As the calendar turns and Sarasota County moves into what many still call the “off-season,” I’m reminded how the rhythms of this community have never quite followed the expected script. After all, it was the Ringling Circus that first redefined winter here, not as a time of rest, but as a time of renewal. Their off-season was anything but idle. It became a season of imagination, rehearsal, and creation.

That spirit still runs through our cultural veins.

On May 21, we gathered at the Sarasota Opera House for “Perspective. Practice. Place.” – A Summit on Arts, Community, and Creative Leadership. It was an afternoon full of insight, passion, and powerful reminders of why Sarasota County has long drawn artists, visionaries, and those looking to build something different.

From the mid-century boom of artist colonies escaping the rigidity of northern cities to the vibrant network of performers, educators, and creatives who call this place home today, this region has always been more than a destination, it’s been a cultural experiment in motion.

The summit made that legacy feel alive and urgent.

To those who joined us: thank you. Your presence affirmed that even in May, even in what some still call the “quiet season,” our creative community is in full bloom.

Our keynote speaker, Deborah F. Rutter, grounded us in the realities and possibilities of leading cultural institutions today. Her stories were both eye-opening and inspiring, a reminder that resilience and imagination go hand in hand. Paired with the brilliance of Sarasota Contemporary Dance, the musical energy of Karim Manning and Upward Notes, and the thoughtful contributions from local leaders, we experienced not just a reflection of where we are, but a glimpse of where we can go.

And it doesn’t stop here.

The summit surfaced both opportunities and challenges, from sustainable funding and equitable access to the evolving role of cultural spaces in our region. But it also highlighted a truth we must keep naming: Sarasota County is never really in an “off-season.” The work continues. The art continues. The conversations, collaborations, and creativity keep showing up, in new forms, new faces, and new futures.

We’re not done yet.

Thanks to the generous support of the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation and the Town Hall Speaker Series of Ringling College, this summit was only the beginning of what’s possible when we gather, reflect, and lead with creativity.

As history tells the story of people coming to Sarasota County to escape, and to begin again, we now carry forward a different kind of legacy. One rooted in possibility. One that doesn’t pause when the season changes.

Thank you for being part of it

Brian Hersh is the Chief Executive Officer of the Arts and Cultural Alliances for Sarasota County. 

Pictured: Brian Hersh, CEO of Arts and Cultural Alliances for Sarasota County, engages in a lively Q&A with Deborah F. Rutter, former President of the Kennedy Center, during

This month I will conclude my 14-year tenure leading the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, and while this moment is bittersweet, I am buoyed more than ever by reflecting on the many people who have been by my side and, in turn, helped our entire community through their support and their commitment to creating a community where everyone can thrive.

I always say, “All of us are smarter than one of us,” and it seems only fitting to use this column to shine a light on those who have guided me and our entire foundation. We pride ourselves on our culture of “asking and listening,” which ensures community voices are heard so that our support can lead to empowering outcomes to help individuals, families and neighborhoods create economic security and social mobility.

Each group noted here has contributed to our collective impact, and I am eternally grateful to each for their belief and trust.

• Thanks to the Executive Search Committee and Board that in 2011 had faith in me to take on the extraordinary opportunity and responsibility to become only the second CEO in our 45-year history, following my predecessor, the late Stewart Stearns. I recently celebrated with the Search Committee and Board Chairs I’ve served over the years to say thanks for their selfless community service. (We missed Diane McFarlin, who was unable to join us.) These leaders’ counsel continues to ring true.
• Thanks also to the extraordinary colleagues I’ve been privileged to work with to further our Community Foundation’s purpose of community impact powered by philanthropy. It is a joy each day to work with people who are so talented, smart and passionate about our community. We have a terrific, tenured team, and I am so fortunate that they have chosen to contribute their gifts to our community by working for our foundation.
• I am incredibly appreciative of the many generous, caring and visionary donors who trust our Community Foundation to carry out their philanthropic intentions. We are fortunate to live in a place where people give of themselves to make life better for others. I am proud of the cumulative $500 million-plus we have granted to the community, changing the lives of thousands of people for the better.
• I am so grateful for the remarkable nonprofit leaders and their teams whose passion and commitment to their missions are why we enjoy our incredible quality of life. Our nonprofit partners safeguard our values and make this community better every day.
• Thanks also to our foundation partners. Teamwork really does make the dream work, and it has been so rewarding to work in partnership with the network of foundations whose cooperation and collaboration has been key to solving some of our area’s most pressing challenges. A special shout-out to The Patterson Foundation and its president and CEO, Debra Jacobs. The Patterson Foundation has amplified so many of our initiatives—from their previously unheard-of 1:1 match for the Giving Challenge to their generous support of Season of Sharing and the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund. I am so grateful for their unwavering support, which has bolstered all our fundraising by inspiring giving and has made an enormous impact on this community.
• My last heartfelt thank you is to my husband of 48 years, Mike Jerde, for his steadfast support and for joining me in adopting Sarasota as our community, our home.

