Sasha joined Gulf Coast Community Foundation in May 2022. Sasha is an experienced and accomplished Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), who has spent her career inspiring transformational philanthropy and engaging communities for meaningful impact. Sasha feels fortunate to work with generous donors to help realize their philanthropic goals.
Prior to joining Gulf Coast, Sasha served as Director of Advancement and Strategic Partnerships at the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation, Executive Director of AdventHealth Zephyrhills Foundation, and Director of Philanthropy at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.
Sasha enjoys live music, shopping locally, cooking, and spending time on the water with her husband, baby boy, and their two pups.
Lauren joined Gulf Coast Community Foundation in 2022. A seasoned philanthropic steward with over 20 years in the nonprofit industry, Lauren holds a bachelor’s degree in music business and flute performance from DePauw University. In her role as a Philanthropic Advisor at Gulf Coast, Lauren works directly with donors to maximize their philanthropic impact in our region. Prior to joining Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Lauren served as Director of Donor Engagement, Individual and Corporate Giving with Sarasota Orchestra. Lauren has also held development positions at The Out-of-Door Academy, Girls Inc. of Sarasota, Young Concert Artists, and the New York Philharmonic.
Lauren enjoys walking the beach, gluten-free baking, and spending time with her husband, two teenagers, and mini-dachshund. She is a former board member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Southwest Florida Chapter and a 2016 graduate of the Gulf Coast Leadership Institute.
As a member of our Philanthropy Team, Kristin engages with our donors, allowing them to realize their philanthropic potential. In addition, she is responsible for overseeing Gulf Coast’s scholarship program, which provides greater access to postsecondary education for local area students. Prior to joining the Foundation in 2011, Kristin worked in the fast-paced world of television news as a video editor for WWSB ABC7 in Sarasota. She earned her bachelor’s degree in telecommunication production from the University of Florida. (Go Gators!) Her claim to fame is representing the country as a member of Team USA at the Bally Total Fitness World Aerobics Championship in 1999. She did not help lead the team to victory. For exercise these days, she and her husband can be found chasing around their two children.
Priscilla joined Gulf Coast Community Foundation in May 2022. She has spent much of her career in donor development, having worked with several not-for-profit organizations in her hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Using her development and coordination skills, Priscilla works with our Philanthropy Team to connect with our donors, enhancing their experience and helping to answer questions about their funds. Priscilla holds a Bachelor of Arts in strategic communication from Cornerstone University and was a member of the Venice Leadership Class of 2023. Her favorite leisure activities include traveling, exploring nature, and having game nights with friends.