With each commencement season, we naturally look back on the year that preceded it. For better or worse, the last nine months have generated their share of memories and milestones.

Even the least hyperbolic among us would characterize the 2024-2025 school year as “unprecedented.” The 96-year history of the Ringling College of Art and Design has never before witnessed a natural disaster like the storms that wrought havoc on the Sarasota-Bradenton area last summer and fall. But during and after that destruction and disruption, our students have demonstrated inspiring resilience, alongside the characteristic talent and ingenuity we see from them year after year.

Just two weeks before the school year began in August, Hurricane Debby caused widespread flooding locally and set the tone for a heartbreaking two months in Sarasota-Manatee. Students had been in class for less than a month when preparations for Helene began in September, followed almost immediately by Milton, which came ashore directly over the Ringling College campus as a category 3 hurricane.

While the College was fortunate to be spared any serious physical damage, multiple evacuations, extended power outages and extensive debris cleanup took an emotional toll on our whole community—and especially the students, many of whom come from other parts of the world and have never experienced extreme tropical weather.

It would have been fair to expect some decline, even just temporarily, in their focus and work ethic. Instead, our students returned to campus in October and rallied, redoubling their academic efforts and embracing and enhancing the Ringling College culture with renewed energy.

This year also marked the debut of our new Environmental Studies minor. How about that for timing? With this line of study, we aim to provide our students with a thorough understanding of contemporary environmental issues that affect our present as well as our future.

So many artists leverage their visual communication skills to help disseminate valuable climate information and facilitate real-world solutions. Our passionate students have already taken advantage of the opportunity to incorporate Environmental Studies classes into their liberal arts curriculum. With this new minor, many upcoming Ringling College graduates will enter the workforce not only with a well-honed artistic skill set, but with a foundation in environmental science that will allow them to become future leaders in some of the world’s most important 21st-century issues.

Additionally, in the spring semester, we launched our Author/Illustrator certificate program. This program of study combines creative writing and illustration skills that are so relevant to today’s publishing industry. For decades, so many of our students have discovered and nurtured their artistic passions through comic books and graphic novels; likewise, many have gone on to create award-winning children’s books. With this certificate, our students will be even more prepared to hone their stories and pitch their projects.

Another highlight of this year came entirely from students from another area of study, the Business of Art and Design. These students fully organized not one but two incredible, simultaneous, on-campus exhibitions: Jack Davis: Legacy of Laughter, featuring works by the Mad magazine cartoonist; and Nothing New: Archives of Affection, a multi-sensory, multimedia exhibition centered on more than 300 daguerreotypes of male couples from the 1800s.

Both of these complex public events involved collaborative teams of students working to design, plan, curate, and market thought-provoking and evocative, emotional artwork. And the resulting experiences enlightened and enriched everyone who came to see them.

These are just a few of the countless triumphs that our students have achieved this year. For example, there were nonprofit partnerships and award-winning films that received national recognition for their student filmmakers’ talents and benevolence. Between these headlines are thousands of as-yet-untold Ringling College victories that these incredible young people achieve and conquer day in and day out.

Every year, I learn new ways to be astounded by our students’ capacity to embrace some circumstances and challenge others; to absorb the beauty and trauma of the world and translate it into power and compassion; to push well beyond our current challenges and buoy themselves, and those of us around them, with new joys.

I’m always proud of our students for their brilliance, their creativity, and their steadfast determination to learn and achieve. This year, I’m in awe of them. 

Pictured: Jack Davis: Legacy of Laughter exhibition. Photo by Julia Sankar.

In Sarasota, we often speak about legacy—what we build, what we leave behind, and who will carry it forward. That’s why supporting our young professionals isn’t just a nice gesture—it’s an economic imperative. They are the next generation of business owners, educators, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders. If we want Sarasota to remain vibrant, innovative, and economically strong, we must embrace, grow, and invest in our young professional community now.

