Rep. Greg Steube

“My definition of power is Luke 10:19: ‘Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.’”

The Republican representative for Florida’s 17th congressional district, which covers Sarasota County, Steube is an outspoken conservative who earned attention early in his career for his expansive views on gun rights. The son of former Manatee County Sheriff Brad Steube, he joined the U.S. Army while in law school and later deployed to Iraq. In Congress since 2018, he’s a fixture of conservative media, appearing regularly on channels like Fox News and Newsmax. In the aftermath of the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, he was one of 147 Republicans who voted to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, and has embraced efforts to bar transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports and to abolish foreign aid.

Teri Hansen

“I think more about influence and responsibility than power. Influence not in terms of swaying or convincing people of something, but in showing what’s possible and then bringing resources to bear to make it happen. Philanthropy invests in people and organizations and ideas for one reason: to make life better for others. That’s where the responsibility comes in.”

Under Hansen’s leadership as president and chief executive officer, the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation has launched a number of innovative programs. They include First 1,000 Days Suncoast, which connects new parents with vital assistance during their child’s earliest developmental stages; Here4YOUth, which aims to transform the mental health support system for young people; and Suncoast Searchlight, a nonprofit news service focused on investigative and accountability journalism. The foundation manages more than $700 million in assets, funding initiatives in fields as varied as education and environmental sustainability. Beyond her work with the Barancik Foundation, she serves on the boards of organizations like Ringling College of Art and Design, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and YMCA of Southwest Florida. Hansen recently announced her plans to retire from the foundation, but has not yet set a date for when that will occur.

Michael Barfield

“One of my most exciting moments was when we challenged Gov. DeSantis over his decision to fly migrants to Martha’s Vineyard. We sued for access to those records, forcing his administration to comply at the height of his power. That case was a significant victory—it demonstrated that even the most powerful leaders can be held accountable.”

Barfield is known for his work on behalf of government transparency and civil liberties. As the public access director of the Florida Center for Government Accountability, he helps reporters uncover difficult-to-access public records, enabling them to hold powerful figures accountable. From his Sarasota headquarters, he has assisted investigations by 60 Minutes, The New York Times and The Miami Herald. Barfield has also led lawsuits against Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration, including challenges over public records related to migrant flights and withheld Covid-19 data. His past legal troubles—including a 1999 conviction for perjury, obstruction of justice and wire fraud—fuel skeptics, who argue his history undermines his credibility, while supporters see him as a champion of open government.

Richard Corcoran

"The two things people always say to me when I meet them are No. 1, ‘You’re a lot nicer in person,’ and No. 2, ‘I thought you’d be a lot taller.’ I think from what they read and hear about me, they have a perception that I’m tall and unlikeable. The truth? I’m 5 feet 9 inches tall and actually quite friendly."

Whether you agree with how Gov. Ron DeSantis has reshaped New College of Florida or not, there’s no arguing that Corcoran, the school’s president, has significantly altered the college’s trajectory and reshaped higher education in Florida. Since Corcoran was appointed in 2023, New College leadership has eliminated its diversity office and its gender studies program and been accused of encroaching on academic freedom, all while growing the school’s enrollment by adding sports programs to attract student-athletes. Up next: the construction of the Beruff Family Field of Dreams, a new baseball field set to be built on the corner of University Parkway and U.S. 41, and the potential absorption of the nearby Ringling museum and the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee.

Rex Jensen

“Power is the ability to influence actions, policies and opinions by mobilizing and employing knowledge, logic, people, coalitions and resources to achieve the desired result. It is the ability to use things outside or in addition to yourself.”

Many scoffed when plans to build Lakewood Ranch were announced decades ago, but no one’s laughing now. That’s in large part because of Jensen, the president and chief executive officer of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch. Jensen has played a starring role in transforming the region into a nationally recognized master-planned community, which today encompasses 27,000 homes in 39 villages, plus five business parks, three town centers, multiple schools, a hospital, the massive Premier Sports Campus and more. While critics decry the loss of open land that has come with Lakewood Ranch’s growth, the area’s popularity is undeniable, and it has consistently been named one of the top-selling master-planned communities in the country.

