Moments from the
2025 Board Leadership Awards
Celebrating Excellence in Leadership, Innovation, and Service
Join us in reliving the inspiring moments from the Board Leadership Awards 2025, held on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Bell Tower in Fort Myers, FL.
This extraordinary morning celebrated visionary leaders and changemakers across Southwest Florida’s philanthropic and charitable communities — featuring special guest speaker Joe North.
Guest Speaker: Attorney Joe North
We were honored to welcome Attorney Joe North as our distinguished guest speaker at the Board Leadership Awards 2025 on October 23, 2025.
A proud Fort Myers native and dedicated community advocate, Joe North has spent more than three decades championing justice, mentoring others, and supporting charitable causes across Southwest Florida. His passion for giving back and uplifting local families truly embodies the spirit of leadership and service celebrated at this event.
Honoring Outstanding Leadership
This year’s celebration recognized exceptional individuals and boards who embody integrity, innovation, and impact through their leadership in philanthropy and community development.
Top 30 Nonprofit Executives
Leaders driving meaningful change and advancing the missions of their organizations.
Dr. Larry Antonucci, MD, MBA
President & CEO, Lee Health
Dr. Carol Rae Culliton
Founder, Brotherhood of Heroes Resource Center & Museum
John Nadeau
President, Goodwill Industries of SWFL
Jaysen Roa
CEO, Avow Hospice, Inc.
Stacey Cook
President and CEO, SalusCare
Katherine Green
Executive Director, FGCU Foundation
Linda Oberhaus
CEO, Center for Abused Women & Children
Dawn Montecalvo
President, Guadalupe Center
Rev. Lisa Lefkow
CEO, Habitat for Humanity of Collier County
Donna McGinnis
President, Naples Botanical Gardens
Heidi Davis
Executive Director,
Southwest Florida Children’s Charities
Marshall Bower
President & CEO,
Foundation for Lee County Schools
Dr. Melanie Stefanowicz
President & CEO,
Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida
Paul Selvidio
Head of School, Community School of Naples
Karen Govern
President & CEO, STARability Foundation
Richard LeBer
President, Harry Chapin Food Bank
Angela Melvin
Founder & CEO, Valerie’s House
Victoria Scanlon
CEO, Charlotte Behavioral Health Care
Alice Sweet
Founder, Haven of Hope International
Charles Vonderheid
CEO, Southwest Florida Council,
Boy Scouts of America
Paul Hiltz
President, NCH Health System
Bill Johnson, Jr.
Executive Director, Horizon Foundation
Robert Moher
President & CEO,
Conservancy of Southwest Florida
Erika Donalds
Founder & CEO,
Education Freedom Foundation
Kathleen Van Bergen
CEO & President, Artis—Naples
Nadereh Salim
CEO, Children’s Network of Southwest Florida
Jonathan Foerster
CEO, Golisano Children’s Museum
Sarah Richard
Executive Director, Gulf Coast Village
Sarah Baeckler
President & CEO,
Patty Baker Humane Society Naples
Nammie Ichilov
CEO, Jewish Federation of Naples
Top 6 Board Leaders in Southwest Florida’s Philanthropy and Charitable Communities
Board members whose vision and dedication elevate organizational success and community engagement.
John Clinger
Children's Advocacy Center
Kristalyn Loson Atwood
Valerie's House
Lisa Wilkes
Interfaith Charities of South Lee
Daniel Frate
Harry Chapin Food Bank
of Southwest Florida
Joshua Dorcey
SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc.
Carrie Chase
Lehigh Community Services
Top 6 Boards of Directors in Southwest Florida’s Philanthropy and Charitable Communities
Teams exemplifying collaboration, governance excellence, and shared purpose.
Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples (CMON)
Horizon Foundation
Guadalupe Center
Habitat for Humanity of Collier County
The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools
Lee BIA Builders Care
Top 10 Chief Operating Officers in Southwest Florida’s Philanthropy and Charitable Communities
Operational leaders ensuring efficiency, sustainability, and strategic execution across nonprofit missions.
Blair J. DeMinico
Legal Director, Lee County Legal Aid Society
Jodi Bisogno
Chief Operating Officer, Youth Haven
Anjali Van Drie
Vice President & Co-Founder, Family Initiative, Inc.
Thea Cernohous
Operations Manager, The Dubin Center
Amy Strom
Chief Operating Officer, Valerie’s House
Joel Markus
COO & Managing Director, Gulfshore Playhouse
Lucia Branton
VP of Operations, JFCS of the Suncoast
Joel Markus
COO & Managing Director, Gulfshore Playhouse
Doug Stewart
Chief Operating Officer,
Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida
Chelle Sutyak Operations
Director, Cancer Alliance Network
Adam Sickler
Chief Operating Officer,
Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens
Event Gallery
Relive the inspiring moments from the Board Leadership Awards 2025 below.
Browse through highlights featuring honorees, award presentations, and our guest speaker.
