Gulfshore Business - May 2025 by Gulfshore Life

Secure your legacy

Are you taking full advantage of your lifetime estate and gift tax exemption?

Commerce Trust, working in conjunction with your estate planning attorney, can guide you through the in-depth conversations required to assess how the use of tax exemptions could most effectively be incorporated into your estate plan.

The holistic, team-based approach at Commerce Trust, consisting of financial and tax planning, investment portfolio management, and trust administration, is designed to guide you toward achieving your family’s goals while safeguarding your legacy.

Connect with the Commerce Trust team at commercetrustcompany.com/estatetax to secure your legacy.

Charitable Giving: Different Strategies and Their Tax Benefits

By Scott LaPresta, CTFA, Senior Vice President, Director of Private Client Advisors, Commerce Trust, and Amy Stiglic, CTFA, Senior Vice President, Market Executive, Kansas City, Commerce Trust

Strategically donating assets to charity can help you support philanthropic causes while leading to potential tax savings for high-net-worth donors and their families. Maximizing the financial benefits of your donations can help to ensure a lasting and impactful legacy of generosity through charitable donations.

Donating directly to a charitable organization

Charitable contributions to a qualified organization can provide an income tax deduction between 20% and 60% of the donor’s adjusted gross income (AGI) depending on the asset and to which type of organization it is given. Generally, donors of longterm appreciated assets (assets held for more than one year) are not obligated to pay capital gains taxes and can deduct the fair market value of these assets up to 30% of their adjusted gross income.

organizations and individual beneficiaries.

Donating directly to charitable organizations may also provide a way to lower your taxable estate since contributions to qualified organizations are not included in the donor’s estate for estate tax purposes.

Contributing to a donor-advised fund

Donor-advised funds (DAFs) are held at a DAF-sponsoring organization and may ultimately lower the donor’s income, capital gains, and federal estate taxes.

Assets contributed to the fund can typically be invested for potential growth tax-free before they are distributed to qualified charities of the donor’s choosing.

Donors who itemize their deductions are generally eligible for an income tax deduction of up to 60% of their AGI for cash and up to 30% for long-term capital gains assets. Donors may also forgo paying capital gains taxes on long-term capital gains assets.

Assets contributed to a DAF are irrevocable and excluded from the donor’s taxable estate, potentially reducing federal estate tax liability.

Establishing a private foundation

Forming, and donating to, a private foundation may lower your income, capital gains, and estate taxes.

Those who form a private foundation can leverage various tax benefits depending on how the foundation is structured and the nature of its charitable activities. For example, if the foundation qualifies for 501(c)(3) status as a tax-exempt organization, it will generally not have to pay federal tax on its income. Contributions to a private foundation typically qualify for an income tax deduction up to 30% of their AGI for cash and up to 20% for long-term capital gains property.

A charitable remainder trust will make regular payments to one or more individuals for a set period. Then, the remaining assets are distributed to one or more charitable organizations. A charitable lead trust first distributes assets to charitable organizations and then transfers the remaining assets to one or more individual beneficiaries.

The tax benefits of each depend on the trust’s structure but may include lowering income taxes through charitable deductions, mitigating capital gains taxes, or decreasing the value of your taxable estate to minimize estate taxes.

BUILDING YOUR LEGACY BY GIVING

Assessing how various charitable giving vehicles can facilitate your philanthropic goals while providing tax benefits requires a specialized understanding of estate planning, tax management,* and trust administration.

Contact Commerce Trust today at www.commercetrustcompany.com/estateplanning to learn more about charitable gifting strategies that fit your family’s wealth plan.

*Commerce Trust does not provide tax advice to customers unless engaged to do so.

The opinions and other information in the commentary are provided as of January 16, 2025. This summary is intended to provide general information only, and may be of value to the reader and audience.

This material is not a recommendation of any particular investment or insurance strategy, is not based on any particular financial situation or need, and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified tax advisor or investment professional. While Commerce may provide information or express opinions from time to time, such information or opinions are subject to change, are not offered as professional tax, insurance or legal advice, and may not be relied on as such.

Data contained herein from third-party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed.

Commerce Trust is a division of Commerce Bank.

Investment Products: Not FDIC Insured | May Lose Value | No Bank Guarantee

Anya Freeman

By KindDesigns

behavior analyst, co-founder and vice

Driven by a vision to fill this crucial gap in Southwest Florida, Family Initiative now serves 3,100 families annually to ensure that autism families have the

Anjali Van Drie, a master’s-level behavior analyst, co-founder and vice president of Family Initiative, has devoted her career to supporting

Anjali Van Drie, a master’s-level social worker, board-certified behavior analyst, co-founder and vice president of Family Initiative, has devoted her career to supporting families impacted by autism.

Family Initiative began as a grassroots spectrum after it became clear a need

Family Initiative began as a grassroots children diagnosed on the autism spectrum after it became clear a need for greater access for communityervices

Family Initiative began as a grassroots effort to support families with children diagnosed on the autism spectrum after it became clear a need for greater access for communitybased support and clinical services was needed.

serves at the state, regional, and local levels. Her passionate advocacy and relentless pursuit of equity have led to transformational change for Florida’s autism community.

Anjali advocates for the families she serves at the state, regional, and local levels. Her passionate advocacy and relentless pursuit of equity have led to transformational change for Florida’s autism community.

In building and propelling Family Initiative forward, Anjali has earned a national reputation as a nonprofit business leader, world-class clinician, and system disruptor.

In building and prop Initiative forward, Anjali has earned a national reputation as a nonprofit business leader, world-class clinician, and system disruptor.

PUBLISHER Carin Keane

PRESIDENT Jim Schwartzel

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Heidi Rambo Centrella

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Artis Henderson, Justin Paprocki, James Raia, Bill Wasinger

ART Creative Directors Scott Glick, Jerry Pomales

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Director of Audience Development Kerri Nolan

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THE WOMEN WHO MAKE IT HAPPEN

I generally find that May is among our more inspirational issues, as this month we’re honored to share the 2025 edition of our annual Women in Business, profiling local women who represent the finest examples of finding success in their chosen fields while uplifting those around them.

Each woman recognized, beginning on page 48, plays a crucial role in the business world, driving innovation, improving financial performance and fostering workplace cultures. They serve as role models, paving the way for future generations of leaders and entrepreneurs. And their guidance and participation contribute significantly to the economic growth and social progress of our community.

Success in business isn’t just about profits and earnings — if financial gain had been her only goal, Anya Freeman could have stayed in her practice as an attorney. Instead, she saw a problem and decided to try fixing it.

More frequent and more powerful storms are devastating for coastal com-

munities and infrastructure. Seawalls can help mitigate the destruction, but the artificial barricades are harmful to marine life when severe weather isn’t raging. Freeman herself didn’t have the education or expertise to create a better solution, but her determination and business acumen drove her to put together a team who did. Her outsider perspective may even have helped, as she was not operating under received wisdom about what was possible: “I wasn’t limited by any previous education,” she says. “I considered the who before the how.”

The results, courtesy of Freeman’s company KindDesigns, are durable seawalls 3D printed out of nontoxic concrete that are shaped to mimic native mangrove root systems, so they provide habitats for algae, mollusks and fish. And so far, the results are cause for optimism.

Freeman’s forward-thinking approach to critical human infrastructure was recognized as a 2025 Edison Awards winner at the annual competition last month in Fort Myers. Read “Printing a Seawall Solution” on page 28 for more about these innovative alternatives that seem viable for hosting native wildlife and protecting humans alike.

We extend our warmest congratulations to the women recognized in this issue, and sincerely hope you’ll enjoy learning more about their inspiring achievements, dedication and leadership.

HEIDI RAMBO CENTRELLA EDITOR IN CHIEF

Teri Hansen, 2022 honoree, congratulates all past and present recipients!

In the239

SPOT

NEWS / MAKERS / TRENDLINES / ECONOMIC COMMENTARY / FINANCE / INNOVATION

Jordan

By Justin Paprocki

NEW FPL RATE PLAN

Florida Power & Light Co. submitted a four-year request, 2026 through 2029, to the Florida Public Service Commission to set new rates once its current base rate agreement concludes at the end of this year. The proposal would represent a nearly $18 increase in monthly bills for Southwest Florida customers over the course of the plan. The company has added about 275,000 customers since 2021, and expects to add about 335,000 more by the end of 2029. Officials said this will require significant new generating capacity and distribution infrastructure to meet demand. The Florida Public Service Commission will have a public review process, including public hearings, before deciding on the proposal.

Spo t News

“I knew that I did not want to be in a corporate environment. I told myself, ‘Life is too short. Let’s take a risk.’”

COMING NEXT MONTH

Curious which Southwest Florida companies are the best to work for? Next month, Gulfshore Business will recognize local companies that rank highest in employee satisfaction. The results are based on surveys from independent research firm Best Companies Group that provide actionable data companies use to improve employee recruitment and retention.

