35 UNDER 35 HONOREES | 2022 look forward to each month. They gave me the go-ahead, so I started by creating fun branded content for the event to share with our community and hotel guests. From there, I strategically selected event sponsors who aligned with our brand and community values, event entertainment, and coordinated menu offerings for our guests. I’m very proud of the fact that the event earned rave reviews and made the property record-breaking miscellaneous event revenue.
What mistake in your career taught you the biggest lesson? One mistake that turned into an
What’s your favorite podcast or YouTube channel? I am one of those guys who probably takes
opportunity for growth was leaving the time to understand the dynamic of a new workplace’s environment and institutional culture. Even if you are revved up with passion for the new role, it’s important to learn how to pump the brakes and observe your surroundings before implementing change.
fantasy sports a little too seriously. This time of year I’m often listening to podcasts around topics regarding fantasy football.
What’s the most unexpected lesson you’ve learned during the pandemic? That it is possi-
try to be like a sea cucumber. This anecdote highlights that, although your hard work might go unnoticed, it doesn’t mean that your job is any less important. Consider the significant role sea cucumbers have in the marine ecosystem: they eat the detritus on the ocean floor and poop out clean sand. This analogy demonstrates to me that everyone can do something to help create a healthier environment and that we should always strive towards leaving our surroundings better than they were.
ble for one person to spend over $500 on Uber Eats within one week—I’m joking. During the pandemic, I learned how much I thrive in moments of change. Instead of focusing on the negatives or potential disappointments, I pivoted and became refreshed by the prospect of opportunity and the creativity that comes with it. I’ve always been a resilient, adaptive, and a service-oriented person, but I was surprised by my immediate shift and focus on applying my creativity, my love for community, and positive disposition to my work, my personal and professional development, and to the relationships with my friends and family.
When things get tough, I Just remember . . . that to appreciate comfort and ease, I must navigate and conquer discomfort and challenge. Just breathe, re-focus, and be ready to make pivots.
ROSS JOHNSTON
MANAGER OF VISITOR ENGAGEMENT, MARIE SELBY BOTANICAL GARDENS How and when did you know you wanted to be a leader in your field? Realizing I could be a leader in education was a happy accident. I knew I wanted to be a leader in the education field when I recognized I had a unique perspective on engaging audiences, sparking curiosity, and facilitating learning by combining education and entertainment. Developing this “edu-tainment” teaching style positioned me to think outside the box of traditional formal methods and resulted in expanding and bolstering my professional and community networks.
What are your favorite ways to unwind over the weekend? As the Education Manager at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, I have expanded the lifelong learning opportunities. Thanks in part to my community connections, I have made many talented friends who I have onboarded to share their amazing skills. These new classes are so interesting and the instructors are so cool that I often find myself back at work on the weekends. And, after class, there’s always time for brunch.
When things get tough, I just remember… to
MATTHEW KERN
FINANCIAL CENTER LEADER, HANCOCK WHITNEY Share a recent achievement for which you are the most proud. A personal recent achievement is coming up on my 20 year anniversary from beating a rare bone cancer called osteosarcoma as a teenager. I found out I had cancer while playing football my freshman year of high school back in Cincinnati, Ohio. I moved to Houston, Texas, where I went through almost 2 years of chemotherapy and many surgeries. The experience has taught me countless life lessons ranging from never taking a day for granted, seeing how family and friends step up through the toughest times, and to never ever give up. A professional achievement that I am really proud of was being selected to the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class of 2023.
What is your formula for success? I have always aligned myself with people that already are successful or people that share my desire to grow in their career field. I often remind myself of the adage “Never ask advice of someone with whom you wouldn’t want to trade places.”
What is the first job you ever held? Working for a famous restaurant in Cincinnati, Ohio known for their ribs, Montgomery Inn at the Boathouse. What’s the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done? Moving to Florida in my early 20s. I was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio and would vacation to Siesta Key often as a kid. I never imagined actually living and contributing to the area that I used to vacation to, but to this day moving to Sarasota, Florida is one of the best decisions I have ever made.
What movie, show or cartoon character would you like to play in real life and why? Michelangelo from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He seems to have the most fun of the group and besides, what’s there not to like about beating up the bad guys with nunchucks and eating pizza all day?!
What are the top three items on your bucket list? Hike the Appalachian Trail with my mom. My grandfather has stated that he wants us to do this for him since he never got the chance so we decided to start training and will be hiking it in different increments with a Go Pro on so he can watch! I’d like to go to a Super Bowl. This would be even better if the Bengals were in it and won. I’d like to watch the USA Basketball team live in the Olympics.
When things get tough, I just remember . . . I have been through some of the toughest times and I always make it to the other side.
ARIANNE KOPACZ
MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST, CHILDREN FIRST What is your top professional goal? To contribute long-term to the sustainable and accessible mental health program at Children First that serves the needs of our community. When I was onboarded in 2018, I was struck by the number of employees who have a tenure of 20+ years with the agency, and how the agency embraces progress and change. This was my first job out of graduate school and I am incredibly grateful for landing at an agency that is dynamic, while also placing value on retaining their employees. I value stability without stagnancy, and I feel that Children First mirrors this. Because of this, I have been involved in the development of a mental health program that is comprehensive such that prevention, promotion, intervention, and education are the cornerstones of all initiatives. I foresee many opportunities in my time with Children First to continue to build this sustainable mental health program for vulnerable members of our community.
What is the first job you ever held? I started my first job just before my 15th birthday at Publix, here in Sarasota. My career at Publix spanned from 2007-2018 and took me to four different stores between Sarasota and Orlando. During my time with Publix, I learned how to commu-
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