Women on the Scene 2021

Sarasota / Manatee

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WOMEN of Impact & Inspiration WOTS 2021 $3.95 U.S.

A Sarasota Scene Magazine Special Issue

Longboat Key Realtor® Kathy Callahan is the rare agent who lives and works on Longboat Key allyear-long. Having lived in many alluring places and selling real estate for 23 years, six years ago she and her husband decided hands-down to make Longboat Key their “forever home.”

“I’m different than other real estate agents in Sarasota,” Kathy says. “A lot of people focus on ‘selling millions,’ but for me, it’s all about providing white-glove service and treating my customers like family.” For Kathy it is all about the connection and relationship.

She doesn’t sell—she shares.

“I provide my customers with a genuine taste of the Sarasota area boating and waterfront lifestyle.

For example, I enjoy showing customers a property from the water, which provides a completely different perspective. It’s almost impossible to describe the benefits of the lifestyle here in Longboat Key/Sarasota area, and it’s my pleasure to share the experience first-hand with them.”

It’s not unusual for Kathy’s customers to feel like they are family, too. Kathy has been invited to customers’ family weddings, celebrations, and events such as the Sangria Cup tennis event in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Kathy simply invests 100 percent of herself to ensure her customers’ expectations are not just met, but routinely exceeded.

Kathy is deeply involved with the LBK Chamber and community. As a breast cancer survivor, she is passionate about promoting cancer prevention awareness with the Making Strides of Sarasota fundraising campaign.

All in all, you will not find a more dedicated real estate agent who imparts her personal passion towards her high standard of service. “I love where I live, I love what I do,” Kathy says. “I’ve found home. I truly am ‘living the life’ and would enjoy sharing my enthusiasm with you!”

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Debbie

Plotts

After losing my mother at the age of 29 and then learning that I suffered from the same condition she suffered from, I began to monitor myself until I suffered my first cardiac arrest. I did not realize that nearly half of women ages 20 and older have some form of cardiovascular

disease. The American Heart Association recently noted an alarming decline in awareness that cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women – and too many women, particularly our youngest, most diverse women, remain unaware. After all, more women die from heart disease and stroke than any other condition – including all forms of cancer combined.

This year's Heart Walk will take place on November 13, 2021 and I hope that all men and women will support us in this effort to raise awareness.

Saturday, November 13, 2021 Start Time: 8:00am When you register, you're helping: • Save more babies and kids who have congenital heart defects • Train thousands in life-saving CPR • Fund groundbreaking brain and heart research • Champion health equity for all

For more information contact Amanda.Wagner@heart.org

From my heart to yours,

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THANKS TO YOU...

The Exchange was able to award $255,000 in grants and scholarships during the organization’s 2021/2022 fiscal year. helped

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Sarasota Scene is proud to present an amazing group of women who bring drive, impact, and imagination to our community. Women on the Scene is our triannual edition that celebrates the lives, both professional and personal, of these remarkable ladies.

Sarasota boasts a unique combination of influential women as business owners, philanthropic leaders, and community activists. These women deserve gratitude, admiration, and recognition for their dynamic contribution to our community. This unstoppable group enriches and enlivens our wonderful region.

We invite you to sit back and read through every profile carefully, to discover and appreciate these accomplished and enterprising women. These uniquely talented and notable individuals serve as powerful role models, deserving of the spotlight and your attention.

In these pages you will discover the different products and services these women offer, the organizations they manage and fundraise for, as well as the exhibits and performances they bring to us. These are distinguished women of our community whom we all would be proud to know. Please support the businesses, philanthropic organizations, and arts and culture they represent.

Thank you and enjoy!

Sarasota SCENE Magazine is a locally owned, operated, and printed publication.

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Publisher H John Knowles

Creative Director Darcy Kelly–Laviolette

Contributing Writers Caitlin Bolton Lisa Codianne Fowler Cheryl S. Grant Ryan Van Cleave Sylvia Whitman Marilyn Bauer Laura Shoemaker

Social Media & Digital Content Gina Liga

Profile Photographer Nancy Guth

Strategic Partnerships Julie A. Milton

Distribution Mike Straffin

Editor–in–Chief Wendy Lyons Sunshine

Advertising Enquiries Paul McNamara Call/Text 917.751.6506 paul@scenesarasota.com Tom Garriott Call/Text 317.797.8135 tom@scenesarasota.com Office & Mailing Address 1834 Main Street Sarasota, FL 34236 941.365.1119 scenesarasota.com Fax: 941.954.5067

Photo by Nancy Guth

Accounting Sally A. Bailey

Women on the SCENE is published by J H Knowles, LLC. All contents copyrighted. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. ISSN 1535-8895.

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CONEY LAKEWOOD RANCH WOMEN'S CENTER In seventh grade, Christine Coney had an amazing science teacher who got her interested in biology and human reproduction. From that point, Christine knew her future was going to be in obstetrics. She went on to earn a BS in biology at Salve Regina University in Rhode Island with an eye toward attending medical school, but instead went to the University of South Florida to study nursing, which she felt was her real calling.

After USF, Christine returned to Connecticut to work first as a nurse and then as a travel nurse. But she and her husband—who had previously lived in Sarasota—weren’t fans of winter, so they returned to Florida in 2017, when she joined the team at The Women’s Center at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.

“I love Lakewood Ranch. Most of it wasn’t here the last time I lived here [when studying at USF], but I simply love the area. I can’t imagine working anyplace else,” she says.

“I just had the opportunity to participate in Leadership Sarasota. I learned so much about the community that I wasn’t aware of.”

recovery, and postpartum) rooms. And unlike in most hospitals, once a patient is admitted to a room, they stay in that room. After all, who wants to move to another room after the baby’s born?

“Families have a lot of options here,” Christine adds.

“They’re empowered to choose the way they want to deliver their baby. We give them educational support prior to coming into the hospital through prenatal classes and through the birth design program. Then they’ll have one-on-on support during labor, and if they want a doula, we welcome that, too. After the baby’s born, we continue to offer support, whether that’s with breastfeeding or bottle feeding.”

In addition to being an RNC (a registered nurse who is certified in electronic fetal monitoring), Christine is a CLC (a certified lactation consultant) as well. “I’m very passionate about helping mothers with breastfeeding.

Seeing the look on their faces when their baby is finally able to latch and feed well—I mean, that’s just the best feeling because I know how important it is for them.”

In 2019, Christine became The Women’s Center’s first Birth Designer. The goal of that newly created position is to work one-on-one with clients—often first-time parents—and help them prepare an individualized birth plan. “I explain all the different things that a patient can request during labor. Birthing balls. Music. Aromatherapy. Different types of pain medication. It’s not just about epidurals anymore!” She also coordinates monthly prenatal classes and handles staff education.

Christine gives a special number to all her breastfeeding moms. She’s available 24/7 for them. “That’s how passionate I am to be there for them.”

In short, The Women’s Center offers a tailor-made, concierge-style approach to patient care in a facility that just had a $3 million renovation to make it more serene and spa-like. The hospital has 120 total beds, but within The Women’s Center, they have 14 LDRP (labor, delivery,

Even before COVID-19, most patients were nervous, but after working step-by-step with Christine, they always felt better. “They tell me they’re ready to go and they’re excited. They can’t wait to come back in. It really makes me feel good about what I do.”

COVID-19 has made things a little tough for clients since visitor limitations were a must. But because every labor room is on the first floor and has a large window that’s accessible from the outside, a lot of families had visitors come to the window and meet the baby that way.

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ICARD

MERRILL Jaime Wallace • Lindsey Meshberger • Telese Zuberer • AlyssaNohren Icard Merrill is entering a new chapter in their nearly 70-year history. At the helm of this change is newly announced President, Telese Zuberer, who will be the first female to hold the position in the firm’s 70-year history. “We are at a point of natural evolution in our firm. We are making changes to be more inclusive, dynamic, and innovative to better serve our employees and our clients,” says Telese.

The changes being made are an intentional departure from stereotypical norms of the legal industry; a field that has historically been dominated by males and has a reputation for long and grueling work schedules. Recent changes include expanding flexible work schedules by utilizing remote opportunities and technology, as well as greater support of younger attorneys through professional development trainings and a redeveloped summer internship program. “My goal is to first understand what motivates and matters to our employees, staff and attorneys, so that we can then create an environment that synergizes office culture and client satisfaction,” says Telese.

role model for younger attorneys at the firm. For Jaime, Icard Merrill has always been a standout firm. “When I first joined the team in the mid 1980’s there was an acceptance of personalities that was unique for the legal field – Icard Merrill nurtured both individual differences and a strong sense of team comradery.”

It’s this organizational culture that fuels Real Estate Attorney and Icard Merrill Shareholder Alyssa Nohren’s love for her job. “The freedom and flexibility that I’ve had in this role has allowed me to successfully serve my clients while also balancing my family.” Alyssa’s strength in creating a personalized experience for her clients, coupled with her 15 years with the firm, has resulted in longstanding relationships and a strong network of referrals to recommend to clients. “You truly can create your own destiny and success at Icard Merrill,” says Alyssa.

Telese’s natural strength in problem-solving works in step with her teamwork mentality and devotion to integrity.

“Whether it’s working with clients or team members in our organization, I absolutely love what I do. As my experience increases, so does my motivation and drive, and I’m very excited about the future that we are building.”

Lindsey Meshberger’s professional journey is a further testament to that. Lindsey started working for Icard Merrill as an intern while in law school and is now a shareholder in the Family Law Department. Lindsey loves the constant change in her work; “while the law remains the same, the clients’ stories are all different.” Sharing her colleagues’ commitment to good communication, honesty, and dependability, Lindsey’s guiding principle is putting the best interest of the families and children that she works with first.

Among some of the most experienced attorneys at Icard Merrill is Jaime Wallace who has been Head of the Family Law Department since 2006 and was the first woman to make partner at the firm. Originally graduating with a psychology degree, Jaime was inspired to pursue law after working at the Sarasota County courthouse. Her high standard of professionalism, work ethic, and strong commitment to her clients and teammates make her a

As a full-service law firm with a uniting dedication to integrity, excellence, teamwork, community service, commitment, and the golden rule; Icard Merrill is preparing for the next generation of success. “Change is in the air, and it’s exciting,” says Telese. “Our current mission is to expand and grow in size, in ability, and in our capacity to serve our clients and our team members in new and better ways.”

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Debbie

MASON

TIDEWELL FOUNDATION Florida native Debbie Mason has a career history that’s marked with success—President and CEO of United Way of North Central Florida, CEO of a healthcare foundation, and so much more. Yet her current position as President of the Tidewell Foundation suits her best. “It just takes all of my prior experiences and wraps them up, then puts them in the right place,” she says.

provides palliative care long before someone qualifies for hospice care. And it offers free grief services to the community, both for adults and for kids 5-18 through the Blue Butterfly Family Grief Center. If there’s a deadly car accident on I-75 or people die in a boating accident in Sarasota Bay, first responders recommend that survivors and family members work with Tidewell.

“I was always volunteering for nonprofits around environmental and children’s causes,” says Mason.

“Particularly children in the foster care system.” As Mason’s career put her into management positions, she helped her companies become more visible in the community, and that included having fellow executives and employees engage with volunteerism. From there, she became more involved in the business of nonprofits and sought to use her strategic planning, marketing, and fundraising abilities to build up those organizations. In 2019, she joined the Tidewell team.

“About 8,000 kids a year in our four-county region lose a parent,” she says. “We provide free grief services for the entire family and offer them a community of children and families going through the same thing.”

Tidewell Hospice has been around since 1980 but has grown significantly in the past few decades. Today, it serves more than 1,100 patients daily in Sarasota and the surrounding counties (Mantatee, DeSoto, and Charlotte).

Tidewell’s goal is to provide quality, dignified end-of-life experiences, regardless of someone’s ability to pay.

The Tidewell Foundation, Inc. was created a year ago to be an independent charitable foundation that ensures perpetual philanthropic support to Tidewell Hospice and the healthcare companies within the nonprofit family. In addition to her role with the Foundation, Mason serves as Executive Vice President of Tidewell Hospice.

A misconception about Tidewell Hospice, Mason explains, is that it only provide services for someone right before they die. Tidewell does provide those services, but it also

Mason’s challenge is to raise enough funds to cover the cost of all Tidewell does. “Right now, it’s more than $5 million per year. And we need to exponentially grow that because the need is outpacing our ability to deliver free grief services right now. And Tidewell has new services to offer.” The pandemic made it hard to raise major gifts.

Too many philanthropists weren’t interested in using Zoom that way, which felt too techy or corporate.

Though once people talk to Mason face to face, they get it. And they find ways to get involved. “A lot of people don’t realize that their passion for art, music, veteran services, LGBTQ care, children’s care, charity care, and more is a direct connect with what we do to help the lives of nearly 1,200 people a day.” If you add in the home health population served, Tidewell impacts 3,500 patients a day.

Mason says her anthem is to tell the story of the beauty and impact of everything that Tidewell Hospice does, and then help raise the money to do more of it. “The people here are so mission-focused,” she raves about her team.

“We’re never resting on our laurels. We’re always asking, ‘What can we do better? How do we reach more people?’”

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Left to Right: Andria Bilan, Traci Smullen, Sandi Chapnick, and Lindsey Marini SARASOTA SCENE | WOMEN ON THE SCENE 2021

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MÜV

FLORIDA

JOSHPROVIDES PARTNERSHIP

Epilepsy is an insidious disorder that impacts over 400,000 people in Florida alone. Without warning, it can strike anyone, anytime, and leave a person dazed and disoriented, or even result in Sudden Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP).

“Our son Joshua passed away at the age of 28 in 2008 from a fatal head injury as a result of a seizure,” says Sandi Chapnick. “In his memory, we founded JoshProvides Epilepsy Assistance Foundation to help families who have a loved one diagnosed with epilepsy. We specifically wanted to help young adults navigate the challenges such as transportation (you are prohibited from driving until you are seizure-free for six months) and the cost of anti-seizure medication.”

One way to treat seizures is with medical cannabis, which is produced by companies like Sarasota’s own MüV Florida. A dispensary manager, Lindsey Marini, discovered she had epilepsy af ter suf fering a seizure in college. “It became clear that traditional antiseizure medications were not going to be my ultimate answer.

The medic ations never really controlled my epilepsy completely, and the side effects had me feeling uncomfortable and not myself.”

She turned to MüV products that now manage her epilepsy well and have improved the quality of her life. “I trust in MüV products,” she says. “They’re life-changing and truly amazing.”

Traci Smullen, Director of Community Relations, whose husband Michael Smullen, co-founded MüV Florida, and Board of Director Officer for JoshProvides, explains that “epilepsy has been near and dear to my heart since my stepdaughter, Kayla, had her first grand mal seizure at age 2, sitting in my husband’s lap, almost 20 years ago. My awareness of the impact epilepsy and seizures can have on not only the diagnosed person, but also those who care for and love that person as well, went way up, starting on that fateful day.”

Smullen notes that traditional medication works well for many, but the efficacy varies, and the side effects can be devastating. “I am so grateful for the open mindedness and bravery of those who have pioneered to create the quality and natural alternative of medical cannabis for epilepsy patients,” she adds. “We have worked hard to create a plethora of options in our MüV Florida medical cannabis line of products and precise delivery devices to help those suffering from seizures.”

The CEO of JoshProvides, Andria Bilan, notes how “epilepsy is a ‘hidden disorder’ that people just don’t talk about, even though 1 in 26 people will have a seizure in their lifetime. Due to myths and misconceptions, families combat the social stigma and are therefore socially isolated.”