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce proudly champions this effort through our Young Professionals Group (YPG). This initiative offers Sarasota’s emerging leaders a platform to connect, grow, and thrive, both personally and professionally. YPG members represent a diverse and driven group of individuals under 40 who are passionate about their careers, their community, and their role in shaping what comes next.

Why does this matter? Because talent retention is critical to a region’s long-term vitality. When young professionals feel seen, supported, and empowered, they stay—and they build. They open businesses, buy homes, raise families, and contribute to the economic ecosystem. Communities that fail to create space for young professionals are often left wondering why their talent pool is shrinking and their innovation pipeline is drying up.

In addition to hosting vibrant social events, YPG is committed to making a difference in the community. Members regularly volunteer at local nonprofits, donating their time, skills, and energy to causes that matter in Sarasota. This service-minded spirit not only supports important community work, it also strengthens leadership skills and reinforces the power of giving back.

The group also offers educational and professional development opportunities throughout the year—whether through small group learning sessions, lunch-and-learns, or leadership luncheons with local CEOs. These experiences help young professionals grow their skill sets, gain new perspectives, and build confidence in their ability to lead.

And the highlight of the year? The YP Summit 2025—Sarasota’s premier event for young professionals.

Set for Friday, May 30, 2025, the YP Summit is a half-day experience packed with inspiration, insight, and connection. From dynamic keynote speakers and interactive workshops focused on career advancement, mental health, leadership, and civic engagement, the summit is designed to equip and energize our region’s rising stars.

Whether you're an emerging leader, a company looking to support and retain young talent, or a community stakeholder who understands the importance of generational leadership—this is where it all comes together.

Registration details, sponsorship opportunities, and the full agenda for the 2025 YP Summit can be found at www.sarasotachamber.com.

Heather Kasten is President/CEO, The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. 

Pictured: The YP Summit of 2024. Photo courtesy of The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.

The economy is a big topic nowadays. No one has a crystal ball, but at the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County (EDC) we actively stay on top of current industry trends and are proud to present the data that matters most to our business and government leaders. We are once again looking ahead with our annual Economic Outlook event, on Thursday, May 15th

We will have a great conversation between Michelle Dennard, Vice President-Regional Executive of the Jacksonville Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, and Bemetra Simmons, President and CEO of Tampa Bay Partnership.

Michelle will discuss today’s capital and credit landscape and what it means for businesses navigating change. She will explore real-world insights into pricing and inflation and break down the latest monetary policy trends in an easy-to-understand way.

In her role, Michelle is responsible for the Branch's Board of Directors and the District's Advisory Council on Transportation and Logistics and provides regional input into the Atlanta Fed's monetary policy process. Before joining the Fed, Michelle most recently served as president and CEO of CareerSource Florida Inc. She has also served as the Director for the Division of Strategic Business Development at the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (now FloridaCommerce) and Deputy Director of the Florida Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development.

Bemetra will discuss key economic trends shaping our region. From job growth and affordability to wages and workforce dynamics, she will break down the data driving prosperity in the Tampa Bay region and Sarasota County. Discover how strong communities are built through quality jobs, smart planning, and a thriving talent pool.

Bemetra serves as the President and CEO of the Tampa Bay Partnership, a regional coalition of business and nonprofit leaders joined by a shared commitment to improving Tampa Bay residents' personal and economic well-being. Before joining the Partnership, Bemetra was the Chief Strategy and Operations Officer at United Way Suncoast. She also has over 16 years of experience as an executive in the banking industry.

These two panelists will provide a unique look into local competitiveness and economic trends, with macro insight into the real-time data tracked by the Federal Reserve Bank.

Networking will occur from 8:00 to 9:00 am., and the event will begin promptly at 9:00am. You can purchase tickets by visiting https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-economic-outlook-tickets-1191813208389?aff=oddtdtcreator. For information regarding promoting your brand through a sponsorship, please reach out to Community Engagement & Event Specialist Anna Eger at aeger@edcsarasotacounty.com.

We look forward to seeing you at this year's Economic Outlook!

Erin Silk is the President & CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County. 

For ticket information click here.