David Verinder

“Some of the most inspiring meetings I recall have taken place over coffee or a casual meal in a back booth at Gecko’s or Serving Spoon. The comfortable and friendly atmosphere allows you to relax and get to know each other better while having a productive conversation.”

Verinder has been the president and chief executive officer of Sarasota Memorial Health Care System since 2014, following a decade-plus tenure in various leadership roles. Under his guidance, Sarasota Memorial has grown in remarkable ways—opening a new five-story hospital in Venice in 2021 and beginning construction on a new $450 million North Port hospital this year, in addition to adding an oncology tower, a trauma center, a behavioral health pavilion and several urgent care centers and clinics. That flurry of activity has made the hospital the largest employer in Sarasota County, with more than 10,000 employees.

Heather Kasten

“Power isn’t about authority, status or control—it’s about influence, service and the ability to uplift others. True power lies in the impact we have on people’s lives.”

In 2019, Kasten became the first woman to lead the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce in its 100-year history. She got to work immediately—and it has paid off. Under her leadership, the chamber was named Florida Chamber of the Year in 2024 by the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals and one of the top chambers in the nation by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, and its membership is growing by 30-40 new businesses each month. Kasten’s trademark big smile and reputation for collaboration and kindness make her highly approachable, but don’t conflate those traits with weakness. Kasten isn’t afraid to speak her mind, ask difficult questions and push hard to make the chamber, and Sarasota as a whole, a better place for everyone.

Chris Pavlovski

“When I have free time, which can be scarce these days, I love to go boating on Sarasota Bay. Out on the water, there’s so much freedom, and it reminds me of the mission at Rumble. We fight for the basic human right to self-expression and against being constrained and trampled by censorship at the hands of governments or Big Tech.”

Pavlovski is the Canadian entrepreneur behind Rumble, the video-sharing platform and YouTube rival that he founded in 2013. He lives in Sarasota part-time to be close to the emerging media giant’s U.S. headquarters on Longboat Key. Rumble promotes itself as a free speech alternative to other video platforms, emphasizing that it does not moderate content as much as its competitors, and by last year, claimed to welcome 68 million monthly users. The site is particularly popular among conservative and right-wing content creators like Kimberly Guilfoyle, Candace Owens, Dan Bongino, Charlie Kirk and Russell Brand. Critics say Rumble’s lenience boosts misinformation and extremism, but supporters view Pavlovski as a defender of free speech.

Michael Crosby

“Some of the most meaningful interactions I’ve had have been out in the field—on the water and under the water—with Mote scientists and students, members of the Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge and SCUBAnauts International, traditional fishing villages and international research partners on the other side of the world. Our work doesn’t just impact Florida—it plays a critical role in marine science and conservation on a global scale.”

To understand Crosby’s influence, drive out to University Town Center and gaze at the Mote Science Education Aquarium, which is rising from the ground and expected to be completed in the coming months. When finished, Mote SEA will grow the organization’s aquarium space from 66,000 square feet to 110,000 and attract an estimated 700,000 visitors in its first year, doubling Mote’s current attendance numbers. As Mote’s president and chief executive officer, Crosby has secured more than $70 million in research grants and $200 million in philanthropic support, while at the same time publishing more than 60 scientific manuscripts and editing multiple books. Once Mote SEA is completed, the organization aims to convert its existing space on City Island into a cutting-edge research facility.

Jonathan Lewis

“I measure my character by what my family thinks of me. I also measure character by whether someone follows through on their word, even in a small way. Integrity isn’t just about big promises. It’s shown in everyday actions, like being honest even when it’s inconvenient.”

