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.

Joan joined Manatee Community Foundation in 2008 and manages the grant and scholarship processes including competitive applications, support of committees, due diligence, and grant recommendations by donor advisors. Her expertise, kindness and community passion are well known and valued.

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.

Breiter is the founder of Integra Capital Advisors, a financial planning and wealth management firm with offices in Bradenton and Naples, Florida. His community involvement has included chairing the boards of the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature in Bradenton and The Center on Anna Maria Island.

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.

In her capacity at Manatee County Government’s Neighborhood Services, Simone works improve our community through programs that assist residents through all stages of life.
She received the Manatee Young Professional’s MVP Award from the Manatee Chamber of Commerce in 2019 and was a Knight Cities Challenge Winner in 2017. Simone also serves on the board of directors of the Manasota Black Chamber of Commerce and owns her own small business helping clients establish themselves on the web and in print. Simone holds an MBA in Business Administration and an MBA in Public Administration.

Chris is a Senior Vice President and Managing Director for Northern Trust’s Manatee and Lakewood Ranch markets. His office is in Lakewood Ranch. Chris joined Northern Trust in October of 2002 as a relationship banking manager. Previous to Northern Trust, Chris held the position of Senior Vice President, commercial banker at BMO Harris Bank and Vice President and office manager at Barnett Bank. Chris is a graduate of the University of South Florida with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University and he holds an MBA in international business from Florida Atlantic University. Presently, Chris serves on the board of directors of the State College of Florida Foundation where he chairs the audit committee. He serves on the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund board of advisors as its past president and is a board member of the Manatee Community Foundation as well as the Manatee County Library Foundation.

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.