Susie leads Manatee Community Foundation in partnership with the board of directors. In addition to partnering with donors, community leaders, foundation leaders, and nonprofits, Susie identifies opportunities for the Foundation to grow philanthropy in Manatee County. She joined Manatee Community Foundation in April 2016 after 11 years at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

Jennifer works with caring individuals and businesses to create personal and flexible philanthropic funds that support our community and beyond, while fulfilling the charitable wishes and tax advantages for the donors. She joined Manatee Community Foundation in August 2018 after 10 years as a development professional at Forty Carrots Family Center in Sarasota, FL.

Alicia joined Manatee Community Foundation in February 2019 and works with donors and future donors to help them maximize the joy, impact and tax benefits of their philanthropy. She concentrates in Lakewood Ranch and east Manatee County. Her enthusiasm for our community and connections with people who care are special additions to our team.

Simone comes to us after a 14-year career with Manatee County Government. She was born and raised in Manatee County and is passionate about a community where all of our citizens are connected and supported. Simone holds a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Public Administration from University of South Florida. At Manatee County Government, Simone managed grant funding for neighborhood enhancement projects; supervised staff members to accomplish division and departmental goals; served as a liaison between Manatee County Government and assigned neighborhoods; built partnerships between nonprofits, neighborhoods, governments to solve or mitigate challenges within neighborhoods; and researched and implemented programs and initiatives that may benefit Manatee County residents. She is also a small business owner.

Simone was a Knight City’s Challenge Winner in 2017 and won the Manatee Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals MVP Award in 2019, among other honors. She recently served on MCF’s board of directors, Grants Committee and Scholarship Committee.

Amy started in her role at Manatee Community Foundation in September 2021 after spending six years as the Membership Manager at Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance. Her professionalism, energy and commitment to customer service will continue to strengthen relationships with donors, nonprofits and our community.

Jeanie Kirkpatrick recently joined MCF’s board and brings a multitude of experience with her. Jeanie served as the board president of South Florida Museum from 2014 – 2015 and served as a co-vice president of the Boys and Girls Club Board from 2012 – 2015. Jeanie attended the University of Nebraska Lincoln, NE where she earned a B.S. in Education. She also has great experience in volunteer work, and organization affiliations. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising professionals, Women in Development- Boston Chapter, and Council for Advancement and Support of Education.

Bob is the retired President and Publisher of the Bradenton Herald & Bradenton.com. He is a graduate of the University of South Florida and a lifetime member of the Alumni Association. He attended college prep school at Woodward Academy in College Park, GA. Bob has been a resident of Manatee County and an employee of the Herald since September 1979. He began his newspaper career as a proof runner for the Columbus (Georgia) Ledger-Enquirer in 1968 working part time as an intern. He spent the first 15 years of his newspaper career in the advertising division. Starting as an outside salesperson at the Columbus (Georgia) Ledger-Enquirer, he was promoted to Retail Advertising Manager at The Bradenton Herald in 1979 and to Director of Advertising in 1983. In 1988, Bob was promoted to General Manager of The Bradenton Herald, a position he held until 1996. At that time Bob was promoted to Vice President and Director of Operations and in 2008, he was promoted to the position of President and Publisher until his retirement in June of 2017.

Sherrill has a deep history of community involvement and asset development work in Manatee and Sarasota counties, including philanthropic roles at The Bishop, Manatee Education Foundation, Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School, and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. She is the project manager for Sherrill Wealth Management, coordinating the firm’s business strategy and marketing efforts.

Conrad Szymanski joined our board in July 2017. In his professional career, Conrad served as the president of Bealls, Inc. from August 1995 – August 2007 and most recently serves on the board of directors for Bealls, Inc. Conrad attended college at the University of Kentucky where he earned a MBA in marketing and finance. A number of other organizations that Conrad is involved with are, National Association of Corporate Directors, Florida Angel Nexus, International Council of Shopping Centers, Manatee County Chamber of Commerce – board of directors, Manatee County Economic Development Council, St. Stephen’s episcopal school – board of directors, and Manatee Area Youth Soccer.