JoshProvides offers a monthly Epilepsy Support Group to combat this isolation, in addition to offering client assistance with seizure-alert devices, transportation, and medical services.

JoshProvides also partners with community organizations, medical professionals, and businesses such as MüV Florida to present treatment options to families.

Smullen says, “MüV Florida strives to provide and expand upon the best quality medical cannabis line of products for Sarasota and all of Florida.

We continue to not only create clean and safe access for those who walk through our dispensary doors, but also grow in our knowledge of the cannabis plant and the potential for relief it brings to many who suffer from seizures.”

The work by Smullen and others at MüV Florida has only just begun. “There is much to learn,” she admits, “but we will be leaders in the discoveries of just how big an impact medical cannabis can have on the lives of those attempting to fully live with epilepsy.”

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Back Row: Dierdre Miles Burger, Asia Bui. Lauren Stroman, Sarah Krazit, Victoria Hulland, Danielle Brown Middle Row: Lauren Taylor, Sara Robinson, Mandy-Jayne Richardson Front Row: Pat Golemme, Margaret Barbieri, Jean Weidner Goldstein

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BALLET No one who’s ever seen a pas de deux doubts that female dancers own half the stage. Only recently, however, has the public begun to look beyond tutus and toe shoes to recognize women’s creativity and leadership in all the spheres of ballet, from choreography to administration.

Buzz in the dance world overlapped with ongoing conversations between The Sarasota Ballet’s director, Iain Webb, and assistant director, Margaret Barbieri, about how to honor women’s contributions. They wanted more than a passing tip of the hat. The first fruit: Voices of Her, a multiyear initiative, which they launched during the 2020-2021 season.

“Voices of Her celebrates the artistry and leadership of women, highlighting the remarkable choreographers of the past, present, and future,” Barbieri says. The original plan called for culminating the company’s 30th anniversary season with a triple bill at the Sarasota Opera House in 2021: Agnes de Mille's Fall River Legend, Dame Ninette de Valois' Checkmate, and Bronislava Nijinska's Les Biches.

Alas, COVID-19 scrambled this “Heroines” program. The company could not stage these ballets without violating the safety protocols that had kept dancers and audiences safe throughout the pandemic. In keeping with Voices of Her, though, The Sarasota Ballet substituted Twyla Tharp's Nine Sinatra Songs as the final digital program of the season.

“I am so grateful to The Sarasota Ballet's Voices of Her project for supporting me and giving me the platform to choreograph for the very first time,” Bui says. “Seeing my vision come to life, from studio to stage, was an incredible experience that has inspired me to further develop my interests in choreography.”

In the 2021-2022 season, Voices of Her continues its choreographic homage to women with Martha Graham’s Appalachian Spring (October), Twyla Tharp's Nine Sinatra Songs (November, back in person), and Dame Ninette de Valois' The Rake's Progress (January).

The Sarasota Ballet has a personal connection to de Valois, founder and first director of what became The Royal Ballet and the Birmingham Royal Ballet. At the start of her career, Barbieri crossed paths with de Valois, and The Sarasota Ballet is the only American professional company incorporating her choreography into its repertory.

“From the guidance I received from Dame Ninette de Valois, through learning some of the greatest roles of my life from her and the legendary Dame Alicia Markova, to sharing a dressing room with the astounding Dame Margot Fonteyn, powerful women have sculpted my career from an early age,” Barbieri says. An acclaimed dancer turned educator, stager, and now director, Barbieri adds that she’s “incredibly fortunate” to have spent her career working with “inspiring and extraordinary women.”

She’s joined that matriarchal line of influencers.

The ballet also created an opportunity for young women to find and strengthen their own voices. By late spring 2021, The Sarasota Ballet was performing in person outside the FSU Center for the Performing Arts. The second of these Terrace Programs featured female choreographers close to home, six dancers from the main and studio companies.

Some had choreographed before, but others had only executed moves, never orchestrated them.

Inspired by Arcade Fire and Owen Pallet’s “Song on the Beach,” coryphée dancer Asia Bui, for instance, created a collaborative sunrise/sunset piece for eight dancers.

But Barbieri is not the only woman with a strong voice at The Sarasota Ballet. Throughout the organization, students, apprentices, new staff, and new company members—male and female—can find mentors and role models. From founder Jean Weidner Goldstein to ballet mistress Mandy-Jayne Richardson to education administrator Lauren Taylor to chief advancement officer Sara Robinson to vice chair of the board of trustees Patricia Golemme, the bench runs deep.

When women talk, The Sarasota Ballet listens.

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SCALA LAKEWOOD RANCH FAMILY & COSMETIC DENTISTRY Owner of Lakewood Ranch Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Michelle Scala designs and constructs gorgeous smiles from the inside out. An architect of dentistry and aesthetics, she is a skilled engineer of smile design and an expert on the latest technological advancements in dentistry. Dr. Scala has built the area’s premier cosmetic dental practice and is proud to offer a full menu of services from ensuring basic oral health to total smile reconstruction and strategic cosmetic enhancements.

The Vision Designing smiles, building relationships, and making people happy—even changing their lives—is Dr. Scala’s vision and the motivation behind her Lakewood Ranch practice.

A resourceful woman with an eye for beauty, a desire to design, a passion for people, and a mind for science, Dr. Scala independently funded her extensive education and ultimately realized her dream of establishing an office where she cultivates a nurturing, non-corporate environment. Her “Smile Studio” is the perfect solution for clients who seek high-quality, high-tech, current enhancements for youthful beauty. Today, Dr. Scala is a highly respected doctor in her field, valued and appreciated by both clients and her dental professional team.

The Process The smile design process all starts with a photograph, taken in the Smile Studio equipped with a photo booth to capture each individual’s natural facial features. That first photo begins a start-to-finish digital process in which the photos serve as “blueprints.” After a close study of facial structure, Dr. Scala and her team engineer and design the smile to blend with each individual’s unique facial features, guiding patients from a 2-D design to a customized, 3-D digital smile.

The team follows a digital process that involves photos, scanning, and smile simulation to create the best outcome.

During the production process, custom temporaries are made and worn. Bite correction and adjustments are processed in this phase. When a patient is presented with the final delivery, their smile has been transformed and customized to enhance their own natural features.

In some cases, facial aesthetics are used to create a non-surgical, natural “Smile Lift,” which emulates a more youthful appearance.

Ultimately, the patient is presented with a smile that is corrected not only in appearance but also in form and function. Final results are captured by photo and presented to the patient along with the dream smile they have eagerly awaited! This process sets Dr. Scala and her team apart from other dental offices. In addition to a customized state-of-the-art Smile Studio, the practice is continually updating the technology and keeping current with the best materials and lab services.

The Team At Lakewood Ranch Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, patients get to work with all team members and become part of their dental family. Dr. Scala is thrilled to have assembled a “5-star” dental professional team that reflects her compassion and mirrors her focus on continuing education and attention to detail. Dr. Brandy Rubinski shares Dr. Scala’s passion for cosmetic dentistry, and the doctors are assisted by first class colleagues, including patient coordinators and the entire clinical smile team—all exceptional at what they do. The team’s complementary skills, superior techniques, passion for beauty, and state-of-the-art equipment make them the ultimate dental choice in cosmetic dentistry for the Lakewood Ranch area. Dr. Scala and her team are eager to welcome patients to the “New Age of Dentistry!”

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Dr. Carol F. Probstfeld

Tracy Knight

STATE COLLEGE of FLORIDA For the first time in its 64-year history, four women are leading the State College of Florida and its foundation.

Serving as president since 2013, Dr. Carol F. Probstfeld is boldly leading the higher education institution to increase opportunity, growth, quality, and diversification. “To know us is to love us!” she says. As SCF’s biggest fan, Dr. Probstfeld is passionate about helping each student succeed by engaging them as well as SCF’s faculty, staff and community partners to achieve the vision of being the community’s first choice.

Supporting SCF’s vision and its leadership is District Board of Trustee Chair and Vice President of Knight Strategic Communications, Tracy Knight, serving as the first female chair in more than 50 years. She is committed to supporting SCF’s faculty and staff in breaking down barriers to education including financial, logistical, technological and social challenges.

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Raising awareness of SCF’s student, capital and programming needs since 2014 is SCF Foundation Executive Director Cassandra Holmes. Holmes and her team spend their days connecting the community, especially those vested in education, with the programs and students at SCF. “It’s one of the things we pride ourselves in, making a difference for those who want a college education and that American dream,” she says.

“I am always humbled when reviewing SCF students’ stories in their scholarship applications and hearing fir s thand from them at our annual Scholar ship Luncheon,” shared Foundation Board Chair, Farr Law Firm Partner and alumnus Dorothy Korszen. Korszen, who leads by example, is an excellent board member who dedicates hours of her time to the organization, is a generous donor, attends the Foundation’s events and supports capital projects, such as SCF’s new Studio for the Performing Arts.

&ITS FOUNDATION Cassandra Holmes

Dorothy Korszen

Together, these ladies are charged with “making higher education possible” for our community. “SCF provides opportunities for people of all ages, at all stages of life, to obtain an affordable, quality college education and job training,” says Knight. “SCF allows our community members to improve their lives and the lives of their family,” added Korszen. Together, they also hope to raise the more than $2.5 million needed each year to support the college’s operations, academic programming and campuses in Parrish, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch and Venice.

SCF is the community’s state college offering associate, workforce, and bachelor’s degrees as well as lifelong learning and professional development training. Educational and community programming also includes music, art, theatre, and athletic events. A community partner at its core, it may be easier to ask what the college does not offer. In addition to serving its more than 20,000 credit and noncredit

students annually, the college serves as a venue to the community, partakes in grant programs such as the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, and offers budding entrepreneurs, through 26 West Center, a place to learn, launch, and lead.

SCF and its Foundation are proud to have four women fostering the future of the organizations. Together they will fulfill the vision to be the community’s first choice for higher education, economic development, philanthropic investment, and cultural fulfillment. "The fact that all our top leadership positions are held by women demonstrates that we break down barriers and provide opportunities for all," concluded Knight.

To learn more about State College of Florida, the SCF Foundation and their leadership, visit SCF.edu or SCF-Foundation.org.

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Emily

ARSENAULT

Dr. Emily Arsenault is passionate about skin health. Growing up in Miami’s intense sun with vitiligo, Dr. Emily had her first pre-cancerous mole removed at the age of 12. Experiencing this at such a young age sparked Dr. Emily’s life-long passion to provide exemplary dermatologic care and an unparalleled patient experience.

Naturally gifted, Dr. Emily was accepted to medical school before even graduating high school. After completing this accelerated program at the University of Miami with top honors in research, she was accepted to the prestigious Boston Universit y dermatology training program. Working with world-class clinicians and researchers, Dr. Arsenault rose to become one of the best dermatologists in the country.

Working with her physician husband and best friend of 27 years (who is also an accelerated medical school prodigy), Dr. Emily selected the Sarasota/Manatee community to open her practice in 2003.

Eighteen years later, Arsenault Dermatology is one of the most respected dermatology centers in Florida.

“I grew with the community,” she explained.

“I wanted the patient experience to remain high quality. That is important to me. I provide high quality care, respect my patient’s time, and facilitate the integration of new patients as they move into the area. Over the years we have created an incredibly efficient healthcare delivery system. Some patients describe it as a well-oiled machine,” she laughs.

Dr. Arsenault and her team of hand-picked providers have a reputation for discovering deadly cancers early. “You can save lives when you find skin cancer early,” she said.

“Everyone on my team is experienced in looking for subtle signs.”

“We treat over 200 melanomas a year,” she said. “We are saving lives and making an impact on the community. We are so excited to be a part of the vibrant growth in both Manatee and Sarasota Counties.”

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The daughter of a college football coach, Dr. Julie Barre grew up an athlete. Inspired by watching team doctors and trainers during football games, she studied for a degree in physical therapy and then eventually went to medical school. Dr. Barre has served as team physician for collegiate basketball teams, high school football teams, and a professional hockey team.

“Being part of a healthy family and living a healthy lifestyle made me gravitate to a career in medicine and orthopedics,” she said. “I played high school sports, college intramural, and continue to be active to this day. I like to practice what I preach.”

A board-certified orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine provider at 360 Orthopedics in Sarasota, Venice, and Lakewood Ranch, Dr. Barre specializes in custom operative and non-operative care for patients of all ages.

“Keeping people active doing what they want to do is a joy every day,” she said.

“We live in an area where staying healthy and being active is easy to do year-round with so many outdoor activities.”

Establishing rapport with patients is a priority for Dr. Barre: finding out what their goals are and what they like to do helps guide individualized quality care for her patients.

“New developments in the world of orthopedics help people keep their bones and joints healthier and allow people to stay active longer,” she said. “It’s about preservation.”

The orthopedic field is a frontier for women doctors. Dr. Barre is one of only 6.5 percent of women out of approximately 30,000 surgeons practicing in the field. She was in the inaugural class of Florida State University College of Medicine as well as the first woman to go into the field of orthopedics in her class.

“If you are passionate about what you do,” she says, “it shows consistently in quality patient care.”

Julie

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Veronica

BRADY

Veronica Brady is a longtime champion for philanthropy in our community.

"Much of my career was focused in finance and wealth management, helping families design a blueprint to guide their charitable giving" says Brady. "I love connecting generous donors to causes in our community—and building strategies to strengthen nonprofit organizations.”

Following a 25-year career with SunTrust, Brady served as the Senior Vice President for Philanthropy at Gulf Coast Community Foundation, leading annual growth in funds, gifts, and donor engagement. She most recently served as the Director of Advancement at The Bay Park Conservancy, helping to raise the initial $25 million for the new public park on Sarasota Bay.

Now Brady has taken some time to focus on a broader group of interests. With partner Keith Monda—a retired President and COO of Coach Inc—they stay engaged with programs they helped implement, including All

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Faiths Food Bank's annual "Campaign Against Summer Hunger," early literacy program "Reading Recovery," and Monda Kids SWIM, a program that provides water safety lessons to second graders in Sarasota County. The couple also shares their advice and support with a long list of organizations--most focused on children and education.

“We believe in giving kids a chance to succeed regardless of their background,” says Brady. “With Monda Kids SWIM (Safe Water Instruction Matters), not only are we providing water safety lessons, but for some kids, we are helping them overcome a fear. That opens the door for them to face other challenges in life.”

Brady also knows that the nonprofit sector needs support not only financially, but with charitable guidance and makes herself available when asked. “I’ve had such wonderful experiences in my career and volunteer efforts—if any of it can assist another donor or nonprofit with their decision making, I’m happy to connect.”

After experiencing the lack of inclusive options for women with larger cup sizes, Cheryl Burke went into action and founded Sea Cup & Up. Now celebrating 15 years, Sea Cup & Up is a haven for women of all cup sizes looking for beautiful lingerie, swimwear, loungewear and more.

“We carry A-K cups and band sizes 28-44, so we really can cater to most body types,” says Cheryl.

Driven by the store mantra, “reshaping women, one woman at a time,” Cheryl and her team are dedicated to customer service and quality. Sea Cup & Up carries an extensive inventory, but maintains a boutique feel, thanks to the individualized service that Cheryl and her team provide. All customers are fitted and matched with items that best enhance their figure. “It can be easy for someone to find flaws with themselves, but at Sea Cup & Up we work to help women celebrate the beauty of their body in the present by helping them find something that they feel good in.”

