Leadership Manatee Announces Its 2026 – 2027 Class Members

The Board of Governors of Leadership Manatee is proud to announce the selection of the 2026 – 2027 Leadership Manatee Class. A program of the Manatee Chamber Foundation in partnership with Bradenton Kiwanis, Leadership Manatee has served as the region’s premier leadership development program since 1982.

Now entering its 43rd year, the program is designed to identify and cultivate a diverse group of emerging and established leaders, exposing them to the challenges and opportunities that shape life in Manatee County. With more than 1,500 graduates, Leadership Manatee has a long-standing legacy of inspiring civic engagement and community stewardship.

Class members participate in a series of immersive, full-day sessions throughout the program year, gaining in-depth knowledge across sectors such as education, local government, healthcare, agriculture, business, transportation, law enforcement, and more. The program helps hone leadership skills while encouraging participants to take an enhanced role in shaping the future of our community.

Participants are selected through a competitive application process. A key criterion for acceptance is a demonstrated commitment to community involvement and the potential for long-term impact.

Congratulations to the 2026 – 2027 Leadership Manatee Class:

Audrey Abraham, One Stop Housing LLC
Ana Aristizabal, UnidosNow
Jermaine Ashley, Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County
Jackie Berkey, JP Morgan Chase
Johanna Beville, Manatee County Government – Community Services Department
Madison Bittner, NDC Construction Company
Melissa Carman, Goodwill Manasota
Dr. Heather Crawford, Harbor Chiropractic
Carol Czerwinski, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Steve Daniels, Leadership Performance Group LLC
Lucinda Derrick, Carr Riggs & Ingram
Chris Deshaies, City of Bradenton Police Department
Jake Dotson, The Mosaic Company
Sean Dwyer, Manatee County Government – Public Safety Department
Deb Estes, School District of Manatee County
Jessica Forristall, Forristall Enterprises
Greg Gilmore, Peace River Electric Cooperative
Janice Gore, Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC
Drena Green, Manatee County Girls Club, Inc DBA Just for Girls
Sherry Harris, Cogent Bank
Kyle Hogan, Pittsburgh Pirates / Bradenton Marauders
Jamie Howell, Solve Maternity Homes
Jay Johnson, West Manatee Fire and Rescue District
Chrissy Kavanagh, School District of Manatee County
Tonya Kida, Manatee Chamber of Commerce
Morgan Kimber, Oysters Rock Hospitality
Kara Koenig, Manatee County Government – Property Management Department
Lou Licata, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office
Matt Liebert, Blalock Walters, P.A.
Jen Linzy, Manatee Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
Colleen Maynard, Manatee Technical College
Stephanie McKinnon, Terracon
Heather Nicklaus, Step Up Suncoast
Dave Norris, SouthState Bank
Jay Perez, Blooming Landscapes & Turf Management
Nikki Phelan, Concierge Financial Advisor LLC / Rye Meadow Ranch LLC
Stephanie Pierre-Charles, Manatee County Government – Development Services Department
Monica Rider, MCR Health
Maria Rodriguez-Gnos, Turning Points
Chad Rossetti, Willis Smith Construction
Sara Sasada, Manatee County Tax Collector Office
Joe Sicking, North River Fire District
Jamie Tracy, State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota
Annabre Veal, Waste Pro
Erin Watson, Game On Nation

The 2026–2027 program will begin on Monday, August 24, and culminate with a graduation celebration on the evening of Wednesday, March 3, 2027.