Philanthropy

Gulf Coast Community Foundation announces members of 2024 Gulf Coast Leadership Institute class

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25 people to participate in training sessions through June

These are the 2024 Leadership Institute participants. Photo courtesy Gulf Coast Community Foundation

This week, the Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast), based in Venice, announced the selection of 25 participants from across the region for the 2024 Gulf Coast Leadership Institute.

“Through this annual initiative, Gulf Coast partners with the Leadership Development Institute of Eckerd College to provide intensive, high-quality leadership training designed to identify, develop, and connect a diverse and growing group of aspiring community leaders,” a news release explains.

“Participants take part in six training sessions from May through June at Gulf Coast’s Sarasota Philanthropy Center in downtown Sarasota,” the release adds. “The result is a network of skilled, action-oriented leaders who are committed to using their new skills to help transform their communities through service,” the release says.

The participants selected for the 2024 Gulf Coast Leadership Institute are as follows:

  • Jerald Berry, Florida Department of Health.
  • Aleksandra Djilas, Pink Mermaid Foundation Inc.
  • Chuck Dockery, Project 180.
  • Tina Figliuolo, Charlotte County Homeless Coalition.
  • Joe Flores, CFP®️, Edward Jones Financial.
  • Emily Grant, FoodRecovery.org (Formerly MEANS Database).
  • Julianne Greenberg, Johann Fust Library Foundation.
  • Julia Groom, DreamLarge.
  • Jamal Hishmeh, C2 Financial Corp.
  • Mike Ippolito, Selah Freedom.
  • Cynthia King, Drug Free Charlotte County.
  • Todd Konen, CenterPlace Health Inc.
  • Tricia LaPointe, Peace River Wildlife Center.
  • Jose Marrero, CAN Community Health.
  • Jordan Mayer, Harvest House.
  • Kathryn “Katie” McCurry, Project Pride SRQ.
  • Craig McGonigal, The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.
  • Blake Neathery, NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties.
  • Ashley Profit, The Roskamp Institute.
  • Erin Silk, Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County.
  • Andrea Stephens, Pines of Sarasota Foundation.
  • Veronica Thames, Manatee Community Foundation.
  • Lindsey Trammell, Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources Department.
  • Laura Williams, Safe Children Coalition.
  • Michelle A. Young, The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art.

Since the program’s inception in 2006, the release notes, more than 400 community members have completed the training, “and many continue to work together on civic initiatives and community improvement projects.

For more information on the program, visit GulfCoastCF.org/GCLI.