The “ConnectED” statewide conference for the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations (Consortium) in Orlando on September 15 provided a great opportunity to surprise the Education Foundation of Sarasota County’s Jennifer Vigne with special recognition for her leadership in the organization. The Jim McKenzie Consortium Champion Award is presented annually to a local education foundation leader who exemplifies the Consortium’s values of collaboration, connection, leadership and excellence. The honoree is surprised with the award and recognized by their peers for actively engaging with the Consortium and sharing their time and resources with colleagues. Vigne was selected for her consistent engagement with the Consortium over the ten years as leader of the Foundation, including Board Chair from 2021-23. Vigne makes herself available to her peers on a regular basis, taking the lead in member professional development webinars and learning communities where she freely shares her knowledge and expertise as a high performing leader with her peers. Most recently she led the Consortium’s CEO Search and Transition Task Force to replace a 17-year leader, conducting a successful, smooth and thorough 10-month process of strategic conversations and actions to select the Consortium’s next leader.