— Kelli Esposito, Harper Haus Interiors owner

RSW TERMINAL EXPANSION PROJECT

The Lee County Board of Port Commissioners unanimously voted to spend an additional $346.7 million on the Terminal Expansion Phase One project at Southwest Florida International Airport, which was originally budgeted for $307.6 million and is more than four years behind schedule. The project will expand the terminal by remodeling 164,000 square feet of space and adding 117,000 square feet. Due to structural design deficiencies, massive amounts of additional manpower hours and materials were needed that drove up the cost.

AVIATION TRAINING FACILITY

Charlotte Technical College is continuing construction on its Aviation Training Facility, a center that will provide hands-on education for future aviation maintenance professionals, located within the PGD Aviation Expansion Area at Punta Gorda Airport. CTC officials said all necessary permits were secured by the Charlotte County Airport Authority. The 19,420-squarefoot building will include a 10,000-square-foot hangar, modern classrooms and advanced labs, allowing students to train with industry-standard equipment and expert instruction. Construction, led by Stellar Development Inc., remains on schedule for completion by December 2025.

NEW NEOGENOMICS COO

Fort Myers-based oncology diagnostics solution provider NeoGenomics Inc. promoted Chief Commercial Officer Warren Stone to president and chief operating officer, company officials announced. In his expanded role, which began April 1, Stone, who has been with the company since November 2022, is responsible for driving the company’s lab operations, data solutions division and enterprise operations functions, while maintaining his overall existing commercial responsibilities, including clinical, pharma, marketing and product management functions and customer service initiatives.

CHARLOTTE COUNTY

LEE COUNTY

Spo t News

1,099 HOMES COMING TO ALVA, NORTH OLGA

Lee County commissioners unanimously approved an Alva and North Olga land-use change from agricultural to residential, which has been years in the making after being cattle ranchlands for almost a century. The groundbreaking isn’t expected for at least another two to four years. Neal Communities received approval to build 1,099 homes on 305 acres; there will be 483 adjacent acres that will be preserved or turned into 15 water retention ponds, with the homes clustered for an average of about 3.6 homes per acre.

PANTHERS FACING PERIL

As the human population of Southwest Florida continues to grow, so do the perils that face the endangered Florida panther. After 2024, when 29 panthers were killed by vehicles, environmental organizations are sounding alarms as several large-scale developments that could eventually lead to more than 33,400 new homes continue to make their way through federal and state permitting processes. To date in 2025, four panthers have been killed by vehicles, which are the leading cause of death for the animals, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Experts estimate the current Florida panther population at 120 to 230 total.

FC NAPLES SPONSOR

Memphis, Tennessee-based First Horizon Bank announced a multiyear partnership with FC Naples, making it the official bank of the United Soccer League expansion team that began its inaugural season March 8 at Paradise Coast Sports Complex in East Naples. First Horizon Corp. has $82.2 billion in assets and operates 16 locations in Collier and Lee counties.

Provided

MAKERS

ART IN PLAIN SIGHT

Jordan Blankenship’s practical ceramic creativity

By Justin Paprocki

Jordan Blankenship got hooked on ceramics when she first sat down at a potter’s wheel in college. It was her freshman year at Florida Gulf Coast University. She wanted to be an art major, possibly go into design — then she threw clay on the wheel for the first time. “My whole perspective changed,” she says.

There was something soothing about the feel of the clay as she worked it with her hands. It was like a meditative experience.

“My brain goes quiet,” she says. “It puts me in such a good headspace.”

She’s now a ceramics artist professionally, selling mugs, candle holders, bowls and other functional art in stores and online. The native Floridian moved to Fort Myers with her family in high school and now has turned her home into her studio, complete with a kiln in the garage and boxes stacked in the dining room ready to ship out.

She ended up majoring in ceramics at FGCU then later getting a master’s degree at University of Massachusetts

Anna Nguyen

When Jordan Blankenship started her freshman year of college, she knew she wanted to be an art major, possibly go into design, but after her first time at the potter’s wheel, ceramics became her calling.

Now a professional ceramics artist, Jordan Blankenship’s business has grown, with more than 60 retail stores nationwide selling her work.

Anna Nguyen

Dartmouth. She started working locally at Clay More Ceramics, teaching classes by day then returning home to make her own creations. She first started selling her work at Kaleidoscope Floral in Naples. Since, her business has bloomed. More than 60 retail stores nationwide sell her work. She also sells through her website (jordanbceramics.com) and on Etsy.

Her work is a mix between the artistic and the practical. Ceramics can be fragile and often can make an unpleasant gritty sound when you set them down, so Blankenship recently started incorporating cork into her pieces to create built-in coasters or saucers — giving the result a good practical use that also has a distinctive look. She sees her practice as art, even if most people don’t really realize it. “Handmade objects are an elevated form of art you’re actually using on a day-to-day basis,” she says.

TRE NDLINES HERE COMES THE SUN

By Justin Paprocki

The Sunshine State is increasing its reliance on solar energy.

Florida had about 18,547 megawatts of solar generating capacity through the end of last year — the third highest amount in the United States, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. Last year, it added nearly 4,700 megawatts of capacity, its highest investment ever. The association estimates that the state will add nearly 13,115 megawatts of capacity over the next five years.

Florida leads the Southeast in solar, trailing only California and Texas in capacity nationwide.

Solar power on the rise in SWFL

ECONOMIC COMMENTARY

INVESTING IN WOMEN

A path to significant economic returns

By Meagan Baskin

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, investing in women — whether through nurturing female leadership talent, funding women-owned businesses or creating products that resonate with female consumers — is not only a proper thing to do but also a strategic economic imperative.

Research consistently highlights that companies with higher gender diversity, particularly in leadership roles, tend to perform better financially. According to a study by McKinsey & Company, an American multinational strategy and management consulting firm, companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams were 25% more likely to have above-average profitability than companies in the bottom quartile.

Externally, women represent a substantial market force. According to Forbes, women make up more than half of the U.S. population and influence more than 85% of consumer spending. Globally, it’s estimated women control over $31.8 trillion in annual consumer spending. Ignoring this demographic is not just an oversight; it is a monumental business mistake. Companies attuned to the preferences and needs of female employees and consumers often outperform their peers.

In Southwest Florida, the business landscape is undergoing a remarkable transformation. This region, including Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties, is recovering from natural disasters and also embracing a surge in investment capital and economic activity. For businesses in this region, the potential benefits of investing in women are particularly promising.

Nurturing female talent in leadership

Developing female talent within organizations is a critical step toward achieving gender parity in leadership. This investment starts with inclusive recruitment processes that ensure women have equal opportunities to enter and progress within the company. It is essential for firms to establish mentorship and sponsorship programs that actively support wom-

en’s career advancement, pairing them with leaders who can provide guidance and advocate for their contributions. Flexible work policies and robust maternity leave plans also play pivotal roles in retaining female talent. Companies such as medical device firm Arthrex set exemplary standards by implementing policies that accommodate the particular needs of women, enabling them to balance professional aspirations with personal responsibilities.

Funding women-owned businesses

One of the most effective ways to invest in women externally is through providing capital to women-owned businesses. Despite the proven potential of these ventures, female entrepreneurs often face significant funding gaps. According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, women are less likely to receive venture capital funding, which hampers their business growth prospects.

In Southwest Florida, organizations including the Amber Grant Foundation and the Zonta Foundation of Southwest Florida aim to bridge this funding gap by specifically targeting investments in women-led businesses. Nationally, the

Meagan

Baskin; Getty

Women’s Business Center, out of the U.S. Small Business Administration, focuses directly on helping women who want to start and expand their business. Locally, business owners can seek resources from the Florida Small Business Development Center at Florida Gulf Coast University.

Resonating with female consumers

Creating products and marketing campaigns that resonate with female consumers is another imperative investment. Female consumer prefer-

ences often differ significantly from those of their male counterparts, necessitating an approach that considers their needs and aspirations. By incorporating female perspectives into product development teams, companies can craft offerings that better meet market demands. Marketing strategies, too, must evolve to connect authentically with female audiences. Campaigns that portray women in empowering roles or address issues pertinent to female consumers promote gender equality and build brand loyalty, as well.

Companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams were 25% more likely to have aboveaverage profitability, according to a study by McKinsey & Company. Also, according to Forbes , women make up more than half of the U.S. population and influence more than 85% of consumer spending.

For businesses in Southwest Florida, investing in women is not just a matter of fairness but a critical driver of economic success. By championing female talent internally, supporting women-owned businesses and engaging meaningfully with female consumers, companies can unlock substantial returns and foster a more inclusive, prosperous future for all.

