Fort Myers: Board Walking – Finding a board that aligns with your values, interests, and expertise

At our May meetings, we will discuss “Board Walking!” and the benefits of joining a non-profit board and how they can be a great way to contribute to a cause you care about, develop your skills, and expand your network. However, it’s important to research and finds a board that aligns with your values, interests, and expertise.

Come meet and learn from our amazing emcee and panelists listed below and see why you need to join us. If you sit on a board of directors, want to find one for you/your Company to get involved in within your community, or want your board members to come to learn how to make your board stronger, this is the meeting for you! 

Meet our Sponsor

• Blake Day, President of Day Adjusting and Consulting, has a passion for helping homeowners overcome the challenges they face today with their insurance claims. With his in-depth knowledge of the insurance industry, the entrepreneurial-minded Day is recognized as an expert in first-party property insurance claims. His career has focused on residential and commercial claims adjusting with a highlight on developing systems that optimize the claims handling timeline. Blake is a member of the Above Board Chamber of Florida.

Meet our Emcee:

• Sarah Owen, President & CEO of Collaboratory, leads a passionate and diverse team of possibility makers committed to coordinating the solving of all the social problems in Southwest Florida on a daring 18-year deadline.
  Her journey into the nonprofit sector began as the leader of a grassroots hunger-fighting organization, following a career in investor relations, public relations, and corporate communications. Her corporate experience was in the automotive and engineering industries, and Sarah was sought out by innovators and entrepreneurs developing emerging technologies. Sarah brings this focus on innovation to her work at Collaboratory. In 2017, Sarah oversaw the execution of a public-private partnership with the City of Fort Myers to create the Collaboratory’s headquarters in the historic Atlantic Coast Rail Depot, a $10.5 million project funded with New Market Tax Credits. The LEED Gold campus comprises the renovated 1920s ACL Depot and a 14,000-square-foot addition designed to provide a physical and virtual space to connect the region’s problem solvers and their work, including nonprofit organizations, businesses, resident partners, and governmental agencies. A graduate of Florida Southern College and the University of South Florida, Sarah holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education, as well as certifications in environmental sciences

Meet our Panelists:

• Samira K. Beckwith is a recognized pioneer in the hospice and healthcare field. Her expertise and lifetime commitment to quality care are acknowledged throughout the state, nationally, and internationally. She was appointed to The White House Conference on Aging and served on a panel for the Senate Special Committee on Aging. She has testified before the House Judiciary subcommittee on the need for legislation to enable better care and comfort for those at the end of life. Within the state of Florida, she was given special recognition by Governors DeSantis, Scott, and Bush, having been appointed to their respective committees, including the Transition Advisory Committee on Health and Wellness, the Board of Directors for the Florida Center for Nursing, and the Long-Term Care Advisory Committee. Governor Jeb Bush describes Dr. Beckwith as “a visionary who provides leadership on a local and national level – passionate about ensuring the highest quality of service” after she served on his Long-Term Care Advisory Committee. As a dedicated champion for palliative care and end-of-life issues, Samira has served as Chair for both the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the National Hospice Foundation. In addition, she is the Founding President of the Florida PACE Providers Association and a Founding Director of the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation. Samira’s leadership, career accomplishments, and commitment to diversity have also been honored. She was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, bestowed upon distinguished Americans who exemplify outstanding qualities in their personal and professional lives. Samira received a sociology degree and a Master’s in Social Work from The Ohio State University, where she later served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors. Samira received The Ohio State Medalist Award, presented to alumni who have gained national or international distinction in a chosen field, and was granted Doctor of Humane Letters degrees from Southwest Florida College and Piedmont College.
• Jeannine Joy, President and CEO of United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties. Before taking the President and CEO position in June 2019, Jeannine was Vice President of Resource Development and Marketing. She has been with the organization for twenty-seven years. Jeannine has helped raise and distribute over $195 million and has worked with hundreds of community leaders and thousands of volunteers. Joy is a member of the Above Board Chamber of Florida.
• Sandra Stilwell Youngquist is CEO and owner of Stilwell Enterprises & Restaurant Group, owning six restaurants, Inn, an Inn, Shopping Centers, and a food truck based out of Captiva Island, Ft Myers, and Boca Grande. She has been self-employed since she was 17 years old. She helped Organize and is on the Board of Directors of Gulf Coast Business Bank in Ft. Myers, a new Community De Novo Bank. She is the past President and Trustee of SWFL Children’s Charities (SWFL Wine Fest). They proudly passed the 25-million-dollar mark of funds to charities such as Golisano Children’s Hospital. She is serving on Resilient Lee, a group charged with delivering a comprehensive plan for Hurricane Resiliency & Build Back after Hurricane Ian. The task force has several divisions, and she co-chairs the Planning & Capacity Branch along with Syd Kitson from Babcock Ranch. Is Southest. She is on the Executive Board of Directors of Hope Hospice, The Horizon Foundation, Junior Achievement of SWFL, the Board of Trustees of Habit For Humanity, and Past President of Pace Center for Girls, and currently serves on their National Board of Trustees. She is on the board of Trustees for Lee Health Foundation, the Advisory Editorial Board of Gulfshore Life Magazine, and the Advisory Board of FGCU Resort and Hospitality School -School of Business. She serves on The Captiva Community Panel. She serves on Healthy Lee, an Advisory Board for Lee Memorial Health Systems.
• Joann Elardo, Founder/Owner of Cape Spirits Inc. and Founder / Owner of Wicked Dolphin Distillery, Commercial Quest / L & E Capers – Commercial Investments, and Founder of Cape Coral Animal Shelter.JoAnn Elardo, the founder of Wicked Dolphin Distillery, which was recently named one of GrowFL’s Companies To Watch for 2016, is a serial entrepreneur of broad and varied scope. Having worked in the film, video, and finance space, Elardo owned and operated a large shoe distribution company in Europe until she sold the company and moved to Florida in 2008. “I moved to Florida because I needed a break from the cold Eastern Europe winters,” Elardo said. “At the time, I had some investments in commodities and, in particular, sugar. One evening I was analyzing my sugar commodities while drinking a cocktail made from a lousy rum. I asked myself why isn’t someone making a good Florida rum, and that is when I decided to start Wicked Dolphin.” Elardo approaches rum making in the craft distilling tradition, using premium ingredients to make a superior product. “With Wicked Dolphin, we really wanted to celebrate Florida,” she said. “Most of our ingredients are from Florida. We have very fertile soil and grow phenomenal fruit down here, and we want to tap into local ingredients and work with local farmers. Our spice is not a canned spice like large rum makers. You’ll get real spice that we handpick with added local honey.” Elardo’s advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is to work hard because if it were easy, everyone would be doing it.

Meet our featured Non-profit: 4Kids

Rick Jacobs is the Executive Director of 4KIDS Southwest Florida, a faith-based foster care licensing agency serving the 5 Southwest Florida county region. Rick has decades of experience in the foster care world; he and his wife have fostered over 30 children and adopted 3, joining their three biological children. Prior to 4KIDS, Rick served as the Executive and Worship Pastor at First Baptist of Pompano, FL, and he was the Worship and Administrative Pastor at Riverside Baptist Church in Ft. Myers for 11 years. https://www.4kids.us/

For information on becoming an Annual Sponsor, a Meeting Sponsor, an Angel Lunch Sponsor, a Member, or an Ambassador, or for more information, please call 239-910-7426 and ask for Jeanne Sweeney, CEO/ Founder of the Above Board Chamber of FL. Together we can sail into 2023 and make it our best year yet!

Thank you to CONRIC pr + marketing for helping us with our press releases and website to get this important meeting out!