Truly seeking to empower all women, Cheryl and her team also provide custom fittings and bras for women at Harvest House. “All women deserve to feel beautiful and to have access to clothing that fits them properly at every stage of life,” she says.

Cheryl’s personal journey is a major source of the passion that she brings to her work. As a breast cancer survivor, she understands how bodies can change over time and how access to the right items can be a source of empowerment. “My personal experiences have only strengthened my belief in the importance of what we provide at Sea Cup & Up. There is nothing better than seeing someone radiate confidence af ter they’ve worked with us at our store.”

Cheryl

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When Cheryl Burke became widowed 26 years ago, she retreated to her lake house and considered next steps. She contemplated her passions, thinking “I like history, I like to travel, I love beautiful things, and I like high quality.” She concluded, “That’s an antique dealer.

I want to be an antique dealer.”

In the years that followed, she sourced antiques around the globe, taking trips to China, South America, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, England, and other countries. Her eye for superior quality helped her bring back and curate beautiful antiques.

A few years ago, Burke tried retiring to Italy, but before long returned to Sarasota to open her current shop at 72 South Palm Avenue. “I’m not going to close the shop again,” she says, “I’m going to stay in business until I can’t do it anymore. Because this is my love. “ Burke is happy to share her passion.

“When people walk into my shop, they don’t have to buy,” says Burke. “It’s a history lesson. If they are interested in something, I can tell them the history behind it.”

Burke works with objects and furnishings from all eras and styles, from ornate to modern, and is assisted by an ASID designer and other staff. From dayto-day, her role varies: buying items directly, helping clients find select pieces, appraising, and helping executors sell the contents of high-end estates.

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Several trust attorneys in town have come to her with expansive, pristine collections.

The latest is over 1,000 pieces and valued at more than one million dollars. “It’s flying out the door,” she says.

Today, her reputation speaks for itself. “I find wonderful things and people know me after 26 years in business,” she says.

“They know the quality of what I have.”

Bonti

BURGESS “Caring Comes First” is Bonti Burgess’s guiding principle.

In all she does, Bonti’s compassionate spirit shines through. “I really enjoy taking care of people,” she says, which is admirable considering she successfully raised two daughters as a single mother while establishing and building Bright Day Home Healthcare.

Bonti founded Bright Day based on a passion for providing truly exceptional home healthcare. In its 10th year now, Bonti states, “Our success comes from the attention given to our clients.” Bright Day’s team focuses on private, individualized care throughout Sarasota County and is one of only a few skilled private duty companies here locally that is woman owned and not a franchise, she notes. Bonti shared a recent compliment from one of her clients who said after his wife’s customary Bright Day caregiver went on vacation, “all the girls who have filled in for Grace have been absolutely amazing and I couldn’t be happier with

your company and care that my wife has received.” This satisfaction expressed by her client fills Bonti with joy and is the reason she continues to strive for excellence.

Accredited by the Joint Commission, which is the Gold Standard, Bright Day provides a full range of home healthcare services from CNA’s (certified nursing assistants) and home health aides on up to skilled nursing in all home settings including residential homes, assisted living communities, and rehabilitation centers. Bonti’s clientele typically range in age from 70–100+, and no matter what assistance a client requires, Bonti’s team will design a plan of care customized to each person.

Hard work and kindness are central to Bonti’s ethics, whether it’s matching clients and caregivers or currently serving on the Board of Trustees for the Artists Series Concerts. “I’m just really blessed to be part of this wonderful community.”

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Paulette

CALLENDER Paulette Callender lived most of her life in Tampa, but she spent a few years in Sydney, Australia. The southeast Asian, Australian, and New Zealand culinary world she experienced there proved so inspiring that when she returned to Florida back in 2005, she opened The Spice & Tea Exchange in St. Armand’s Circle.

One popular choice is the Tuscany spice blend, an Italian seasoning that really livens up pasta or chicken, though it’s great with bread and olive oil, too. Another favorite is Florida Sunshine, a citrus blend that takes three hours to make. “We peel oranges, lemons, and limes, then dehydrate them and turn them into a zest prior to making the blend!”

Paulette’s store quickly became a favorite stop for food lovers, chefs, and tea enthusiasts. Part of its charm comes from how it looks and feels like an old trading post.

Everything’s in apothecary-style jars, and the store simply smells amazing!

Spices used to outsell teas, though that trend has reversed over recent times. As a result, Paulette opened a tea bar three years ago so people could order iced or hot tea to go. Now The Spice & Tea Exchange offers more than 80 teas and brews them hot or serves them iced, as customers wish.

“We make all of the custom blends ourselves,” Paulette says.

“Each day, we’re grinding peppercorns, we’re dehydrating fruit to make zest, and we’re handmaking everything for steak rubs, fish, seafood, pastas, and curries.” A lot of local executive chefs get hard-to-source supplies from her for good reason.

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“Every year,” reports Paulette, “we support nonprofits such as Florida Wine Fest & Auction, which raises millions of dollars for local charities. We’re happy to give back to this wonderful community.”

Aimee Cogan is the quintessential planner.

When she’s leading the charge, the plan will be thorough down to the last detail, whether it’s for a trip or a complex financial plan for a multigenerational family. As managing director and founding member of the Bellwether Group at Morgan Stanley, she gives her clients confidence that her keen planning skills are focused on the security and financial well-being of themselves and their families.

From an early age, Aimee recognized her affinity for math and finance. While she was attending University of Florida, her grandfather passed away and left her grandmother to handle finances, which she found intimidating and stressful.

Aimee helped her grandmother sor t through everything and discovered her life’s calling. Upon graduation, she found an opportunity in private banking at the Sarasota office of a major regional bank and went on to obtain several professional d esignations and achieve national recognition among her peers. Wanting to do even more for her clients, Aimee joined Morgan Stanley, where she now serves as a managing director and financial advisor. She formed the Bellwether Group at Morgan Stanley, which has grown to a group of ten members with diverse skills who provide comprehensive wealth management services to their clients.

Aimee—who is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®), Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®), family wealth director, and alternative investment director—has been consistently recognized on Barron’s and Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors lists, as a Top Wealth Advisor Mom by Working Mother and SHOOK Research, and as a Forbes BestIn-State Wealth Advisor*. She’s honored to have been named a Morgan Stanley MAKER, joining a group of women of accomplishment nominated by their peers.

“MAKERs are trailblazers—those who are paving the way,” she says. “They’re ready to forge change for the years and decades ahead.”

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Finding a great swimsuit is often a daunting task, especially finding one that celebrates the skin you're in! This is why Alysia De Maio and her business partner Samantha De Maio—who is also Alysia’s sister-in-law—founded Eve Swim.

Their new swimwear brand is ecofriendly and offers a diverse collection, focusing on swimwear that women can feel comfortable and confident in. "The brand was inspired from the frustration of not being able to find flattering swimwear that provided the right amount of coverage when needed", says Alysia.

In other words, on family beach days, pool parties, or chasing your kids around in the sand, you can have fun knowing and feeling confident that you don't need to tug, pull, or adjust to keep everything covered. "We create swimwear that has minimal to true full coverage and always has sustainability top of mind in all aspects of the business," she says.

Originally from New York and currently living in Sarasota, Alysia interned at Cosmopolitan Magazine while earning her degree in fashion design. She was able to parlay that internship into a job at the magazine and so began her career and fashion journey. Samantha, who, as a tall woman, has had difficulties finding swimsuits that fit well, brings her experience in marketing and project management to helping make Eve Swim successful. "Samantha has a genuine love for natural beauty," says Alysia.

Alysia

DE MAIO

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Alysia, who grew up speaking three languages (English, French, and Spanish) and taught English in Colombia for a year, is currently working on the debut collection. "We are finalizing the designs with careful consideration of materials and fit," she says. As the duo gets things in place for the debut collection, you can follow their journey to launch at eveswim.com.

In an industry where success is often measured by numbers, Darcie Duncan has instead built her business on the core belief that success is about helping people. For the last 20 years, Darcie’s drive and ability to put people first has elevated Duncan Real Estate from a successful business to a thriving community.

Darcie

DUNCAN

Rooted in a culture of integrity and connection, Darcie and her team create a personalized experience for clients by listening to their needs and taking time to get to know them. “Every family has a story, and to be able to help and share in that story is really special,” she says. Clients are treated as part of the Duncan team, and as in every good team, communication is key. “It’s important that clients feel comfortable, especially because we understand the importance of what they are trusting us to do.”

Darcie credits this relational approach, as well as her deep ties to the community as an Anna Maria Island native and active community member, for her team’s ability to provide clients with access to services and resources beyond real estate. “We work in real estate, but we are also a connector for our clients,” she says.

Personal connection has also been pivotal to her professional development over the course of her 31-year career.

“I am really for tunate to have had some great mentors who have had an incredible impact on my life, and that has motivated me to be a good role model for my team and in the community.” Darcie, who has served as the Chair of the Board for the Manatee Chamber of Commerce and is currently a community advocate for the PACE Center for Girls, says “It’s important to give back to the community that gives to you.”

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Barbara GARDNER After a successful career in the healthcare industry, Barbara Vanderkolk Gardner shifted from loving interior design to making it her second—and favorite!—career.

She founded Collins Interiors in Princeton, NJ in 2006 and developed a client base there as well as in Philadelphia and New York. But after fifteen years of being frequent visitors to our area, Gardner and her husband moved here for good in 2012 when she opened a branch of Collins Interiors on Longboat Key. “I still have clients up north,” she says, “but 90% of our work is down here now.” Her current workload is a “mere” 11 houses—challenging but doable since Gardner only employs one design assistant and a part-time bookkeeper.

That means Gardner is fully involved in every step of every job, which is how she likes it.

To ensure that she meets her clients’ needs, Gardner created a 10-page Design Deck to fully understand their

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needs, preferences, lifestyle, and how the space will be used. Her goal is to personalize every home for the client. “I never want somebody walking into a home and saying, ‘Oh, Barbara designed this!’”

Gardner urges clients not to chase trends because while they come and go, homeowners have to live with their choices. And with her background in healthcare, she’s especially conscientious of ergonomics. “I hate when people put a TV above a fireplace. It’s bad for your neck to have it that high,” she explains.

While no job is too big or too small for Collins Interiors, their sweet spot is $1 million to $6 million properties on Lido Key, Longboat Key, Bird Key, and downtown Sarasota. Their tagline—luxurious residential interiors— says it all.

What do Ken Blanchard, the Singapore Security Police, Mickey Mouse, and David Hasselhoff have in common? They’ve all worked with Barbara Glanz!

A stay-at-home mom for 19 years, Barbara started her own company when she was 50, so her story is one of encouragement for young women. Sharing her inspirational messages of hope, she skyrocketed to international fame, and in 2011 Barbara was inducted into the Speaker Hall of Fame, joining luminaries such as Ken Blanchard, Ronald Reagan, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, and Zig Ziglar.

She is the first speaker on record to have spoken on all 7 continents and in all 50 states to organizations as diverse as Nordstrom, Honda, Southwest Airlines, Bank of America, IBM, Kaiser Permanente, Hallmark, the US Department of Energy, Hilton Hotels, Publix Supermarkets, Disney, the State of Michigan, and Chick-fil-A. “I’ve loved speaking on different continents bec ause it ’s really broadened my whole perspective of the world,” she shares. “And there’s almost not a city in the world that I don’t have a friend there.”

Barbara is the author of 14 books, including The Simple Truths of Service Inspired by Johnny the Bagger ® co-authored with Ken Blanchard; The Simple Truths of Appreciation, 180 Ways to Spread Contagious Enthusiasm, and CARE Packages for the Workplace. Her newest book is Exhausted, Confused and Ticked Off! HOPE for a New Beginning When Change Has Done You In. A person of faith, she serves locally on the Designing Women Board and nationally on the Boards of Guideposts and Lead Like Jesus.

Barbara has three additional "claims to fame:” her great-grandfather laid the cornerstone where the four states come together; she played the piano on the TV show Talent Sprouts; and she directed David Hasselhoff of Knight Rider, Baywatch, and America’s Got Talent fame in his first high school play! Barbara lives and breathes her personal motto: “Spreading Contagious Enthusiasm™.”

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April

GLASCO

Dr. April Glasco has spent 31 years crafting her leadership skills, but it wasn’t until the last five years that she actually believed in herself. Today, she is immensely proud that her non- profit organization, Second Chance Last Opportunity, Inc. (SCLO) has become one of the most successful charities in Sarasota County.

Many agencies would write off the clients Glasco works with, but she never does because she’s been there, too. “One woman was in prison for life, but she was released after 22 years and was homeless,” Glasco explains.

“She came to me because no one would help her. I found her housing. Today, she has a full-time job and owns a home.” That’s just one of many miraculous SCLO success stories.

“SCLO’s mission is to provide a gateway of hope for individuals in crisis,” Glasco says, whether it’s a job, housing, counseling, or a financial or food crisis. The organization offers six-week Skills for Life classes, a Sisters Circle for all ages (To Grow and To Go), and Out of the Box after-school and summer youth programs. Glasco also developed an online training course, “I AM THAT I AM,” that helps individuals see the potential within themselves, to grow, and to go to a new level in their lives.

Glasco leads by example as she continues to improve her self, having earned an undergraduate degree, a master’s degree, and a Ph.D., along with becoming an international motivational speaker on women’s empowerment. In the last few years, she’s been fortunate enough to travel to many cities, states, and out of the country.

This past year, when many agencies closed due to the pandemic, SCLO remained open, increased its operations, and served an incredible 1,000 heads of household, along with their children. “We have to help each other,” say s Glasco. “People in need shouldn’t be invisible.”

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Allison lisa Gabriele IMRE HARRIS GRASSO Top chefs bring out the best in the ingredients they use to make even the simplest dishes exceptional and memorable. The same concept applies to the creative “cooks” at Grapevine Communications. These marketing mixologists use only the freshest ideas as the ingredients for their special sauce. It’s a collaborative concoction that ensures toe-curling, bottom-line-boosting results their clients have craved for nearly 20 years.

A perennial local favorite, the powerhouse marketing, advertising, public relations, social media, and digital strategies firm of 20 is led by President/Owner Allison Imre, pictured here alongside longtime staff members Chief Development Officer Gabriele Harris and Executive Art Director Lisa Grasso. Their “creative kitchen” is based in Lakewood Ranch but offers a full menu of services for businesses, organizations, non-profits, and professionals from across the country who want to kick things up a notch. No industry or specialty is off limits. From auto dealers to assisted living communities, manufacturers to

municipalities, and home services to home builders— and everything in between—Grapevine sharpens their creative knives, ties on their artistic aprons, and gets things cooking.

So, what’s the secret to the sauce? At Grapevine, they understand that no two clients’ needs are alike. Their talented team of writers, designers, web developers, digital strategists, account executives, public relations specialists, and social media wizards brings a heaping helping of experience and passion to the table, ensuring every project is made to order and addresses the unique tastes and goals of those they serve.

The recipe for success depends on the palate they’re working to please. They add a cup or two of creativity, a bit of bold, a dash of drive, maybe even whisk in a little weird. Then it’s seasoned with strategy, sauteed to make it sizzle, and served up to leave you smacking your lips with satisfaction.

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Asa HARRIS Born and raised in Orlando, Asa A Amber Harris remembers how her mom loved working for Hyatt Hotels. “The idea of working in hospitality always stayed in my head,” she admits.

Sure enough, her first job was at George Steinbrenner’s Tampa hotel where the New York Yankees stayed during spring baseball. Among her many duties, Asa handled their travel plans.

