provided to The Santiva Chroncle
The Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) proudly celebrated the graduation of the Leadership Sanibel-Captiva Class of 2025 during a heartfelt closing session held on April 29th with over 50 community members and alums in attendance at the Sundial Resort.
Over the past year, class participants explored the complex systems that shape life on Sanibel and Captiva—including environment, government, housing, business, arts, and education—through behind-the-scenes tours and conversations with civic leaders and nonprofit changemakers.
Members of the CFI Leadership Classes of 2022, 2024, and 2025.
Opening and Closing Session sponsor Bank of the Islands was recognized for its continued investment in local leadership and community vitality. Bank President Robbie Roepstorff addressed the graduates and community leaders, reflecting on the bank’s decision to support the program.
“Our decision stemmed from our belief that this program is an unparalleled platform for keeping our islands’ history and commitment to civic engagement alive from one generation of islanders to the next,” she said.
She also offered a call to action for the graduating class, “Strive to lead Sanibel-Captiva toward a better and brighter future while simultaneously honoring the past.”
“We are grateful to Bank of the Islands and our many program partners for believing in the power of informed, connected leadership to shape the future of Sanibel and Captiva,” said Dolly Farrell, Executive Director of CFI. “Thanks to their support, the next generation of leaders is ready to serve.”
David Lowden, Vice President of Private Client Relations, Sanibel & Captiva Islands at Bank of the Islands, left; Robbie Roepstorff, President of Edison National Bank and Bank of the Islands; Ken Washuta, CFI Leadership Chair; and Dolly Farrell, Executive Director of CFI, right.
The evening also honored Ken Washuta (Class of 2024), who served as Class Chair for 2025, with heartfelt appreciation for his leadership and service.
Graduates praised the program for cultivating a greater sense of purpose, connection, and responsibility. Many shared future plans to volunteer, serve on nonprofit boards, or support causes such as FISH of SanCap, Community Housing & Resources, Children’s Education Center of the Islands, Captains for Clean Water, Ding Darling, and the Captiva Island Historical Society.
Two members have already been named to board positions at the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation and the Committee of the Islands. Over 70 percent of Leadership alums currently serve in leadership roles at Island nonprofits.
Alumna Rachel Tritaik (Class of 2024) encouraged this year’s class to continue engaging, “While learning about what makes our islands tick, you may wonder if making additional time to get more involved in island clubs, boards or nonprofits is worth it.”
“Let me tell you, it is. The people you meet and the challenges you learn about will help your professional and personal growth… It can seem daunting if you’re a busy introvert like me, but before you know it, you’ll have made fast friends and fall even more in love with Sanibel and Captiva,” said Tritaik
Sue Van Oss (Class of 2025) reflected on the depth of insight gained through the program, “From island legends to nonprofit changemakers, it filled our heads and hearts and made us realize why we love this community so much and why we are called to help lead it now and in the future. Because of what we lost, we now appreciate even more what we have: the people, the resilience, and the beauty that still defines this paradise. You are the picture of paradise to me.”
Janice Block Chaddock (2025) reflects, “I’ve lived full-time on Sanibel for over eight years, and yet it wasn’t until I joined the Leadership Program that I truly began to understand the depth and breadth of what happens on our islands.”
“I learned that our islands of Sanibel and Captiva may seem like they are awash in so many acronyms—CFI, CCA, CECI, CROW, CHR, COTI, FISH, SCCF, to name a few!—but they do all stand for something. And they do so much. They do so much for our environment, for our islands, for the people who live, visit, and work here,” said Chaddock
Class member Miles Sweiss (2025) emphasized the power of small actions in a tight-knit community, “What excites me most about getting involved is that even a small gesture—just a couple of hours volunteering—goes a long way in a small town. We cannot just live here as consumers. We have to live here as stewards.”
As the Leadership Sanibel-Captiva Class of 2025 turns its energy toward serving the island community, CFI celebrates the program’s growing impact in building a resilient, informed, engaged citizenry.
Stay tuned for information on how to apply for the Leadership Sanibel-Captiva Class of 2026, coming later this year.
For more information about the Leadership Sanibel-Captiva Program, visit mycfi.org or email info@mycfi.org.
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