CFI Announces Appointment of New Secretary, Executive Committee Slate

provided to The Santiva Chronicle

The Charitable Foundation of the Islands is pleased to announce the appointment of Brian Rist as Secretary of its Board of Directors for 2026. Rist joins an experienced and dedicated Executive Committee leading the Foundation’s work to inspire philanthropy, collaboration, and leadership throughout the Sanibel and Captiva community.

Brian Rist brings deep commitment to community engagement and nonprofit leadership. His experience on the CFI Board and his active involvement in island initiatives reinforce his role in advancing CFI’s mission of strengthening local capacity and supporting collaborative problem-solving.

“Brian’s thoughtful leadership and deep civic engagement have made a meaningful impact on our board and in the broader island community,” said Dolly Farrell, Executive Director of the Charitable Foundation of the Islands. “We are excited for his continued contribution as Secretary and are grateful for the strong leadership of our Executive Committee as we build on our momentum in 2026.”

2026 Executive Committee — Charitable Foundation of the Islands
Chair: Lisa Riordan
Vice Chair: Doug Congress
Secretary: Brian Rist
Treasurer: Mike Bennett

These officers are supported by a dedicated Board of Directors representing a wide range of community leadership and nonprofit expertise. CFI’s governance structure reflects the Foundation’s focus on strategic guidance, fiscal stewardship, and community-centered impact.

CFI has a long-standing history of inspiring philanthropy and leadership across the islands. Through grantmaking, nonprofit capacity building, and community initiatives such as volunteer development and economic resilience efforts, CFI mobilizes resources and fosters partnerships that strengthen the quality of life for all who live and work on Sanibel and Captiva.

For more information about the Charitable Foundation of the Islands and its board leadership, visit mycfi.org.

About Charitable Foundation of the Islands: (MyCFI.org) The mission of the Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) is to inspire philanthropy, leadership, and collaboration for the vitality of the Island community. CFI has served the Sanibel and Captiva communities since the 1990s through the Francis Bailey Society and was officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) organization in 2011.