Lewis was named Sarasota County administrator in 2018 and has overseen a number of major infrastructure improvements and community initiatives during a time of rapid growth for the county. During his tenure, the county extended the Legacy Trail, began transforming the Bee Ridge Water Reclamation Facility into a state-of-the-art plant that has won awards for its sustainable features, and is in the process of building a new 120,000-square-foot County Administration Center near the Celery Fields. Also in the works: a thorough redo of the 17th Street Athletic Complex, a 95-acre site that will be home to multiple new athletic fields for a wide variety of sports, and plenty of ongoing work to help the region recover from last year’s devastating hurricanes.

Larry Thompson

“Active listening is the hardest but smartest thing you can do as a leader. I always think back on the axiom, ‘Some situations require silence, even if you have or know the answer.’”

Thompson has shaped Sarasota’s cultural and educational landscape since becoming president of Ringling College of Art and Design in 1999. During his tenure, the college has grown dramatically, with the addition of new buildings and facilities like the Larry R. Thompson Academic Center and a high-tech film production soundstage, positioning the college as a global leader in art and design education. The school has also introduced new majors like game art and virtual reality development, and its newest project is the construction of a $95 million four-story academic building on the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and U.S. 41. The new facility will provide additional space for students and events and serve as a visual gateway as visitors head toward the heart of Sarasota.

State Sen. Joe Gruters

“I measure character by how someone treats others when no one else is watching. It’s easy to be kind or respectful when it’s expected, but true character is revealed in the small, everyday moments—how they treat a server, speak to a stranger or support someone who can’t offer anything in return.”

It’s difficult to think of anyone more integral to making Southwest Florida Trump country than Gruters. When GOP organizers declined to invite Trump to speak at the 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa, Gruters asked the then-businessman to address an audience in Sarasota instead, forging a relationship that led to him being named Trump’s Florida campaign chairman in 2016 and appointed to a number of posts in the years since. A staunch conservative, Gruters has served as a state legislator and as chair of the Senate Committee on Fiscal Policy, wielding significant influence over budgetary matters. He is also a former chair of both the local and state Republican parties, giving him many supporters and allies.

Jennifer Rominiecki

"Power is what enables transformation and innovation. It embodies the ability to move the needle on your vision despite challenges or setbacks. Power, combined with  tenacity,  is necessary to creating a lasting impact for the benefit of others, and to leaving your corner of the world better than you found it."

Since becoming president and chief executive officer of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in 2015, Rominiecki has significantly elevated the gardens’ profile. Membership there has surged by 170 percent and overall earned revenue has risen by 141 percent while Rominiecki has steered the organization through a massive overhaul of its campus. Phase one of that project added 188,000 additional square feet of amenities to the facility, and phase two—which includes a conservatory complex, a learning pavilion and more—is now in the works. Overall, more than $114 million has been raised for the upgrades, and 82 percent of the funding to complete phase two has been secured. In recent years, Selby has also been recognized as a top destination by publications like Time and The Wall Street Journal.

Rep. Vern Buchanan

"Some folks come to Washington and boast that they ‘aren’t here to make friends.’ I think that’s a short-sighted approach. It’s my job to spend every day fighting for the people of Florida, and I can do that best when I have good working relationships with my colleagues in Congress."

In Congress for nearly two decades, Buchanan is a fixture of the region’s political scene, best known for advocating for low taxes and cutting government spending. As the vice chair of the House of Representatives’ influential House Ways and Means Committee, he helps shape policies around taxes, health care, trade and Social Security. With an estimated net worth of $157.2 million as of 2020, he’s also one of the wealthiest members of Congress, with a background in the auto and reinsurance industries. Today, he champions causes like animal welfare and health care for seniors, and recently joined the House’s DOGE Caucus, composed of representatives who support Elon Musk’s efforts to disrupt federal agencies.

Mike Moran

“I think power is the ability to work with others and make changes that have a positive impact on people’s lives. That—and having control of the TV remote in your own home.”

