Janelle Piersoll is a dedicated mother of four and has been happily married for 11 years. She attributes her family life to keeping her grounded and inspired. Much of her time is devoted to her children’s activities, particularly baseball. Her husband coaches their son’s team, and she serves as the team parent for all her boys’ baseball teams—covering both travel and Little League. This role encompasses everything from coordinating events to providing support for the coaches and families.

Beyond the ballfield, Piersoll is actively involved in the community. She serves on the PTO board at Ashton Elementary School as the Business Partner Coordinator, where she connects the school with local resources and support. She also served as the Secretary of the Board for the Early Care Center, her son’s daycare, offering organizational support and assisting with governance. Outside of her professional and parenting responsibilities, Piersoll enjoys traveling, especially to places with personal significance. She and her husband honeymooned in Costa Rica and plan to return to the meaningful destination soon. 

Born and raised in Minnesota, Piersoll moved to Sarasota in March 2011 to work for S-One Holdings Corporation, where she is still employed today. “I’ve lived in the Sarasota area for 15 years come March, and it truly feels like home, both because of the community and the balance it offers for raising a family,” she says. “I’m currently the VP of Technology at S-One, where I’ve spent the last several years growing both personally and professionally. My focus is on leading our technology strategy, driving innovation and enabling our teams with the tools they need to succeed. I work closely across depart-ments to modernize systems, streamline processes and support the continued growth of a company I care deeply about.”

S-One is often recognized as a philanthropic leader in the region. With a deeply rooted culture of giving back, philanthropy isn’t just something they talk about; it’s something woven into the fabric of the company. “One of our strongest partnerships is with All Faiths Food Bank, where our teams volunteer regularly, helping provide meals to families in need,” she shares. “S-One organizes volunteer days throughout the year and employees are encouraged to participate through our paid volunteer time program. It’s one of the things I love most about the company: giving back is truly a shared priority.” She explains that S-One looks for any opportunity to support the community—not just through volunteering. “We’ve donated school supplies for local students, contributed supplies to pet adoption organizations and hosted blood drives. There’s also a fundraising element to nearly every event we hold; we find creative and meaningful ways to make sure that fun at work also leads to impact in the community. For me, it’s incredibly meaningful to be part of an organization that consistently steps up for families, children and those facing hardship. I’ve always believed that companies have the ability and responsibility to uplift their communities, and S-One truly lives that out in action.”

Piersoll personally has volunteered with SCF students interested in technical careers, which she feels has been one of the most rewarding parts of her volunteer experience. “I’ve spent several years partnering with their Coding Bootcamp, helping students prepare for careers in technology,” she says. “I’ve given multiple talks on interviewing and career readiness, including serving as the keynote speaker for two of their Demo Days. Beyond speaking, I’ve also mentored students directly, and even paired members of our IT department at S-One with students so each person had an industry professional to learn from. Seeing these students gain the confidence to enter the tech workforce has been incredibly meaningful.”

Piersoll is guided by two primary mantras: “Leadership is service” and “Leave things better than you found them.” She lives by “Leadership is service” because she believes in showing up for others—at home, work and in the community—and leveraging her resources and talents to create opportunities for someone else. Her second mantra, “Leave things better than you found them,” applies universally to people, organizations and communities. One of the most meaningful experiences Piersoll remembers involves mentoring a high school student through the Faces of Accomplishment program. “When we met, she was at a point where she needed guidance, structure and someone who believed in her potential. Over our three years together, I watched her grow, make better choices, push through challenges and ultimately graduate high school, something she wasn’t sure she would achieve,” she recalls. “Today, she’s a manager at Publix and thriving. Watching her succeed, knowing that consistency and encouragement made a difference, is something I will carry with me forever. It reminded me that mentorship doesn’t have to be complicated; it just has to be consistent and genuine.”

For those hoping to become philanthropically involved, Piersoll shares this advice: “Start with something that resonates with you personally. Philanthropy becomes sustainable and impactful when it aligns with your values. Begin with one organization or cause that sparks your interest, ask where help is genuinely needed; it may not be the glamorous role, but it’s often the most meaningful. Be sure to show up consistently, even in small ways and don’t underestimate the power of mentorship or hands-on support. Sometimes, giving your time can change someone’s life more than writing a check. Our region is full of opportunities to contribute, from schools and food banks to youth mentorship programs and workforce development initiatives. Once you take the first step, you’ll find there’s no shortage of ways to make a difference.”

Piersoll is incredibly humbled to be recognized as a Good Hero because to her, it means that the effort, care and commitment she tries to show every day, as a parent, a leader, a mentor and a community member, has made a positive impact. “It motivates me to keep going, keep giving and keep lifting others up. Our community is full of amazing people doing meaningful work, and being included among them is an honor I don’t take lightly. Giving back is something that grounds me and brings purpose to everything I do.” 

Janelle Piersoll was recognized as a Good Hero by SRQ Magazine in December 2024.