Alumni of Leadership Sarasota

Join us for a Leadership Class & Alumni Happy Hour on Wednesday, April 2nd, from 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM at Willis Smith Construction! ?? The Leadership Class of 2025 will be wrapping up their Environment Day, and this is a great opportunity to connect with them and fellow alumni. PLUS—Leadership Sarasota is turning 40! ?? As we plan this milestone celebration, we want your input. Take a moment to share your thoughts in the survey below and help shape the future of Leadership Sarasota! https://lnkd.in/erexQ5xu

Leadership Sarasota Alumni – Let’s Connect! ??? Join us on Wednesday, April 2nd at Willis Smith Construction for a special Leadership Sarasota Class & Alumni Happy Hour! ?? The Class of 2025 will be wrapping up their Environment Day, and we invite all active alumni to come network, reconnect, and celebrate the 2025 class. ?? April 2, 2025 | ? 4:30 - 6:00 PM ?? Willis Smith Construction | 5001 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. North Let’s celebrate leadership, connections, and community! See you there! Register online at https://lnkd.in/ebNw34Yk

From icebreakers to trivia battles, last night’s Leadership Connections event was all about bridging generations of leaders in a fun and engaging way! Watching our Adult and Youth Leadership Sarasota classes share ideas, team up, and challenge each other was a reminder that leadership is a lifelong journey. Here’s to the connections made and the conversations that will continue!

We are thrilled to recognize and celebrate the incredible companies that have supported the Leadership Sarasota Class of 2025 in their class project, in collaboration with the Boys & Girls Club of Sarasota County! ? With their generous contributions, we've taken a significant step toward renovating the "Zen Dens," creating a welcoming space for our youth to relax, learn, and grow. ??? ? A huge thank you to the following companies for their commitment to our community and for making a positive impact in the lives of our young people. Together, we are shaping a brighter future for Sarasota County! ? #LeadershipSarasota #BoysAndGirlsClub #CommunitySupport #ZenDens #SarasotaCounty #ThankYou

On Wednesday, Leadership Sarasota’s Adult Education Day provided a closer look at the local education landscape. We started at USF Sarasota-Manatee with a welcome from Dr. Kemker, followed by updates on the new student center from Kimberly Mones and an engaging discussion with Teachers of the Year, moderated by Jennifer Vigne. The day continued with a visit to Suncoast Technical College, where we toured programs and heard from Superintendent Terry Connor. At Oak Park School, we learned about the resources and support available to exceptional students. We then wrapped up at Ringling College of Art & Design with a presentation from Dr. Larry Thompson and a tour of the campus. Thank you to USF Sarasota - Manatee for sponsoring this day, Coca-Cola Beverages Florida for providing all the caffeine to keep us going and to all of our speakers and hosts. It was a great opportunity to connect and learn more about the role of education in our community.

Leadership Alumni came together for a rewarding morning of giving back! From building Vertical Oyster Gardens with Oyster Boys to tackling invasive plants at Red Bug Slough Preserve, our alumni and their families made a real impact. The air potato contest brought some friendly competition, and we wrapped up the day with a well-earned Mission BBQ lunch. ??? Huge thanks to everyone who joined us in making a difference!

Leadership Sarasota Alumni – Your Opportunity to Lead! ?? Leadership Sarasota Council positions are opening soon! If you're a Leadership Sarasota alum and ready to make an impact, apply today. Don't miss your chance to shape the future of our community! Fill out the interest form here or email Pete Bartosik at [email protected]: https://lnkd.in/eYdtCgTi

Engage Sarasota – Higher Education Luncheon at Ringling College of Art & Design!? Thank you to Lora Wey, Assistant Vice President for Strategic Philanthropy, Ringling College, Andrea Lachapelle, Director of Financial Aid, State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, and Dr. Michele Morgan, President, Keiser University for sharing their insights. We appreciate Ringling College for hosting us at the beautiful Goldstein Library and providing a wonderful lunch!

Exciting News from Leadership Sarasota Class of 2025! A significant milestone was reached as our class rolled up their sleeves and dove into the renovations of the Zen Den for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota! Under the guidance of our dedicated mentors and with the support of our community, we have begun transforming the space into a serene environment designed to promote relaxation, creativity, and well-being for the children who visit. From fresh paint to new floors, our team poured their hearts into every detail to ensure the Zen Den is a welcoming retreat for all. Additional decorative elements and artwork is to follow. Check out the video to witness the incredible progress we made during our opening weekend! We’re proud not only of the physical changes but also of the bonds we’re building as a class while giving back to our community. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed their time, energy, and enthusiasm to this project. We can’t wait to see the finished product and the positive impact it will have on the kids at the Boys & Girls Clubs across Sarasota county! Stay tuned for more updates as we continue this exciting journey! #LeadershipSarasota #ZenDenRenovations #BoysAndGirlsClubs #CommunityImpact #ClassOf2025 #MakingADifference

Get ready to experience Sarasota’s ultimate waterfront celebration at Party on the Bay on Thursday, February 27, 2025, from 4:00–7:00 PM at the historic Powel Crosley Estate. ???? Enjoy a live DJ, dancers, a GlamBot, delicious food, tropical drinks, games, raffles, and a photo booth - all set against the stunning bayfront backdrop. Tickets???: General Admission: $75 (Members) | $90 (Non-Members) VIP Experience: $100 per person (includes exclusive seating, VIP parking and a complimentary drink) Location: Powel Crosley Estate, 8374 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243 Don’t miss out on this unforgettable evening celebrating the spirit of Sarasota. Reserve your spot now at www.sarasotachamber.com and join us at Party on the Bay! Thank you to our Sponsors: HH Staffing Services (Presenting Sponsor), MIDFLORIDA Credit Union - Sarasota, Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, Willis Smith Construction, Inc., Gold Coast Eagle Distributing, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Watershed Hospitality Concepts, Tommy's Express Holdings, Cask & Ale, Roofing By Curry, Smart Things For Events, SailorGirl Companies, BayFirst and Rothco Signs & Design, Inc.