Leadership Sanibel-Captiva Class of 2026 Announced

Sanibel, FL – January 5, 2026 – The Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) is proud to announce the Leadership Sanibel-Captiva Class of 2026, marking the program’s fourth cohort of emerging and established community leaders. Members are as follows: Shane Antalick, Bronwyn Bergen, Jason Cohen, Whitney Congress, John Darby, Darnell DeMeola Fatigati, Leigh Gevelinger, Kelley Haas, Jason Halliburton, Ellen Israel, Sharon List, Sean Niesel, and Jodi Schwartzel.

CFI launched the Leadership Sanibel-Captiva Program in 2021 with the mission of connecting and inspiring the next generation of volunteer leaders on Sanibel and Captiva. To date, more than four dozen participants have completed the program, with over 80 percent of alumni now serving in leadership roles across Island nonprofit organizations, boards, and civic initiatives. Members of previous classes, along with CFI Board members, served on the selection committee and helped select the 2026 class of participants.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Leadership Sanibel-Captiva Class of 2026,” said Dolly Farrell, Executive Director of the Charitable Foundation of the Islands. “This group reflects the depth of talent, passion, and commitment that makes Sanibel and Captiva so special. Through this program, participants gain a deeper understanding of our community while building meaningful connections that strengthen the islands now and into the future.”

The official Opening Session, State of the Islands, will take place on January 15, 2026, in partnership with the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce, followed by an invite-only lunch and conversation with Porter Goss and Chauncey Goss.

Throughout the program, participants will engage in a series of immersive session days designed to provide a deeper understanding of how the islands function. Topics include local government, environment, arts and culture, business and tourism, resiliency, and community resources. The program also emphasizes leadership skill development, including strategic thinking, effective communication, and community engagement.

The Leadership Sanibel-Captiva Class of 2026 will conclude in spring 2026 with a celebratory graduation reception and class reflection session. For more information about the program and full complement of class biographies, please visit mycfi.org/leadership.

About the Charitable Foundation of the Islands

The mission of the Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) is to inspire philanthropy, leadership, and collaboration for the vitality of the island community. CFI has served the Sanibel and Captiva communities since the 1990s through the Francis Bailey Society and was officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) organization in 2011. Learn more at MyCFI.org.

Leadership Sanibel-Captiva Class of 2026 Announced

Shane Antalick, Photography & Visual Storytelling

Shane Antalick is a photographer and visual storyteller born and raised on Sanibel Island, where exploring the beaches and wildlife shaped his creative perspective from a young age. His work spans outdoor, adventure, surf, lifestyle, and commercial subjects, earning him collaborations with Fortune 500 companies, Olympic athletes, authors, political figures, and musicians. Known for imagery that evokes emotion and inspires exploration, Shane has built an international portfolio—including the rare distinction of having one of his photographs placed on the moon. He and his wife, Bryli, share a passion for traveling the world in search of new waves and experiences.

Bronwyn Bergen, Educational Leadership & Youth Coaching

Bronwyn Bergen is the founder of STARS Kids Life Coaches, an internationally recognized, ICF-accredited organization focused on helping children and teens build confidence, resilience, and self-awareness. Through her leadership, STARS has empowered young people to discover their strengths and develop lifelong skills. An entrepreneur at heart, Bronwyn and her husband co-own five Playa Bowls franchise locations, where she champions teamwork, wellness, and community. Her mission is simple: to help others—especially children—find their voice and shine. Outside of work, Bronwyn enjoys exercising, traveling, and spending time with her family, who inspire her passion and purpose.

Jason Cohen, Business Owner & Sales Leadership

Jason Cohen, a native of Dallas, Texas, realized his lifelong dream of relocating to Sanibel, Florida in 2024, where he now lives with his wife, Arielle. A seasoned manufacturer’s representative, Jason is the owner of Cohen Sales LLC, a sales group focused on building strong partnerships between retailers and manufacturers around the world.

Throughout his career, Jason has been recognized for cultivating meaningful relationships across diverse industries. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from the University of Arizona. An avid fisherman and boater, Jason is deeply committed to preserving the unique and fragile ecosystems of the Sanibel region.

