provided to The Santiva Chronicle
The Charitable Foundation of the Islands continues its commitment to educate and inspire future volunteer leaders through the 2025 Leadership Sanibel-Captiva Program. Now well underway, the program recently hosted two impactful sessions: Environment Day on February 25 and Community Resources Day on March 11. These sessions provided participants with firsthand insights into critical environmental challenges and the vast network of organizations supporting the well-being of Sanibel and Captiva residents.
Environment Day: A Focus on Water Quality and Coastal Preservation
On February 25, participants gathered at the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) for Environment Day, focusing on water quality and conservation efforts. SCCF CEO James Evans opened the session with an overview of the foundation’s initiatives, followed by presentations from Dr. Eric Milbrandt on local watershed health and Matt DePaolis on environmental policy. Sanibel Captiva Community Bank was the day’s sponsor.
Attendees toured the Island Water Association to gain a deeper understanding of Sanibel’s water infrastructure before returning to SCCF for a discussion on the Coastal Watch Program, led by Kealy McNeal. The afternoon was spent engaging in a hands-on coastal cleanup initiative, working alongside Leadership alumni and SCCF staff. The day concluded with a networking happy hour.
Serving as liaisons for Environment Day, 2024 alumni and planning committee members Bailie Johnson and Kyle DeCicco provided guidance and support throughout the session, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience for participants.
“The opportunity to see these conservation efforts in action reinforced the importance of sustainable practices,” said Leadership Class of 2025 member Laura Gales. “It was inspiring to witness how dedicated our local organizations are to protecting our natural resources.”
Community Resources Day: Exploring the Organizations that Serve Sanibel and Captiva
On March 11, participants convened at the Sanibel Captiva Trust Company for Community Resources Day. The session began with a welcome from SanCap Trust Sanibel President Jeff Muddell, followed by an in-depth discussion with Nicole McHale and the leadership team at Community Housing & Resources (CHR), where attendees learned about affordable housing initiatives and met residents.
The day continued with a visit to FISH of Sanibel-Captiva, where Executive Director Maria Espinoza provided an overview of the nonprofit’s essential services, including food programs, senior assistance, and emergency financial aid. A mid-day break at the Sanibel Recreation Center included a presentation by the Children’s Education Center of the Islands (CECI) and a tour of the facility led by Director of Recreation Andrea Miller.
The afternoon featured a video showcase of Sanibel’s smaller community clubs, followed by a meet-and-greet with representatives from key service organizations, including the Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club, Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis Club, Sanibel Lion’s Club, Sanibel-Captiva ZONTA Club, Committee of the Island (COTI), Sanibel Community House, Trailways Camps, Sanibel Captiva Young Professionals, The Island Seniors, St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, and The Sanibel School Fund. The day concluded with a tour of The Sanibel School, where Principal Lusk shared insights into the school’s programs and its commitment to educational excellence.
Serving as liaisons for Community Resources Day, 2024 alumni and planning committee members Rachel Tritaik and Marvel Bradley played a key role in ensuring the session ran smoothly and provided valuable context for participants throughout the day.
“These sessions highlight the interconnectedness of our island community,” said Dolly Farrell, CFI Executive Director. “By equipping future leaders with this knowledge, we ensure the continued strength and resilience of Sanibel and Captiva.” Over 60 percent of the Leadership alumni serve in leadership roles on Island nonprofit and civic boards since the program inception in 2022.
Looking Ahead
The Leadership Sanibel-Captiva Program continues with upcoming sessions on Water Quality (April 8) and Arts & Culture (March 27), culminating in a closing celebration on April 29, sponsored by Bank of the Islands.
For more information on the CFI Leadership Program, visit mycfi.org/leadership.
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