So writes psychologist Carol Dweck in Mindset, a book that has influenced how I approach leadership and remains one of my favorite reads of the past decade. Dweck coined the term “growth mindset” to describe the belief that our abilities and qualities can be developed. During my years in nonprofit leadership, I have seen that the same principle applies to organizations and the boards that guide them.

A strong board embraces a growth mindset, all the while knowing it is only through discomfort that we grow. As a community evolves, an organization must grow by listening, learning, and evolving itself. To do that, it needs to understand both its strengths and its opportunities, then welcome people who bring new perspectives and capabilities to its work.

If you want the organization of the future, you must build the board of the future. Building a strong board begins with an honest assessment of its current state. What knowledge is already represented? What will the organization need as its work evolves to support emerging needs? Where could another voice widen the conversation? From there, the board chair, governance chair and CEO work closely to identify prospective members who can help prepare the organization for what comes next.

People often talk about finding board members who are a good “culture fit.” I prefer to think in terms of “culture add.” The right board members align with the mission and share an organization’s values while bringing something new that expands its thinking. They understand the community as it is today while also remaining curious about what it may need tomorrow. They also bring humility to listen before assuming they have the answers.

For a community foundation, choosing board members requires an especially long view. MCF exists to serve this community in perpetuity; as the only community foundation in Manatee focused on serving the County, we are building charitable resources that will benefit our neighbors long after any current board or staff member has completed their service. The leadership choices we make today determine how well MCF will show up for our community and respond to needs we cannot yet predict.

These ideas are especially timely as we celebrate the impactful contributions of three members who completed their journey on MCF’s board. Steve Roskamp served as board secretary and led multiple task forces and committees, and Jenifer Schembri invested over seven years of knowledge in charitable and estate planning—and remains an integral support to MCF in her role at Blalock Walters, P.A. As Board Chair, Buzz Turner helped lead MCF through its transition to becoming a fully independent organization. We are grateful for all they contributed during an important period for MCF.

To continue the work they helped advance, we welcome Anthony Baldo, Ryan Denton and Jose (Joe) Flores to the board. Anthony has spent more than 18 years helping families and philanthropic leaders manage resources with purpose as a leading financial advisor in the nation under the banner of JPMorgan Chase. Ryan combines more than two decades of investment experience with deep roots in Manatee County and a history of local service and excels in his professional life at The Milestone Financial Group at Morgan Stanley. Joe has devoted more than 30 years to helping families and business owners consider succession, charitable giving and the legacies they hope to leave currently practicing at Edward Jones after a remarkable journey that brought his family to the U.S. Each shares MCF’s commitment to connect people and resources, through strategic philanthropy, to build a better Manatee. They bring an entrepreneurial outlook, and they understand the responsibility of making decisions with the future in mind. I look forward to what we will learn from one another. It’s how we grow together.

It’s exciting to welcome new members, but good governance continues long after every seat has been filled, as organizations give board members the support they need to serve well. If you lead a nonprofit, invest the time now to consider what your board will need years from today. If you care about an organization in our community, ask yourself whether your own knowledge and experience could help advance its mission, and offer to support it with your time, talent, and treasure. Board service asks a great deal, but it pays back in spades, as a most meaningful way to invest in the place you call home.

Like an individual with a growth mindset, a strong board always looks forward and learns, together. It keeps learning, so it can better guide its organization and serve a changing community.

Veronica Thames is the CEO of the Manatee Community Foundation. 

Pictured: From left to right: Steve Roskamp, Jennifer Schembrii, Buzz Turner, Anthony Baldo, Ryan Denton, and Jose Flores. Provided photo.

This spring, New College of Florida welcomed students from approximately 45 organizations across the Sarasota-Manatee region to showcase the culmination of their for-credit internship experiences. At the College’s Internship Symposium, students presented projects and deliverables that reflected the remarkable breadth of opportunities available within our local economy—from marine conservation and economic development to healthcare initiatives and classroom education.

These presentations represented far more than academic exercises. They demonstrated the incredible drive and talent of New College students: young professionals eager to contribute meaningful work and prepared to enter the workforce upon graduation.

Every day, the Career Center meets with students seeking impactful experiences and employers looking to engage the next generation of talent. Time and again, we see the exact same reality emerge: students are eager to invest their skills in the communities where they learn.

A New Era of Professional and Civic Engagement

For decades, New College has maintained a distinct presence in Sarasota, often viewed primarily as a place where students come to study, reflect, and pursue intellectual interests. While that academic spirit remains central to the institution’s identity, today’s students are also invested in professional development and civic engagement.

As Sarasota and Manatee continue to grow, there is an increasing need to ensure that students drawn to our region have viable opportunities to remain here after graduation.

Research from organizations such as the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) and the Cooperative Education and Internship Association (CEIA) consistently highlights internships as one of the strongest indicators of successful post-graduation employment. Meaningful, hands-on experiences allow students to develop professional skills, establish local networks, and envision long-term futures within the communities they serve. For employers, internships offer an invaluable opportunity to cultivate and retain talent in an increasingly competitive workforce landscape.