—Meagan Baskin is an associate professor in the Lutgert College of Business and director of the Southwest Florida Leadership Institute at Florida Gulf Coast University.

FINANCE

Start investing early, not just saving.

— Kerry Edwards, Wilmington Trust

WOMEN BUILDING WEALTH

Expert advice on financial literacy and planning

By Therese McDevitt

Women face particular financial challenges: They typically live longer than men and often must overcome earnings gaps, either because of pay differences or career breaks for childrearing or caring for elderly parents.

And for women who aren’t in the workforce, some may not be as involved in their family’s financial decisions, leaving them vulnerable in case of a sudden major transition that could include divorce, or the death or incapacity of a spouse.

So how can women make sure they are planning adequately for their own financial futures, whether or not they are in the workforce?

Gulfshore Business asked three Southwest Florida banking executives how women can build, manage and protect wealth, whether earned or inherited, at different stages of life.

Learning to invest

Kerry Edwards, managing director of investments in the Southeast region for Wilmington Trust, said she encourages women in their

20s and 30s to start early when it comes to investing as part of their financial planning.

Edwards advised young women to educate themselves on the differences between savings and investments, and to “not be afraid to start to invest.”

“Women, typically, are a little bit more conservative than men when it comes to investing; we typically like to save more rather than invest more,” she says.

She said working women with 401(k)s or similar plans offered by employers should “max out” their contribution or at least match exactly what the employer does “so you get that free money.”

And when it comes to where to invest as a beginner, Edwards points to advice she gave to her niece when helping her open a small brokerage account with her summer earnings while in college. Edwards asked where she liked to shop and what she liked to buy and heard Lululemon, Starbucks and Sephora in response.

“So, I said, ‘Let’s buy you some

Women tend to be more conservative when investing, but Kerry Edwards with Wilmington Trust advises young women to start investing early.

Brian Tietz

“Just think about history: 50 years ago, a woman couldn’t have a bank account without a male being on the account ... And here we are today with $30 [trillion] to $40 trillion being transferred to women.”

— Adria Starkey

Lululemon stock, let’s buy you some Starbucks stock,’” she recalls. “It’s a way to get the younger generation started: Invest in what you know, invest in what you use. It’s a [mutual fund manager and investment expert] Peter Lynch thing. I buy what I use.”

Preparing for

the unexpected Wealth advocate Megan Marquardt serves as president of the Fort Myers market for The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company.

She said women in their 40s and 50s, who are often more established in their careers and in their peak earning years, should be making sure they are financially organized as they approach retirement or face the possibility of sudden life changes.

Marquardt leads the company’s “Wisdom of Women” series of seminars for clients focused on investing, financial planning and estate planning. The seminars include case studies covering scenarios for women who may find themselves “suddenly single” through divorce or death of a spouse; dealing with a cash windfall, whether from the sale of a business or an inheritance; and planning during their midlife years to ensure an adequate lifetime income.

“We encourage women to create a personal balance sheet so that they know where their assets are held, how they’re titled and who the contact people are at the various banks or trust companies,” she says. “We also encourage women to create what I call a personal board of directors of the people that you’re closest with and

Build a personal board of directors.

— Megan Marquardt, The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company

As women enter their 40s and 50s, Megan Marquardt with The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company suggests they get financially organized to prepare for retirement or the possibility of sudden life changes.

your wealth adviser, or maybe an estate-planning attorney or a CPA. Having your team in place is important.”

Women and the intergenerational transfer of wealth

Adria Starkey, executive vice president and president, Collier County for FineMark National Bank and Trust, said women of all ages need to overcome what she sees as a “confidence gap” when it comes to financial planning and investing, especially in the massive intergenerational transfer of wealth that is happening.

Starkey, who leads FineMark’s Women’s Series, said there is currently $30 trillion to $40 trillion in intergenerational wealth passing to women.

“Just think about history: 50 years ago, a woman couldn’t have a bank account without a male being on the account,” she says. “She couldn’t buy real estate without a man. And here we are today with $30 [trillion] to $40 trillion being transferred to women.”

When it comes to how women at any age decide how to balance their portfolio, “You need to have a cash stash,” Starkey says. “And I don’t mean under your bed. I mean having cash sitting on the sidelines just in case. This has sometimes been difficult because, especially a few years ago, we were earning nothing on cash, so it was very costly to sit with not earning anything with those assets. But now, yields have increased very nicely, so you can have three months of your living expenses sitting in cash.”

Stash cash, enough to live on for three months.

— Adria Starkey, FineMark National Bank and Trust

Adria Starkey, executive vice president and president, Collier County for FineMark National Bank and Trust, encourages women of all ages to overcome lack of confidence when it comes to financial planning and investing.

Brian Tietz

INNOVATION

PRINTING A SEAWALL SOLUTION

KindDesigns takes a new tech approach to a rising environmental problem

By Artis Henderson

Anya Freeman — founder and CEO of South Florida-based KindDesigns, the company behind 3D printed coastal infrastructure system Living Seawalls — isn’t a marine scientist. She’s not a structural engineer. She’s an attorney by trade, though she quit her practice to launch her business. But, Freeman said, her lack of a technical background was ultimately what allowed her to innovate in an industry that hadn’t seen much change in over 100 years. “I wasn’t limited by any previous education. I didn’t know what the rules were,” she says.

Freeman’s outsider’s perspective allowed her to see things differently, to operate beyond the established system in a world of pure problem solving. The problem she sought to address: the devastating effects on marine life of seawalls, which have become increasingly necessary as seas rise and catastrophic storms continue to batter the coastline. According to a 2019 report from the Center for Climate Integrity, Florida will need 9,243 miles of seawalls by 2040 in order to combat chronic flooding caused by rising sea levels. This spells major trouble for living marine ecosystems built around mangrove roots. Though seawalls

KindDesigns

Category: Critical Human Infrastructure Place: Silver 2025 Edison Awards

KindDesigns founder and CEO Anya Freeman, an attorney by trade, launched the 3D printed coastal infrastructure system Living Seawalls, bringing an outsider’s perspective to help save marine life on seawalls.

Living Seawalls by KindDesigns

Florida will need 9,243 miles of seawalls by 2040 in order to combat chronic flooding caused by rising sea levels, according to a 2019 report from the Center for Climate Integrity.

help protect private property and shield human-built infrastructure, they’re harmful to marine ecosystems. Marine organisms struggle to adhere to their concrete surfaces, and they wind up creating a barren, sterile marine environment wherever they go in.

The first concrete seawalls were installed in the United States at the beginning of the 20th century. For more than 100 years, seawalls looked more or less the same. They were made in the same style, with the same materials, and ultimately generated the same disastrous results for marine ecosystems. Freeman suspected there must be a better way — a strong, durable seawall system that was also kind to the marine environment. When she couldn’t find an existing solution, she set out to create her own. She brought together experts in engineering, design, materials and 3D printing, assembling her dream team to create something that had never been created before. “I considered the who before the how,” she says. That’s how she was able to produce something in a space where she didn’t have previous experience at the time.

Most good ideas seem obvious in hindsight, and this one, in particular, seems so dramatically obvious — such a perfect solution to the seawall problem — that it’s a wonder no one had considered making it before. The design behind the company’s flagship product, Living Seawalls, uses biomimicry to copy existing marine habitats. In coastline Florida, that means mangrove roots, which shelter fish, crustaceans and mollusks, among other organisms. The Living Seawalls from KindDesigns are structurally

Living Seawalls from KindDesigns are made from nontoxic concrete, shaped to fit nature. Just 30 days after installation, pioneer algae completely covers one wall. And the first Living Seawall is now covered with more than 1,000 oysters, each filtering up to 50 gallons of seawater a day.

identical to precast concrete seawall systems, made from nontoxic concrete and produced by a 3D printer, but shaped to fit nature. “We’re building habitats instead of destroying them,” Freeman says.

But do they work? The answer, said Freeman, is a resounding yes. KindDesigns has partnered with researchers at Florida International University who dive to visit Living Seawall projects each month. The divers report promising results: pioneer algae completely covering one wall just 30 days after installation; grazing algae on another wall, feeding manatees; the appearance of tube worms, which provide food and shelter to other marine organisms; and the very first Living Seawall now covered in more than 1,000 oysters, all attached naturally, each of them filtering up to 50 gallons of seawater a day. “They have far, far exceeded our wildest dreams,” Freeman says.

Of course, not everyone with an innovative idea makes the leap to becoming an innovator. And fewer still see their idea to completion, including a successful company and finalist for the Edison Awards. What sets Freeman apart?

“I’ve always had this mentality,” she says. “I’d rather go for something big than play it safe. This was going to be my path since I set foot in America.” Freeman emigrated from Ukraine to Israel and ultimately to the United States. “My family still in Ukraine and Israel has not had the opportunity to build. They’re focused on getting food on the table and getting through the day without being killed. To be in America and to have this freedom and opportunity in peace and safety — for me not to aim for something massive would be an incredible injustice.”

