The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Announces the 2025-2026 Leadership Sarasota Class

Sarasota, FL – The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the members of the 2025-2026 Leadership Sarasota Class. This distinguished group of professionals represents a wide range of industries and backgrounds, each united by a shared commitment to driving positive change and shaping the future of Sarasota.

Leadership Sarasota, a long-standing program of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, equips emerging and established leaders with a deeper understanding of the critical issues and opportunities facing our community. Through immersive experiences, site visits, and leadership development sessions, participants gain the tools and relationships needed to make a lasting impact.

“We are excited to welcome this impressive group of individuals into the 2025-2026 Leadership Sarasota Class,” said Heather Kasten, President & CEO of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, and a graduate of both Leadership Sarasota and Leadership Florida. “Their passion, expertise, and dedication to bettering our region will strengthen not only their individual leadership journeys but also our community as a whole.”

Selected through a rigorous application process, the incoming class reflects the diversity and excellence of Sarasota’s professional community. These individuals have demonstrated a proven commitment to community engagement, innovation, and leadership in their respective fields.

2025-2026 Leadership Sarasota Class Members:

• Kelly Addington, Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation, Inc.
• Jennifer Barbaro, Keiser University
• Megan Baxter, Teen Court of Sarasota
• Taylor Bennett, The Mall at University Town Center
• Will Bobbit, Purmort & Martin Insurance Agency, LLC
• Tyler Brown, Icard, Merrill, Cullis, Timm, Furen & Ginsburg, P.A.
• Kassandra Burdwood, Willis Smith Construction, Inc.
• Michael Butler, J.E. Charlotte Construction Corp.
• Hunter Carpenter, Visit Sarasota County
• Lisa Charles, Yes! Coach Lisa
• Terry Connor, Sarasota County School District
• Read Corley, The Corley Company, LLC
• Susan Courter, Wessell Construction
• Jerry Dakin, Dakin Natural Soils
• Alex Davis, AGA Tax and Consulting Services LLC
• Cameron Dees, Mariner Wealth Advisors
• Brett DeHart, First United Methodist Church of Sarasota
• Renee Di Pilato, Sarasota County Government
• Austin Dickinson, PNC Bank
• Luis Dynia Sanchez, S-One
• Miles Fox, RITE Technology
• Cassie Friedman, Horizon HR & Bookkeeping
• AJ Fritsch, Tandem Construction
• Darren Gambrell, USF Sarasota - Manatee
• Alia Garrett, City of Sarasota
• Dan Greenwald, J.L. Bainbridge & Company, Inc.
• David Hall, Michael Saunders & Company
• Victoria Hasselbring, All Faiths Food Bank
• Zach Henkel, Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce
• Jeanine Johnson, SailorGirl Companies
• Heather Koester, Engel & Voelkers Sarasota
• Xavier Koffman, Sunwest Bank
• Ariana Laboy Mena, Dickinson & Gibbons, P.A.
• MaryEllen Mancini, Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC)
• James O'Donnell, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP
• Kaitlyn Perez, KPC Strategies
• David Plotkin, Unwind Massage & Wellness Studio
• Jeffrey Pourchier, New College of Florida
• Arianne Roberts, Children First
• Lane Ruise, Creative Arts Academy
• Amber Rylak, Education Foundation of Sarasota County
• Kristin Scarborough, SunCoast Blood Center
• Kyle Sebastian, Four Winds IT
• Virginia Shearer, Sarasota Art Museum
• Jamie Smith, State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota
• Devin Smith, Diamond Banc
• Kevin Thompson, Gecko's Hospitality Group
• Stacy Van Buren, Gulf Coast Community Foundation
• Stephen Wells, JPL & Associates
• Carrie Wilks, Compass Business Solutions

Throughout the program year, the class will explore the region’s most pressing topics, including economic development, education, local government, healthcare, and more — all while building the collaborative leadership skills needed to address them.

For more information about Leadership Sarasota or the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, please visit www.sarasotachamber.com.