Mitchell has led nonprofit for six years
After six years of service, Alisa Mitchell, executive director of the Library Foundation for Sarasota County, has announced that she will be leaving the nonprofit on Sept. 1 “to pursue a new professional chapter,” the Foundation has reported.
“Mitchell, whose leadership has helped strengthen the organization, expand its impact and position it for a successful future, is working closely with the board to ensure a smooth transition,” a news release points out.
Since joining the Foundation in March 2020, the release continues, “Mitchell has guided the organization through a period of meaningful growth. Under her leadership, the Library Foundation has celebrated record-breaking successes in fundraising with its sell-out annual author luncheon, significantly grown its donor base, strengthened the organization’s operational capacity and helped implement an advocacy strategy that has served as a model for library foundations across the country,” the release notes.
“On behalf of our board of directors, staff, and everyone who had the pleasure of working with Alisa, we extend our deepest gratitude for her leadership and hard work over these past six years,” said board President Kat Wingert in the release. “Her dedication, integrity and heart have shaped this organization in immeasurable ways, and we thank her for all the impact she has made, both large and small,” Wingert added in the release. “Although we will miss her greatly, we are thankful for all she has accomplished and done for the foundation, and we wish her every success in her next chapter.”
Renee DiPilato, director of the Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources Department, agreed with Wingert, the release notes. “Alisa’s strong passion for public libraries guided her work as she initiated positive changes for the Library Foundation. It’s been exciting to see the organization grow and move in new directions under her leadership,” DiPilato continued in the release. “On behalf of the Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources team, I wish Alisa the very best.”
Reflecting on her time with the organization, Mitchell said in the release, “Serving this organization has been one of the great privileges of my career, and I’m grateful for the trust placed in me to lead this work. Together with our dedicated board members, donors, staff and library partners, we’ve built a successful and sustainable organization that champions Sarasota County’s incredible public library system. As I look ahead to my next chapter, I do so with deep confidence in the strength, leadership and momentum of this organization.”
The board of directors “has begun the process of identifying the organization’s next executive director and is accepting applications from interested parties, the release points out.
“The Library Foundation has a talented team, a committed board and an incredible network of supporters,” said Wingert in the release. “We are well-positioned to build on the growth Alisa has helped us establish while continuing to fulfill our mission.”
“The mission of the Library Foundation for Sarasota County is to champion strong public libraries, support innovation and help to extend the library system’s reach for everyone in Sarasota County. Since its founding in 2011, the nonprofit Library Foundation for Sarasota County has raised more than $8 million in private funds for the benefit of Sarasota County public libraries,” the release adds.
“To learn more about the Library Foundation for Sarasota County and how to support its mission, visit SarasotaLibraryFoundation.org or call 941-404-3139.