The Naples 100 CIVIC ADVOCACY
BRUCE BARONE JR.
EILEEN CONNOLLY-KEESLER
Executive Director 5th Avenue South Business Improvement District
President and CEO Community Foundation of Collier County
Bruce Barone Jr. spent an influential part of his education overseas: high school in Bermuda and a master’s thesis in Venice, Italy. Barone manages the marketing, events, and public affairs of more than 200 businesses along the iconic Fifth Avenue South. He enjoys thinking creatively and looks at the big picture, especially the pandemic-related business impacts. He has been involved in the community for the past 18 years, while raising two sons with his wife, Lauren.
Since 2013, Eileen Connolly-Keesler has overseen the Community Foundation of Collier County’s mission, to address community needs by providing leadership and coordination through grantmaking and fund development. The Community Foundation manages more than 750 funds and collaborates with hundreds of nonprofits. In the past seven years, assets have risen from $64 million to $229 million under Connolly-Keesler’s guidance. She was a member of the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents.
BEST ADVICE: My father instilled a demanding work ethic in me from a young age, so I’m always striving for improvement. SECRET TO SUCCESS: I’m my harshest critic and have a bulldog mentality. Never, never, never give up. TOUGHEST CHALLENGE: The COVID-19 pandemic has been the most impactful experience in my lifetime. As a father and husband, it has only strengthened my bonds with my family and brought me closer to God. HOBBIES: Time with family, lifting weights, shooting at the gun range, drawing, and playing guitar FAVORITE BOOK: The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand CHARITIES: Knights of Columbus, Do the Right Thing, St. Matthew’s House, Make-A-Wish Foundation
EDUCATION: University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (MPA) HOMETOWN: Whitelaw, Wisconsin WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: I wanted to help people and make significant change in my community. FIRST JOB: Weekend advocate at a domestic violence shelter FEW PEOPLE KNOW: I used to play guitar and sing at weddings when I was in high school. SECRET TO SUCCESS: Stop trying to go over a bump in the road; figure out how to go around it. You can spend too much energy trying to force something to happen; just figure out a different path. BUCKET LIST: Trip to Panama Canal (delayed due to COVID-19)
MICHAEL DALBY
NICK SHIRGHIO PHOTOGRAPHY
l
VANN R. ELLISON
President and CEO Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce
President and CEO St. Matthew’s House
Michael Dalby brings more than 25 years of Chamber of Commerce leadership to his role for Greater Naples, which includes serving as president of both the Leadership Collier Foundation and Partnership for Collier’s Future Economy. Dalby leads an 11-person staff serving 1,200 members with business connections, public policy engagement, economic growth resources, and leadership development services. The Texas native is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
Vann R. Ellison’s life’s work “has been focused on the hurting” since he was 22. Since 2003, he has led St. Matthew’s House, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide faith-based, free-market solutions to poverty and addiction. Under Ellison’s leadership, St. Matthew’s House has grown from a humble soup kitchen and shelter to one of the foremost direct social service organizations in Southwest Florida. He lives in East Naples with his wife, Lisa, and has four sons.
EDUCATION: University of Nebraska (MA) BEST ADVICE: Don’t take yourself too seriously. LESSON LEARNED: The military taught me a lot about life and what really matters—family, faith, American democracy, and our right to be different. FAVORITE MOVIE: Field of Dreams FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY PLACE TO VISIT: Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY RESTAURANT: Taqueria San Julian CHARITIES: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
EDUCATION: Southeastern University MOST INSPIRING PERSON: My father was the most inspiring person. He was a quiet and compassionate man who always focused on doing the right thing. When I would complain or find offense at something, he always quoted the verse, “Dwell on what is good and pure and of good report.” TOUGHEST CHALLENGE: Dealing with dishonest attacks and threats when trying to expand our operations. My vision has always been larger than my capacity to achieve or communicate it. HIDDEN TALENT: I’m an Eagle Scout and avid outdoorsman. ADVICE TO 18-YEAR-OLD SELF: Always do what you know is right and don’t try to win the approval of those people that don’t matter. FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY PLACE TO VISIT: CREW trails
The Naples 100
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