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 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.