Often described as a “bubble bath for the brain,” PINC—standing for People, Ideas, Nature, Creativity—will soon return to Sarasota Opera House for another all-day packed event. PINC Experience celebrates its sixth year bringing together international storytellers and thought leaders from all walks of life for a meeting of the minds—with a TED Talk format—to stoke the fire of creativity and change. 

Of the twelve world-renowned speakers making their way to Sarasota on December 12, Sophie Hollingsworth remains one with local roots and ties, though she now calls Sydney, Australia home—for now. She is considered a modern day explorer, whose passion for expeditions off-the-beaten-track and discovering indigenous ways of life, have led her to undertake uncharted treks and far-flung adventures most deem too inhospitable to bother. With a resume that includes everything from trekking the mountains of Madagascar and traversing across the desert in Namibia, to meeting tribes in the Republic of Vanuatu to conduct ethnographic research, and sailing across the Pacific Ocean as the youngest woman to obtain a 200-ton MCA Yachtmaster Captains License—her environmental advocacy work and writings have since been featured internationally by organizations like the United Nations and publications like Oceanographic Magazine and Nat Geo. In 2017, she earned herself the revered title of New Explorer of the Year by National Geographic, and has since been dubbed by many media sources as "the Millennial Indiana Jones."  

After a long-distance call from down under with SRQ, Hollingsworth shared what she’s excited to bring to the PINC stage next Thursday. “I get told a lot that I was born 200 years too late to be an explorer,” she laughs, “So I’m definitely going to lead with what it means to be an explorer in the 21st century and touch on the importance of mindful exploration.” Hollingsworth goes on to note that exploration is not about planting your nation’s flag in an uncharted territory or being the first to summit the world’s tallest mountain. And although today's tech-savvy era has spawned a new wave of social media-starved explorers who crave ‘likes’ for their brave adventure travels, “Exploration, at its core, is curiosity and action," she notes, "It can still be used as an integral piece in helping build a more sustainable future."

Today, Hollingsworth holds the title of Health Security Specialist for civil military relations in infectious disease outbreaks and biodefense, as well as the environment consultant and ocean campaign leader for Global Citizen. Meanwhile, Hollingsworth manages to find time to also operate her own nonprofit organization. As the founder of AquaAid International, she works with remote villages and local governments of Central America and Sub-Saharan Africa—helping to establish sustainable sources of, or access to, clean drinking water and basic sanitation needs.

“I’ve been really fortunate to get out into these really remote places and experience cultures who have an alternative way of engaging with the planet,” she shares. “I get that not everyone is interested in having these types of experiences, but I hope to encourage people to at least get out of their comfort zones, go outside more, slow down and see the world a little bit differently.”

Listen to Sophie Hollingsworth speak on her recent solo expedition through the Australian bush and outback, and more, at PINC Experience 2019—Thursday, December 12, 8am - 8pm at the Sarasota Opera House.

PINC is an initiative of DreamLarge, presented by Ringling College of Art + Design. 

Photos from @captsophie Instagram 

Tickets to PINC found here.

Each of us cares for our community in a unique way. For donors working with the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, it means being a resource during challenging times, with a mindset to listen to and learn about the needs affecting our region to create enduring solutions.

This spirit is reflected in the pressing need for supportive housing and social safety nets. Last month, Harvest House was awarded a $100,000 grant from the Community Foundation to enable more families to achieve economic stability and sustainability through placemaking.

Placemaking is just one example of caring for our community. Over the years, the Community Foundation has worked to enhance programs revolving around Community Care, including: responding to emergency needs and disaster relief, preventing homelessness, addressing health and hunger issues, and providing care for animals and the environment.

Regardless of how you show community care, all of us can be a partner during challenging times. Learn more at www.cfsarasota.org/communitycare. 

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A generous grant from Manatee Community Foundation (MCF) will help student achievement reach new heights in Manatee County. An investment of $100,000 from MCF’s ‘Success Through Literacy Fund’ will provide funding to Soar in 4, an initiative that promotes student success and school readiness. The grant was awarded to the Manatee Education Foundation to support the District’s Soar in 4 Family Nights and summer programs for pre-kindergarten students. A Soar in 4 Family Night is planned for Wednesday, December 4, 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm. Learning activities will be taking place at Manatee Central Library, 1301 1^st Ave. West; The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 210 10^th St. West; and ArtCenter Manatee, 209 9^th St. West — all located in Downtown Bradenton. A special gift will be given to the first 50 children to visit ArtCenter Manatee (McDonald’s gift cards) and Manatee Central Library (drawstring backpacks). All families are invited to play, explore and participate in activities designed to support classroom learning.

