Pictured: Pictured: Bart Lowther (left) of Mariash Lowther Wealth Management with Pauline Wamsler. Photo by Wyatt Kostygan.

Each year, SRQ Media invites the community to nominate individuals with hearts of giving who have made a significant impact with local nonprofit organizations — from volunteers and board members to individual staff members and donors. Tuesday, December 5th, attendees happily joined together to recognize our annual Good Hero Philanthropic Award recipients at the SB2: Philanthropic Agenda and Good Hero Awards Luncheon at Michael’s on East in Sarasota. We are delighted to feature each of the twelve honorees in our Wednesday Philanthropic edition of SRQ Daily.

Today we are recognizing Pauline Wamsler, Board Member Gulf Coast Community Foundation, who is an aspirational leader in giving back. As a local environmental philanthropist, Wamsler is a role model for anyone wanting to leave the community better than they found it. She graciously shares her expertise, time, and sense of humor to support nature and our nonprofits. She conducts herself with style and humility and embodies the true spirit of philanthropy--the giving of time, talent, and treasure to uplift others. Wamsler moved here to raise her two daughters and has given generously to our community with a pioneering spirit in a similar vein as her great-great-grandmother, Bertha Palmer.  Her community service has contributed to the quality of life we all enjoy, particularly through her support of local nonprofits. She co-founded the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, and serves on their Board of Advisors helping to protect land and water across Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties. To date, more than 19,200 acres across 56 properties are protected. This adds up to nearly 30 square miles of protected land for children, adults, wildlife and our waterways. Gulf Coast Community Foundation was the first to grant them funds to purchase property. In addition, she served as the Chair of the Board of Directors of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens as they expanded to two campuses and embarked on a Master Plan to improve the downtown campus, on the Board of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation and on the Board of Advisors of the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast. The counsel she provided while serving on the Finance Committees at both Gulf Coast and Selby Gardens was transformational for both organizations. The growth they achieved under her leadership was exponential. Congratulations on a well-deserved honor, Pauline.

Pictured: Pictured: Bart Lowther (left) of Mariash Lowther Wealth Management with Pauline Wamsler. Photo by Wyatt Kostygan.