Asa realized that the operational side of the hotel business was a great fit when she became a sales manager for Hyatt Hotels. When she later became Vice President of the Navy League, Asa handled government and military clients for the Tampa Doubletree. “I got to meet base commanders and four-star generals. I even arranged travel for Air Force One when the President came to town.”

Asa was recruited by the Shaner Management Group to be the Director of Sales and Marketing for the new Art SARASOTA SCENE | WOMEN ON THE SCENE 2021

Ovation Hotel, an art-inspired luxury Marriott property that opened in Sarasota in 2018. Located in the heart of Sarasota just steps from the Sarasota Opera House, all 162 rooms and common areas have beautiful original artwork curated through a partnership with Ringling College of Art and Design.

Revolving art exhibits, artists-in-residence, and performing arts in the lobby are just part of what makes the hotel so inspiring and unique. We pride ourselves on being a community home,” she says. “The hotel is driven by community events.” Asa’s also proud of how the hotel and the area are growing in diversity, equity, and inclusion.

When Asa’s not at work or spending time with her Sarasota detective husband or her two boys, she’s out enjoying the community she’s come to love so much. “This is such an amazing place to live and work.”

The founder of Admiral Travel International (ATI) believes she has traveling in her blood.

"Give me a passport; I can't wait to go to the next place," says Malaka Hilton, who has been named a top travel consultant by Travel + Leisure magazine's A list of travel for 20 years. In addition to that, this past year she was named as one of Conde Nast Traveler’s top travel specialists.

"My father is from Egypt, and my mom is from Slovenia; traveling is a part of their background. My parents would take my older brother and me out of school all the time and we'd travel to a multitude of destinations.”

An early introduction to traveling led to a life-long passion for Hilton. When time came for college, she chose the closest major she could find: hospitality, with its focus on restaurants and hotels, at Florida State University.

Hilton began her career at a local agency and, shortly after, she found a vacant office space in downtown Sarasota. "I wasn't sure that I was ready, but I jumped on the opportunity and opened what is now Admiral Travel in March of 1997," she says.

That same year, she traveled to South Africa, which was becoming a more popular travel destination post-apartheid. It was there, on a visit to the famed Londolozi Safari Camp where she met Ryan Hilton, a Londolozi Safari guide, who is now her husband.

The two have grown the business and in 2022 will celebrate 25 years of creating one-of-akind travel experiences for their clients. As a member of the esteemed Virtuoso network— an invitation-only global network of agencies specializing in luxury and experiential travel— ATI advisors are always on call for their clients. "We are a luxury boutique travel company specializing in unique international departures. We lean on our decades of knowledge and close relationship with our global partners to enhance our guests' experience in the destination.

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Margaret HIXON

When someone suggested Margaret Hixon go independent and start her financial advising firm, she took the advice and ran with it. Thirty-two years later, Vimvest is a thriving company that is setting the bar for the future of financial management. “It truly takes a village, and I’m thankful for all of the support I’ve received over the years,” Margaret says.

An industry expert, Margaret is passionate about helping clients make decisions that will set them up for the future they want. “This work isn’t about money,” she says, “it’s really about getting to know people and helping them achieve their goals and the life they want.” As a result, one of the main services that Vimvest provides is income planning for retirees.

Margaret is also devoted to education and knowledgesharing. Monthly dinner seminars and workshops, as well

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as open communication, are an integral part of Vimvest.

“Our advisors are taught processes and checklists that safeguard them from making the mistakes that most other young independent advisors make.”

Strong in her Christian faith, Margaret deeply values integrity and service. “I truly believe the more you give, the more you receive.” A giving component is a key part of the new Vimvest app set to launch shortly. Representing the next generation of investing, the app will also offer full banking, saving, and investment services.

Excited about the future, Margaret is also grateful for the present. “I am blessed to be able to work with my sons, who are the current co-CEO’s of Vimvest.” Outside of the office, Margaret cherishes time spent with her husband of 18 years and visits with her daughter, son-in-law, and grandchild.

Dr. Karen Holbrook is the true epitome of a Renaissance woman. Now Regional Chancellor of the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus, Holbrook began working at USF in an interim role. Despite plans to retire, which she had promised her husband several times over the years, she decided to accept an official offer for the position in 2018.

Her illustrious career was born in high school, thanks to “a great biology teacher” who inspired Holbrook to pursue her strongest interest, science, as her major in college. She has held prestigious positions at universities nationwide and served on the boards of more than a dozen national and glo bal organizations suppor ting science, technology, research, medical education, and more. Along the way, Karen has earned multiple degrees, including a doctorate in biological structure at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

Of all the places she has worked, she finds Sarasota to be among the best. She describes it as a fabulous community, with “people who care and give their time and themselves to make things happen for other people, so makes it a great place to live and to work.”

Holbrook notes the many roles she has held at different universities. “I’ve been a president, provost, dean, graduate dean, and this is one of the most fun places I’ve been. I am thoroughly enjoying my time at the USF SarasotaManatee campus. It’s a small campus where everyone knows and cares about each other.”

Among her goals at USF is to add an Integrated Science Technology and Arts Complex, a student center, and resident hall. She says, “I’m excited about what our future can bring here and we’re working hard to make these things happen. The connection with our community is paramount with student success as our first and foremost goal.”

Karen

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HUPP

How does one make their dream lifestyle come true? If you are Michelle Hupp, you and your family pull up those small-town, hard-working Nebraska roots and replant them in coastal Florida. Then you take it to the next level: help others find the joy of living in their slice of Paradise here.

Michelle’s passion is unmistakable, “Sometimes it’s hard to believe that this small-town Nebraska girl gets to live this fantastic lifestyle and share it with others,” she effuses. “I love people and want to learn about everyone I meet. It is truly the best profession, and I love it.”

Though 17 years in the real estate industry, it’s been nearly nine years since Michelle’s fortuitous move to Venice, Florida, and she has literally captained her ship. Well, boat. As the CEO of the area’s premier luxury real estate team, The Hupp Group/ Keller Williams Island Life Real Estate team in Venice, Michelle is known for showcasing Sarasota County’s high-end waterfront properties both inside and out, with Michelle herself at the helm.

It’s just part of the group’s impeccable white-glove service. What sets The Hupp Group apart is having a staff of laserfocused realtors that tag-teams every client, so they buyers and sellers feel cared for, pampered, and heard.

“Our value proposition is that we have a team of four Realtors, so we can juggle and collaborate to deliver the highest level of service,” Michelle explains. “We all are deeply committed and communicate with each other all day long. We all know every single buyer and every single seller. For example, if one of our agents can’t show you a property when you need to, another agent will step in. We support each other.”

Michelle’s on-the-ready team mirrors her midwestern work ethic, epitomizing the crème de la crème of the white-glove service you deserve.

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Darci JACOB My husband and I came to Sarasota 30 years ago,” says Darci Jacob. “We love it here. We never looked back.”

Because Jacob had prior retail experience and a degree in fashion merchandising, she was drawn to Caché, a mom-and-pop-style fashion boutique in Sarasota. She worked as its store manager for 20 years—right up until the entire company closed in 2015.

Jacob immediately partnered with Caché’s district manager to open Panache, another clothing store. When Panache’s lease ran out, Jacob launched a new store, Darci, in late 2020. “Life is too short to wait for your dreams,” she says. “You have to go out and make them happen.” Even during a pandemic!

Darci, a high-style fashion boutique located in downtown Sarasota, is Jacob’s dream come to life. “From the moment people walk in, I want them to feel at home.” To make that happen, she serves champagne, and wine—plus there’s a man cave with beer!

Jacob takes pride in customer service and having clients trust her for their fashion needs. “I will never send a client out of the store in something that isn’t flattering,” she promises. Darci has something for everyone, from casual to formal, from size zero to size 20. “My age group is probably 35 to 80,” Jacob explains, “but we’ve been selling more cocktail dresses, gowns, and prom dresses than ever.”

She has a small team helping her. Jackie, her “right hand,” has been with Jacob for 20 years, while Debbie, her “left hand,” has worked for Jacob for three years. “I couldn’t do it all without them!”

When she isn’t at Darci, Jacob works with local nonprofits such as SPARCC and Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Suncoast. “I’ve been very blessed. Giving back is my way of being grateful for it all.”

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Circus aerialist and conservator Dolly Jacobs has a storied past. Daughter of model Jean Rockwell and Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey’s iconic master clown Lou Jacobs, she trained with Sarasota High’s Sailor Circus and then joined the “Greatest Show on Earth.”

“I had the best of both worlds,” she says— swimming and ballet and gymnastics lessons in Sarasota, followed by travel by her dad’s side in a mile-long train that crisscrossed the country. As a circus showgirl, she visited places most teens only read about, sharing dressing rooms with talented women from all over the world. Fun fact: She speaks fluent Bulgarian and Spanish, as well as a little German. When Dolly turned 19, her godmother, Margie Geiger, passed along the Roman rings act that she had once performed; it landed Dolly star billing, coveted awards, and global recognition.

Returning to her Sarasota roots, Dolly and husband Pedro Reis, a fellow aerialist, founded in 1997 what has become The Circus Arts Conservatory, a nonprofit dedicated to training, performance, and preservation. It’s an act as daring as anything Dolly pulled off under the big top—and it’s won her similarly highflying accolades, including designation by the National Endowment for the Arts as a National Heritage Fellow in 2015.

Dolly

JACOBS

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Along with her leadership role, Dolly teaches students at the Sailor Circus Academy.

Although some students don’t make careers of the circus, they’re inspired by a variety of international artists, learning not just physical tricks “but also discipline, camaraderie, trust, self-pride and how you treat others. Life lessons,” Dolly says. One alum in Texas wrote to Dolly and Pedro that what he learned has really helped him in his work—as a lawyer.

Dolly Jacobs is now creating a storied present, “passing the torch to the next generation of up-and-coming circus artists,” she says.

Roxie JERDE Celebrating 10 years as President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Roxie Jerde is leading a new standard for philanthropic giving in our region. Over the last decade, her tenure of leadership has seen more than $265 million in grants invested in the community, guided by a belief that anyone can “be the one” to make a difference, today and in the future.

Roxie attributes the success of the Community Foundation to one key practice: listening. She explains, “The core of our work is to understand donors’ passions and then translate that passion into meaningful support for our community’s needs.”

Over the last decade, Roxie has built upon a wellestablished tradition to empower donors to ignite change through causes they care about, supporting the work of nonprofit partners. Through tried-and-true charitable giving opportunities, the Community Foundation pivoted throughout the pandemic to unite those able to

help with those needing help—many for the first time.

Trusted platforms like Season of Sharing and the Giving Challenge inspired generosity during an unprecedented time. “Having effective models for giving in place made us responsive during crisis and cultivated hope,” she says.

Ever forward-thinking, Roxie is focused on how the foundation can evolve to better serve the community.

“By deepening our understanding of inequities, we can be a dependable ally for all who call our region home.”

In 2021, the foundation established its Knowledge and Equity Department, an expansion that Roxie says is a new horizon in philanthropy.

“It brings me incredible joy that I have the opportunity to connect with so many people and share in the ‘aha’ moments in their lives,” says Roxie. “Together we truly are building a community where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.”

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Christine JOHNSON A fifth-generation Floridian, Christine Johnson can’t remember a time when she wasn’t deeply aware of environmental issues. Awareness changed to action when she returned to Florida in 2002 with her husband after earning her MBA and working as a Fortune 500 consultant. “We saw the dramatic difference not only in the number of people now here,” Johnson says, “but in policy decisions and how people lived differently on the land.”

Florida needed help. So, when Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast was created in 2003, Johnson became a donor. While working with local nonprofits, she stayed active with Conservation Foundation, which led to her becoming President in 2011.

One of the organization’s goals is to create a Conservation Corridor, which seeks to connect protected properties from Manatee County to the Myakka Island of protected properties to Charlotte County’s Babcock-Webb Wildlife Management Area and on to the Everglades. “This is vital SARASOTA SCENE | WOMEN ON THE SCENE 2021

for wide-ranging animals like bears and panthers, and for people, too,” she explains. “Not only for recreation but to protect our water, as well.” The purchase of the 5,777-acre Orange Hammock Ranch in May 2020 was a big step, but there’s more to do.

More than 80% of the Foundation’s funding comes from individual donations. “We’re a good investment,” Johnson says, noting how they leverage donations by a factor of 3.6x. Between their conservation efforts and growing youth outdoor and engagement programming, the impact Conservation Foundation creates is multi-generational.

Considering that the use of public outdoor spaces was record-breaking during the pandemic, the need is greater than ever to protect land and water for the sixth-, seventh-, and later generations of Floridians. It’s not too late yet to save the land we love.

“Long and steady wins the race,” Johnson says. "But the time to act is now."

Creativity is Danica Jokic’s superpower.

Whether she is painting for a community art show or working in her role as a creative brand strategist with Avenue Media, she is always in the process of creating something new. “I love it, it’s like breathing for me,” she says.

Originally from a small town in Serbia, Danica traces her listening skills and openminded nature to her time at United World College, a unique boarding school that consists of one student from 100 countries, as well as her experience at Ringling College of Art and Design, which was the catalyst for her move to Sarasota.

“My educational background helped me understand commonalities in the way we communicate, which has been an incredibly valuable skill personally and professionally.”

A branding and strategic guru, Danica believes that creativity isn’t limited to the art-world. “Creativity is actually problemsolving,” she says, and applying creativity in concert with a framework of processes is an Avenue Media specialty. “The proven processes that we use allow us more freedom to explore new ideas, so that we can ultimately create solutions that are innovative and practical for our clients.”

One recent innovation is The Avenue Podcast, hosted on the newly launched Avenue Media website. “The majority of our clients are in the construction industry, and when we realized many of them were facing similar challenges, we saw the podcast as a way to bring clients together and share information.” Created in partnership with the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange, the podcast highlights shared client experiences, addresses business challenges, and provides marketing and design solutions.

Perceptive, creative, and passionate, Danica looks forward to a future that includes developing work that helps others and new opportunities to flex and strengthen her creative muscles.

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Jordan KELLY-

LAVIOLETTE

Jordan Kelly-Laviolette is a Sarasota-based content creator, photographer, and creative director who has increased the bottom lines of both former employers and diverse businesses clientele through her passion, expertise, and cutting-edge digital marketing.

This tech-savvy young woman began her career about 12 years ago using her talent, insight, and experience in the creative fields of fashion, beauty, marketing, and social media in tandem with her illustration and business degree from Ringling College of Art + Design. Jordan’s professional background includes the positions of Marketing and Digital Content Director of Sarasota Scene, Fashion Buyer and Social Media Manager for Lotus Boutique, and Social Media Content Specialist for the Free People Florida feed, in addition to other positions at a variety of prominent local businesses.

Social media marketing became crucial for business owners with the advent of COVID. “It wasn’t fully understood until the in-person market wasn’t an option, so online sales became essential and changed everything,” she explains. “Everyone shifted and restructured, and, using my blended skillset, I was able to help them adapt and update their business’ digital marketing to elevate their brand in a new way.”

By early 2020, through word-of-mouth, Jordan found herself working 24/7. “Social media is definitely a full-time job, especially during the height of COVID because everyone wanted to up their digital game.” It was then that it proved to be the right move and timing to expand and launch her own business.

Having a solid background in high-end fashion retail, she now focuses on creating content and visual-based digital marketing for fashion, lifestyle, and beauty brands. Her mission is to design a tailored digital presence for your company. While you’re running your business, she’s building your brand.