First elected to the Sarasota County Commission in 2016, Moran was the guiding force behind a series of high-profile decisions, including a move to block county funding for United Way Suncoast’s 211 service, a free helpline offering critical social services and emergency support to residents. Moran objected to the funding because of the service’s willingness to refer callers to abortion providers like Planned Parenthood. He also led the effort to block tourist development tax money from going to arts groups like Embracing Our Differences, WSLR+Fogartyville and the Chalk Festival. After serving two terms on the county commission, in 2024, Moran unseated 40-year incumbent Sarasota Tax Collector Barbara Ford-Coates—no small feat.

Hugh Culverhouse Jr.

“I have never, ever done anything to save a nickel and that’s why people stay in Palmer Ranch. They may start in one neighborhood, but they’ll move to another Palmer neighborhood. I’m going to continue until I finish what I started with Palmer Ranch, and people are going to live there forever.”

Culverhouse is a prominent attorney, real estate developer and philanthropist, and also the son of former Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner Hugh Culverhouse Sr., who ran the team from its inception in the 1970s until his death in 1994. Culverhouse Jr. has cemented his local legacy through the ongoing development of Palmer Ranch, which is now home to 30,000 people, plus commercial and recreational spaces, on 15,000 acres. In recent years, he has made a flurry of donations to important causes, stepping in to support Embracing Our Differences and Church of the Redeemer, and to keep United Way Suncoast’s helpline afloat, while also supporting the University of Alabama, where his parents went to school. In total, he has donated $74 million to various causes.

Carlos Beruff

“I tell people that making decisions can be hard and requires courage and leadership. Don’t be afraid to make a decision. When you make a bad decision—and you will—learn from your mistakes.”

Beruff has built a sprawling real estate empire through Medallion Home, the company he founded in 1984, and, in the process, has become a major player in Manatee County politics, supporting commissioners who have loosened environmental regulations and waded into hot-button issues like abortion and gun rights. His influence took a hit last year, when a number of candidates he supported lost amid a broad anti-developer backlash, but he still possesses plenty of sway. Beruff’s East River Ranch project, which was given the green light in 2023, is projected to include as many as 5,378 new homes on 1,381 acres of land.

John Horne

“I think power comes from using social capital for the best interest of others. I was on a panel at Tiger Bay a few years back and mentioned that if there’s an issue, you need to call your representative or senator and let them know how something affects you. A comment came back that most people don’t have our local representatives’ cell phone numbers, nor would their call be answered. That taught me to think about how to use my social capital to better our community, as well as our industry.”

Horne opened the first Anna Maria Oyster Bar in 1995 and has grown the seafood restaurant into a multi-location staple of the Gulf Coast dining scene. In 2022, he acquired St. Armands Circle’s historic Café L’Europe (now Café on St. Armands) and created Oysters Rock Hospitality to oversee operations at all his restaurants. While Anna Maria Oyster Bar was fined last year by the U.S. Department of Justice for discriminatory hiring practices against immigrant workers, Horne remains a prominent statewide voice in the hospitality industry. He recently completed a stint as chairman of the board for the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, a powerful trade group that represents more than 10,000 hoteliers and restaurateurs and 2 million employees.

Pat Neal

“The places that I like most in Sarasota County are outside in the wilderness, and I like to go to places that are beautiful and environmental. I negotiated my last big real estate purchase—1,350 acres in north Lee County—at Snook Haven.”

Neal built his first home with his father on the northern end of Longboat Key in 1969, and in the decades since has grown his company, Neal Communities, into one of the region’s biggest and most influential homebuilders. In total, he estimates that he’s built 24,700 homes in Sarasota and Manatee counties over the last 55 years. Having served in the Florida Legislature from 1974 to 1986, he’s intimately familiar with the workings of state and local government, and has been involved in multiple legal disputes over development, particularly in the city of Venice. Currently in the works is 3H Ranch, a master-planned community approved by the Sarasota County Commission last year that will bring 6,500 residential units to 2,700 acres east of I-75. Neal and his wife are also major philanthropists who donate roughly $5 million each year.

