Dotti Groover–Skipper believes in dynamic living through servant leadership! Born in Albany, Georgia in 1956 to her ‘hero’ parents, she grew up in Brandon, Florida. Since graduating from the University of South Florida, she has facilitated expert programming to impact positive legislative change in substance abuse and sex trade. Her experience as an NFL Cheerleader for the Miami Dolphins 1978-1980, helped set the foundation for her life’s work.
In her forty plus years of service, Groover-Skipper is credited as a valiant catalyst for action against human trafficking in Tampa Bay and throughout Florida. She helped develop several sustainable coalitions and task forces to unite Florida on these issues. She is founder of HeartDance Foundation, which serves men, women and children engaged in the sex industry. Leading dangerous outreaches into critical locations, she is most rewarded when assisting survivors of sexual exploitation develop safety plans for a healthier future and then witness them thrive through a network of resources and workforce opportunities.
Groover-Skipper is an ordained elder and missionary who has operated at the national level to mobilize and train clergy, businesses and communities, to engage in issues of addiction, anti-human trafficking, best practices for assisting trafficking survivors, legislation, and justice.
Groover-Skipper’s life’s work centers on empowering girls and women, young and young-at-heart, to seize challenges as opportunities and as an encourager toward becoming powerful agents of change. She has been publicly recognized with countless awards in her four decades of service. Faith, Family and Service have always been at the forefront of her life. After thirty-seven years apart, she reconnected with her childhood sweetheart, Roger. They married and are most proud of their seven adult children and three grandchildren. Roger, her strong faith, and ‘Growing up Groover’, guides and inspires every step of her journey.