Charitable Gift Planners of Southwest Florida Announces 2022 Board & Virtual Program

January 26, 2022 – Sarasota

The Charitable Gift Planners of Southwest Florida, an organization dedicated to promoting philanthropy in the Sarasota-Manatee region, has announced its 2022 board of directors.

The executive committee of the board of directors is comprised of President Kathy Jordan of WUSF Public Media, Vice President Susan Brennan of PNC Wealth Management, Treasurer Melodie Rich of Mauldin & Jenkins, Secretary Kimberly Bleach of Bank of America Private Bank and Immediate Past President Elizabeth Rabbitt Stephen of Truist. 

New board members Charla M. Burchett, a partner in the Sarasota office of Shutts & Bowen LLP, and Jay Young, Vice President of Philanthropy at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, join returning members of the board this year: Susie Bowie (Manatee Community Foundation), Richard Gans (Fergeson Skipper), Barbara Jones (Kerkering Barberio), Ronald Koepsel (Sabal Trust), Lee Ann Rodriguez (Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast), Declan Sheehy (New College Foundation), James Tollerton (Professional Benefits Incorporated), Jocelyn Udell (Sarasota Orchestra), Daniel Vigne (Northern Trust) and Tom Waters (Easterseals Southwest Florida). The 2022 board will serve through Dec. 31, 2022, as the organization continues to deliver the latest information to area professionals, providing members and guest attendees the knowledge to initiate meaningful impact for their clients, as well as the nonprofit causes served by their charitable interests. 

“Between the ever-changing, increasing community needs brought to light and amplified during the pandemic, to the multitude of legislative and tax changes which impact how we give, having a trusted network of mentors and collaborative professionals can make a greater impact in the lives of our donors, clients, organizations and community,” explained Charitable Gift Planners of Southwest Florida 2022 President Kathy Jordan. 

A membership including philanthropy professionals, attorneys, CPAs, financial advisors, and trust officers regularly comes together to network, present best practices, share current studies and trends and provide educational sessions focused on sound strategies serving the greater good. By promoting and educating the philanthropic communities of Sarasota and Manatee Counties, the Charitable Gift Planners of Southwest Florida seeks to increase the quality, as well as the quantity, of charitable gifts in the region. 

The organization’s next educational event will be Planned Giving 101, scheduled virtually via Zoom at 9 a.m. on Feb. 17, 2022. This program is open to non-members for $15 per guest and free for Charitable Gift Planners of Southwest Florida members.

Due to the ongoing pandemic which resulted in virtual programming the past two seasons, annual membership dues for the local organization have been reduced to $50 through Sept. 30, 2022. To learn more about upcoming programs and membership, visit charitablegiftplannersswfl.org.