These private, invitation-only events bring America’s top leaders, renowned entrepreneurs and CEOs to share their inspiring professional journeys with an audience of Southwest Florida’s leading professionals, business owners, and executives.

Thank you to our 2025 Visionary Sponsors!

We also invite educators and students from nearby schools and universities to attend, offering valuable networking and mentorship opportunities - including the chance to connect with the guest of honor. Community Partners

MIXING IT UP

Local distilleries thrive amid rise of non-alc beverages

By David Dorsey

In 2022, Joe Semansky opened Red Horse Distillery in south Fort Myers; earlier this year, he created Jungle Joe’s Bamboo spirits, the first line of alcohol in the U.S. to include bamboo as part of the distilling process.

Amber Cebull Gather Beverage Owner

Amber Cebull started Gather Brewing as a corner bar inside Millennial Brewing Company in downtown Fort Myers and since has moved to her own space, where she creates mocktails alongside alcoholic drinks.

MIXING IT UP

States to include bamboo as part of the distilling process.

Amber Cebull, meanwhile, creates a different type of drink designed to be consumed at bars and at leisure. She does so on the opposite side of that same industrial center, fronting the railroad tracks.

As Semansky moved to the area and relaunched his brand from Ohio, Cebull stayed in the area and relaunched hers, called Gather Beverage Company. The drinks have the same textures and colors and even similar tastes to their alcoholic counterparts — but without any alcohol in them whatsoever.

The “mocktail” trend, popularized by the millennial generation, has made its way to Southwest Florida. And although local alcohol sales seem to be bucking the national and statewide trends of heading downward, there are signs that these new nonalcoholic beverage trends haven’t just arrived; they’re here to stay.

“Generally, alcohol in the ’90s, everybody was going to drink all the shots and go crazy,” says Rainier DeCastro, a 2002 Gulf Coast High School graduate and general manager of Chartreuse Craft Cocktail Lounge off Old 41 Road in Bonita Springs. “In the early 2000s, things became more intentional: ‘What ingredients are we going to use to make it?’ That was all fine and dandy. A lot less shots. Now, western cultures are sobering up. In the music industry, you can see this. You can see this in pop culture, too; the same thing happens in after-hour venues. People are looking for more of an experience and less of an escape.

People aren’t relying on being as intoxicated and instead are having more of an experience. There’re also people wanting to share their experiences on social media as opposed to showing how trashed they were the night before. These trends in culture inform where they put their money.”

Throughout the United States over the past couple of years, less and less money is going toward buying alcohol beverages. Michael Bilello, executive vice president of Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America, or WSWA, sent a news release late last year warning industry insiders that the forecast for alcoholic beverage sales in 2025 looked bleak across the country.

“2025 is expected to be another challenging year for the spirits market,” wrote Bilello. “Market participants should be planning now for continued headwinds.”

But while the national trend saw sales dropping by 5.6% in 2024, Florida sales only fell by about 3%, according to WSWA’s data.

“This forecasting model is extremely accurate,” Bilello says. “When we first ran the model in January of last year, this model was almost 90% accurate on what 2024 would do.”

Bilello’s theory as to why alcohol sales have been sagging matches some of DeCastro’s theory.

“There’s a lot of different reasons,” Bilello says. “There’s a lifestyle and choice movement in this country; a lot of generations are just choosing not to drink. But then you look at the rest of the population that does drink.” For those

When Amber Cebull started dabbling with nonalcoholic beverages, she partnered with a chef to create different recipes. Their process is a hybrid between making tea and making beer, and can take anywhere from a week to a month to craft.

the millennial population, alcohol is decreasing. There’s also an awareness of drinking consciously.”

But products such as her own Gather brand are tough to find and tough to get into the mainstream, she said. “When you find a really nice bourbon or a really nice wine, there’s a craftmanship to it,” she says. “That doesn’t exist in the nonalcohol industry right now. It’s very rare.”

Cebull is working to change that.

“We’re going to be launching a craft alcohol-free beverage alliance,” she says. “Everybody’s getting into the game. There’s a lot of brewers that are starting to dabble in nonalcoholic [products].”

Cole Peacock, owner of Caloosahatchee Cannabis Company in Fort Myers, has developed a line of THC-infused seltzers under the brand Pure Native. They cost in the $6 to $8 range for a can.

“We have a full line of products, including cannabis beers,” says Peacock, who also owns Seed & Bean Market in downtown Fort Myers, where he serves the products. “We had several CBD seltzers in place, and they did very well.”

Pure Native ties into the decline in sales of alcohol and rise in sales of alternatives, Peacock said.

“You take the state of Florida, and it’s the second-largest cannabis market in the nation,” he says. “All of our products are approved by the Department of Agriculture. We saw an edge in the marketplace, based on increased sales, what is happening with THC-based sales. We were able to transition very easily.”

Big-box liquor stores in Florida already are selling THC-infused drinks, and Peacock is positioning Pure Native to join them.

“Ten milligrams,” Peacock said, noting Pure Native contains a mild amount of the drug derived from the marijuana plant. “Which is pretty much in line with what the market trends are. Total Wine and ABC, your big-box liquor stores are going in that direction. We fully anticipate being in the big-box stores. We’re in negotiations with them now.”

Pure Native is taking the next step in its evolution, Peacock said.

“We’re going from an online presence and moving to statewide and multistate distribution,” he says. “It’s made here. Manufactured and brewed in the state of Florida.”

The THC-infused drinks have avoided becoming a politically charged flashpoint, Peacock said, and he’s fine with that.

Alcohol Sales

Year-over-year sales of alcoholic beverages have trended downward overall in Florida. But the numbers also tell another story: Off-site consumption of alcohol — meaning, people buying it at grocery stores and wholesale clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club — is trending upward. Bars and nightclubs, meanwhile, are taking dips in alcohol sales.

Source: SipSource/Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America

JoAnn Elardo, founder of Wicked Dolphin Distillery, says she isn’t a fan of nonalcoholic alternatives and plans to keep distilling spirits as her business continues to grow.

“It’s less about politics and more about getting it regulated the right way,” he says. “All of our products are triple tested. Each product has a QR code that will tell you exactly where it was tested and exactly what the ingredients are. Not every product has that. Not every player in the industry follows those rules.”

Traditional beverage companies still thrive

The more traditional beverage makers — the ones with alcohol in them — in the area said they’re still doing well and navigating through various industry challenges despite a rise in alternative beverages for competition.

“I would have no way to quantify how that has impacted us,” says Rob Whyte, co-founder and co-owner of Fort Myers Brewing Company along with his wife, Jen Whyte. The Whytes can’t quantify a dip, because their sales are trending up, not down.

There’s room for growth in Southwest Florida, as most makers of alcoholic beverages lost significant chunks of their business Sept. 28, 2022, when Hurricane Ian destroyed coastal bars and restaurants. Since then, any year-over-year growth can be attributed to those bars and restaurants resuming business after repairs.

“We’re up, year over year,” Rob Whyte says. “This year’s better than last year. We had the big downturn after Ian.”

The brewery also created a nonbeer product in 2020 when it unveiled Spyk’d, a line of 90-calorie, sugar-free and carb-free seltzers that come in seven flavors: orange, cherry limeade, lemon-lime, strawberry-lime, watermelon, pineapple and mojito.

“White Claw was booming in 2020,” Whyte says of the line that has 100 calories and two grams of sugar. “Ours was unique from everybody else’s, because we didn’t use any artificial sweeteners. Ours is 5% alcohol. We make a great product, and people drink it.”

But, Whyte admitted, the Spyk’d sales aren’t spiking, they’re “static.” His beer sales continue to boom, however, bucking that national trend.

“The younger generation is drinking less than we were when we were younger,” Whyte says. “But generally, in Southwest Florida, there’s a delay from what the rest of the country sees.”

Although the brewery has dabbled in nonbeer endeavors, a nonalcoholic product won’t be one of them,

Whyte said. There would be too many complications, including expenses, in making a new product while meeting government regulations. He said he has an awareness of the nonalcoholic beverage trend, but he doesn’t want to follow it.

“I personally don’t understand it,” Whyte says. “If I want something that tastes like beer, I’m drinking beer. And if I want something without alcohol, I’m drinking water.”

JoAnn Elardo, founder of Wicked Dolphin Distillery in 2011-12, agrees with Whyte.

“I’d have to say I’m not really a fan,” Elardo says of nonalcoholic alternatives. “Will they affect the market? Yes. But there’s a lot of things that will affect the market.”

However, Elardo does appreciate the desire to create healthier alcoholic beverages.

