provided to The Santiva Chronicle
FISH OF SANCAP welcomes John Morse, Esq., as Board Chair and Susan Ryckman, MSN, RN, CPNP, as Board Vice Chair, along with returning director Sheridan Snell and new directors Bill Hayles and Leah Winkler for 2024.
John Morse is currently serving on the Board of Directors of FISH and is past Board Chair of the FISH Foundation. Morse was originally appointed to the FISH Board of Directors in February 2011 and served until December 2021. He was Board Chair of FISH in calendar years 2013 and 2014, and was elected Board Emeritus January 2022. Morse is a retired corporate attorney and now also serves as General Counsel for FISH He also serves on the Boards of the Charitable Foundation of the Islands and the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation.
Susan Ryckman joined Lee Health in 2012, and served as the VP of Operations and Chief Nurse Executive for Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida until retiring in September of 2020. A Chicago-area native, Ryckman is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner who held a variety of clinical and leadership roles since completion of her undergraduate work in 1977 at Northern Illinois University. She has a Masters of Science in Nursing from the University of Cincinnati, and serves on the RMHC Board of Directors, currently as President, and on the local March of Dimes Board of Directors, as well as actively supporting several other organizations focused on the care and nurture of children and families.
Bill Hayles has extensive leadership and operation management skills having worked in the hospitality industry for more than 30 years. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Hayles graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, and went on to complete an Advanced Management Program for the Hospitality Industry at the University of Guelph (Ontario). Throughout his career, he was repeatedly recognized for excellent customer service, developing teams with high employee engagement and service ratings, and receiving numerous service awards, including the ITT Ring of Quality Award.
Sheridan Snell, returning to the FISH board as a director, was elected to the FISH Board for her first term beginning Jan. 1, 2016 thru Dec. 31, 2018 and for her second term Jan. 1, 2019 thru Dec. 31, 2021. She was elected Board Emeritus in January 2023 and is a member of the FISH Donor Development and Building Committees. She is also very involved with raising donor awareness to the operational needs of FISH as well as other essentials FISH has in order to meet client needs all year long, especially in times of island disasters. Sheridan and her family made Sanibel their permanent home over 3 years ago after visiting here for many years and falling in love with the island and its people.
Leah Winkler has Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Towson University. Her passion for making a positive impact on the lives of others led her to a career in the field of therapy. As a dedicated mother of two grown boys and a devoted wife of 32 years, Winkler has not only prioritized her family but has also managed to contribute significantly to various non-profit organizations. In 2020, she made the decision to establish a more permanent presence on the islands by purchasing a Sanibel home, marking the beginning of her involvement with FISH. In 2021, Winkler began volunteering in the FISH food pantry. Her commitment to making a difference was further exemplified when she co-chaired the FISH 5K/10K and music festival committee in 2023.
Winkler’s professional journey includes a noteworthy position as the Vice President of Operations at Genesis Health Ventures. In this role, she demonstrated exemplary leadership skills, overseeing the Profit and Loss responsibilities for a substantial team of 1,500 therapists. Her ability to navigate complex operational challenges and lead with vision and efficiency contributed significantly to the success of the organization. Overall, Leah’s life story is a testament to her unwavering commitment to family, community service, and professional excellence. Her journey reflects a harmonious blend of compassion, leadership, and a relentless drive to create positive change in the lives of those around her.
“Jim and Ellen have been outstanding FISH Officers, and I am grateful for the leadership and direction they have provided to our organization. We’re thankful for their support and continued service to FISH as Past Board Chair (Jim) and Director (Ellen). We are also looking forward to working with John Morse as Chair and Susan Ryckman as Vice Chair as they lead the FISH organization through our recovery journey,” states Maggi Feiner, President & CEO, FISH. “They both bring a wide range of business and professional expertise, as well as in-depth knowledge of our community, to our organization.
Feiner notes the organization’s enthusiasm to work with returning member Snell and new members Hayles and Winkler. “Their life experiences and passion for our neighbors helping neighbors organization will enhance our mission as we continue to assist Hurricane Ian survivors and those in need.”
Additional FISH Board Officers include Jim Metzler, Ph.D., Past Board Chair; Maggi Feiner, President & CEO; Greg Blurton, Treasurer; Nicole McHale, Secretary. FISH Directos also include Jim Brady; Melissa Congress; Jane Majeski; Lisa Ann Miller, MD; Kathy Samson; and Ellen Sloan, Ph.D. Please join FISH in thanking their former Board Chairs and welcoming their 2024 Board Officers and Directors.
To learn more about the programs and services of FISH, please contact Maria Espinoza, Executive Director, at (239) 472-4775 or visit their website at www.fishofsancap.org
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