After years of working in the philanthropic sector, this past February Susie Bowie left her position as vice president of marketing at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to helm the Manatee Community Foundation as its executive director. With an
office a few minutes from home, Bowie has given up her commute to work and gained the chance to oversee the largest community foundation based in Manatee.

Bob Ross

You remember his television show where he would draw “happy little trees”? He was such an important person for me when I was growing up. I love to express myself creatively. He got me interested in oil paintings. I would spend days locked in our play room painting all day long. I got to meet him twice in painting demonstrations in Charlotte, NC where I grew up. He would stay until he had spoken with every single person who wanted to talk to him, and he made them feel just as deserving of attention as anyone else in the room. From that I learned it’s easy to make people feel important by listening to them.

Emerson Point Preserve

It’s one of those special places in Manatee County. There is a wonderful trail that goes through the mangroves that is right next to the stream, and you can pass by wildlife there. People bring dogs, and you can see them peaceably and passively enjoying nature. One of the things I like about both Emerson Point and Robinson Preserve is that they were formerly in a state where native vegetation needed to be brought back—which took volunteer attention and dollars—and Manatee County’s government has worked very hard to restore native plants. I like that story of how you can take something that may have fallen away from its original state and restore the native habitat.

U2

I’ve traveled all over the country to see them nine times in concert. I love the band because they are able to mix incredible music, philanthropy and politics, and they still do it in a way that makes people follow them—I’m attracted to that message. I've been a huge fan since I was 15. “Iris” is quickly becoming a favorite song. They continue to adapt, which is something I respect artistically; they take risks and continue to try new things.

Nature Photography

I’m a very amateur photographer; it’s not so much about end results of the photography, but I find taking pictures to be meditative. It forces me to focus on what I am seeing in the moment instead of a million other things that could be running through my head. It’s an exercise in mindfulness. I love kayaking and taking pictures. My husband is concerned something will happen to my camera (a Canon Rebel t6i) but if you are not taking any chances you might as well just stay at home.

The Transcendentalists

My 11th grade English teacher, Susan Smith, was an amazing woman who pushed me to think beyond the ordinary. She was a demanding teacher and I learned I could earn her respect by thinking differently. She introduced me to the transcendentalist writers. A lot of people at that age found them dry and humorless, but I loved them. One of my favorite books is Walden by Henry David Thoreau.

Wilson and Pip

They are both crazy dogs. I would not be well liked by the Dog Whisperer because I don’t have any rules with my own animals. They have their own personalities and I let them do what they do. Both are adopted. Wilson is a boxer mix, while Pip is a shepherd mix.

Set of Pipes

I have a set of my late grandfather’s smoking pipes. They were part of an eccentric collection he had and still smell like the tobacco he used. He was always in his full element and character with his pipe, and the image is comforting to me.

Speaking for the Trees

Two of my favorite books growing up are about trees: The Giving Tree, which is of course all about giving from the heart, and The Lorax, which is really a book about the environment. Those two stories helped me shape my care for people and environment and my interest in philanthropy from a really young age.

Judy Bell

She is retired now but used to be vice president of nonprofit resources at the Community Foundation of Sarasota and was most recently executive director of the Neuro Challenge Foundation. One of the things Judy taught me is no matter what position you are in, it’s always ok to ask other people for counsel and suggestions. By doing that, you establish a rapport with people that puts them at ease and let’s them know you are on the same level, not above them. That’s an important thing for leaders to do. None of us can know everything. Community leaders should rely in part on other partners that help the community.