SARASOTA, FL (May 5, 2026) – Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast) is pleased to announce the selection of the 2026 Gulf Coast Leadership Institute (GCLI). 

Through this annual program, Gulf Coast partners with the Leadership Development Institute of Eckerd College to provide intensive, high-quality leadership training designed to identify, develop, and connect a diverse and growing group of community leaders.  

Participants take part in six training sessions from May through June at Gulf Coast’s downtown Sarasota Philanthropy Center. The result is a network of skilled, action-oriented leaders who are committed to using their new skills to help transform their communities through service.  

The participants selected for the 2026 Gulf Coast Leadership Institute are: 

Rolanda Antoine, The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art 

Carolina Bartolomei, Children First, Inc. 

Mary Butler, Newtown Business Council 

Nafi Cunningham, Empath Tidewell Hospice 

Erin Elsenheimer, City of North Port 

Melissa Ferlazzo, Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC) 

Iylin Agovida-Flock, Filipino American Society, Inc. DMSI 

Kassidy Gardner, Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation 

Dr. Leslie F. Harrell, Truly Valued, Inc 

Allison Imre, Grapevine Communications 

Shelby Isaacson, Typus Group LLC 

Ronica Anise Jackson, Town of Longboat Key 

Branan Jacobs, MagnifyGood 

Jamie Kattrein, Girls Inc. of Sarasota County 

Rob Kehs, SRQ VETS Inc 

Ebony King, Access Granted Now and the Téa Bayonne Choates Foundation - Girl, LIVE! 

Hollie Mowry, Sarasota Orchestra 

Patty Murray, Lightspeed Voice 

Autumn Solomon-Phillips, FlowPartner LLC 

Rebekah Prieto, Parenting Matters 

David Paniagua, Literacy Council of Sarasota 

Doricha Sales, The Sarasota Ballet 

Mikhail A. Scott, Indelible 

Saara Ullery, Awakened Wellness Experience 

Samantha Wassmer, Suncoast Waterkeeper