IN PICTURES: NONPROFIT ROCKSTARS GATHER FOR LEADERSHIP TRAINING IN THE UPPER KEYS

The Community Foundation of the Florida Keys’ signature program welcomed 47 nonprofit leaders for a two-day training that focuses on best practices in areas such as fundraising and planning. At CFFK’s Leadership Success Academy, held Feb. 10-11 at College of the Florida Keys’ Upper Keys Center, nonprofit staff and board members heard from presenters Alex Counts, nonprofit consultant; Susanne Woods, Community Foundation board chair; Kimberly Matthews, Monroe County strategic planning director; and Wendy Gentes, assistant vice president of development for Baptist Health South Florida. 

Graduates this year include: Roberto Alonso, Kathryn Banick, Bonnie Barnes, Gina Boilini, Cathy Brewer, Alexa Bryant, Becki Burns, Curtiss Wright Carter, Cheryl Culberson, Jill Davis, Denise Downing, Lindsay Fast, Blanqui Galvez, Emma Haydocy, Stacey Henderson, Ben Hermelin, Cindi Irwin, Derrick Johnson, Hunter Kinney, Jill Kuehnert, Jasmine Lee, Laura Lietaert, Lesly Lopez, Jenny Lopez Romero, Szilvia Ludanyi, K. Shylon Martin, Chris McNulty, Patricia Milian, Stephen Molnar, Bob Murray, Madalyn Mussey, Judy O’Hara-Vetrick, Brittany Parker, Henry Quintana, Darlene Rota, Jocelyn Solis Lopez, Theresa Sutter, Terry Sutton, Sarah Van Caster, Russ Vickers, Terry Willner Tainow, Patricia Witchel, Amy Young and Suzi Youngberg. Leadership Success Academy alumni Ron Burd, Betsy Baste and Abby Goldman returned to learn and graduate again with their fellow nonprofit board members.

Jim McCarthy
Jim McCarthy is one of the many Western New Yorkers who escaped the snow and frigid temperatures for warm living by the water. A former crime & court reporter and city editor for two Western New York newspapers, Jim has been honing his craft since he graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 2014. In his 4-plus years in the Keys, Jim has enjoyed connecting with the community. “One of my college professors would always preach to be curious,” he said. “Behind every person is a story that’s unique to them, and one worth telling. As writers, we are the ones who paint the pictures in the readers minds of the emotions, the struggles and the triumphs.” Jim is past president of the Key Largo Sunset Rotary Club, which is composed of energetic members who serve the community’s youth and older populations. Jim is a sports fanatic who loves to watch football, hockey, mixed martial arts and golf. He also enjoys time with family and his new baby boy, Lucas, who arrived Oct. 4, 2022.