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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 Bobbitt, 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.

Youth Leadership Class of 2026:

Neil Acharya, Pine View School
Christian Barrett, Pine View School
Clara Bloodworth, The Out-of-Door Academy
Boone Callaway, Riverview High School
Jackson Chapman, Sarasota High School
Kenley Crowley, Sarasota High School
Maddie Danko, Lakewood Ranch High School
Sophie Duell, The Out-of-Door Academy
Garrett Emrich, Sarasota Christian School
Kate Gingras, Riverview High School
Matthew Grajkowski, Venice High School
Parker Green, Booker High School
Kate Grosso, Riverview High School
Harper Hayworth, Riverview High School
Lillian Hersh, Riverview High School
Alex Karanjai, Pine View School
Ethan Kelty, Riverview High School
Liz Khodzhaieva, Pine View School
Selby Kirschner, Sarasota High School
Sarah Latta, Sarasota High School
Carsyn LeBlanc, Riverview High School
Jason Leek, Nelson Private
Maddie Lessig, Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School
Jack Lu, Pine View School

Liam McKay, Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School
Gabe Mehlum, Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School
Stella Misantone, Riverview High School
Aleana Moats, Palmetto High School
Brock Morgan, Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School
Lorenzo Olivieri, The Classical Academy of Sarasota
Will Piazza, Riverview High School
Leah Ramlackhan, Sarasota High School
Matthew Ray, Booker High School
Calista Ream, Pine View School
Chloe Steinhoff, Riverview High School
Bennett Stencik, Riverview High School
Emma Stovall, Sarasota High School
Maddy Taylor, Sarasota High School
Reef Teffenhart, Pine View School
Claire Toale, Sarasota High School
Savannah Torres, Sarasota High School
Nicole Trauger, Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School
Grant Troyer, Riverview High School
Savanna Vest, Booker High School
Kiona Wehlage, Pine View School
Sam Winship, Riverview High School
Oliver Woodbury, Sarasota High School

Youth Leadership is...

"Creating the future"

-Hilton Hudson,
​Graduate of Youth Leadership Class of 2021

Rafeh K

Ella S

Engage Sarasota 

Program 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!

TO USE (1)

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:

Lifetime of Leadership Award
2018- W.E. Chip Gaylor
2019- Carol Butera & Michele Grimes
2020- Pam Beitlich
​2021- Chris Gallagher
2022- Joy Mahler
2023 - Lisa Krouse
​2024 - William Merrill III
2025 - Renee Eppard
Leadership Sarasota Dedication Award
2018 - Dean Crowley
2019 - David Lafferty & Eileen Sarris
2020 - Pam Truitt
​2021 - Mark Gordon
​2022 - Susan Flynn
2023 - Stacy Dillard-Spahn
2024 - Chris Pfahler
2025 - Kameron Hodgens
Impact In Action Award
2018 - Veronica Brandon Miller & Drayton Saunders
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
2025 - Dennis Murphy

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

Thank you to our generous and supportive annual Leadership Sarasota Sponsors!

Because of our sponsors, we're able to offer unique programming and leadership development opportunities to our community. THANK YOU!

If your company is looking to connect with Leadership Sarasota, we have many partnership opportunities! 

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