“At Wicked Dolphin, we are desperate to do less sugar or no sugar in our rums or our vodka,” she says. “The reason being: A more informed customer is better for us. People are very, very conscious about what’s going into their bodies, and I think that’s important. There’s a lot more things out there that people are using to have that pleasure point.”

Wicked Dolphin became the first distillery in Florida to sell spirits on-site and not through a distributor in July 2013, after Elardo lobbied with the state Legislature for a law change allowing her to do so. And she says she’ll stick to what she knows and not

try to branch out into another line of products such as the THC-infused drinks.

“In my opinion, I’m seeing it more as a trend,” Elardo says. “Remember all the seltzer drinks that were coming out? That trend is dying out.”

Plus, she said, sales are going well. “We’re up,” Elardo says. “Thank goodness. Even with three hurricanes last year, we were up from the year before. So, we’re growing, all through the state of Florida and probably nationally. I’m asked to go national at least a couple of times a month. I said, ‘No, no, no, no. I want to keep it in Florida.’

“We’re at capacity. Right now, we’re looking to outfit with new stills and new fermenters. We start our distilling at, say, 5 in the morning. We run until almost 9 o’clock at night. We are just pumping it out. We are just making rum, making rum. We know we need to grow very soon with additional space and equipment. The challenge down here has been time. You know what it is during season — you are working 12 hours a day minimum, just trying to get it done. It’s time for me to start hiring more people.”

Elardo founded Wicked Dolphin with three employees. More than a decade later, she has 26.

Across Lee County, Ryan Bowen’s business is slightly younger at 8 years old. He founded Palm City Brewing with half a dozen employees and since has doubled that workforce. Bowen recently marked the milestone of 1,000 batches brewed.

Spirits

Total: -3%

Off-site consumption

Total: -0.75%

Liquor store: -1.86%

Grocery: +9.9%

Club/wholesale: +37.47%

Convenience store: +49.63%

Drug store: +4.55%

Mass merchandise: +16.84%

Other off-premises: -7.91%

Military off-premises: -16.85%

On-site purchases

Total: -4.66%

Dining: -4.27%

Bar & Nightclub: -6.79%

Lodging: -3.30%

Recreation: -0.8%

Other on-premises: -4.5%

Transportation: -1.15%

Military on-premises: -45.29%

Source: SipSource/Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America

Wine

Total: -4.88%

Off-site consumption

Total: -4.83%

Liquor store: -2.04%

Grocery: -8.22%

Club/wholesale: -0.67%

Convenience store: -4.83%

Drug store: +3.7%

Mass merchandise: -5.26%

Other off-premises: -34.62%

Military off-premises: -10.2%

On-site purchases

Total: -4.99%

Dining: -6.21%

Bar & Nightclub: -6.45%

Lodging: -3.05%

Recreation: -3.29%

Other on-premises: +4.92%

Transportation: -14.18%

Military on-premises: -13.34%

Source: SipSource/Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America

Cole Peacock, owner of Caloosahatchee Cannabis Company in Fort Myers, developed a line of THC-infused seltzers under the brand Pure Native, which contains a mild amount of the drug derived from the marijuana plant.

“Overall, beer that we’re producing is up,” says Bowen, who operates out of 6,000 square feet of space at 7887 Drew Circle, on the south side of Alico Road in south Fort Myers. “We’re actually still growing. We grew by 10% last year. But we’re definitely feeling a shift in consumer trends. Like in our tasting room, we see a lot more people taking beer to go than sitting down for a pint at the bar. We had that consumer who would come in and have a pint and take a four-pack to go. Now, they’re taking two fourpacks to go. That’s just an example.”

Some of Palm City’s most popular beers have tied into a trend of less alcohol: Hazify has 6.5% ABV (alcohol by volume), which is lower than the 7% to 8% most IPAs contain. Palm City also brews Suds lager, which at 4.2% compares to lighter American beer. The lower alcohol content means a lower caloric content.

Local breweries are faring well, not saying farewell, Bowen said, and he has a theory as to why.

“You know what I think it is?” Bowen says. “I think it’s local, and people want to support local. That’s always been a thing. We get a lot of people who travel down from other areas, and they want to ex-

perience what’s local. Why would people want to come down here and drink a national brand? They can come down here and drink local, straight from the source.

“The other thing we do to stay ahead of the curve: People are drinking a little bit less, so we’re brewing some lighter beers.”

Bilello, executive vice president of WSWA, said it’s refreshing to hear of some local businesses that are accelerating profits and production while their national peers are pumping the brakes.

“There are going to be people bucking the trend,” Bilello says. “There are people who engage with consumers with unique activations and unique markets. People can beat those averages.

“I just came from a big trade show and convention. If someone’s portfolio is flat, that’s considered a win right now in these market conditions. You’ve got people down there [in Florida] telling you their business is doing really well. And that’s great. They should share those best practices with the industry. I can speak to the general conditions of the marketplace, but not everyone is going to be losers.”

Kevin Bires

WOMEN IN BUSINESS 2025

BY BRIAN TIETZ

PHOTOGRAPHY

On the surface, careers in finance and food service, or dentistry and jewelry, may not have much in common. But if you look beyond the career paths of the 2025 Gulfshore Business Women in Business, you’ll see they have all found the inspiration to excel in their chosen fields.

In addition to their professional success, these women have been inspired to give back to the communities they serve. Whether that contribution has come via leadership, volunteerism or mentorship, as you read the stories of these 10 remarkable women, we hope you’ll be equally inspired to make your own mark, in your own career and community.

WOMEN IN BUSINESS 2025

KATHY BIGHAM

Bigham Jewelers

Founder, President and CEO

As the founder and president of Bigham Jewelers in Naples, Kathy Bigham has helped her clients celebrate life’s most meaningful moments for over 30 years. In addition, in an industry filled with secondand third-generation jewelers, Bigham is noteworthy as a first-generation jeweler. Though she began her career selling jewelry to help finance her college education, her dream of owning her own store began much earlier.

“I was inspired at a young age by my grade school teacher, who wore the most stunning jewelry. That early fascination turned into a lifelong passion and a career built on integrity, craftsmanship and exceptional service,” she says. “The excitement of working with beautiful pieces every day, alongside my brother and sisterin-law in this true family business, continues to drive me.”

Beyond her business success, Bigham was inducted into the Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida Business Hall of Fame in 2016. In the community, she has focused on women’s and children’s charities, including The Boys & Girls Club, Christ Child Society and The Naples Players. But Bigham said her proudest achievements are raising two successful children and creating a legacy that blends family, business and community.

LINDA GOLDFIELD

Youth Haven CEO

Since 2021, Linda Goldfield has served as the CEO of Youth Haven, an 18.5-acre facility in Naples that provides care and support for abused, neglected and homeless children and teens, ages 6 to 21. Through more than 20 years of nonprofit experience, Goldfield’s commitment to serving vulnerable children has been rooted in a deeply personal experience.

“I am inspired every day by a childhood memory of a friend left behind by their community. That memory is why I continue to champion the needs of vulnerable children, expanding services and forging partnerships that strengthen the safety net for those who need it most,” she says. “My leadership philosophy is built on the principles of integrity, compassion and collaboration, and I believe in the transformative power of mentorship. That is what helps me fight for the well-being of children healing from trauma.”

Goldfield is a graduate of Naples Chamber Leadership Collier Class of 2022. She was honored as one of Naples Illustrated’s Naples 100 for 2024 and 2025 and recognized in Gulfshore Life’s list of Women Visionaries. Goldfield also hosts dinners on the Youth Haven campus with former foster children who are now thriving adults to provide current residents with tangible examples of success and hope.

WOMEN IN BUSINESS 2025

DR. ROBYN MATONTI

Matonti Dental/Affordable Dental Care

Doctor/Owner

Within a period of months in 2017-18, Dr. Robyn Matonti moved to Naples, gave birth to her first child and opened Matonti Dental. While Matonti’s family, practice and her all-female staff have grown since then, she has also focused on growing the next generation of dental professionals.

“Over the past six years, I have hired and mentored future leaders in the oral health industry. Young employees of mine were inspired and supported to go on to dental school, hygiene school and dental assistant school,” Matonti says. “In the age of Google search engine optimization, I take pride in old-fashioned word-of-mouth referrals.

Continuing to build my business and mentor young women in my practice is all made possible by my patients continuing to make the decision to walk through my doors.”

In addition to her mentorship work, Matonti has volunteered her time and equipment at local health care clinics, while focusing her Affordable Dental Care practice in Fort Myers on patients who rely on insurance, Medicare and Medicaid. She has also traveled to the Dominican Republic as part of a humanitarian mission to provide dental implants and other procedures to locals in need of oral health care.

KELLY MUSICO

Tacos & Tequila Cantina Founder

& CEO

Kelly Musico opened the first Tacos & Tequila Cantina in south Naples in 2013. Since then, she’s added three more locations in Southwest Florida, instilled a company culture of giving back and founded the Taco Bout Community Foundation to support local nonprofit organizations.

