Pictured (l-r): Teri Hansen, President and CEO of the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation with Wes Roberts, Executive Publisher of SRQ Magazine. Photo by Daniel Wagner or Wagner Visuals.

SRQ Magazine presented the 2025 Giving Coast and Good Hero Awards luncheon and panel discussion on Wednesday, December 10, at Michael's on East. The annual event brought together nonprofit organizations, community foundations, individual and corporate donors and civic leaders to celebrate and elevate the spirit of giving that drives our region forward.

Wes Roberts, Executive Publisher of SRQ Magazine, host and co-moderator opened the program and gave thanks to the event’s host sponsor, Michael’s On East, trophy sponsor, Ken Levanti of Sarasota Trophy & Awards, floral sponsor, Chante DeMoustes of Tropical Interiors Florists, giving tree Sponsor, Troy’s Tropics, youth good hero award Sponsor, Children First and good hero lifetime achievement award sponsor, Mariner Wealth Management. He then asked Keynote Speaker, Mark Brewer, President and CEO of the Central Florida Foundation to take the stage.

Featured panelists representing community and private foundations in our region were invited to take part in a discussion moderated by Roberts. This year’s panelists were Wendy Deming of Bishop-Parker Foundation, Veronica Thames of Manatee Community Foundation, Pam Kandziora of IMPACT100 SRQ, Omar Guevara-Soto of Charles and Margery Baranick Foundation, Cheri Coryea of The Patterson Foundation, Kirsten Russell of Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Phillip P. Lanham of Gulf Coast Community Foundation and Elizabeth Power of William G. and Marie Selby Foundation.

Ashley Grant, SRQ’s Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Engagement, presented this year’s Good Hero Lifetime Achievement Award to Teri A. Hansen, President/CEO of the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Hansen manages the daily work of Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation as it strives to make a meaningful difference in Sarasota and beyond. She was hired as the Foundation’s first employee in July 2015. In March 2025, she announced her plans to retire. “I could not have done what I’ve done without the amazing nonprofit leaders and the philanthropists who support those organizations,” she said. “I am grateful to you all for the work that you do and I’m excited to watch you continue it.”

Grant then presented the Good Hero Philanthropic Awards to the very special individuals from all areas of the independent sector who have made a difference in our community. “SRQ Magazine’s Good Hero Philanthropic Awards Celebration is a place to share impactful stories about the spirit of philanthropy and to recognize individuals who make a difference in our community,” she said. “Together, we will recognize some very special individuals nominated by you and our readers, from all areas of the independent sector. We celebrate individuals who represent the staff, philanthropists, board members and corporate good heroes that make giving back part of their personal mission.”

Pictured (l-r): Teri Hansen, President and CEO of the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation with Wes Roberts, Executive Publisher of SRQ Magazine. Photo by Daniel Wagner or Wagner Visuals.