Gulf Coast Community Foundation announces Fall Board Institute graduates

Applications open already for February 2023 Institute

Twenty community leaders from across the region graduated Oct. 28 from the 2022 Fall Gulf Coast Board Institute (GCBI), the Gulf Coast Community Foundation has announced.

The group made up the 16th class to participate in the Foundation’s long-running board development initiative, called Invest in Incredible, a news release explains.

The following individuals completed the Fall Institute:

  • Kecia Carroll, Invest in Incredible consultant.
  • Stevan Collins, Sarasota British Club.
  • Christina de Guia, Embracing Our Differences.
  • Paula Dulski, American Association of University Women, Venice Branch.
  • Robert Frank, Friends of the Myakka River.
  • Samantha Gholar, Emerge Sarasota.
  • Melanie Griffin, Rocket Phonics Foundation.
  • Stephen Guffanti, Rocket Phonics Foundation.
  • Jay Handelman, Foundation of the American Theatre Critics Association.
  • Steven Kennedy, Helping Our Returning Neighbors.
  • Debbie Krider, SCORE.
  • Kory Lee, Tidewell Foundation.
  • Pamela Mahoney, Senior Friendship Centers.
  • William Nease, Rocket Phonics Foundation.
  • Keith Pandeloglou, Lakewood Ranch Community Fund.
  • Richard Pocker, Sertoma Club of Greater Sarasota.
  • Susan Spayd, Literacy Volunteers of South Sarasota County.
  • Dan Starostecki, Child Protection Center.
  • Sam Stern, Pines of Sarasota Foundation.
  • Elizabeth Topp, Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.

“This institute and its participants have a significant impact on our community effecting arts and culture, education, our environment, and all aspects of health and human services,” Betsy Steiner, director of Invest in Incredible, said in the release. “We are fortunate to have so many dedicated volunteers serving in a board capacity throughout our region,” she added in the release.

The institute is offered each year at two Gulf Coast Community Foundation locations: the Venice headquarters and the nonprofit’s new downtown Sarasota Philanthropy Center, the release points out. “The institute provides high-level board governance training to new and veteran voluntary, nonprofit board members,” the release adds.

Applications for the complimentary February 2023 session opened on Nov. 14. To apply, visit https://www.gulfcoastcf.org/gulf-coast-board-institute.