Community Foundation announces SWFL's best boards and board members

Most nonprofit leaders have written thank-you notes expressing gratitude for a donation. What we don't tend to notice or say thank you for as often are the ongoing faithful acts of service our board members provide for our organizations every day.

These individuals are often the unseen and unsung heroes of the community. We at The Community Foundation recognize that needed to change. Southwest Florida board members will be recognized during a premiere and high-profile Community Foundation event.

At the Board Leadership Awards on Wednesday, Jan. 25, The Community Foundation will recognize and honor six outstanding board members as well as six outstanding boards here in Southwest Florida. There will also be a panel discussion on successful board building and relations.

I am pleased to announce the following honorees for Southwest Florida’s six outstanding board members:

Chris Hansen of Lee Health: In 2011, Chris was sworn-in as a District Four Director on the Lee Health System Board, where he served for 12 years. Chris became CEO of Child Care of SW Florida in May 2018.

Mike McMurray of Valerie’s House: Over the years, Mike has owned and purchased many properties on Sanibel Island and throughout Southwest Florida, but it is his steadfast commitment to the local market, combined with a strong work ethic based on integrity and trust, that has brought Mike McMurray to where he is today. Mike currently serves as board chair for Valerie’s House.

Gary Aubuchon of the Collaboratory: Gary, a successful real estate entrepreneur and investor, has served his community as a former State Representative and in many nonprofit organizations. He has supported dozens of charitable institutions and their causes, receiving Cape Coral’s Citizen of the Year and Lee County’s Humanitarian of the Year awards. Gary currently serves as a senior advisor to The Collaboratory.

Sandy Stilwell Youngquist of Southwest Florida Children’s Charities: For the past 15 years, Sandy has been an accomplished entrepreneur in the Southwest Florida restaurant and hospitality industry. However, it’s her commitment and devotion to serving the community that gives her the most sense of pride. Sandy is currently serving as a board member for Southwest Florida Children’s Charities.

R. Noelle Branning of United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades: In 2013, Noelle joined the Lee County Tax Collector as General Counsel. In 2018, she was appointed Chief Deputy Tax Collector by former Lee County Tax Collector Larry Hart. In this role, she has focused on operational effectiveness, leadership development, and organizational culture. Noelle currently serves as a board member for United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades.

Matthew Roepstorff of Lee County Horizon Foundation: Matthew has been named by the Florida Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in Business & Corporate Law from 2019-2021. He was also the 2020 president of the Lee County Bar Association. Matt currently serves as in-house counsel for Pratt & Whitney, a world leader in the design, manufacture, and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units.

The Community Foundation not only recognizes outstanding, highly successful board member achievements but also provides recognition for boards of directors who work effectively together as a collective group.

The six outstanding boards being honored at this event are as follows:

United Way of Lee Hendry and Glades: United Way’s mission is to bring people and organizations together to create powerful partnerships that address issues and solve problems.

Habitat for Humanity: By partnering with donors and volunteers, Habitat builds new or rehabilitates existing homes and sells them to qualified, low-income families using an affordable mortgage.

The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc: Since 1986 the mission of the Foundation has been to enhance the quality of public education in Lee County by increasing community involvement in, and support for, Lee County Public Schools.

St. Matthew’s House: The mission of St. Matthew’s House is to change lives in a spiritual environment that is both compassionate and disciplined as we provide housing for those experiencing homelessness, food for those experiencing hunger, and comfort for those experiencing addiction and suffering.

Florida Gulf Coast University: FGCU emphasizes innovative, student-centered teaching and learning, promotes and practices environmental sustainability, embraces diversity, nurtures community partnerships, values public service, encourages civic responsibility, and cultivates habits of lifelong learning and the discovery of new knowledge.

Lee Health Foundation: A mainstay in the Southwest Florida community, Lee Health believes in its mission to deliver exceptional care and service. By choosing Lee Health, you are choosing the very best in health and wellness.

For any person working for or volunteering with a charitable organization anywhere in Southwest Florida, you are invited to bring your board members to the Board Leadership Awards, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, from 8-10 a.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Bell Tower, 13051 Bell Tower Drive in Fort Myers. For details, contact: Alison@capecoralcf.org.

The Community Foundation, founded in Cape Coral, the largest city in Southwest Florida, the voice and choice of 5,214 nonprofits with a combined workforce of 37,619 employees that generate $4.15 billion in annual revenue. The Community Foundation is also the creator of Generous People, weekly television production that combines entertainment with philanthropy. The groundbreaking television series broadcast across Lee, Collier, Charlotte, DeSoto, Glades and Hendry counties in Florida to more than 610,000 households. Every episode features real-world nonprofit leaders and experts who are working in the trenches of the charitable sector.

Michael Chatman is president & CEO of The Community Foundation, the global center for generosity, and can be reached at michael@capecoralcf.org. The foundation is located at 1405 SE 47th Terrace, Unit 2, Cape Coral. For information, call 239-542-5594 or go to www.capecoralcf.org

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Community Foundation to honor SWFL's best boards and board members