WGCU Public Media Announces 2016 MAKERS: Women Who Make Southwest Florida.
WGCU Public Media, in partnership with the Southwest Florida Community Foundation and the Women’s Foundation of Southwest Florida, announces the 2016 MAKERS: Women Who Make Southwest Florida.
Nominated by the public, the 2016 MAKERS were selected based on their impact in the arts, business, education, environment, health/wellness, politics or social justice in Southwest Florida. For the fourth year, Sanibel-based freelance producer Chelle Koster Walton will conduct the studio interviews and produce the video portrait tributes to these remarkable women.
The five women selected are:
Sister Maureen Kelleher, J.D., Immokalee
Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary and Legal Aid Services of Collier County
Denise McNulty, Naples
Director, Nursing Program, Ave Maria University and Educator, Lee Memorial Health System
Steffanie Pearce, Naples
General Director, Gulfshore Opera
Ricky Pires, Naples
Director, FGCU Wings of Hope/Panther Posse
Myra Roberts, Sanibel
Artist/Social Activist
The following women were nominated for 2016 MAKERS for leaving a special, lasting impact on the people, environment, economy and/or culture of Southwest Florida:
- Jennifer Benton – Executive Director, Abuse, Counseling, Treatment Center (A.C.T.)
- Wilma Boyd – President & CEO, Preferred Travel Naples
- Kristen Coury – Founder/Producing Artistic Director, Gulfshore Playhouse
- Samantha Castellano Dzembo – Founder/President, Wobbly Feet Foundation
- Susan “Sue” Dalton – Board Member, Conservancy of Southwest Florida
- Amy Emme – Coach, Goodwill’s Southwest Florida MicroEnterprise Institute
- Rochelle Graham – Founder, Alikay Naturals
- Teri Hansen – President/Creative Director, Priority Marketing
- Madelyn Isaacs, Ph.D. – Professor/Chair, Department of Counseling, Florida Gulf Coast University
- Pamela Jones-Martin – Director, Friends of Lovers Key State Park (FOLKS)
- Sister Maureen Kellelher – Managing Attorney, Legal Aid Service of Collier County
- Kathryn Kelly – President and CEO, The Heights Foundation
- Trish Leonard – President of TLC Marketing/President, Bonita Wonder Gardens
- Leoma Lovegrove – Artist, Lovegrove Gallery & Gardens
- Denise McNulty – Director, Nursing Program, Ave Maria University
- Jennifer Nelson – Senior Director of Sustainable Operations, Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida
- Steffanie Pearce – Founder/Artistic Director, Gulfshore Opera
- Judie Piccola – Founder, S.P.A.Y.-L.E.E., Lee County Pet Rescue
- Ricky Pires – Director, FGCU Panther Posse/ Wings of Hope, Florida Gulf Coast University
- Lori Riti – Principal, De LaSalle Academy of Fort Myers
- Myra Roberts – Artist/Social Activist
- Maria Loffredo Roca, Ph.D. – Associate Professor, Department of Communication and Philosophy, Florida Gulf Coast University
- Linda Taylor – Founder, Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program
- Sally Thimm – Case Manager, Professional Case Management of SWFL
- June Tomaso-Wood – Licensed Clinical Social Worker/Therapist
- Alice White – Founder/Chair, People for Trees
- Elizabeth Wills – Special Education Teacher, Collier County Schools
- Kathy Worley – Director of Environmental Science & Biologist, Conservancy of Southwest Florida
- Lisa Zeller – Music Teacher, Royal Palm Academy
The members of the Selection Committee, made up of past MAKERS and community leaders, will make their decisions based on how the nominee is:
- Leaving a legacy
- Building community
- Defying social norms
- Serving as a “first” in her field
In partnership with the Southwest Florida Community Foundation and the Women’s Foundation of Southwest Florida, MAKERS: Women Who Make Southwest Florida tells the stories of remarkable women of our region. It was inspired by the launch of PBS www.makers.com, which seeks to be the largest video collection of women’s stories ever assembled. Click here to be inspired by the 40 MAKERS from 2013-2015.
Reference: WGCU Makers
If you would like to learn more about Sally Thimm OTR/L Occupational Therapy Services visit: Professional Case Management of SWFL