Beyond her industry expertise, her biggest asset is her passion and commitment to quality service and creativity tailored to you.

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Mary KING

After earning her law degree at Stetson University, Florida native Mary King worked for law firms that focused on estate planning and probate. She became interested in tax law after coming home one day to find a stack of letters from the IRS and discovering that her now ex-husband hadn’t been filing his individual tax returns for years prior to their marriage.

In 2002, Mary launched the Law Office of Mary E. King which concentrates in solving problems with the IRS. Few people—lawyers included!—want to deal with the IRS. But Mary has the persistence and drive to do it successfully.

Due to her years of experience, she is well-situated to help her clients get the best outcome possible considering their circumstances. She is passionate about helping her clients obtain a resolution to their tax issues which will allow them a fresh start and the ability to move forward in all areas of their life. The earlier people come to her, though, the more

she can do for them. Some people mistakenly wait until the very last minute and hope for a miracle.

Among Mary’s staff she employs an enrolled agent— someone licensed by the IRS who is empowered to deal with tax issues throughout the US. Mary works on all cases personally, which means that her clients get help locally versus trusting some enormous national tax resolution company. That hands-on approach is just part of Mary’s commitment to solving problems and reducing tax worries. “Before a client leaves, I always ask ‘Do you feel better?’” she explains. “Or ‘Will you be able to sleep better tonight?’”

In her free time, Mary enjoys ping pong, going to University of Florida Gator football games and playing with her black Labrador Retriever. She has always been a car girl, and her latest toy is a yellow Audi.

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Simone Knego is an author and speaker who has taken a non-linear path to arrive at her purpose. Like so many, Knego made life choices according to what she thought she was supposed to do. She graduated from The University of Florida, passed her CPA exam, and later realized she was just going through the motions. That’s when Knego decided to change the way she saw herself—to her surprise, it changed the way the world saw her, too.

She stopped listening to the little voice in her head telling her to play it safe. That led to her climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, writing a motivational book (The Extraordinary UnOrdinary You), and adopting three kids from South Korea and Ethiopia.

Knego also discovered a love for public speaking through volunteering at the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee.

These days, she’s a keynote speaker who inspires other people to realize what they’re capable of.

“You don’t have to be a huge celebrity on stage,” Knego says. “You don’t have to be a big-time philanthropist. You just need to be you.” Her message includes taking the time to interact with people and valuing them as people versus their function in your life. She also emphasizes how words matter. “We don’t use the word ‘can’t’ in our family. Instead of saying you can’t do something, ask yourself if you WANT to do it.”

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Knego stays involved with the national and local Jewish Federation because “it’s about humanity. It’s about caring for other people, respecting them for exactly who they are.” That idea—plus the Jewish phrase Tikkun Olam, meaning “repair the world”—informs all Knego does.

Along with her neurosurgeon husband, six kids, and four dogs, Knego is repairing the world through small acts of kindness and reminding others of their own extraordinariness.

“Quite literally, I had to find my edge at age two,” jokes Robyn Levin, who began a skating career early and dreamed of being a competitive skater. When she had the opportunity to audition for the Ice Capades or attend college, she chose a marketing degree at Temple University.

After a corporate sales career at DHL, she became an entrepreneur. Robyn purchased a (bankrupt) 40,000-square-foot ice skating arena and quickly convinced the Florida Panthers to sign a five-year lease to use it as a practice facility.

Robyn LEVIN

Being an entrepreneur taught Robyn to seek and leverage strategic partnerships.

She also learned the power of stories to make people listen and care.

Eventually, Robyn sold the arena and moved to San Francisco to launch a digital marketing company “because I felt there was something big booming there. It turned out to be the internet, and I wanted to be involved.” For 12 years, she worked with top West Coast companies and entrepreneurs.

With her help, financial services company PENSCO Trust tripled their business to $3 billion in less than three years.

But Robyn moved back to Florida to be closer to family, and Robyn Levin Media came with her. “I was a digital nomad years before that became a term,” she explains.

She designed her business so she could do it anywhere. “All I needed was Wi-Fi and a waterfront view,” she says, which Sarasota certainly delivers.

Robyn serves as a Marketing/PR strategy consultant for purpose-driven entrepreneurs, nonprofits and travel brands. She also offers a free online course (PR-Course101.com) where attendees can learn techniques to improve brand awareness.

“People are chasing platforms, but it’s the message that really matters.” Robyn should know, with her clients appearing on The Today Show and in the pages of The New York Times and Money Magazine.

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Amy

LOU

Amy Lou (right) has always been interested in design.

“I played with Barbies until sixth grade, just so I could decorate their house!” she says, half-joking. After hearing a motivational speaker encourage people to find success by “doing something different than what everyone else is doing,” Amy put an ad on Facebook that offered one free room makeover. The first person who contacted her owned a $2 million home. Ecstatic by the results, they hired Amy to redo the rest of their house.

When Amy’s husband needed to relocate to Lakewood Ranch six years ago, Amy took that as a sign to start fresh, as well. She launched Amy Lou Interiors, an interior design, remodeling, home staging, and event decorating firm. One of her earliest projects was Angela Bassett’s St. Petersburg home. Amy displayed the work she did for Bassett and others on Houzz.com, a site “to browse and save beautiful photos of inspiring homes.” That led to

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Amy working as a designer on A&E’s Flip Wars for a full season. Magazine features and a cover story in Home & Design on Amy’s design work helped establish her as a top designer.

A large mural in Amy’s office says: “I am going to make everything around me beautiful, that will be my life.”

That’s exactly what Amy does. “We take care of our clients and make them number one. They become part of our family,” she says. Amy brings TV flair to her projects, too, by keeping clients out as much as possible to set up a Big Reveal with music, champagne, and excitement all around. “The looks on their faces are priceless!”

“We’re a boutique brand,” she explains. “We don’t do things the same way for everyone.” What they all get, though, is this—Amy’s passion, expertise, and boundless creativity.

MAKSOUD Christina Maksoud, a born-and-raised East End Long Islander, relocated to Sarasota to attend Ringling College of Art and Design. “I specifically came for Motion Design,” she says about the relatively new field that uses animation, graphic design, and cinematography to make commercial content. “At the time, only a few colleges offered that degree. Ringling’s reputation won me over.”

She was also won over by Karim, a fellow Motion Design student. “Within three weeks of graduating in 2016, we got married and launched our business,” she explains. As new partners, they shared an entrepreneurial spirit, but neither knew the local market. Hustling, networking, and keen visual storytelling skills soon earned the reputation that MakSchu, LLC now enjoys.

Today, MakSchu creates brand stories through custom graphic designs, animations, and promotional videos.

They’ve helped more than 100 local businesses as well as national clients like Champs Sports. “Champs had an incredibly tight deadline,” Maksoud admits. “But we

completed it. Within 48 hours of starting the job, our beehive-themed ad ran in Times Square.”

Immediate turnarounds aren’t the norm, however. “Brand creation and management takes time,” Maksoud says.

“We need to deeply understand the client and their needs before we can transform their ideas into engaging content for a specific audience.”

While the pandemic slowed some parts of their business, the requests for livestreaming events boomed. Maksoud says, “This past gala season, we helped a number of nonprofits host an online event since they couldn’t hold those big in-person parties. Some drew in $80,000 of donations in an hour!” They also livestreamed a November 2020 performance of the Sarasota Opera and created virtual recordings for their 2021 season.

Maksoud has a motto: “Stay humble and stay hungry.”

It’s that enviable combination that makes MakSchu, LLC a standout company and welcome community partner.

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Gwen MacKenzie, board member of Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, knows what makes the difference between a good hospital and an exceptional one. In her former roles as CEO of Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, and an executive with Ascension Health and the Detroit Medical Center in Michigan, she’s spent her career leading large health care systems.

When she was approached to join the Healthcare Foundation’s board in 2019, MacKenzie says it was a “pretty easy decision” for her. “People don’t realize that in order to provide extraordinary healthcare, there has to be a funding source like the Healthcare Foundation.” There’s a “constant need to keep healthcare at an exceptional level,” MacKenzie explains.

Over the past three years, the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation has awarded over $5 million a year in grants to the hospital system for programs that MacKenzie says, “can’t be supported any other way,” such as continuing education for staff or research and clinical trials.

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Next spring, MacKenzie will co-chair the Healthcare Foundation’s Women & Medicine Educational Luncheon on March 25. The topic is women’s cancer, including the genetic counseling program at SMH. MacKenzie, who is a former oncology nurse, points out that genetic counseling assesses a patient’s cancer risk so that treatments can be “tailored to a patient’s specific DNA.” MacKenzie is emphatic about her role with Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation. When it comes to our local healthcare, her conviction shines through: “It’s our health system, our neighbors, our community,” she asserts.

“Why should healthcare be anything less than exceptional?”

Graci M GILLICUDDY c

Love makes Graci McGillicuddy’s world go ‘round. Although well known for her enthusiasm and passion, it’s her humanity that is most impressive. Throughout her life she has striven to make people feel better, especially the children she has cared for and protected for more than 35 years She has just completed a $17 million capital campaign funding the All Star Children’s Foundation's Campus of Hope and Healing for abused and neglected children in foster care. The Campus is comprised of a 13,000 square foot pediatric mental health and treatment center, six familystyle licensed foster homes, a multi-purposed clubhouse, inspirational green space with a playground, vegetable and butterfly gardens and more!

The mission of All Star is to create a brighter future for children in foster care through innovation, science and compassion. Focusing on healing the adverse effects of early childhood trauma, All Star has developed 6 core programs and a rigorous research program that will not only allow the children in All Star's care to lead healthy and productive lives but will also serve as models that can be replicated throughout Florida and the nation.

“I love my life,” Graci says. “Helping our kids, making their lives safer and better, has been so rewarding and given my life purpose.

The center has been a lifelong dream, and a dream embraced by generous donors. “So many people have made this happen, says McGillicuddy. “When you walk into the building you can feel the love. It’s palpable.”

McGillicuddy has been there all along during the construction. When workers on the site found out the buildings were for children who have been abused, they began to share their own traumatic experiences.

“They began to tell me their stories,” McGillicuddy says.

“I told them they were part of something very special, and they should put all the love they didn’t receive into the building.”

It all comes back to love. “We have to love our kids and believe in them,” McGillicuddy says. “There is no limit to what they can do or be. If they have love and support, they can handle anything.”

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MONTELIONE From comedian to caterer may seem like a stretch, but not for out-of-the-box thinker, Roberta Montelione.

Right after her first night on stage at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, she sustained a tennis injury and was off her feet in front of the tube watching the FoodNetwork.

When the virus hit, Montelione went into go-mode. She created a plan and protocol for the catering industry that covered everything from how to put on a mask and gloves to detailed procedures she shared with other local caterers and eventually those across the country.

“So I write an email to a local restauranteur telling him ‘I will cook the best food you’ve had in your life if you hire me as a chef,” she remembers. “I had never been in a commercial kitchen and thought I’d get fired from this $13 an hour job. In less than a year, I was running my own catering company.”

The bulk of Montelione’s business is weddings, a segment especially hard hit by the pandemic. Couples had to cancel or postpone their “big day” and the business just dried up.

Today she runs two of her own kitchens, and is building back her business in the wake of the Covid pandemic.

“My business was down 80 percent, but we have bounced back to pre-COVID levels already,” she says.

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“We were the only caterers on the west coast serving weddings,” she says. “And we again got ‘Best of the Knot” for 2021 and recognition from the Wedding Wire.

It’s a tribute to my staff. We didn’t lose a single soul. We moved together as a community thinking out-of-thebox. There isn’t a penalty for being wrong, but there is a penalty for being stuck.”

After three decades, people are still saying the same thing about Trudy Moon — she’s the “energy” in her company, Air & Energy. Always on the move, Trudy constantly works to improve her family business and her community.

Prior to relocating to Florida, Trudy and her husband held corporate jobs in Toronto. “He was traveling all over, and we had a new baby. Together, we decided to do something different.”

It took just a few years of boating and enjoying Anna Maria Island to make Stewart and Trudy want to do more.

One day in the early 90s, they needed an A/C repair and decided to buy the company! The timing was perfect…and the rest is history.

“Air & Energy was a little company with five employees. Two of which just retired, and two are still with us! Today we have an incredible company of about 50 employees serving Manatee County,” she reports. “It’s been a wonderful ride.

I love coming to work every single day.”

Air & Energy has seen consistent growth over the years and recently added generators to its air, plumbing, and electrical services. “People are enjoying their homes more. We are truly a service company working hard to keep our customers comfortable.”

Trudy’s life is her family, friends, and Air & Energy, but she loves her community and stays involved. A former Chairman at Manatee Count y Cham ber of Commerce, she now serves as Chairman of Blake Medical Center. Moon and her company support dozens of other local organizations, too. In every way, her life is about service.

For instance, alongside every new air conditioning or generator purchase is a personal thank-you note from Trudy. “The biggest things we value are kindness and integrity. We’re here forever and will take care of you—like a concierge service.”

Trudy MOON

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Jill MORRIS Dr. Jill Morris says she’s always been “kind of a pioneer.”

She spent her teen years in Arcadia. After graduating from the University Florida College of Dentistry, she moved to the Gulf Coast, where she founded World Class Dentistry in 1987. She’s been restoring smiles ever since.

Dr. Morris specializes in cosmetic dentistry, including complex full-mouth reconstruction. In a career of healing, she remembers one patient in particular, a 24-year-old woman recovering from bulimia. Repeated vomiting had eaten away the enamel on her teeth, destroying some down to the gum line. Dr. Morris resurfaced the surviving teeth with inlays and veneers and rebuilt her patient’s bite—and her self-esteem. “It was a life-changing experience for her to get her smile back,” says Dr. Morris. “There’s a spiritual side to what I do. It helps the spirit of the patient.”

A solo practitioner at first, Dr. Morris pursued her dreams while raising three children. “I was constantly going back and learning the latest technology.” She was also constantly sharing that knowledge. For a decade, she flew to Nevada

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four to six times a year to teach full-mouth reconstruction at the Las Vegas Institute of Advanced Dental Studies, a unique program in which practicing dentists from around the world fly in with their patients and their staffs to hone their skills.

Cutting-edge technology remains a priority at World Class Dentistry, now a family enterprise with her husband, an implant surgeon, and her sons, one who does the orthodontics and the other who runs the in-house lab. Her daughter is in dental school. Dr. Morris has also expanded into holistic as well as biologic dentistry, earning a degree in naturopathic medicine from the American College of Integrative Medicine and Dentistry.

She’s excited about the pioneering possibilities of the future—regrowing teeth, reversing decay.

“That technology is coming, and I hope to be involved in that.”

Persefoni

NICOLOSI

She’s back! Well, in essence Persefoni Nicolosi never really left her GM role at the legendary Café L’Europe restaurant on St. Armands. Early last year, Persefoni moved to Pinehurst, NC, working with Café L’Europe owners Julie & Ron Milton to open Villaggio Ristorante & Bar, while she remotely handled her managerial duties at Café L’Europe.

Helping the Miltons with the successful launch and year-long success of Villaggio Ristorante, it was time for Persefoni to return to her beloved Sarasota and to the many Café L’Europe customers who she considers her “family”.

“Pinehurst is a gorgeous area,” says Persefoni. “I loved working with the Miltons to open Villaggio, but I’m so excited to be back in Sarasota. My daughter Mia and I have both missed it tremendously—the people, the community, the beauty, the arts, and everything else that Sarasota has to offer.”

