Leadership Sarasota
Engaging, Developing, and Inspiring Community Leaders
Adult Leadership
Program Overview:
Leadership Sarasota, a program of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, offers an opportunity for those enthusiastic about and interested in the leadership and welfare of our community to go behind the scenes and see “how things work”. It is a chance to meet new people, make solid life-long friendships, and experience networking opportunities that might not otherwise be available.
It is about growth – growth in leadership and teamwork skills, and growth in both personal and professional self. Interactions and face-to-face discussions with community leaders, stimulate creative thinking and encourage class members to become more involved. The class adopts a class project leaving a lasting impact in the community.
Program Objectives:
- To identify and inspire future and current community leaders
- To develop leadership skills and qualities of participants through in-depth views of the county
- To stimulate communication among present and future leaders
- To assist those already in leadership roles to increase their access to additional positions of community leadership in an informed and responsible manner
- To motivate and encourage participants to assume leadership roles in community affairs
*Please note, Adult Leadership Applications closed on May 2, 2025. Applications will open up in the Spring for the Class of 2027!*
Class of 2026:
Kelly Addington, Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation, Inc.
Jennifer Barbaro, Keiser University
Megan Baxter, Teen Court of Sarasota
Taylor Bennett, The Mall at University Town Center
Will Bobbit, Purmort & Martin Insurance Agency, LLC
Tyler Brown, Icard, Merrill, Cullis, Timm, Furen & Ginsburg, P.A.
Kassandra Burdwood, Willis Smith Construction, Inc.
Michael Butler, J.E. Charlotte Construction Corp.
Hunter Carpenter, Visit Sarasota County
Lisa Charles, Yes! Coach Lisa
Terry Connor, Sarasota County School District
Read Corley, The Corley Company, LLC
Susan Courter, Wessell Construction
Jerry Dakin, Dakin Natural Soils
Alex Davis, AGA Tax and Consulting Services LLC
Cameron Dees, Mariner Wealth Advisors
Brett DeHart, First United Methodist Church of Sarasota
Renee Di Pilato, Sarasota County Government
Austin Dickinson, PNC Bank
Luis Dynia Sanchez, S-One
Miles Fox, RITE Technology
Cassie Friedman, Horizon HR & Bookkeeping
AJ Fritsch, Tandem Construction
Darren Gambrell, USF Sarasota - Manatee
Alia Garrett, City of Sarasota
Dan Greenwald, J.L. Bainbridge & Company, Inc.
David Hall, Michael Saunders & Company
Victoria Hasselbring, All Faiths Food Bank
Zach Henkel, Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce
Jeanine Johnson, SailorGirl Companies
Heather Koester, Engel & Voelkers Sarasota
Xavier Koffman, Sunwest Bank
Ariana Laboy Mena, Dickinson & Gibbons, P.A.
MaryEllen Mancini, Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC)
James O'Donnell, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP
Kaitlyn Perez, KPC Strategies
David Plotkin, Unwind Massage & Wellness Studio
Jeffrey Pourchier, New College of Florida
Arianne Roberts, Children First
Lane Ruise, Creative Arts Academy
Amber Rylak, Education Foundation of Sarasota County
Kristin Scarborough, SunCoast Blood Center
Kyle Sebastian, Four Winds IT
Virginia Shearer, Sarasota Art Museum
Jamie Smith, State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota
Devin Smith, Diamond Banc
Kevin Thompson, Gecko's Hospitality Group
Stacy Van Buren, Gulf Coast Community Foundation
Stephen Wells, JPL & Associates
Carrie Wilks, Compass Business Solutions
Leadership Sarasota is...
"Where you want to be"
-Philip Tavill,
Class of 1993, Adult Leadership Chair for the Class of 2022
Jamie Kahns, Bank of America
William Skaggs, The Players Centre for Performing Arts
Lucia Panica, City of Sarasota
Thomas Williams, Education Foundation of Sarasota County - PLANit Sarasota
Youth Leadership
Program Overview:
Youth Leadership, a program of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, is an exciting and educational experience for rising high school juniors and seniors. Students learn about the diversity and complexities of the community accomplished through participation in a nine-month, structured experiential program that meets once a month during school hours, all while earning community service hours.
