Creating Community by Design: SeaFlower Names Maria Dandy as Art of Living Director

As SeaFlower welcomes new residents and prepares to open The Garden Club, its first community amenity, the master-planned community has named Maria “Ria” Dandy as Art of Living Director. In the newly created role, Dandy will lead lifestyle programming and resident engagement designed to bring neighbors together, build meaningful relationships and cultivate a vibrant sense of community.

“SeaFlower is intentionally designed to bring people together, and Ria will play an important role in bringing that vision to life,” said Ed Hill, Principal, Lake Flores Land Company. “Her background in hospitality, guest services, event planning and community engagement makes her an ideal fit to help shape the welcoming atmosphere and resident experience that will define SeaFlower for years to come.”

Already a familiar face to many SeaFlower homeowners, Dandy previously served as a Community Relations Ambassador at the SeaFlower Welcome Center, building relationships with residents from their earliest visits to the community. As Art of Living Director, she will continue to build on those connections while developing a year-round calendar of activities and experiences that will shape SeaFlower’s resident lifestyle. Until The Garden Club opens later this fall, Dandy will continue to be based at the SeaFlower Welcome Center, engaging with residents and laying the groundwork for programming to come.

“One of the most rewarding parts of being a Community Relations Ambassador was watching visitors become buyers, then seeing those buyers become residents, friends and neighbors,” said Dandy. “I’ve had the opportunity to get to know almost every SeaFlower resident, so I’m especially excited to foster those relationships and create experiences that bring people together.”

Dandy brings decades of hospitality and guest-experience expertise to the position, including management experience at Walt Disney World, where she was involved in opening operations at EPCOT during a period of park expansion. That experience, combined with her work directly with SeaFlower residents, gives her a unique perspective on creating welcoming environments and memorable experiences.