Now that she is back managing “the most beautiful, elegant, restaurant in the area,” she plans to revive Café

L’Europe’s special multi-course wine dinners and catered in-home chef parties. “I want to focus on creating an even more enjoyable space, where you can relax dining out without worrying about safety, and still have that warm and inviting feeling Café L’Europe is known for.” Strict Covid sanitation procedures are already in place; even the vaccinated staff wear masks.

Persefoni clearly loves what she does, and two big reasons are Café L’Europe’s exceptional staff and the many loyal customers with whom she has become friends. “I’ve heard stories of cherished memories from many customers.

People who dined at the restaurant with their grandparents years ago and now dine there with their grandchildren.

From first dates to anniversaries, wedding receptions, and family reunions, Café L’Europe holds many wonderful memories for so many. It is truly an iconic place that has delighted and gratified for nearly 50 years. I look forward to seeing everyone again, and to continue providing the great service and culinary experience our customers expect and deserve.”

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&

PATRICIA OKKER

Patricia Okker, Ph.D., became New College of Florida’s president in July. Dr. Okker previously served as the dean of the College of Arts and Science at the University of Missouri. She is also a respected academic, specializing in 19th-century American literature.

According to Mary Ruiz, the CEO of Ruiz Strategic Advisors, and chair of New College’s Board of Trustees, the board unanimously agreed that Dr. Okker was exactly right for this leadership position.

“Dr. Okker is a compassionate, capable, proven leader,” Ruiz says. “She rises to the complex challenges of our times and strives for academic excellence with a sense of inclusion and shared purpose. In the years ahead, Dr. Okker will lead New College to even greater accomplishments in higher education and our community.”

Dr. Okker connects her strong attraction to New College with her own student experience at Allegheny College, another small liberal arts institution. “Allegheny transformed my life—and New College is so similar. Being a part of it feels like returning to my roots.”

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MARY RUIZ

She is particularly enthusiastic about what makes New College unique. “As a public liberal arts college, it offers an affordable alternative to elite private liberal arts colleges. Equally important is the combination of a customized curriculum that includes robust career education,” she says. “Students at New College are actively involved in addressing the great challenges of our time, and they have incredible opportunities for hands-on learning, including internships and independent research projects, that prepare them for their futures.”

Dr. Okker says she’s excited about being a part of New College’s future.

“This exceptional college combines my two great academic passions: affordable public education, and the arts and sciences. Students are demanding changes in higher education across the country. New College can lead that change—because our unique academic model is exactly what they want.”

Jackie

OTT JAAKOLA

Sarasota animal advocate Jackie Ott Jaakola has gone global.

This year she became the Executive Director of EveryCat Health Foundation, an international non-profit organization whose sole focus is to fund cat health research and education.

“We fund important new science which gives veterinarians more treatment options to help your cat, my cat, community cats – all cats,” Ott Jaakola explained.

Before joining EveryCat, Ott Jaakola was the Executive Director at Cat Depot in Sarasota, a world-class cat shelter.

Prior to that, she worked for the Annenberg Foundation in Los Angeles to help create Wallis Annenberg PetSpace - promoting pet adoptions, and fostering respect for animals through its education programs and leadership institute. Her career in L.A. also included the Marine Mammal Care Center where she was director of the hospital for wild seals, sea lions, and dolphins.

“My whole life revolves around celebrating and advocating for animals - however I can best support them and create enthusiasm surrounding animal issues,” she said.

Ott Jaakola’s love for animals goes back to childhood when her fondest memories were of her interactions with a menagerie of animals at home. Her family vacations were spent at zoos, aquariums, and other animal educational venues. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship, she says, “Discovery and interactions with animals always put me in my happy place.”

Since joining EveryCat, Ott Jaakola’s focus has been on helping the 50-year-old organization grow from the Winn Feline Foundation, named in honor of its founder, to EveryCat Health Foundation, and furthering its mission of helping cats everywhere in the world.

Ott Jaakola shares her home with her husband, two dogs, three cats, and four horses. An avid equestrian, she enjoys riding on the neighborhood trails or on her six-acre property in Panther Ridge.

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Jennifer

PEEPLES

While studying marketing at UCF, a friend recommended that Jennifer Peeples try Northwestern Mutual’s Insurance College Agent training program. “I loved it, and I’ve been in insurance ever since,” she explains. After college, Jennifer got licensed in 46 states and traveled extensively to handle employee benefits for Fortune 100 companies and government municipalities. Then she joined Progressive Insurance and trained over 10,000 agents in less than a decade.

After 4 years with a smaller Florida company, Jennifer launched her own company in 2014. The Peeples Insurance Agency now insures over 4,000 local families and employs 13 people and has two offices—one in Sarasota (8270 Bee Ridge) and one in Bradenton (1808 Cortez Road West).

They handle residential and commercial insurance, along with flood, auto, boat, motorcycle, RV, jewelry, pet, and even equine insurance. What don’t they do? Automated voicemails. “There’s no press one for this, press two for that,” Jennifer promises. “A real person answers the phone every single time.”

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One of the biggest challenges the Florida insurance industry faces is fraud—shady roofing companies tempt homeowners with a free roof, then they stick it to insurance companies by falsely blaming past hurricanes.

That’s what’s driven up the cost of reinsurance by over 30% in recent years.

There’s good news, though. Jennifer’s team shops hundreds of companies to locate the best price from reputable, A-rated, financially responsible companies.

“It’s all about taking care of the client and finding them the right coverages at the best price they can afford.”

Jennifer and her family love being part of this community.

“I’ve grown up in Florida, have lived all over the state, but Sarasota is my forever home.” And she promises that The Peeples Insurance Agency is ready to take care of your insurance needs and protect your forever home, too.

Morag Reid loves chocolate. So much so, in fact, that when she and her husband moved to Sarasota in 2016, he joked, “Why don’t you run a chocolate shop?” Though her career background was in accounting, graphic design, web design, and theater, she said “Yes!” In July 2017, Morag bought Sirard’s Chocolates and turned it into Banyan Tree Chocolate and Café. The café side came with the business, so she kept that going.

“We do soup, salads, and sandwiches. Like our chocolate, it’s all made from scratch.”

Using top-level, fresh ingredients is vital to everything she does.

“We’re still the only chocolate shop in Sarasota that makes everything on site,” she notes. People don’t always realize that making fine chocolates means working with small batches. There’s no warehouse in the back stacked high with more. All of the products are handcrafted by Morag herself or one of her two assistants. Quality takes time, too—a batch of 100 bonbons can take three days to create. Sometimes, this means demand outpaces supply, so wise chocolate shoppers will beat the holiday rush. “The Father’s Day ‘Beer Box’ bon bons, in particular, go fast!” she warns.

Thanks to Morag’s training at the renowned Ecole Chocolat school in Canada, she’s well-equipped to pair specific chocolates— like Guittard, Cocoa Barry, or Valrhona— with classic or modern ingredients and flavors. That expertise earned Morag’s chocolates awards at this year’s The International Chocolate Salon contest.

Her “Miss Betsy” caramel—flavored with passion fruit and jasmine tea—won two medals. The “Hot and Fuzzy” chocolate truffle similarly earned two medals.

Morag continues to explore new flavors and chocolate options, with a vegan line likely being introduced this fall.

“We just love the arts and the food scene in Sarasota,” Morag says. “The vibe here is perfect.”

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Joanna ROBERTI

Joanna Roberti, a native Floridian who was born in Orlando and moved to Sarasota in 1994, calls herself a “creative Virgo.” That accounts for her career as a personal stylist and her enthusiasm for interior design.

“I just love helping create something beautiful.”

Virgos are also more action than talk, says Joanna, explaining why she kayaks, paddleboards, and scuba dives. She’s also a certified shark feeder and has climbed mountains. “I trust my intuition to guide me to the next thing. I love to live life on the edge.”

For the past twenty years, the “next thing” has included supporting Boys & Girls Clubs, Make-A-Wish, the Van Wezel, Forty Carrots, and SPARCC. “When I was growing up, I had nothing—literally nothing,” Joanna explains. “So, when I finally had something, I always made sure to take care of others. I wanted to pay it forward.”

Two organizations that are near and dear to her heart are the Humane Society of Sarasota County and ASPCA. An animal lover through and through, Joanna currently has three Yorkies—St. Nicholas, Valentino, and Olivia. She’s also a foster mom who takes in dogs “as much as possible” until they find their forever home. “I’ve had as many as eight at a time!” she admits.

Joanna tries to make a difference beyond our own community when she can. For example, she’s been to Africa many times where she helped the children by supporting the building of new schools and planting an abundance of trees. About this missionary work, she says, “So many kids over there really need our help.”

As much as she loves to travel, Sarasota remains Joanna’s forever home. “The culture here is so amazing. It’s the perfect little crown jewel on the Gulf Coast—I’m so happy to be part of this wonderful, supportive community.”

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Raised in the Bradenton area, Brittany Rohr moved to Las Vegas to perform in Cirque Du Soleil—until a fainting condition ended her career in aerial and contortion.

“I have only one joke,” she says. “I fell into business consulting.”

She credits being in the right place at the right time, hired by a tech startup to help with everything from marketing to advertising to onboarding to running the IT department. After building that company, including an entire app platform, Brittany struck out on her own as a business consultant. What really set her apart, she says, was focus on the psychology of the consumer and the structure of the income verticals, so businesses could scale quickly. Her motto: “Don’t outspend your competition; outsmart them!”

That was another gift of circus training— knowing when to take calculated risks. She soon found that as a consultant she had to rely on marketing companies to execute her strategies, and “most of them were overcharging and underdelivering.” So, she started a marketing company. As she networked, she realized that many small businesses couldn’t afford to get the word out about what they offered. “My specialty is in processes and systems,” she says. Through streamlining, she figured out low-cost options for daily customized marketing. Website design, search engine optimization (SEO), social media, ads, retargeting and building technologies—she does it all.

Eventually she moved back to Florida, where she opened Rohring Results, a digital marketing company and small business consultancy. Adjusting to the laid-back local pace flummoxed her at first, but she has grown her firm in three years to 23 employees and more than 140 clients across the country. Thanks to the nationwide focus, “I can still get my hustle bustle,” she says. With a Rohr. As she proclaims in her own advertising, “Are you the predator or prey in your industry?”

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Giulia Salustri, her parents, brothers, and sisters moved to Sarasota from Rome nearly 25 years ago and created what soon became a pillar of St. Armands Circle: Le Colonne restaurant. Bringing with them the aromas, flavors, and longstanding traditions of “La Cucina Italiana,” the family quickly drew both local and vacationing clientele to the intimate eatery.

While her parents, siblings, and staff are in the kitchen cooking, preparing fresh pasta and sauce in the kitchen, “from organic tomatoes, not cans,” she stressed, Giulia does almost everything else. She does the employee scheduling, payroll, hiring, and most importantly, zealously oversees the menu.

“I’m very passionate about food, and I’m very aware of the nutrition of the food and the importance of serving whole food versus processed food,” she explained.

“Our customers know I use a lot of organic ingredients. Like you can see on the menu, most of our vegetables and salads, meat and some wines are organic. This is my passion. When I eat for myself, I eat organic, so, I want my customers to have the same. I want them to eat what I eat.”

Among Giulia’s other passions are the arts, being a patron and a trained classical pianist. “I’ve really found a community here, and I moved here because I’ve found what I was looking for, which was the arts,” she said. She passed along her dedication to the classics to her daughters: one a studied ballet dancer, and the other a trained opera singer with the Sarasota Youth Opera.

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Giulia is also a real estate diva with a deep fondness for our community, promoting its many charms as her time permits. However, on a Saturday morning, you’ll likely see her at the Farmers Market, carefully selecting some robust eggplant, zucchini, or other fresh, colorful produce for mouthwatering restaurant entrees to come.

Virginia

SHEARER

To Virginia Shearer, becoming executive director of Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design in August 2021 felt like a homecoming and natural next step.

“I’m energized by the opportunity to help shepherd this young institution during a crucial period of growth and integration,” says Shearer, who comes to this role after 16 years as a senior executive overseeing education, interpretation, and public programs at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta. Previously, she served as deputy director of education and public programs at the Tampa Museum of Art and as education director at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art from 1997 to 2003. “I’ve always had a fondness for Sarasota and admired the city’s steadfast commitment to the arts,” she says.

“Our goal is to establish a strong reputation as a vital and vibrant institution, build a dynamic slate of exhibitions and public programs, and cement the Museum’s position

as one of the main pillars of Sarasota’s arts and cultural community.”

Her vision for the Museum and its campus is to create a stimulating and welcoming environment for all members of our community and visitors alike, and especially for those who are art curious. “The Museum’s Founders, Trustees, and inaugural leadership created an exceptional space and programming,” she notes, “I am honored to take the reins and build upon the foundation they created.”

Shearer is poised and ready to offer her vision and strong leadership at a pivotal time for the Museum. “I’m focused on growing and expanding our audience so that the Museum remains relevant and is reflective of our ever-changing, diverse community here in Sarasota,” Shearer explains.

“Connecting to others through their art and creativity really resonates for people coming here to the Museum and reminds us of how interconnected we are.”

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Andrea

SPELLMAN Dr. Andrea Spellman is an accomplished plastic surgeon with an eye for detail, a passion for helping people, and an enduring commitment to her community. “One of the things that I love most about my job is that I’m able to truly help people and make an impact on their lives,” she says.

our patients and are never going to offer something they don’t need.” As a self-described perfectionist, Dr. Spellman also brings an appreciation for the artistic component to her work. “I get to enhance beauty while helping patients feel more comfortable.”

Specializing in facial plastic surgery, Dr. Spellman and the Hillstrom Wright Facial Plastic Surgery team offer world-class care and a comprehensive menu of services, including surgical and injectable treatments, facials, and other noninvasive, non-surgical procedures to achieve natural-looking results.

“We truly have so many options for our patients. That’s why I encourage anyone interested to come in for a consultation, because many times there’s something that we can do to help.”

Now, Dr. Spellman is looking forward to working with her incredible colleagues to deliver the same great care that Hillstrom Wright Facial Plastic Surgery has for the last 25 years. Future plans for the practice include expanding their range of services and participation in the community.

Outside of the office, Dr. Spellman plans to stay active with the community as well. “One of my favorite things to do is to explore the area with my two young children,” she says.

The saying, "doing what you love means you'll never work At Hillstrom Wright Facial Plastic Surgery, patients can a day in your life" rings true for Dr. Spellman. “I sincerely expect a customized experience with doctors dedicated love coming to the office every day, working with my to providing the highest level of care. “We are honest with amazing team, and getting to do what I do.”

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Dee

STEPHENSON Whether it’s making patients feel at ease in her ophthalmology practice or cooking an epicurean meal with friends, Dr. Dee Stephenson loves – and devotes herself fully to – all she does. As the CEO of Stephenson Eye Associates in Venice, she and her staff have worked hard to be responsive and create a good patient experience.

Since 1989, her practice has been located in a restored 1926 Italian Renaissance home which adds to the boutique office feeling. In addition to general ophthalmology, Dee is a board certified ophthalmic surgeon with a special expertise in custom laser cataract surgery and Premium Intraocular lenses.

Having known she wanted to be a doctor since age five, Dee was attracted to ophthalmology because it offered the professional satisfaction of a field that continues advancing while allowing the flexibility of devoting time to family and travel. Recognized recently by the prestigious Ophthalmic

World Leaders, Dee received the 2020 Visionary Leader Award and was also selected as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Women in Ophthalmology.

