Mischa Kirby to present at national philanthropy conference

SARASOTA, FL – Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s Mischa Kirby, vice president of strategy and communications, will be among the experts presenting at this year’s Philanthropy Southeast Annual Meeting, “Leading Lights: Connection, Community & Courage,” in Nashville, Tenn.

Kirby will join other leaders in philanthropy to present “Emergent Strategies for Adapting Strategic Plans,” a panel discussion that offers guidance on how funders can remain true to long-term priorities while managing change.

The presentation explores how the Community Foundation’s Strategic Framework both guided and shifted the foundation’s priorities over a three-year timeframe beginning in Summer 2022, which was immediately met with the unexpected, thanks to Hurricane Ian. Kirby will share lessons learned from an operational lens, and how changes in priorities were communicated with key internal and external stakeholders.

The foundation’s Strategic Framework drives the work of the foundation in four key areas: engagement, leadership, impact, and organizational excellence.

Sharing the stage with Kirby will be Daniela Demaria, board chair at Latino Community Fund Georgia in Decatur, Ga., and Jennifer Oldham, vice president of communications and partnerships at The Healing Trust in Nashville, Tenn. The panel is moderated by Elain Summerfield, vice president of community investment at The Winston-Salem Foundation.

Roxie Jerde, President and CEO of the Community Foundation, will also be presenting at a private CEO Forum Preconference session about managing the ongoing operations and leadership transition preceding her retirement at 14 years at the helm on June 30, 2025. The CEO Forum provides a space for executive leaders to connect with one another in an environment that encourages open, candid conversation.

This will be the 55^th Annual Meeting for Philanthropy Southeast, a philanthropic network for leaders, ideas and resources focused on the American South and U.S. Caribbean territories. The membership association aims to influence public policy with an eye on equity and build strong leadership among charitable organizations in the region.

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About the Community Foundation of Sarasota County: The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is a public charity founded in 1979 by the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council as a resource for caring individuals and the causes they support, enabling them to make a charitable impact on the community. With assets of $489 million in more than 1,580 charitable funds, the Community Foundation awarded grants and scholarships totaling $40 million dollars last year in the areas of education, the arts, health and human services, civic engagement, animal welfare and the environment. Since its founding, the Community Foundation has been able to grant more than $435.8 million to area nonprofit organizations in our community thanks to the generosity of charitable individuals, families, and businesses. For more information, visit www.CFSarasota.org or call (941) 955-3000.

About Philanthropy Southeast: Philanthropy Southeast strengthens Southern philanthropy, welcoming our members to listen, learn and collaborate on ideas and actions to help build an equitable, prosperous South.