Building Pipelines Through Targeted Partnerships

New College is actively building these critical talent pipelines through intentional, community-focused initiatives. These targeted programs illustrate the profound potential of local partnerships:

• Pathways to Health and Pathways to Education: By connecting students with healthcare programs, local schools, and community organizations, these initiatives support crucial sectors facing significant workforce needs while providing students with practical mentorship and hands-on experience.
• The Community-Driven Internship Program: This initiative recognizes the expansive ecosystem of nonprofit organizations that sustains Sarasota and Manatee counties. Through strategic partnerships, students contribute their talents to organizations addressing critical community needs while gaining experience in public service, advocacy, and civic leadership.

These opportunities not only strengthen the capacity of local organizations but also encourage students to become invested in the future of our region. They begin to see themselves not simply as temporary college-town residents, but as future educators, caregivers, innovators, nonprofit leaders, and engaged citizens.

An Investment in Economic Vitality

The continued growth and success of our region depend on intentional investment in professional development opportunities. Internships are not merely resume-building experiences; they are critical pipelines that strengthen local industries, connect students to their communities, and help ensure that our region retains the talented individuals we have worked so hard to attract.

Through partnerships between New College of Florida and organizations across the region, experiential learning can continue to serve as a powerful foundation for economic growth, workforce development, and community engagement. By investing in these collaborative opportunities today, we are investing directly in the future of Sarasota and Manatee counties.

Partner With Us to Build the Future

If your company or organization wants to invest in our local workforce pipeline—whether by offering meaningful internships or making a financial investment to support college students in our community—please reach out to me.

Together, we can ensure the next generation of talent thrives right here.

To connect with the New College Career Center and explore partnership opportunities, please contact Samantha Carmer at scarmer@ncf.edu.

Samantha Carmer,  Career Center, New College of Florida.

Legacies aren't built in a single career. They're carried forward by the people we inspire. And while some legacies leave an impression on an organization, a select few leave an impact on an entire profession.

This summer, one of the architects of Sarasota County’s tourism growth over the last quarter-century received the highest honor in our destination marketing profession. Visit Sarasota County’s former President, Virginia Haley, was inducted into Destinations International’s Hall of Fame, a distinction reserved for individuals whose leadership has shaped our industry on a global scale. Destinations International is the pinnacle of tourism bureaus around the world, connecting nearly 1,000 member organizations and business partners for education, forward-focused research, and sustainable success for destinations, including our own.

As I sat in the audience watching my former boss and mentor honored on stage, I couldn't help but reflect on the opportunities she granted me over the years. I will always be grateful for the confidence she placed in me. Although she retired three years ago, her influence is continually seen throughout the community, in the conversations I have with our partners and elected officials, and the momentum we steward to keep visitors coming, businesses open, and locals employed. I’m proud that I received the gift of Virginia’s mentorship, now duly recognized as one of the best in our industry, an honor both well-deserved and hard-earned.

For all those fortunate enough to work alongside Virginia over the years, the recognition comes as no surprise. During her 24 years leading our bureau, tourism grew dramatically, visitor spending reached record levels, and our region as a whole earned a fiercely respected reputation for innovation. She championed initiatives for our arts, culture, nature, and sports communities, helped advance transformational projects like The Bay, and elevated our identity as Florida’s Cultural Coast® throughout the Sunshine State and nationwide.

Perhaps that's why it felt so natural when we established our own awards program titled the Haley Hall of Fame Awards. These awards aren't simply about recognizing professional accomplishments but rather celebrating the people and businesses leaving an enduring mark on Sarasota County. Those quietly defining the character of our community, elevating those around them, and leaving impacts that extend well beyond their own four walls.

Often, the people making the greatest difference aren't the ones seeking recognition. That's exactly why these awards matter. And right now, we’re asking the community to help identify and celebrate those individuals and companies. If you know someone whose leadership has strengthened tourism, hospitality, arts and culture, sports, community partnerships, or our visitors’ experience, I encourage you to nominate a peer for a Haley Award.

Nominations for our Haley Hall of Fame Awards are open now and will be accepted through August 28 at https://bit.ly/haleyawards. Award recipients will be honored at our annual Indicators & Insights Summit on November 19 at the Art Ovation Hotel. There, we'll also welcome nationally recognized executive speakers who will share trends and best practices to help business leaders make more informed decisions influencing our top industry locally: tourism and hospitality.

A legacy can be earned through extraordinary accomplishments, but some of its most important pieces can’t be listed on a résumé. Those kinds of markers, meaningful as they are, can only tell part of the story. The truest legacy is what continues to grow because of small, influential moments that ripple outward long after we’ve forgotten them ourselves. So while we celebrate Virginia's remarkable achievement on the international stage, perhaps the best way to honor her legacy is by shining a light on those who continue building upon it right here in Sarasota County.

Erin Duggan is President and CEO of Visit Sarasota County. 

Pictured L-R: Don Welsh, President and CEO, Destinations International; Virginia Haley, Former President, Visit Sarasota County; Tammy Canavan, President and CEO, Visit Seattle; and Cleo Battle, President and CEO, Louisville Tourism. Provided photo.