Dee serves on many surgical advisory boards, participates in many clinical trials, and lectures internationally. She is also a part of a group of female ophthalmologists who generously share their experiences with young women entering the field to help them build successful practices and create a balanced life. She loves spending time with her mom, who lives locally, and her daughter and son-in-law.

When not working, Dee is planning her next travel experience. Dee is a strong supporter of the Venice Theatre and the Venice Lions Club, where she has been a member for 30 years. She participates in the Lions free eye care clinics and is a provider for eye care and surgeries through their program.

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&

TIFFANY TOALE

For Stephanie and Tiffany Toale, helping other families is a family tradition of their own dating back to 1948, when their grandfather and great uncle purchased Toale Brothers Funeral Home. Now, nearly a century and three generations later, Funeral Directors Stephanie and Tiffany are continuing their family legacy and pursuing their passion for serving others.

Level-headed and empathetic, Stephanie’s personal strengths are a natural fit for her work. “I love meeting people and getting to learn about their loved ones, their history, and their culture,” Stephanie says. “Seeing the strength and love that families and friends bring to one another is a beautiful part of my job.”

For Tiffany, “being a source of support and helping people by giving them the knowledge to choose the service they want is incredibly rewarding.” Her easy-going nature combined with her motivation and creativity allow her to turn families’ wishes into reality.

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STEPHANIE TOALE

Though Stephanie and Tiffany wear many hats, their greatest focus is on providing a personalized experience for the families they support. Joined by a trusted team with decades of experience, they work directly with families to be helpful, informative, and supportive. This also involves educating the community about Toale Brothers’ Pre-Need Program, which allows individuals to pre-plan arrangements for a loved one or themselves. “We believe in offering this program because we have seen its impact firsthand. Planning in advance is a meaningful way to provide families with support down the road.”

As they look to the future, Stephanie and Tiffany plan to make families’ experiences easier by integrating technology in new areas of their business, while continuing to honor Toale Brothers’ long tradition of personal connection and support.

When Tatiana Twarowski and her husband, Greg, founded Carats in 2013, she quickly discovered that the jewelry business is very fulfilling. She says, “It's rewarding because we celebrate life with our clients.”

With a master’s degree in accounting, Tatiana participates in all facets of this family company, from creating financial reports to meeting with clients. “It's just amazing when a gentleman comes in looking for an engagement ring, and you can just see the love in his eyes. He could be 25, or in his 50s, but the butterflies are the same. He wants to get the best he can for the woman he loves, and he gets teary, and we get teary. I’m tearing up right now,” she says with a laugh.

“It doesn't matter whether you have $1,500 in your pocket or you have $50,000—everybody gets the same personalized attention.”

Although the Twarowskis trade gems globally, Tatiana considers the Bay Road store a neighborhood business. She and Greg live blocks away. She keeps a pair of heels in the car so that she can segue instantly from a soccer/crew/volleyball/tennis mom of three to a personal jewelry consultant.

Tatiana loves sharing in joyous occasions across the lifespan: parents buying birthstones and graduation bracelets, women marking milestones and promotions with new earrings, grandparents refurbishing heirlooms for a new generation. Sometimes the Twarowskis use their connec tions to sell vintage jewelry, but Tatiana also recalls helping a matriarch transform one antique necklace into five modern ones for her five modern granddaughters.

Those original customers with butterflies in their stomachs return for anniversary “upgrades,” too. "We're very good at finding large diamonds, one of a kind,” says Tatiana.

She and Greg discuss cut, color, clarity. “Once clients understand the differences, they can make an educated decision.”

And there’s always a box of tissues nearby for the happy tears.

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Gina URSINI

It’s no surprise that Gina Ursini is excited about opening her new firm. Brista Realty, a branch of her developer husband’s company Brista Homes, represents a new direction in her life and allows her to work in the areas she loves most — design and helping people.

A former teacher and 30-year resident of the Sarasota area, she finds that skills that proved successful in teaching serve her well in real estate.

“I look at my role as teaching and guiding clients through the buying and selling process,” she said. “I love decorating and design and have since I was a teenager.

When buyers or sellers learn that I have this background they ask for my advice.

They call it ‘Gina’s Touch.’”

Gina gets right in there with sellers, moving around their furniture, rearranging, and adding and subtracting household items to show a property in its best light.

“Something small can make a huge difference,” she said. “I have gone into homes that were so filled with furniture you couldn’t get a feel for the floor plan.

I removed some furniture, redesigned the home using their current furniture, had it professionally cleaned and they sold right away.”

Gina doesn’t just help home buyers. She and her husband committed themselves to an orphaned boy in Uganda, helping him along his life’s journey, paying for his education. “He graduated from college last May!” she said.

Closer to home, Gina is helping a homeless mother “get out of poverty and back on track.” She moved mother and children into one of her husband’s investment properties and is providing guidance that will help propel them into a bright future.

“The most important piece of advice I've ever received is to prioritize God, family, and work in that order. I try my best to live up to it. I believe that it is true.”

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Chris

VOELKER

As if she doesn’t already have enough on her plate, restaurateur Chris Voelker has just returned from California for inspiration for a new exciting restaurant venture. She won’t reveal the details yet, but knowing Chris, she will take Sarasota by storm, again.

Hailing from Los Angeles, her first venture in the industry was State Street Eating House + Cocktails in Sarasota. The L.A. urban-vibe restaurant soon became wildly popular, attracting appreciative guests and winning prestigious awards.

“I found to my surprise in that I loved meeting the community - it is a big bonus of owning a restaurant,” Chris admits. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s very gratifying. You meet the coolest people. I had the opportunity to meet a lot of people that I might not have normally met. And our employees are great people.”

Chris also holds board positions in many aspects of community welfare, mastering the art of making a difference:

improving downtown, supporting Sarasota Memorial Hospital, and more. As Humane Society Chair, she effected significant enhancements including renovating the facility, and adding a high-end, low-cost veterinarian clinic. The clinic made quality pet healthcare affordable while providing the Society a much-needed revenue stream.

“I am passionate about all my endeavors; it runs through everything I do,” Chris says. “I have boundless energy, so I think it’s in my DNA to keep very busy.”

Today, she spends much of her time tending to the restaurant. “I have people saying, ‘we want to thank you for keeping the restaurant open as best you can (during the pandemic), and we appreciate the quality of your food.’

And that is very heartwarming.”

Covid remains a challenge, even in the upcoming launch of a new restaurant. Chris remains undaunted. “Challenging is the key word,” she says. “You just have to figure it out.”

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Linda WARE For nine years, Massachusetts native Linda Ware served as Director of Sales and Marketing at the Sarasota Bay Club. “It was a fabulous experience,” she says about working at the luxury independent living community located on the water in downtown Sarasota. In 2018, Linda got her real estate license and has been doing real estate part time from Punta Gorda to Sarasota.

Ware is ready to embark on a career as a full-time realtor with Exit King Realty. Her life’s purpose is to teach, inspire, and encourage people of all ages to live abundant and joyful lives. Helping others find their dream home is a way to make that happen.

Exit King is the right fit for her, she says. “It’s run by a husband/wife team where everyone is like a big family.

We all support and uplift each other which creates the ideal working environment to thrive and grow. They

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create individual business plans for each agent. If you follow it, you will be successful!”

When Ware isn’t working, she’s gardening, swimming, walking, doing Yoga, volunteering at her church, and constantly working on home improvements. In addition, she is a wife, mother and grandmother. All of this leads to a well-rounded approach to life and living in a home that makes people comfortable.

These life experiences and her attention to detail make her a real estate agent people are drawn to.

Ware loves real estate. Her clients rave about her guidance, support, and attention to detail. “I answer all their questions and listen—really listen—to what they’re looking for,” she says.

“I’m their biggest advocate. I take care of them throughout the entire process, from the minute they start looking until we close on their new dream home or sell their existing home.”

Jane Windsor has devoted her career to helping students of all ages gain equal access to achieve educational success. Originally a teacher, Jane found her passion and natural ability was advocating for special learners.

“I saw the needs of my students and realized I could help them gain access to tools that no one else could,” says Jane.

Jane

WINDSOR

Over the last 11 years, Jane has built Windsor Law, a mission-driven education law practice committed to protecting the rights of students, children, and families across Florida. Supported by an incredible team—Client and Referral Specialist, Amy Lanman, and Paralegal Jeanne Brittain, FRP—that share her passion, Jane offers unmatched service, including an initial advisory consultation, follow up after research, and network of referrals. She says, “Our goal is to help as many people as we can.”

Jane’s unending motivation and co m pa s sio n larg el y co me s f ro m personal experience with dyslexia and ADHD. “I was a hardworking student but struggled to get good grades. The right diagnosis and accommodations were vital to my success,” says Jane. As a parent of a student with ADHD, she is also particularly passionate about helping K-12 learners. “Many times, kids give up, or their self-esteem takes a dive, but with the right program, I can help them become successful students and confident individuals.”

Along with providing access to tutors, referrals to testing professionals, and legal counsel, Jane provides a safe and comforting space for her clients. No one on the team does that better than “Ruthie,” short for Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a lovable mutt with the full-time job of making clients comfortable.

“Our team, including Ruthie, share the desire to help our clients feel confident and reach their full potential,” says Jane.

“That will always be our motivation.”

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DIRECTORY ARSENAULT, EMILY, MD, FAAD Founder/Dermatologist Arsenault Dermatology Lakewood Ranch—University: 8926 77th Terrace East, Suite 101 Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 Lakewood Ranch—SR 70: 5860 Ranch Lake Blvd., Suite 103 Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 Downtown Bradenton: 230 Manatee Avenue East Bradenton, FL 34208 West Bradenton: 5807 21st Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34209 East Bradenton: 9652 State Road 64 East Bradenton, FL 34212 (941) 907-0222 info@arsenaultdermatology.com arsenaultdermatology.com

BRADY, VERONICA V Brady Consulting, LLC PO Box 3585 Sarasota, FL 34230 (941) 374-2626 vbradyconsulting@gmail.com

BARRE, JULIE, MD Orthopedic Surgeon & Sports Medicine Provider 360 Orthopedics Sarasota: 2750 Bahia Vista Street, Suite 100, Sarasota, FL 34239 (941) 919-3666 Venice: 435 Commercial Court, Venice, FL 34292 (941) 919-3842 Lakewood Ranch: 5985 Silver Falls Run, Suite 101, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 (941) 919-3847 General Inquiries: 941-360-2233 360-orthopedics.com

BURGESS, BONTI CEO/Administrator Bright Day Home Healthcare 4115 Bee Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL 34233 (941) 955-8900 brightdayhomehealth.com

BURKE, CHERYL Proprietor Sea Cup And Up / Under The Sea 1810 S. Osprey Ave. Sarasota 941.951.BRAS(2727) seacupandup@gmail.com seacupandup.com BURKE, CHERYL Owner/Curator Burke Antiques 72 Palm Ave South, Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 552-8505 info@burkeantiques.net burkeantiques.net

CALLAHAN, KATHY Realtor® LBKathy at Michael Saunders 440 Gulf of Mexico Drive 941.900.8088 kathycallahan@michaelsaunders.com LBKathy.com

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CALLENDER, PAULETTE The Spice & Tea Exchange of Sarasota 345 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota, Fl 34236 941.388.1411 p.callender@spiceandtea.com spiceandtea.com/sarasota COGAN, AIMEE, CFP®, CIMA® Managing DirectorWealth Management, Wealth Advisor Morgan Stanley 2 N Tamiami Trail, Suite 1100, Sarasota, FL 34236 941.363.8515 aimee.cogan@msmorganstanley.com fa.morganstanley.com/ bellwethergroup CONEY, CHRISTINE, RNC, BSN, CLC Birth Designer/ Clinical Program Coordinator The Women’s Center at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center 8330 Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 (941) 782-2229 lakewoodranchmedicalcenter.com DE MAIO, ALYSIA Co-Founder, Designer Eve Swimwear alysia@eveswim.com eveswim.com

DIRECTORY DUNCAN, DARCIE Broker/Owner Duncan Real Estate 310 Pine Ave, Anna Maria, FL 34216 (941) 779-0304 info@teamduncan.com teamduncan.com GARDNER, BARBARA VANDERKOLK President/Owner Collins Interiors, LLC 595 Bay Isles Rd Suite 120F, Longboat Key, FL 34228 941.383.0131 bvgardner@collinsinteriordesign.com collinsinteriordesign.com GLANZ, BARBARA, CSP, CPAE Keynote Speaker/Author Barbara Glanz Communications Inc 6140 Midnight Pass Rd #802, Sarasota, FL 34242 Office: (941) 312-9169 Cell: (708) 829-8594 bglanz@barbaraglanz.com barbaraglanz.com GLASCO, APRIL, PHD Founder/CEO Second Chance Last Opportunity, Inc. 1933 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Sarasota, FL 34234 Office: (941) 360-8660 Cell: (941) 549-5253 aglasco63@gmail.com secondchancelastopportunity.org

GRAPEVINE COMMUNICATIONS HARRIS, GABRIELE Vice President of Business Development gharris@grapeinc.com IMRE, ALLISON President/CEO/Owner aimre@grapeinc.com GRASSO, LISA Executive Art Director lgrasso@grapeinc.com 5201 Paylor Lane Sarasota, FL 34240 941.351.0024 grapeinc.com

HOLBROOK, KAREN, PHD Regional Chancellor University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee Campus 8350 N Tamaimi Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243 941.359.4340 kholbrook@usf.edu usfsm.edu HUPP, MICHELLE CEO, The Hupp Group

Keller Williams Island Life Real Estate

HARRIS, ASA Director of Sales & Marketing Art Ovation Hotel 1255 N. Palm Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 316-0808 aathomas@artovationhotel.com artovationhotel.com HILTON, MALAKA Founder/President Admiral Travel 1284 N Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 951-1801 travel@admiraltravel.com admiraltravel.com HIXON, MARGARET President/Co-Founder Vimvest Advisors 3322 Bee Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL 34239 margaret@vimvestadvisors.com vimvestadvisors.com

206 Harbor Drive S, Venice, FL 34285 (941) 773-5464 michellehupp@thehuppgroup.com thehuppgroup.kw.com ICARD MERRILL WALLACE, JAIME Head of the Family Law Department jwallace@icardmerrill.com MESHBERGER, LINDSEY Family Law Department lmeshberger@icardmerrill.com ZUBERER, TELESE President tzuberer@icardmerrill.com NOHREN, ALYSSA Real Estate Attorney anohren@icardmerrill.com Sarasota (Main Office): 2033 Main Street, Suite 600 Sarasota, Fl 34237 941.366.8100 Lakewood Ranch: 8470 Enterprise Circle, Suite 201 Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 941.907.0006

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DIRECTORY Punta Gorda: 252 West Marion Avenue Unit 1127 Punta Gorda, FL 33950 St. Petersburg: 200 Beach Drive NE, Unit 1 St. Petersburg, FL 33701 JACOB, DARCI Owner/Operator Darci 1441 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 330-2800 dljacob1@verizon.net shopdarci.com JACOBS, DOLLY Founder & Vice President The Circus Arts Conservatory 2075 Bahia Vista Street, Sarasota, FL 34239 941.355.9335 info@circusarts.org circusarts.org JERDE, ROXIE President/CEO Community Foundation of Sarasota 2635 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota FL 34237 (941) 955-3000 roxie@cfsarasota.org cfsarasota.org JOHNSON, CHRISTINE President Conservation Foundation P.O. Box 902 400 Palmetto Ave, Osprey, FL 34229-0902 (941) 918-2100 christine@conservationfoundation.com conservationfoundation.com