There will also be a special holiday event at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature on Saturday, December 21, from 10:00 am - noon, with a visit from Santa and Clifford the Big Red Dog. All Soar in 4 events are free and snacks are provided. They are meant to improve literacy skills and inspire students to excel at STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. According to the Manatee Community Foundation, donors Steve and Carolyn Roskamp created the ‘Success Through Literacy Fund’ to encourage nonprofit organizations to collaborate and support public education in an effort to boost grade-level reading scores. Last year, the Roskamp’s were an integral part of Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading efforts and were recognized by the National Campaign for Grade-Level Reading as “Champions” for their remarkable work in our community.

Nonprofit partners of Soar in 4 include United Way Suncoast, The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, ArtCenter Manatee, Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County, Forty Carrots Family Center, WEDU PBS, Manatee County Libraries, Meals on Wheels PLUS, METV and others. To learn more about Soar in 4 please visit soarin4.org. 

Sarasota attorney Amanda King, a partner with the law firm of Syprett Meshad and a Florida Supreme Court-certified Family Mediator, has been selected by The Florida Bar Family Law Section to serve on its Children's Issues Committee.  The Committee works closely with the Family Law Section's Executive Council and Legislative Committee to ensure that children's best interests are protected as a primary concern in all areas of family law throughout the State of Florida. Ms. King, who is also a Guardian ad Litem in the Family Law Division of Florida's 12th Judicial Circuit Court program, focuses her practice on litigation, uncontested divorce, parenting plan agreements, mediation, and collaborative family law. She is admitted to practice law in both Florida and California. After joining Syprett Meshad in 2010, Ms. King was made a partner in 2017. She is a member of the Sarasota County Bar Association and has twice served twice as chair of the association's Family Law Section. 

The law firm of Syprett Meshad, with offices located at 1900 Ringling Boulevard in Sarasota, has been serving the greater Sarasota community for over 50 years.  The Firm's attorneys provide legal representation in the practice areas of real estate transactions and litigation, personal injury, family law, commercial litigation, criminal defense, estate planning and probate administration and litigation.  To learn more, visit smrl.com, or call 941-365-7171. 

Mote Marine Laboratory welcomes Rod Hershberger, a Sarasota area resident and local business leader for nearly 40 years, on its Board of Trustees. “Knowing that our oceans influence nearly every aspect of our lives and having a life-long love affair with salt water — on, in or under it — I’m excited by the opportunity to serve as a Trustee of Mote Marine Laboratory,” said Hershberger. “Our goal has to be to give our children and grandchildren sustainably cleaner waters for their use and enjoyment.” Hershberger is a co-founder and past CEO of PGT® Innovations, a Sarasota-based company. Founded in 1980, PGT® is the nation’s leading manufacturer of impact-resistant windows and doors. Hershberger has served PGT® in a variety of capacities, and following his retirement from the company in 2017, he now serves as the non-employee Chairman of the Board for PGT®. While serving as the company’s CEO, Hershberger and PGT® supported the construction of the North American river otter habitat at Mote Aquarium. Otters and Their Waters, a 1,400 square feet, multi-story habitat, features PGT®, high-impact glass, giving guests clear views of Mote’s three resident otters. “Rod has a great love for the oceans, and will be a powerfully energetic addition to Mote’s dedicated Board of Trustees,” said Mote President & CEO Dr. Michael P. Crosby. “As an entrepreneur that built a successful business enterprise, Rod will significantly bolster the unique culture of Mote’s entrepreneurial spirit for cutting- edge marine research and science education. Rod changed the paradigm in developing solutions for his field of business at PGT®. I am confident his insightfulness and enthusiasm will help Mote continue pushing the frontiers of science to find innovative solutions that address challenges our oceans are facing.”

In addition to his Mote service, Hershberger supports a variety of other organizations in the Sarasota region, including service with the Argus Foundation, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, and the 2017 World Rowing Championships. Mote's Board of Trustees supports the Lab in its mission of advancing marine science, education and outreach. Read more about Mote’s Board of Trustees here.