaden your horizons,” she says. “It’s a wonderful form of education.”
Reflecting on her career, Boice emphasizes the importance of giving back, regardless of age or financial circumstances.
“Your time, talent or donation can have a powerful impact on others,” she says. “Sharing with others – that’s what life is all about.”
For information or tickets to the PBSC Foundation’s 2020 STEAM luncheon, call 561-868-3450 or visit palmbeachstate.edu/foundation/steam.
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