Meet 45 People Who Are Doing Amazing Things to Make Our Community a Better Place

To coincide with the 45th anniversary of Sarasota Magazine’s founding, we put out a call for our readers to nominate people 45 and older who are doing amazing things to make our community a better place. Our goal was to honor outstanding individuals in the prime of their life who are thriving and giving back. We were quickly overwhelmed with the number of exceptional people nominated by our readers, and paring down the list to just 45 winners was no small feat. We think you’ll be moved, surprised and inspired by the stories we’ve collected here.

Mischa Kirby

Vice President of Strategy and Communications, Community Foundation of Sarasota County

For 25 years, Mischa Kirby has been making a difference in Sarasota. At the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, she leads a team that researches and analyzes the community’s needs, providing vital data on the work nonprofits are doing and the challenges they face, while also telling the stories of the foundation’s many initiatives and partners.

Two people who have had an impact on my growth:

“Professionally, Community Foundation president and CEO Roxie Jerde has brought me into many conversations and situations that have helped me grow by navigating complex relationships and competing priorities. Personally, I learn so much from my teenage daughter, Zoe. To watch her grow through her own relationships and see how she is both direct and kind in complicated situations inspires me to be a more thoughtful person.”

Read more inspiring stories and learn who was recognized by Sarasota Magazine in January 2025 here.