As I sign off, I am so blessed to leave with a plethora of amazing relationships and friendships. While you may see me cycling on the Legacy Trail, enjoying our cultural and environmental treasures, welcoming friends and family to share our beautiful community, or cheering on our beloved Iowa Hawkeyes, Kansas City Chiefs and Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever, my heart will always be with the Community Foundation as I cheer on our third president and CEO in our 46-year history. So long!

Roxie Jerde is president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. 

Pictured: From left to right: Charla Burchett, Nelle Miller, Dan DeLeo, Marilyn Thompson, Phil Delaney, Felice Schulaner, Margaret Callihan, Jim Shedivy, Kathie Roberts, Rick Gans and Roxie Jerde. Provided photo.

This is always an exciting and inspiring time of year. It’s graduation season—a major milestone for students as they turn the page to their next chapter.

For us, it’s also scholarship season: a powerful reminder of our mission and a benchmark for our vision—to unite the community in preparing each and every student for life. It’s the time of year when we see the hard work quite literally pay off for local students, and it’s an honor to be one of many scholarship providers in our community connecting generous donors with aspirational students.

Sarasota County boasts a historic 93% graduation rate. But for many graduates—especially those lacking financial resources or guidance—the next steps can feel overwhelming.

This year, the Education Foundation supported Sarasota County students with nearly 70 scholarships—and we’re not done yet. We remain committed to helping students prepare for life after high school. As part of that effort, we launched a new program called Future-Ready Scholars. In its first year, the program awarded 44 students a one-time $1,000 scholarship. Ten students also received a $2,500 DeLynn Foundation Future-Ready Scholarship.

Our scholarships support a wide range of postsecondary paths—from university degrees to high-level certificates and vital trades like electrical work, plumbing, and automotive technology—fields that are essential to every community. Postsecondary plans have expenses beyond tuition and fees that many scholarships don’t always cover. These non-qualified expenses can include books, uniforms, housing, and supplies—costs that can come with a wide range of variance. For some students, these costs are a barrier to starting or finishing a program. The Education Foundation, as well as many other scholarship providers, offer scholarships to help pay or offset these non-qualified expenses based on financial need, so it’s beneficial for students to pursue all types of scholarships.

One student, Cody, exemplifies what’s possible when a community steps in to support a young person’s future. After working with our Education Foundation Success Coaches, Cody received the STRIVE Award as both a junior and senior—an honor given to students who have demonstrated resilience in overcoming challenges. He also received a Future-Ready Scholarship and a Jump Start Scholarship. This fall, Cody will attend State College of Florida to study cybersecurity and technology.

Scholarships can be the differentiator in whether a student continues to postsecondary education, and we continue to believe that an investment in a child’s education is the best investment anyone can make. If you’re inspired to help students succeed, we invite you to get involved. It’s an investment in all of our futures.

Jennifer Vigne is the President and CEO of the Education Foundation of Sarasota County. 

Pictured: Left to right: Venice High School student Gabriel Morales, Education Foundation Scholarships Manager Heather Ferrigno; Ferrigno, Venice High School student Katelyn Lunsford; Education Foundation Student Success Coach Diana Berris, Sarasota Milit