Pictured: Panelists and Honorees of the 2023 Philanthropic Agenda and Good Hero Awards luncheon. Photo by Wyatt Kostygan.

SRQ Magazine presented the 2023 Philanthropic Agenda and Good Hero Awards luncheon and panel discussion yesterday at Michael's on East. The program explores the dynamic and ever changing world of nonprofits and honors individuals who have meaningfully impacted our community for good in the past year, as well as for-profit companies who have been incredible philanthropic partners to the community.

Wes Roberts, Executive Publisher of SRQ Magazine, host and co-moderator opened the program by acknowledging SRQ Magazine’s special milestone of 25 years of publishing as SRQ Media Group. He spoke of the SB2 initiative which is dedicated to bringing the people of the Gulf Coast together to forge new relationships and elevate the entire nonprofit sector of our community. He then gave thanks to legacy series sponsor and good hero award sponsor, Brian Mariash and Bart Lowther of Mariash Lowther Wealth Management, host sponsor, Michael Klauber and Phil Mancini of Michael’s On East, trophy sponsor, Ken Levanti of Sarasota Trophy & Awards and floral sponsor, Chante DeMoustes of Tropical Interiors Florists.

Opening remarks were made by Bart Lowther of Mariash Lowther Wealth Management who spoke of his firm’s mantra to educate, connect and contribute on all things related to the nonprofit sector. Keynote Speaker, Mark Brewer, President and CEO of the Central Florida Foundation then took the stage who shared this year’s shared trends in giving and spoke of hope for the future.

Featured panelists representing community and private foundations in our region were then invited to take part in a discussion moderated by Wes Roberts. This year’s panelists were John Annis, Senior VP, Collaboration and Impact, The Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation, Amber Lamerson, Donor Experience Officer, The Bay Park Conservancy, Phillip P. Lanham, CAP®, President|CEO, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Veronica Thames, Executive Director, Manatee Community Foundation and Jay Young, Vice President, Philanthropy, The Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

Ashley Grant, SRQ’s Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Engagement presented the 2023 Good Hero Philanthropic Awards to the very special individuals from all areas of the independent sector who have made a difference in our community. “We recognize all of these individuals for their big hearts and for reaching out  to strengthen the impact of our regional philanthropic core,” Grant said. “Each nominee’s story was shared by someone whose life was uplifted by their generosity —and many were multiple pages in length.” Panelists, sponsors and good hero honorees gathered for a group photo as the luncheon wrapped. 

Pictured: Panelists and Honorees of the 2023 Philanthropic Agenda and Good Hero Awards luncheon. Photo by Wyatt Kostygan.