“The best advice I ever received was to trust my instincts and the people around me. No business succeeds because of just one person. It’s about the team, the customers who support us and the community that makes it all possible,” Musico says. “That’s why giving back has always been important to me. Through the Taco Bout Community Foundation, we’ve been able to help local organizations and provide support when our community needs it most.”

While Musico has worked to establish a welcoming space for both customers and staff at each Tacos & Tequila Cantina location, she’s placed equal emphasis on community engagement. Through the Taco Bout Community Foundation, Musico has provided support for Project HELP, Golden PAWS Assistance Dogs and Naples Take a Soldier Fishing, while also leading hurricane relief efforts, Thanksgiving meal distribution and other charitable initiatives. For her leadership and dedication, Musico has been recognized both in the restaurant industry and in the community.

WOMEN IN BUSINESS 2025

JENNY NAMOUR

Panther Printing Owner/President

For nearly 30 years, Jenny Namour has owned and operated Panther Printing. And while the company has weathered the pandemic, economic swings, hurricanes and industry changes, Namour has been unwavering in her commitment to her customers, her employees and the community.

“Much of our success is a credit to the incredible support of my loving husband and the amazing, hard-working team at Panther Printing. These people are the backbone of our success, and without that team, I would not have the freedom or ability to invest in my business or my community,” Namour says. “What drives me is being able to give back to others, in response to all the blessings I myself have received. And because of our incredible team, I am able to join several organizations with hands-on support and time, in addition to the financial resources we provide.”

As part of her investment in the community, Namour has volunteered and supported Teen Challenge, Into the Jordan, Verity, Project Outreach, Ground Up, St. Matthew’s House and other ministries and nonprofits. She has also served as a foster parent and has often worked nights and weekends to assist various nonprofit causes.

TAMI RAZNOFF

In her role as CFO of Healthcare Network, Tami Raznoff oversees all financial operations for the organization, which provides health care services to underserved and vulnerable populations. She has also secured more than $70 million in grant funding since 2021 — while remaining focused on the people, and the community, she serves.

“I’m driven by Healthcare Network’s mission to provide quality care to individuals who might otherwise go without medical services. Last year, we served over 54,000 people through nearly 200,000 visits, regardless of their background or ability to pay,” she says. “Now, we are training the next generation of providers to do the same; focus on the person, not their circumstance. With 75% of residents continuing to practice in the same environment they were trained in, we are strengthening the future of community health care and ensuring long-term access for those who need it most.”

In addition to financial operations, Raznoff engages with local governments during crisis situations, such as hurricanes, and with community organizations to address emerging health needs. She also works to enhance the broader well-being of the community through her role as a Strategic Partner with Future Ready Collier.

MEGAN ROSE

Better Together CEO

After working in the state child welfare system, Megan Rose realized Florida’s vulnerable children could often be better protected by avoiding the need for foster care in the first place. Today, as CEO of Better Together, she works to build strong families and prevent the need for foster care. The goal of keeping families together, Rose said, was inspired by her own childhood.

“What drives me is the grace, love and kindness my family received in our greatest time of need, which profoundly impacted me as a child. The people we serve are the fuel behind my passion and the reason I work every day to achieve our vision: ending the foster care crisis and helping everyone reach their potential through the power of work and community,” she says. “My proudest accomplishment is growing Better Together from serving families in Naples to now reaching over 54 counties across Florida [and] keeping more than 15,000 kids out of foster care.”

In the community, Rose mobilized volunteers to deliver supplies and provide assistance to families affected by Hurricane Ian, as well as Helene and Milton. She has also helped nearly 40,000 job seekers find employment through church-based job fairs across 24 states.

ADRIA STARKEY

FineMark National Bank & Trust

Executive Vice President and President, Collier County

Boasting three decades of experience in financial services, Adria Starkey an executive vice president and president for the Collier County region for FineMark National Bank & Trust. While she plays a crucial role in steering the bank toward success, she credits her own success to two simple things.

“Throughout my career, I’ve been guided by two core principles: a commitment to lifelong learning and the self-discipline to continually improve. I am passionate about helping others reach their full potential, and I feel incredibly fortunate to work with the best team I’ve ever had,” Starkey says. “Integrity has always been a cornerstone of my success; doing what you say you’re going to do, and if you can’t, being honest about it.”

Starkey’s leadership also extends to the community. She is a Lifetime Trustee of the Naples Children and Education Foundation and an Emeritus Trustee of The Shelter for Abused Women and Children. She currently serves on the Florida Prepaid College Board, acts as the chair of the Advisory Board for the School of Entrepreneurship at Florida Gulf Coast University and is a member of the Healthcare Network’s Development and Community Awareness Committee. Starkey also leads an initiative to mentor and educate women in finance.

WOMEN IN BUSINESS 2025

AYSEGUL TIMUR, PH.D.

Florida Gulf Coast University

University President

Selected as the fifth president of Florida Gulf Coast University in 2023, Aysegul Timur coordinates the strategic direction of the university and its more than 16,000 students. A native of Turkey, she is also the first woman and first immigrant to lead the university. And that is the culmination of a journey that began 26 years ago.

“My husband and I moved to Southwest Florida, learned a new language and culture and raised our children while I was working and commuting full-time to Tampa to earn my doctorate. I could not have done it without a strong support system of family, friends, colleagues and community,” Timur says. “They are the people who I have leaned on throughout my life’s journey; the colleagues I work alongside, my mentors, the leaders who coached me over the years and, most importantly, the Southwest Florida community that welcomed me and my family 26 years ago and adopted me as one of their own.”

Away from FGCU, Timur is chair of the Collaboratory board of trustees, sits on the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors and is a member of the International Women’s Forum’s Florida Suncoast board of directors and the Florida Chamber Foundation’s board of trustees.

ANJALI VAN DRIE, MA, LCSW, BCBA

Family Initiative Inc.

Co-Founder & Vice President

Anjali Van Drie is the co-founder and vice president of Family Initiative, a Cape Coral nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children, adolescents and young adults diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD. She oversees the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of the organization, and said the people she serves are her driving force.

“My inspiration and drive are part of my every day. We started the organization almost 10 years ago because of very specific children we worked with who were not included, accepted or understood. I get to work with so many amazing and talented people, both on our team and the families we serve,” Van Drie says. “The kids are my inspiration. They keep me humble, they keep me motivated, and they keep a smile on my face every single day.”

Van Drie’s leadership also helped establish Thrive Academy, Florida’s first middle and high school for children diagnosed with ASD. A nationally noted autism clinician and active member of the Florida Association of Behavioral Analysis, she was recognized for her contributions to the field by receiving that organization’s Charles Kimber Public Service Award for her community service and advancement of behavioral analysis.

EDISON AWARD WINNERS

The 38th Annual Edison Awards, held April 2-3, 2025 in Fort Myers, FL, welcomed creative minds from across the globe to celebrate product and service breakthroughs from over 100 innovative companies. Groundbreaking product demos, conversations on AI, energy, healthcare, and sustainability, and the celebration of the 2025 Edison Award Winners captivated and inspired our global audience. The event was a powerful reminder of the potential that emerges when innovative thinkers collaborate.

Jensen Huang, NVIDIA

Innovators’ Showcase – ITRI

Innovators’ Showcase – XREAL

Frank Bonafilia, Jensen Huang, Michael M. Crow

Syd Kitson & Carmichael Roberts

Michael M. Crow, Arizona State Univrsity

Lewis Latimer Fellows at Collaboratory

Innovators’ Showcase

Aysegul Timur, FGCU

GUIDE TO BUSINESS & COMMERCIAL BANKING

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you have a banker or just a bank?

At Cogent Bank, you’re never a faceless account. One of our local Relationship Managers gets to know you, your business, and your unique financial goals. You’ll receive a direct line to your banker, who is always a phone call away.

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We have been named Southwest Florida’s “Best Bank’ by Gulfshore Business, and we welcome the opportunity to introduce you to our team of more than twenty local Southwest Florida bankers.

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Cogent Bank Associates (left to right): Craig Sherman, Tiffany Suid, Julie Celozzi, Beth Hendry, Marty Mahan, Sean Friend, Brandon Box, Johnathan Torres, Mike Dunzelman, Brandon Hartman, Kris Scoone, Jessica Fontana

Break the Box: DFCU Offers Flexible Business Financing

If your business doesn’t fit into their box, we’ll build one for you. At DFCU Financial, we believe business owners are the backbone of our community. That’s why we take the time to truly understand your business and tailor solutions that fit your unique needs—because we know one size never fits all. Whether you’re looking to tackle immediate challenges or plan for future growth, DFCU Financial is your partner through every stage of your business journey. We offer SBA 7(a) & 504 loans, equipment financing, and working capital lines of credit to keep your business running smoothly. When you need financing for expansion, acquisitions, or construction, our business bankers are there to guide you through it all. At DFCU, we don’t rely on formulas—we rely on relationships. Let’s work together to fuel your success. Learn more about our flexible business financing options today.

