Community Foundation announces Southwest Florida's top 30 nonprofit executives of 2021
/News-Press
Michael Chatman - The Community Foundation
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The Community Foundation, previously known as the Cape Coral Community Foundation, is a global center for generosity, and one of Southwest Florida’s most active grantmaking charitable foundations. The Community Foundation is the voice and the choice of 4,700 nonprofits in Southwest Florida with a combined workforce of 32,500 employees that generate $3.6 billion in annual revenue.
Every year, the Community Foundation honors and celebrates the top 30 nonprofit executives in Southwest Florida. The influential and inspiring leaders are some of the region’s most effective decision-makers and power influencers.
Managing a nonprofit, let alone innovating new ideas, is a tall order. Mastering that balance between sustainability and change is why these top 30 nonprofit CEO power influencers need to be recognized and honored.
Each of the influencers has been identified and confirmed by peers as being a top achiever and community builder who performs their duties with integrity and honesty and makes a substantial impact in Southwest Florida.
These exceptional achievers have a proven track record in the charitable sector while also dedicating their time, talent, and treasure to leading transformational change to enrich the community. This honor was established by the South Florida CEO Network, an initiative of The Community Foundation, and the Nonprofit Education Grantmaking Fund, as part of a larger vision of nonprofit leader appreciation, recognition, and cultivating a culture of regional generosity.
More: Commentary: Cape Community Foundation helps small nonprofits build greater Southwest Florida
The nonprofit executives highlighted here have distinguished themselves as initiators, innovators, and leaders. One important standard to be selected is the honoree must be a working day-in, day-out executive. In many cases this year day-in, day-out was 24/7/365 and still going.
The 2021 honorees were selected from a group of roughly 200 top executives. Surveys were sent to business and community leaders to determine who should make this year’s list. This is not a lifetime achievement award. The executives must have had an impact during the previous 12 months. Each honoree will receive a special award of appreciation, featured in media releases and news outlets, as well as attend a private VIP reception, sponsored by Regions Bank.
Wendy Fullerton-Powell, News Director, News-Press/USA Today, will share an informative presentation on how to get the attention of newsroom decision-makers to promote their organizations, which can lead to more visibility, credibility, and charitable donations.
The private, invitation-only awards ceremony will be held on Dec. 9 from 4-6 p.m. at the Luminary Hotel, 2200 Edwards Drive, Fort Myers.
Here is the complete list of The Community Foundation's Top 30 Nonprofit Executives of 2021:
• Dr. Michael Martin, President, Florida Gulf Coast University
• Dr. Roger Nutt, President, Ave Maria University
• Paul Hiltz, President, NCH Health System
• Dr. Larry Antonucci, President, Lee Health
• Dr. Samira Beckwith, President, Hope Healthcare
• Dr. Carol Rae Culliton, Founder, Brotherhood of Heroes Resource Center & Museum
• Erin McLeod, President, Senior Friendship Centers
• John Nadeau, President Goodwill Industries of SWFL
• Norma Adorno, President, Area Agency on Aging of SWFL
• Dawn Montecalvo, President, Guadalupe Center
• Noemi Perez, President, Immokalee Foundation
• Richard Leber, President, Harry Chapin Food Bank
• David Erickson, President, ECHO
• Jeff Metzger, President, New International
• Lara Fisher, President, Grace Place for Children & Families
• Jaime Suanez, Executive Director, Rist Family Foundation
• Lee Ellen Harder, Executive Director, Big Arts Sanibel Island
• Maggi Feiner, President, F.I.S.H. of SANCAP
• Megan McCarthy Beauvais, President, Boys & Girls Club of Naples
• Dan Shoemaker, President, Reciprocal Ministries, International
• Abdul Muhammed, President, Quality Life Center
• Laura Ragain, Executive Director, Ronald McDonald House of SWFL
• Ryan Orgera, President, Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation
• Linda Oberhaus, President, Shelter for Abused Women & Children
• John Martin, Managing Director, Florida Repertory Theatre
• Stefanie Ink Edwards, President, Community Cooperative
• Angela Melvin, President, Valerie’s House
• Angel Cerritos, Executive Director, Bonita Springs YMCA
• Lynne Thorp, Executive Director, The Dubin Center
• Jennifer Cellitti, Executive Director, PACE Center for Girls, Lee County
Michael Chatman is president & CEO of The Community Foundation, the global center for generosity, and can be reached at cccf@capecoralcf.org, on Twitter @michaelchatman. The Community Foundation is located at 1405 SE 47th Terrace, Unit 2, Cape Coral. For information, call 239-542-5594.