Students are encouraged to review their course load when deciding to apply for the Youth Leadership program as acceptance into the class means that attendance is mandatory.
Program Objectives:
- Identify rising high school juniors and seniors who are leaders or have demonstrated leadership potential.
- Give young people the knowledge, tools and contacts to create successful leaders.
- Instill and nurture a sense of social responsibility in our youth.
- Offer a forum for young leaders to express their needs, goals and opinions.
- Explore the diverse facets of Sarasota's social, government and business environments.
- Provide participants a chance to serve their community.
- Present young leaders with a rewarding and fun experience while exploring career options in the Sarasota area.
- This program is about the youths learning about their county and community in hopes that they stay in Sarasota and consider it as their future home.
The Youth Class of 2025/2026 will be announced soon!
Youth Leadership is...
"Creating the future"
-Hilton Hudson,
Graduate of Youth Leadership Class of 2021
Rafeh K
Ella S
Engage Sarasota
2025/2026 Engage Sarasota Applications are OPEN!
Chamber Members: $495 | Non-Members: $625
Registration deadline: September 12Program Overview:
Engage Sarasota is a community orientation program for executives and residents who are eager to establish business and civic relationships, meet area leaders, and want to fast-track their knowledge about the inner working of greater Sarasota – all with a minimum investment of time and money.
Participants Will:
- Broaden their working knowledge and understanding of the community via a monthly luncheon series with targeted topics at each program.
- Acquaint themselves with formal and informal decision-making channels and local leaders - the people who make things happen.
- Connect topics and meet people who will enrich their lives as business persons and residents.
"The Engage Sarasota Program ...
offers extremely valuable information from a wide variety of community sectors in a time efficient manner. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to more know about (or become more involved in) our community. Your Sarasota pride will greatly increase if you participate!"
-Tim Self,
Gulfside Bank
Leadership Alumni
Leadership Sarasota is 40!
Leadership Sarasota has officially turned 40 years old! It's time to celebrate. Join us at the Gator Club for a memorable night of fun, food, live music and reconnecting to past alumni.
Ticket includes 2 complimentary drinks and a Gecko's Taco Bar! Don't forget to wear your SimSoc Color.
One lucky winner will receive two round trip Southwest Airlines tickets at the event.
Sponsorships Available! Click Here to learn more!
Thursday, October 9, 2025
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
The Gator Club
Leadership Alumni - $75
This event is open to Leadership Alumni and their guests.
Celebrate Outstanding Leadership Awards (COL):
Leadership Sarasota strives to have members remain engaged in the program and the community. Special events are held throughout the year specifically designed as social events or tours of points of interest. “Celebrate Outstanding Leadership Awards” is a luncheon held each year to honor graduates who have demonstrated outstanding leadership both in the leadership program and the community.
Past Honorees:
2019- Carol Butera & Michele Grimes
2020- Pam Beitlich
2021- Chris Gallagher
2022- Joy Mahler
2023 - Lisa Krouse
2024 - William Merrill III
2019 - David Lafferty & Eileen Sarris
2020 - Pam Truitt
2021 - Mark Gordon
2022 - Susan Flynn
2023 - Stacy Dillard-Spahn
2024 - Chris Pfahler
2019 - Charlie Bailey & Rick Hughes
2020 - Philip Tavill
2021 - Jennifer Vigne & Joe Hembree
2022 - Deputy City Manager, Patrick Robinson
2023 - John Stump
2024 - Meghan Serrano
Insight Into Leadership Sarasota
Discover the profound impact of our Leadership Program through the voices of past alums! Hear firsthand accounts of how this transformative experience shaped their leadership journeys and left a lasting mark.
Thank You To Our Annual Sponsors