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A Better Way of Business Banking

As Lee County’s oldest locally owned and managed community bank, Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands has been part of the continued evolution of the banking industry for nearly three decades.

With an undeniable interest in the future growth and well-being of the area, banking is all about the customer with personalized solutions, meaningful relationships and exceptional service with the additional stability of an FDIC-insured, nationally chartered bank.

Specializing in commercial and residential banking and lending services, lenders work with relationship borrowers to structure loans that account for fluctuations in the market, build contingencies and adapt, while providing meaningful financial advice and guidance that help businesses prepare for the future.

By combining tradition with innovation, Edison National Bank/ Bank of the Islands offers businesses “a better way” of banking.

BET TER BUSINESS STARTS WITH A STRONG BANKING PARTNER.

As Lee County’s oldest locally owned and managed community bank, Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands provides a better way of business banking.

For 28 years, our relationship-focused bankers have offered customers the benefits of local decision-making, individualized services and safe, modern banking solutions that empower community and business leaders to reach their goals.

Robbie Roepstorff, President and Geoffrey Roepstorff, CEO

Founders

Sanibel Office

River District Office

Captiva Office

Cleveland Avenue Office

Lenders | Greg Blurton, Michael Greenhoe, Kim Nyberg and Richard Shera

Robin Cota Marketing Manager, Cape Coral, FL IncredibleBank

IncredibleBank: Investing in Women, Investing in Business

Hello, I’m Robin Cota, Market Manager at IncredibleBank in Cape Coral, FL. At IncredibleBank, we believe in the power of possibility—especially when it comes to women in business. As a bank built for growth-minded entrepreneurs, we’re committed to providing the financial tools, expertise, and support that help women-owned businesses thrive.

Women entrepreneurs continue to reshape industries, create jobs, and drive economic growth. Yet, they often face unique challenges in accessing capital and resources. That’s why we offer customized business financing, treasury management solutions, and expert guidance to help women business owners grow with confidence. Whether you’re launching a startup, expanding your company, or optimizing cash flow, we’re here to provide the financial solutions and personalized service you need.

Our commitment extends beyond banking. Through community involvement, business partnerships, and advocacy, we support initiatives that empower women in leadership and entrepreneurship. Because at IncredibleBank, we don’t just help businesses grow—we help people succeed.

Let’s make your business journey truly incredible, together.

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A Business Partner You Can Count On.

The best commercial banking opportunities aren’t just about transactions, they’re about relationships. At Suncoast Credit Union, we understand that ensuring success for your business means partnering with a financial institution that works for you and is dedicated to improving our communities. We’re that kind of financial institution. One that puts our members first and is focused on understanding your business and bringing forward-looking solutions to fuel your growth.

The best commercial banking opportunities aren’t just about transactions, they’re about relationships. At Suncoast Credit Union, we understand that ensuring success for your business means partnering with a financial institution that works for you and is dedicated to improving our communities. We’re that kind of financial institution. One that puts our members first and is focused on understanding your business and bringing forward-looking solutions to fuel your growth.

Your business is unique – your ﬁnancial partner should be too.

See what’s possible with Suncoast.

Your business is unique – your financial partner should be too.

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TIFFANY ALLARD

ti any.allard@suncoastcreditunion.com (239) 222-7026

Serving Southwest Florida

As Florida's largest credit union we have the products and services to be your commercial bank - only better!

Your business is unique – your ﬁnancial partner should be too.

See what’s possible with Suncoast.

TIFFANY ALLARD

ti any.allard@suncoastcreditunion.com (239) 222-7026

Serving Southwest Florida

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As Florida's largest credit union we have the products and services to be your commercial bank - only better!

“WE

Like Thomas Edison, we believe there is always “a better way.” Supporting women in the banking profession is one way we’ve followed this advice from the beginning. With bank founder and president Robbie Roepstorff at the helm, we began Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands with many strong businesswomen on board in 1997, and we have continued to value and support our female banking staff ever since. Most importantly, we’re proud to say many of our customers are female business owners and professionals in the Southwest Florida community!

For over 28 years, our business customers have enjoyed:

• Free online and mobile banking services

• No-fee access at Publix Presto! ATM locations

• Streamlined processing for all business loans including commercial mortgages and residential mortgage loans

• Courier service and cash management services including Positive Pay, Remote Deposit Capture, Online Wire Transfers, Merchant Services, ACH Origination Services, Business Bill Pay, Sweep Account Services, fees may apply.

Robbie Roepstorff, President 2022 Women in Business Honoree

For decades, Southwest Florida has trusted WINK News —every day, every storm, every moment.

FIRST FAIR EVERYWHERE. The faces you trust. The local news you rely on.

AfterHOURS

HORSEPOWER / WELLNESS / UNWIND / BACKSTORY

Aston Martin continues its thrilling legacy in the DB12 p_72

By James Raia

HORSEPOWER

FROM BRITAIN WITH LOVE

Aston Martin continues its thrilling legacy in the DB12

By James Raia

The legacies of few carmakers include kings and queens, bespoke builds, stellar performance and mystique. Aston Martin has all of it. But about 50 years after its debut, the British manufacturer was catapulted into the automotive stratosphere: Its DB5 became a James Bond car.

It wasn’t the first spy-versus-spy automobile negotiating mountaintop roads at high speeds. But when the Aston Martin DB5 was cast in the 1964 movie Goldfinger and was driven by the tuxedo-wearing, martini-drinking, fictional spy portrayed by Sean Connery, everything changed. The prototype was sexy and thrilling, equipped with bulletproofing, revolving license plates, a homing device, smokescreens, tire-slashing wheel extensions, machine guns and an ejection seat. And even without all Q’s enhancements, it looked cool.

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price

$245,000

Price as reviewed $325,000

Manufacturer’s website astonmartin.com

Warranty:

Bumper-to-Bumper, 3 years/ unlimited miles; Drivetrain, 3 years/unlimited miles; Corrosion, 3 years, unlimited miles; Roadside Assistance, 2 years/unlimited miles

Through ownership changes, financial woes and varying styles, four Aston Martins are currently crafted — the DBX, Vantage, Vanquish and DB12. The latter is still revered as the modern-day edition of the icon that helped create the enduring allure of espionage movie chase scenes.

When the carmaker turned 110 in 2013 and much of its legend was revisited, company spokespeople announced about 110,000 Aston Martins had been made to date. The average of 1,000 per year roughly matches the tally of Toyotas made in two days.

Offered as a coupe or soft top convertible, the 2025 Aston Martin DB12 continues the vehicle generation unveiled in 2024. It features an amended chassis and powertrain, and is remodeled with a more upscale interior design, not unlike the modernized look and feel of a classy boutique hotel.

What’s also new for 2025 is an optional panoramic glass roof, more steering wheel color choices and a carbon package that includes carbon-fiber paddle shifters and a gloss black exhaust tip.

State-of-the-art technology was missing in the DB11, but the new model has an

in-house-developed 10.3inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as part of the lengthy standard features list. Two USB ports, a wireless charging pad and a 360-degree camera are standard, as is an 11-speaker audio system. Albeit costly ($10,000), the optional 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system is a better

choice considering the vehicle’s stature.

Elegance reigns in the DB12’s interior. It’s largely leather, styled beautifully, complemented by comfort and support in multiple configurations. Car colors are never simple, including Aston Martin. But the r eview vehicle’s combination of Seychelles Blue and Aston Martin

All Copper Tan Metallic is as handsome as any vehicle’s color patterns.

The interior design and material quality is superior. Seating for four is listed among the official specs, but the backseats are big enough for only the petite or for notso-big luggage. Aston Martin has placed seat controls, a wireless charging pad and

other controls in logical locations, which is not the case for many luxury vehicles.

The new Aston Martin also defines “grand tourer.” It’s perfect for driving at high speeds and while combining luxury and performance. It’s powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 with an eight-speed automatic transmission and

an electronic rear differential. The ride is powerful and balanced, though the top speed of 202 mph is best saved for racetracks.

Differentiating features and nuances among ultimate luxury cars is somewhat futile — why squabble among great works of art on fancy wheels?

The Ferrari 12Cilindri is fine, as is the Rolls-Royce Spectre. The former starts at about $200,000 more than the DB12; the latter begins at about $170,000 more than the Aston Martin. The Bentley Continental GT and Flying Spur exude understated performance and

class. The Flying Spur has a starting price of $276,000; the Continental GT begins at $306,000. What’s equally impressive? The DB12’s bigger sibling, the Vanquish, with its starting price of just under $433,000, is also among luxury vehicle icons and it could top the list.