Michael Saunders

"It’s the simplest things in life that please me most—the pure joy of grandchildren, a bird in flight, a rose glistening with fresh dew, a great fly fishing run, celebrating holiday traditions with family, exploring a new author, arranging flowers and cooking almost anything."

As the founder and chief executive officer of Michael Saunders & Company, established in 1976, Saunders has grown her firm into Southwest Florida’s leading real estate brokerage. With 18 Gulf Coast locations, more than 600 agents and 150 support staff, the company dominates the market for properties listed for $2 million and above in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties. Even outside of our region, the Saunders name carries weight: The firm is now representing The Residences at 400 Central, a 46-story condominium tower in downtown St. Petersburg that will bring 301 luxury units, 60,000 square feet of commercial space and 45,000 square feet of office space to the city. In Sarasota, Saunders recently donated land for an affordable housing project on School Avenue.

Randy Benderson

When Benderson Development relocated its headquarters from Buffalo, New York, to Sarasota in 2004, few could predict the impact the company and the family that founded it would have on our community. Randy Benderson, son of company founder Nathan Benderson and the firm’s president, has spearheaded multiple major developments, none bigger than The Mall at University Town Center and its surrounding retail spaces, as well as Nathan Benderson Park, the rowing and events venue that hosts national and international competitions. In addition to splashy projects like those, the company has also snapped up a number of shopping centers in the region and partnered with local restaurants and businesses to expand their offering. Overall, the company owns 1,065 properties in 40 states.

Graci McGillicuddy

“Children are a third of our population but 100 percent of our future. I want this work to succeed beyond my lifetime.”

McGillicuddy has dedicated her life to protecting children from abuse. Her advocacy has helped reframe the way we think about victims of human trafficking and the foster care system, and she was the primary force behind the Child Protection Center’s $6 million campaign to build its downtown center in 2008. In 2009, she received a “Spirit of Service” Award from the Florida Senate and in 2024, she was named to the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Today, she continues her advocacy for foster children as the co-founder of the All Star Children’s Foundation, which provides trauma-informed care and intervention services. McGillicuddy, 83, survived a pancreatic cancer diagnosis in 2023 and, despite undergoing chemotherapy for a recurrence this year, is as optimistic about and dedicated to her work as ever.

A.G. Lafley

"I’ve learned over the decades that success is enabled by exercising power over yourself—self-awareness, self-control—and that what really matters is being able to influence others who can help you achieve a common goal."

Even if you don’t know Lafley’s name, you know his reputation. The former chief executive officer of Procter & Gamble, Lafley was twice responsible for leading a turnaround when the company was in crisis: once between 2000 and 2009, and then again between 2013 and 2015, after his successor unexpectedly retired. Because of that, he’s regarded as one of the most influential business leaders in recent American history. His local influence is just as profound. As the founding chief executive officer of The Bay, he has helmed the transformation of 53 acres of city-owned land in downtown Sarasota into a public park. Once under-used, The Bay is now home to a playground, picnic areas and gathering spaces, a café, a sunset deck, boardwalks, a kayak launch, a fountain garden and more.

Lourdes Ramirez

“Power is not about dominating others. It’s the ability to harness resources, information and facts to achieve a desired outcome. I also believe power is about confidently standing by your beliefs, even when people try to sway you or pressure you to change your mind.”

The president of the neighborhood group Siesta Key Community Inc., Ramirez is a tireless and vocal activist known for her commitment to preserving the character and environment of Siesta Key, where she has lived for decades. Ramirez filed lawsuits against Sarasota County to contest approvals for high-density hotel projects on the island, arguing that the developments violated density restrictions that are part of the county’s Comprehensive Plan. She also cited safety concerns—like clogged evacuation routes due to heavy traffic—and questioned the effect the hotels would have on the barrier island’s quaint character. Her actions underscore the power of civic engagement in shaping community outcomes and set legal precedents that may influence future development decisions in the region.

