Gulf Coast Strengthens Team

Gulf Coast Community Foundation recently welcomed two new staff members to further strengthen our team and advance our mission of transforming our region through bold and proactive philanthropy. Marcia Saulo was hired as controller, while Kelly Carlstein Buehler joined our marketing and communications team to direct marketing and public relations strategies.

In her role as controller, Marcia is responsible for the operation of financial and accounting services, including preparation of financial analyses, income and expense reports, and budgets. She also will help Gulf Coast transition to a new, fully integrated charitable operations management and accounting platform.

Previously CFO of Lighthouse Academies, an $80-million nonprofit education management organization serving high-need communities, Marcia brings extensive experience developing budgets, managing accounting and financial reporting, and overseeing clean audits. She earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from USF Sarasota-Manatee, a master of business administration in marketing from Drexel University, and a bachelor’s in fine arts from the College of William and Mary. She also holds CPA and CGMA designations.

Kelly comes to Gulf Coast from HCA’s Blake Medical Center, where she worked in the marketing department and was involved in marketing strategy, campaign launches, events, and community sponsorship and engagement. In her role on Gulf Coast’s marketing and communications team, Kelly leads digital and traditional marketing strategies and innovative storytelling in coordination with donors and community partners. She also will play a lead role in planning for Gulf Coast’s upcoming 25th anniversary.

Kelly is a graduate of the University of Central Florida and a 2018 graduate of our Gulf Coast Leadership Institute. She is a member of the Junior League of Sarasota, where she serves as graphic designer for the public relations committee.