The DB12 is no longer a customized espionage machine; tuxedos aren’t required attire by the driver or passenger(s). But there’s nothing wrong with fun and fantasies of high-speed chases, mechanical gadgetry and good conquering evil. Especially when the ride looks this outstanding.

Congratulations, Linda! Gulfshore Business Women in Business Award Recipient

As CEO of Youth Haven, Linda Goldfield has led the expansion of programs and services to meet the growing needs of abused, neglected, and homeless youth. Her visionary leadership and commitment to collaboration have been vital in advancing Youth Haven’s mission of providing home, hope, and healing in Southwest Florida . We are grateful for her dedication and the lasting impact she continues to make in our community.

AFTER HOURS

WELLNESS

FEAR OF FLIGHT

Air remains the safest way to travel

By James Raia

Four deadly U.S. aviation disasters in Alaska, Arizona, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., in two weeks. A fireball crash landing and an upside-down halt on a snowy runway in Toronto. A fire on a wing during a takeoff at a Houston airport. A taxiing jet clipping a parked airplane in Seattle.

The dramatic risks of airline travel have made spectacular headlines this year, sometimes within days of each other. These incidents, without their emotional components, are data added to the research of organizations such as the National Safety Council, Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Board. The organizations’ collective assessment? Flying is safe.

In fact, the National Safety Council, the Illinois-based public service organization with a mission to promote and improve the country’s health and safety, details that flying remains the safest of all travel options. Aviation travel is grouped with railroad travel and being struck by lightning in the category of “too few deaths to calculate odds.”

Ph.D

A recent report from the International Air Transport Association reported “on average, a person would have to travel by air every day for 103,239 years to experience a fatal accident.”

Still, the statistics mean little to those who have flying anxiety, more commonly called a fear of flying. The spate of air travel accidents confirms for many that their apprehension of air travel is rational. It’s not.

“Yes, there were a bunch of accidents, and it was unsettling,” says Andrew Rosen, founder of the Center for Treatment of Anxiety and Mood Disorders headquartered in Delray Beach. “But that doesn’t

mean that it’s dangerous. There are millions of flights. You just have to disregard what your anxious brain is telling you.”

Florida has among the country’s most frequent flying population. According to the Florida Department of Transportation, the state’s aviation system features 11 military aviation facilities and more than 125 public-use airports, including 21 airports offering commercial service spanning the Panhandle to the Florida Keys.

In 2024, Florida welcomed a record-breaking 142.9 million visitors, with 40.7% arriving via airports, according to Visit Florida. Locally, Southwest Florida International Airport saw 11,028,182 passengers during that same time period, according to Lee County Port Authority.

Rosen, a board-certified clinical psychologist whose clientele includes patients from throughout Southwest Florida, cited studies that detail about 20% of the population is anxious when flying.

“It’s probably even larger than that,” says Rosen. “Those people are thrilled

Andrew Rosen,

Founder of the Center for Treatment of Anxiety and Mood Disorders

when they land, and they can be done with it. So, when anything happens that would reinforce the irrational idea that flying is a dangerous thing and you have to be lucky to survive it; then it becomes dangerous to the anxious brain and it says, ‘You see?’”

The Anxiety & Depression Association of America, headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland, is an international nonprofit member organization dedicated to the prevention, treatment and cure of anxiety, depression and other disorders. Martin N. Seif, a founding board member, offers an eight-step approach to overcoming the fear of flying. With the self-help guidelines offered by many organizations to address a fear of flying, the approaches are collectively categorized as “distractions.” Understanding the rational and the irrational components of fearful fly-

ing is imperative. Seif explains the concept as “boarding an airplane with knowledge.”

“Anxiety thrives on ignorance and feeds off ‘what if?’ catastrophic thought,” he writes. “But once you become knowledgeable, your ‘what if?’ thoughts are limited by the facts. Become familiar with the facts. They will not eliminate your anxiety, but

they will help you manage it.”

According to experts, fear of flying is generally experienced by those who don’t like not being in control. If a flier isn’t in charge, the only certainty is the unknown.

“We all like to feel in control, but some more than others,” says Rosen. “That’s probably the common denominator that people who have a fear of flying have. But flying is extremely safe behavior. When situations occur like this and it happens in bunches like this, it blows the whole fear thing out of the water. Now it feels like every plane potentially is going down. The average person who has a fear of flying would like to think that everything that can happen at random can eventually happen in bunches.”

The actual crashes, Rosen said, were unrelated, with nothing in common other than they were airplanes.

Fear of flying is commonly experienced by people who don’t like to not be in control. However, the National Safety Council claims flying is the safest of all travel options, grouping air travel in the category of “too few deaths to calculate odds.”

Martin N. Seif, Ph.D

The Anxiety & Depression Association of America founding board member

AFTER HOURS

UNWIND

VIVA LA FIESTA

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo and honoring Mexican American heritage

By Artis Henderson

Widely mistaken for Mexico’s Independence Day, Cinco de Mayo actually commemorates the Mexican victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. In fact, it’s more widely celebrated in the United States than Mexico, and the holiday has become as much an excuse to drink tequila as it is a celebration of Mexican American heritage. Though Cinco de Mayo festivities in the U.S. are often a touch déclassé (forgive the French), there are plenty of ways to celebrate in style.

THE LONELY BULL

American trumpeter and songwriter Herb Alpert was a music sensation in the 1960s famous for his band, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass. Though Alpert was born and raised in Los Angeles to immigrant parents from Ukraine and Romania, he took his musical cues from the traditions of Mexico, especially mariachi music and the sounds of the corrida. His first single, “The Lonely Bull,” became a top 10 hit in 1962, and he had three No. 1 albums on the charts just four years later. Though his name is perhaps less enduring than other celebrities of the era, his albums can be found at vintage record shops everywhere — a testament to their one-time popularity. The music’s upbeat brassy tunes strike exactly the right note for Cinco de Mayo listening, especially for lovers of original vinyl.

Flor de Jamaica

The hibiscus flower used in Mexican cocktails and beverages — including the much-loved Jamaica agua fresca — is known by different names, depending on the part of the world where it’s grown. In the U.S., we call it roselle, Florida cranberry or Jamaican sorrel. The plant is native to West Africa, where the flowers are boiled and combined with sugar to a make a sweet-tart drink called bissap.

Taste Sensation

Tajín is a Mexican spice mix that combines chili, lime and salt. It’s a staple at roadside taco stands and in Mexican pantries.

Daisy, Daisy

Cinco de Mayo purists claim the holiday has been commercialized beyond recognition by beverage companies, especially in the case of Corona, the Mexican beer that has become synonymous with Cinco de Mayo festivities. One report says Americans bought more beer for Cinco de Mayo than for the Super Bowl or St. Patrick’s Day. And while toasting with a cold cerveza certainly doesn’t seem like the worst way to spend a holiday, we much prefer an artfully mixed mezcal margarita instead. Uni-

of Southwest Florida’s best new restaurants — creates an absolutely fantastic version.

Unidos

Hibiscus Mezcal Margarita

2 oz mezcal

(Unidos uses Los Vecinos del Campo)

2 oz sour mix (Unidos makes its own in-house; to make at home, combine equal parts lime juice and simple syrup)

1 oz hibiscus syrup

Serve in a rocks glass with a Tajín rim.

AU REVOIR, ORANGES

The sunset of Florida-grown citrus

By Justin Paprocki

It wasn’t all that long ago that Florida was synonymous with the orange grove. But today, the heyday of citrus growing is long gone.

Citrus first came to the region via Spanish explorers in the 16th century, but mass cultivation in what would soon become the state of Florida didn’t take root until the 1830s. A devastating freeze in Georgia and the Carolinas in 1835 caused farmers to look farther south for land. As railroads forged their way deeper into the peninsula in the late 1800s, citrus farms started to flourish, as well.

By the 1900s, Florida had become the top orange-growing state in the nation. During World War II, the idea of frozen concentrated orange juice was born — and it ushered in a new citrus boom in Florida. The tubes of frozen O.J. were essential for troops overseas looking for a boost of Vitamin C. Stateside, frozen foods were starting to take hold in supermarkets. By 1952, 72 million boxes of oranges were being produced a year. Advertisements touted the benefits of a tall glass of Florida orange juice. Colorful postcards portrayed Florida as a land of sunshine

and orange groves, as pictured above. An image of an orange in some shape or form has appeared on the standard state license plate since 1991.

In the current era, growing oranges has become more challenging due to disease, drought and devastating hurricanes. Farmland has been eaten by developments. Citrus greening, a disease with no known cure, has wreaked havoc on crops in recent years. Producing hit its peak in 2004 at 242 million boxes but has fallen since. Only about 18 million boxes were produced last year.

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