Naples: Economic Outlook 2026 with the Federal Reserve and FGCU

A Fireside Conversation with the Federal Reserve & the President of FGCU

As businesses and nonprofits plan for the year ahead, understanding the broader economic landscape is more important than ever. This special evening program will provide timely insight into the key economic trends shaping 2026 — including inflation, interest rates, workforce challenges, regional growth, and the factors influencing decision-making at both the national and local levels.

Through an engaging fireside conversation, attendees will hear directly from leaders at the Federal Reserve and Florida Gulf Coast University, gaining perspective on what lies ahead for Southwest Florida’s economy and how business and nonprofit leaders can prepare with confidence. This is a rare opportunity to listen, learn, and ask thoughtful questions in a relaxed, conversational setting.

The discussion will be guided by Dan Lavender, CEO of Moorings Park, who will serve as the event’s Distinguished Moderator, helping to draw out practical insights and meaningful dialogue from this exceptional panel.

Featured Leaders:

• Shari Bower, Regional Executive at the Miami Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.As a member of the core group of Atlanta Fed leaders advising on monetary policy her work with business executives in the branch’s 13-county area helps bring local insights to national policy deliberations. Shari oversees the Miami Branch’s board of directors, the District’s Advisory Council on Travel and Tourism, and regional community outreach efforts. She began her career at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as a summer intern in 2004 and joined the Atlanta Fed in January 2020. Shari serves on the boards of Junior Achievement of Greater Miami and the Center for Financial training International. She is a member of Leadership Florida Cornerstone Class 42 and the International Women’s Forum, Florida and was honored as one of the South Florida Business Journal’s 25 Influential Business Women in 2025.  A native of Queens, New York, Shari earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations and anthropology from Tufts University and a master’s degree in public policy from New York University. https://www.linkedin.com/in/shari-bower-b5b60b113/

• Dr. Aysegul Timur, President, Florida Gulf Coast University Aysegul Timur, Ph.D., the fifth president of Florida Gulf Coast University, is widely known for building collaborative teams of university and community stakeholders to implement strategic initiatives, including workforce alignments. This is core to FGCU’s mission as a transformative, learner-centered institution that strategically serves the ever-changing needs of the Southwest Florida community – and beyond. Dr. Timur is a long-time Naples resident and an economist with more than 25 years of experience in higher education. She earned a doctorate from the University of South Florida and her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Istanbul. Today, she is a member of the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Board of Trustees, a member of the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors, the immediate past chair of the Collaboratory Board of Trustees, a board member of the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools, and a board member of the Naples Botanical Garden.   https://www.fgcu.edu/about/officeofthepresident/ 

• Dan Lavender, CEO, Moorings Park – Distinguished Moderator DANIEL (DAN) LAVENDER is Chief Executive Officer of The Moorings ParkInstitute, Inc. The recipient of a Master’s in Business Administration degree from Ohio University, an Ohio Certified Public Accountant license, and a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Economics from Bluffton College, he has spent the majority of his career serving seniors. Prior to joining Moorings Park in 2006, Dan was Chief Financial Officer for Methodist ElderCare Services in Columbus, Ohio, helping to guide it through a period of strategic growth and improving financial performance. Previous assignments included regional and division leadership roles at Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services, one of the 15 largest multi-site non-profit senior living organizations in the country. Dan currently serves as a director on the Miami Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta Board, the Naples Zoo Board, and is chair of Novare, a national consortium of senior living providers. He was the former chair of the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce and a former member of the Champions for Learning Leadership Council. Dan is a graduate of the Leadership Collier Class of 2010, was recognized as a 2013 Man of Distinction by Collier County Champions for Learning and received the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame Laureate Award in 2019.  https://www.mooringspark.org/get-to-know-us/executive-team/ 

• Special thank you to our sponsors:
  Anthony J Leopizzi, Anthony J. Leopizzi, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CIMA®
  Private Wealth Advisor for Verita Wealth Advisory Group
  William M. Blevins, President of Gulf Coast Business Bank
  Corey Lewis General Manager, WGCU Public Media

  We look forward to seeing you all on January 12th, 2026!
  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
  Jeanne M. Sweeney, CEO/Founder
  Above Board Chamber of Florida
  www.aboveboardchamber.com

After submitting you registration, click here to go to the Cart. If you can’t register, please call Jeanne at (239)-910-7426.