In 1987, Tom entered the world of financial services after serving in the U.S. Navy’s nuclear power program, which included operating the propulsion systems on two different submarines as well as being an instructor at the Navy’s Nuclear Power School. By 1991, he was the lead portfolio manager at a large financial planning firm in Orlando, Florida, where he directed over $130 million in assets. Tom started his own registered investment advisory firm in 1992 with a passion for helping individual investors plan for and reaching their retirement and life goals. That company eventually became Integra Capital Advisors. A lot has changed in the world since then, but Tom believes having a sound financial plan is more important now than ever. Tom joined forces with Wealth Enhancement Group in 2022. His years of experience are of enormous value to both his colleagues and his clients.

Jim Bruen is a retired businessman and community volunteer. He attended Syracuse University where he earned a Bachelor’s of Science. He then spent 2 years at the University of Rochester where he earned an Executive MBA. Jim is active in many organizations in our community. These organizations include, Veterans for Common Sense, Florida Studio Theatre, Gary A. Scott Memorial Fund, Metropolitan Planning Organization, Take Stock in Children, Code enforcement for the city of Bradenton, Manatee Matches, Golden Herald award judge, and Turning Points – one stop center.

Tim Henning is District Manager of Publix Super Markets, overseeing Publix stores located in Manatee County. Tim’s career was launched at Publix where he continued advancing in leadership throughout the years. He exhibits personal pride in his stores and the Publix culture of giving back to the community. He also takes a deep personal interest in the welfare of his employees, many of whom are ALICE—Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. Tim long-served on the board of directors of United Way of Manatee before the organization merged with United Way Suncoast, where he now serves as a trustee representing Manatee County. Tim’s business acumen; knowledge of our community, local nonprofits and marketing; and experience as a board leader make Tim an excellent candidate for Manatee Community Foundation.

Barbara Jennings is a retired university administrator who earned three university degrees—in education, urban studies, and the law. She worked at Case Western Reserve University and The Ohio State University and as a professional businesswoman for a total of more than thirty years. Her community involvement has included Leadership Manatee Alumni Association, ArtCenter Manatee, Boys and Girls Clubs of Manatee County, Tiger Bay Club, Women’s Leadership Initiative and United Way. She served on the Planning and Zoning Board for the City of Palmetto for six years, serving as Chair for two terms.

Currently a Principal with Freedom Senior Management, a provider of Senior Living Communities in Sarasota County including Sarasota Bay Club in Sarasota and Jacaranda Trace in Venice. With over 35years’ experience, Steve has been involved in the successful development and management of senior living centers nationally.
He has a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Stetson University.
He is involved in the community through Tidewell Hospice, the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, Roskamp Institute, University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee College of Business. Steve and his wife Carolyn have two children and are active members of Kirkwood Presbyterian Church in Bradenton.

Dr. Sevilla is a primary care pediatrician in Bradenton. He has a passion for Quality Improvement (QI), especially relating to primary care office practices. He started his QI journey in 2003, when he was awarded the honorable mention of the Quality of Care Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics for his work on improving care for the medically underserved patients in Manatee County, Florida.

Schembri is a principal at the law firm Blalock Walters, P.A. and practices in the firm’s Bradenton and Sarasota offices. She represents both companies and individuals in the areas of individual and business tax planning, corporate governance matters, mergers and acquisitions, business succession planning and transitions, charitable planning, and all aspects of estate planning, including trust and estate taxation and wealth preservation. Schembri is a former member of Manatee Community Foundation’s Lakewood Ranch Community Fund board of advisors.

Garrett is the Partner in Charge of the Bradenton and Sarasota offices of CRI. Garrett has over 12 years of public accounting experience. His primary responsibilities include managing client engagements, completing research and documentation for various tax and accounting engagements, and review of staff and senior-level work. Mr. Shinn’s focus is primarily working with tax clients for compliance and planning engagements of high net worth individuals, for-profit closely held businesses and not-for-profit entities.