From a bench overlooking Sarasota Bay, Jennifer Rominiecki basks in the sun as light rays bounce off the water surface and spread into the garden of succulents at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. “I’m here to make Selby Gardens as great as it can be,” she says, “and I’m all in.” The new executive director for this community gem knows the treasure she found when she moved here from New York. SRQ spoke with her about the other precious things that surround her life. 

Gregory Long, CEO of the New York Botanical Garden 

I worked under him for 15 years. He taught me that there is always more work to be done. He strove for perfection every day, and I've taken that credo with me. We did some major fundraising projects together that at first seemed insurmountable, but because we were so goal-oriented, together we made them successful.

2015 Fiat 500

I decided to get a new car down here. Because my commute is so unbelievably, amazingly short, I opted for a tiny car. I have a Fiat 1957, a 500-limited edition model retro-styled to the ‘50s. It’s a great ride and uses very little gasoline. I’m tall and when I get out of it I think it looks amusing.

Rob Rominiecki

My husband has supported my career whole-heartedly and enabled this trajectory. He provided a home base that has been necessary with raising children. He really believed in my career, and took a step back in his own to allow mine to flourish. He provides the home that our children Luke and Noah need.

Honeymoon in Paris, France

We stayed for a week in Paris in these chateaus in the Loire Valley. What was amazing is just the culture and the beauty there. We went there about a year and a half after 9-11 took place, and when we told people we were from New York, they were so sympathetic to what had happened. It was very heartfelt.

Queen Elizabeth I

Elizabeth Tudor was a trailblazer who achieved a tremendously successful reign for an extremely long spread of time when the world was certainly a tumultuous place. I am impressed by the historical female leaders who showed tremendous leadership at a time when it wasn’t thought women could be such leaders. She showed a female could be one of the greatest leaders of the time.

Philippa Gregory

I’m a big fan of historical fiction because nothing is more dramatic than reality. I’m a fan of the Phillipa Gregory books, which are fictional but historical as well. She paints a picture of very strong female characters. The White Queen is a good one.

Longboat Key

My biggest hobby right now is going to beaches. The Longboat Key Club beach is spectacular. My parents just came and stayed there, and we monopolized their stay by going to the beach every day. I got my first legitimate sunburn this past weekend. We couldn’t get out of the water. It was so gorgeous.

Rauschenberg Painting

My first job when I graduated was at the Guggenheim Museum, and we mounted a retrospective of his work. He was alive at the time, and did a limited edition print which I had the opportunity to purchase. Even though I couldn’t afford it I bought it. It remains one of my most prized possessions. I just value it tremendously. I find it so amazing to now be on the west coast of Florida. This is what clearly inspired him, being where he spent the latter part of his life.

Dressing in Color Everything is very black in New York. It just accumulates. That doesn’t fit nearly as well here, and you are much better off with options. Now it’s fun for me to experiment with colors. This is the first time in my life I’ve worn a white dress. I’m a Floridian now, so something I have to work on is Floridian-izing my wardrobe. It’s fun. You can embrace color here in a different way.

Steak and French Fries

I know a lot of women stay away from red meat and French fries. I’m not saying I eat it all the time, but sometimes there is nothing better. I know most people wouldn’t find such fattening food energizing, but to me it is.