JOKIC, DANICA Design & Strategy (941) 928-6729 danicajokicart@gmail.com KELLY-LAVIOLETTE, JORDAN Content Creator/Photographer/ Social Media Marketing 941.961.3257 jordan@jordankellyl.com jordankellyl.com Instagram: @jordankellyl_ Facebook: @jordankellylav KING, MARY Attorney and Counselor at Law Law Office of Mary E. King, P.L. 3389 Magic Oak Ln, Sarasota, FL 34232 (941) 906-7585 tax@kinglawpl.com taxlawyerflorida.com KNEGO, SIMONE Keynote Speaker/ Author simone@simoneknego.com simoneknego.com LEVIN, ROBYN Strategic Marketing & PR Robyn Levin Media info@robynlevin.com robynlevin.com Instagram: @robynlevin youtube.com/robynlevin LOU, AMY Owner/Interior Designer Amy Lou Interiors 5317 Lena Road Suite 107 Bradenton, FL 34211 (941) 400-0803 info@amylou.com amylou.com

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MACKENZIE, GWEN Board Member Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation B-, 1515 S Osprey Ave #4, Sarasota, FL 34239 (941) 917-1286 smhf.org MAKSOUD, CHRISTINA Creative Director/Co-Owner MakSchu, LLC. 1748 Independence Blvd Suite# F5 Sarasota, FL 34234 (941) 718-9671 productions@makschu.com makschu.com MASON, DEBBIE, CFRE, APR, CPRC, FELLOW PRSA President Tidewell Foundation 5955 Rand Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34238 (941) 552-7546 dmason@tidewellfoundation.org tidewellfoundation.org MCGILLICUDDY, GRACI Child Advocate All Star Children’s Foundation 1221 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34239 941.349.6605 graci@ascf.care allstarchildrensfoundation.org

DIRECTORY MONTELIONE, ROBERTA Executive Chef Milan Catering and Event Design, LLC 4141 S Tamiami Trail #3, Sarasota, FL 34231 941.312.0000 milancatering.com MOON, TRUDY President Air & Energy 555 6th Avenue West Bradenton, Florida 34205 (941)-778-0773 trudymoon@airandenergy.biz airandenergy.biz MORRIS, JILL, M., D.M.D., N.M.D. Accredited Holistic Cosmetic Dentist World Class Dentistry 3951 Swift Rd, Sarasota, FL 34231 941.923.6363 jillmorris@sarasotadentist. com sarasotadentist.com THE MüV FLORIDA & JOSHPROVIDES PARTNERSHIP BILAN, ANDRIA CEO CHAPNICK, SANDRA Co-Founder JoshProvides Epilepsy Assistance Foundation 5428 Sundew Dr, Sarasota, FL 34238 800.706.2740 info@joshprovides.org joshprovides.org

SMULLEN, TRACI Co-Founder/ Director Community Relations MüV Florida 1451 Global Court, Sarasota, FL 34240 altmedflorida.com

PEEPLES, JENNIFER Agency Owner The Peeples Insurance Agency Sarasota: 8270 Bee Ridge Road Sarasota, Florida 34241 Bradenton: 1808 Cortez Road West Bradenton, Florida 34207 (941) 377-7654 jen@peeplesins.com peeplesins.com

NICOLOSI, PERSEFONI General Manager Café L’Europe 431 St. Armands Circle Sarasota, FL 34236 941.388.4415 manager@cafeleurope.net cafeleurope.net OKKER, PATRICIA, PHD President RUIZ, MARY CEO of Ruiz Strategic Advisors Board of Trustees Chair New College of Florida 5800 Bay Shore Road Sarasota, FL 34243 (941) 487-5000 www.ncf.edu OTT JAAKOLA, JACKIE Executive Director EveryCat Health Foundation 637 Wyckoff Avenue, Suite 336 Wyckoff, NJ 07481 info@everycat.org everycat.org

REID, MORAG Owner/Chocolateer Banyan Tree Chocolate & Cafe 5170 Palmer Plaza Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34233 (941) 923-2462 morag@banyantreechocolate.com banyantreechocolate.com ROBERTI, JOANNA (941) 780-8800 tpjlo@me.com ROHR, BRITTANY Founder Rohring Results 1201 6th Ave W Suite #100, Bradenton, FL 34205 (941) 932-1927 rohringresults.com SALUSTRI, GIULIA General Manager Le Colonne Restaurant 22 S Boulevard of the Presidents, Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 388-4348 gm.lecolonne@yahoo.com

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DIRECTORY THE SARASOTA BALLET MARGARET BARBIERI Assistant Director/Repetiteur WEIDNER GOLDSTEIN, JEAN Founder GOLEMME, PAT Vice Chair, Board of Trustees RICHARDSON, MANDY-JAYNE Balet Mistress ROBINSON, SARA Chief Advancement Officer STROMAN, LAUREN Senior Development Officer MILES BURGER, DIERDRE Assistant Education Director KRAZIT, SARAH Principal of The Sarasota Ballet School TAYLOR, LAUREN Education Administrator BROWN, DANIELLE Principal Dancer HULLAND, VICTORIA Principal Dancer BUI, ASIA Coryphée 555 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243 (941) 359-0099 sarasotaballet.org SCALA, MICHELLE, DMD Family & Cosmetic Dentist Lakewood Ranch Family & Cosmetic Dentistry 8430 Enterprise Cir #100, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 (941) 907-4777 drscala@lakewoodranchsmiles.com lakewoodranchsmiles.com

STATE COLLEGE OF FLORIDA & ITS FOUNDATION PROBSTFELD, CAROL F. SCF President KNIGHT, TRACY District Board of Trustees HOLMES, CASSANDRA Executive Director, SCF Foundation KORSZEN, DOROTHY chair of the SCF Foundation Board of Directors SCF Bradenton: 5840 26th St. W. Bradenton, FL 34207 941-752-5000 SCF Lakewood Ranch: 7131 Professional Pkwy.

Sarasota, FL 34240 941-363-7000 SCF Venice: 8000 S. Tamiami Tr. Venice, FL 34293 941-408-1300 SCF Online: 941-752-5000 scf.edu SHEARER, VIRGINIA Executive Director Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 309 4300 info@sarasota.art sarasotaartmuseum.org

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SPELLMAN, ANDREA Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose & Throat) Specialist Hillstrom Wright Plastic Surgery 5911 N Honore Ave #120, Sarasota, FL 34243 941.355.3223 info@hillstromplasticsurgery.com hillstromplasticsurgery.com STEPHENSON, P. DEE, M.D., F.A.C.S. President/CFO Stephenson Eye Associates 200 Palermo Place Venice, FL 34285 941.485.1121 stephensoneye@aol.com stephensoneye.com TOALE, TIFFANY Funeral Director TOALE, STEPHANIE Funeral Director Toale Brothers Funeral Home & Crematory Colonial Chapel 40 N. Orange Avenue Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 955-4171 Ewing Chapel 140 E. Venice Ave Venice, FL 34285 (941) 488-7737 Bradenton Chapel 912 53rd Ave W Bradenton, FL 34207 (941) 746-6191 Gulf Gate Chapel 6903 S. Tamiami Tr. Sarasota, FL 34231 (941) 955-4171

DIRECTORY Pre Arrangement Center 40 N. Orange Avenue Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 955-4171 info@toalebrothers.com toalebrothers.com TWAROWSKI, TATIANA Proprietor Carats Fine Jewelry & Watches 1922 Bay Road, Sarasota, Florida 34239 (941) 926-3335 caratsfinejewelryandwatches.com URSINI, GINA Broker/Owner Brista Realty 1656 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34236 941.812.4894 gina@bristarealty.com bristarealty.com VOELKER, CHRIS Proprietor State Street Eating House + Cocktails 1533 State Street, Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 951-1533 statestreetsrq.com WARE, LINDA Sales Representative Exit King Realty 1800 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL, 34293 (941) 525-0343 beamlove@verizon.net exitrealty.com/agent/Linda/ Ware/242075/

WINDSOR, JANE Attorney Windsor Law, LLC 2014 4th Street, Sarasota, FL 34237 (941) 487-7527 jane@windsoreducationlaw.com windsoreducationlaw.com

Can’t Get Enough of Scene Magazine?

WILSON, SUSAN Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor, Family Wealth Advisor Morgan Stanley 2 N Tamiami Trail Ste 1100, Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 364-7476 advisor.morganstanley.com/ susan.t.wilson

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WOMEN behind THE SCENES Sally

BAILEY

Accountant Sally A. Bailey has been keeping Sarasota Scene’s finances running smoothly since joining the team in November 2019, and also keeps publisher John Knowles on his toes!

A dog lover, Sally also works at the Humane Society.

Marilyn BAUER

Marilyn Bauer is an award-winning writer and twotime National Endowment for the Arts fellow. She has written for most major newspapers in the U.S. and for numerous consumer magazines and websites including National Geographic Traveler, Self, Art in America and Western Art & Architecture,

Caitlin BOLTON Caitlin Bolton is a communications and marketing chameleon known for her creativity, problem-solving abilities, and strategic thinking. Founder of CB Communications and Communications Specialist with Miles Partnership, she specializes in branding, content strategy, and integrated communications.

SARASOTA SCENE | WOMEN ON THE SCENE 2021

& Key Contributors

Sharon CASTELLANO Sharon Castellano found her passion for publishing and media when she moved to Florida from Westport, CT, almost a decade ago. Working with local, national & international publications, she has created relevant content and marketing plans to ensure her clients get just the right exposure. Reach her at (203) 984-7577.

Lisa CODIANNE FOWLER Lisa Codianne Fowler is a Sarasota-based award-winning journalist who has covered destinations from St. Petersburg, Florida to St. Petersburg, Russia. Find her byline on features about luxury, food, wine, people, pets, and more on local, national, and international venues. For Sarasota Scene Magazine, she feels privileged to highlight the accomplishments of Sarasota’s most notable residents.

Lisa is also a veteran audiobook producer and a creative website dabbler. Visit whereislisanow.com, and enjoy her newest passion, goodolddoggie.com.

Nancy GUTH

Nancy Guth is a freelance photographer based in Sarasota. If she’s not taking pictures, she’s riding her bike, walking the Ringling Bridge, or creating unique art that can be found at State of The Arts Gallery in downtown. See her photography in Sarasota Scene and online at nancyguth.com.

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Darcy

KELLY-LAVIOLETTE

Illustrator, designer, and 3D modeler Darcy Kelly-Laviolette is Art Director of Sarasota Scene, where she leads creative design of editorial, layout, and advertising. She has been with the magazine since 2017 and is an active freelancer, providing logo design, branding collateral, album art, merchandise design, and advertising for bands and small businesses, both locally and around the world. Find her work at darcykellyl.com.

John KNOWLES Sarasota Scene publisher John Knowles is an avid cycler, dog person, and small business supporter who embraces warm weather and the Gulf Coast culture and philanthropic lifestyle. Reach him at (941)365-1119

Gina LIGA Gina Liga is Sarasota Scene’s social media wizard and go-to gal for e-newsletters, custom digital marketing campaigns, plus magazine sections including events calendars and “The Find.” Before joining Sarasota Scene, she was Meetings and Special Events Coordinator at the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota and Marketing Director & Executive Assistant at Michael’s on East.

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Wendy

LYONS SUNSHINE

Award-winning journalist and best-selling author Wendy Lyons Sunshine has written about and with changemakers, researchers, doctors, and entrepreneurs for publications ranging from The New York Times to D CEO. Today she serves as editor-in-chief of Sarasota Scene and authors the Tender Paws column for PsychologyToday.com. Learn more at wendylsunshine.com.

Paul MACNAMARA the executive editor

have to tell you ng a magazine t and planning urrying along, ne’s June and n the moment efinitely don’t

ning for Scene ays. My friend e BNP Paribas he world in a major.” One of s that I qualify practice areas st-match press n such as me.

my first choice, as founded in – Lucille Ball ad the classic emporary flair. here a crooner eat American

Advertising specialist Paul McNamara hails from England. He joined Sarasota Scene last year, bringing more than 20 years experience in advertising and direct mail publishing in NYC and Tampa. Contact him directly at (917) 751-6506 or Paul@scenesarasota.com.

Julie MILTON Former Sarasota Scene owner, publisher, and executive editor (2007-2019), Julie started Women on the Scene in 2009.

She now handles strategic partnerships for the magazine.

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Laura SHOEMAKER Laura Shoemaker is a writer and a teacher with a background in nonprofit community engagement.

She lives in Sarasota with her partner and two kids and teaches in the First-Year Writing program at Ringling College of Art + Design.

Ryan VAN CLEAVE Ryan G. Van Cleave runs the Creative Writing Program at Ringling College of Art and Design. He's the author of more than twenty books, including Memoir Writing for Dummies, The Weekend Book Proposal, and the forthcoming Writing Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror for Dummies. Find him at www.ryangvancleave.com and www.onlypicturebooks.com.

Sylvia

WHITMAN

A faculty member at Ringling College of Art and Design, Sylvia Whitman writes for both adults and children. Her young adult novel, The Milk of Birds, was named one of the International Reading Association’s 2014 Notable Books for a Global Society. Her new middle-grade novel, If You Meet the Devil, Don’t Shake Hands, will be published by Regal House Publishing in fall 2023. Learn more at sylviawhitmanbooks.com.

SARASOTA SCENE | WOMEN ON THE SCENE 2021

Susan Wilson Susan Wilson has developed a perfect blend of work, community engagement, and recreation in her life.

As Senior Vice President, Wealth Management at Morgan Stanley, Wilson has numerous clients who have been with her for many years and each year new clients susan seek her out. She wilson ad is notably on the Forbes 2020/2021 List of Top Women Wealth Advisors.

Since 2020, Wilson’s job has expanded. She now works with a larger team, called the Cornerstone Capital Group at Morgan Stanley. “It means we have more resources to bring to our clients,” says Wilson.

“My partner, Financial Advisor Tom Bardwell, and I run the Sarasota branch of that group.”

Wilson takes great pride in treating her customers—new and old—like family.

Wilson began her financial career in 1981 in Dallas. In 1983 she moved to Manhattan, where she lived for 30 years. Now Wilson and her husband, Charlie, live on Bird Key and are very engaged in the Sarasota community.

Senior Vice President Financial Advisor Family Wealth Advisor “We’re very involved with the Van Wezel Foundation,” says Wilson.

“I served on the Gala Committee there for a number of years and my husband is now on the Foundation Board.”

The bulk of Wilson’s volunteering time goes to the Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center. “I serve on their annual Gala Auction Committee,” says Wilson, “which is the major fundraiser for that organization. I’ve been on that committee for the last six years which represents a lot of gratifying work. Our goal for this year’s Gala is to raise $300,000 to serve the victims of domestic and sexual abuse in our community.”

Wilson and her husband are also great supporters of the arts and regularly sponsor graduate students at the Asolo Repertory Theatre.

When she is not working or helping causes in Sarasota, Wilson enjoys traveling, playing golf locally and internationally, and caring for her Toy Aussie Shepherd, “Storm.”

(941) 364-7476 • advisor.morganstanley.com/susan.t.wilson 2 N Tamiami Trail Ste 1100, Sarasota, FL 34236 Source: Forbes.com (April 2021). Top Women Wealth Advisors ranking was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes: client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC and are not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK receives compensation from any party, including Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, nor its Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors in exchange for the ranking. For more information, see www.SHOOKresearch.com.

Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors have engaged Women On The Scene to feature this content.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC3860117 10/21

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