Brian Cornell

“I’ve always been inspired by legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden, and one of my favorite quotes of his is: ‘Make each day your masterpiece.’ That’s advice I share with others and aspire to embrace each and every day—whether leading Target’s 400,000 team members, who serve tens of millions of U.S. consumers, or doing our part to support this vibrant Sarasota community, which has served as a wonderful home base for our extended family for decades.”

If you’ve set foot in a Target recently, you’ve been influenced by Cornell. The retailer’s chairman and chief executive officer, Cornell—who owns multiple addresses in Sarasota—oversees a company with annual revenues that exceed $100 billion and employs more than 400,000 people in nearly 2,000 stores. He is often credited with shaping Target’s modernized brand through investments in e-commerce, exclusive partnerships and socially inclusive campaigns. More recently, Target has joined many other national companies in backing down from its diversity, equity and inclusion goals, and has been hit with backlash from both conservative and civil rights groups. Beyond Target, Cornell’s philanthropic impact includes a $10 million donation to the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation to support the construction of a behavioral health facility.

New Power Generation

Ten up-and-coming players to watch.

Emily Walsh

As president of the Observer Media Group, Walsh leads a team of journalists focused on hyper-local community topics, providing important information about the workings of local government so that readers can make informed decisions. A Florida Press Association board member, Walsh is also an effective advocate for the publishing industry in the state Legislature and in local government meetings.

Erin Silk

When the Sarasota County Commission repealed a business tax that helped fund the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County, Silk, the organization’s president and chief executive officer, took the potentially devastating news in stride. Under a new model, the corporation is now primarily funded by private businesses, and Silk has been charged with steering it into its next era.

Phillip Lanham

When Lanham took the helm as president and chief executive officer at Gulf Coast Community Foundation in 2024, he worked to focus the foundation’s strategy on a handful of key initiatives: water quality, access to green space, mental health and affordable housing. Under Lanham’s watch, the foundation is joining other organizations to support an effort to build workforce housing adjacent to Sarasota’s City Hall.

Wendy Deming

Having worked in executive positions at both Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Deming was a natural fit for the role of chief executive officer at the Bishop-Parker Foundation, which she accepted in early 2024. There, she has made it a priority to focus on food insecurity in Manatee County, cutting down on food waste and increasing students’ access to nutritious meals.

Zander Moricz

At just 21 years old, Moricz has more notable achievements than most adults triple his age. After advocating against Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill, he founded the SEE Alliance, which has been instrumental in shaping the makeup of the Sarasota County School Board.

Erin Duggan

After 18 years at Visit Sarasota County, Duggan was tapped to take over as president and chief executive officer after longtime leader Virginia Haley retired. Duggan is integral to boosting the Sarasota County brand around the country and the world.

Sarah Wertheimer

As Embracing Our Differences’ president and chief executive officer, Wertheimer has kept the organization going amid Florida’s difficult political climate. After sweeping state and local funding cuts to the arts, she keeps fighting to keep the organization’s public art exhibition and educational programming intact.

Jennifer Compton

The managing partner of the national law firm Shumaker and the chair of its management committee, Compton is also the board chair of The Bay Park Conservancy, which is leading the effort to redevelop Sarasota’s bayfront into a massive public park that is open and accessible to all.

Veronica Thames

Since becoming CEO of Manatee Community Foundation in 2023, Thames—who held leadership roles in health care before pivoting to philanthropy—has driven the organization to address critical gaps in early childhood education, partner with outside organizations to celebrate local Black history, and provide immediate and long-term relief after last year’s hurricanes. Next? Making the foundation more proactive in its mission and attracting donors who are engaged in the future of Manatee County.

Rick Severance

Dubbed the “mastermind” behind Wellen Park by Builder magazine, Severance is the president of the rapidly growing South County community that is being built out by the Canadian company Mattamy Homes. Before that, he worked for Babcock Ranch, the Southwest Florida town envisioned as a leader in sustainable, solar-powered design.