Whitney Congress, Jewelry & Retail Operations

Whitney Congress was born and raised on Sanibel Island and is a graduate of The Sanibel School, Fort Myers Senior High School (IB Diploma), and the University of Florida, where she earned a B.S. in Public Relations with a minor in Art History.

After graduation, Whitney built a successful career with Comcast Business as a top Enterprise Sales Executive while also pursuing gemology, earning a Diamond Grading Certificate from the Gemological Institute of America. She returned to Southwest Florida in 2022 and joined her family business in 2024 as a fourth-generation jeweler at Congress Jewelers, where she now co-manages the Bell Tower Shops location and continues her gemological education.

John Darby, Manufacturing & Industrial Leadership

John F. Darby was President of Niagara Power Transformer, a family-owned company founded in 1924. As a third-generation leader, he helped guide the company through significant evolution, including a rebrand and the expansion of service operations, while leading the organization into its 100th year in 2024. His leadership emphasized innovation, quality, and long-term relationships.

Beyond his professional career, Darby values community involvement and service, bringing a relationship-driven approach to volunteer engagement and collaboration. He maintains a connection to Sanibel Island, where he supports and appreciates the island’s strong culture of civic participation, nonprofit leadership, and community stewardship.

Darnell DeMeola Fatigati, Technology & Innovation

Darnell Fatigati is a Principal Product Marketer at NetApp, leading AI Data Services initiatives that help organizations prepare their data for AI. With over 25 years in technology, she has launched innovative services globally and is a strong advocate for women in STEM through mentoring and thought leadership. A lifelong volunteer, Darnell has dedicated decades to animal welfare and community service, including leadership roles with multiple rescue organizations, support of Dress for Success, participation in NetApp’s mentorship program, and service on an AI acceleration advisory board.

Leigh Gevelinger, Landscape Architecture & Design

Leigh Gevelinger is the founder of Coastal Vista Design and has more than 15 years of experience in landscape architecture and project management. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and has built a career grounded in thoughtful design, community stewardship, and strategic project partnership. Leigh is an engaged member of 100+ Women Who Care, serves on the board for the Sanibel Captiva Chamber of Commerce, and supports several local initiatives, including the Rooted in Resilience campaign.  Leigh currently serves as the President of the Florida Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architecture (ASLA) where she advocates for the profession and its role in shaping resilient, sustainable communities.

Kelley Haas, Marketing Strategy & Philanthropic Partnerships

Kelley Haas was Chairman of BKV, formerly Weyforth-Haas Marketing Group, where she led national marketing strategy and nonprofit partnership development. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Kansas. A longtime visitor turned resident, Kelley continues to support cultural, civic, and community programs across the islands.

Jason Halliburton, Law & Civic Leadership

Jason Halliburton is an entrepreneur and attorney. After obtaining a bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee and a law degree from the College of William & Mary, Jason moved to Florida and began his career as a litigator. Following a decade of legal work, he transitioned to full-time entrepreneurship, helping to build his wife Melissa's startup - BringFido - into the world's largest pet-friendly travel resource. Jason and his family relocated to Sanibel in 2021, where he quickly became involved in local charitable endeavors. He currently serves as a trustee of the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum and supports CHR, CFI, and various island nonprofits

Ellen Israel, Community Engagement & Cultural Initiatives

Ellen Israel is an Executive Managing Director at JRT Realty Group, Inc. and one of New York’s most accomplished commercial real estate professionals, with more than four decades of experience and nearly 42 million square feet of sales and leasing transactions. Renowned for her expertise in complex leasing and investment sales, Ellen brings a unique, strategic perspective shaped by working across institutional ownership, entrepreneurial firms, and global service platforms.

A longtime advocate for diversity in commercial real estate, Ellen is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of women and underrepresented professionals.

Sharon List, Founder and Leadership Coach, Former CPA

Sharon List is the founder and certified coach of All Inclusive You, a company dedicated to helping clients achieve work AND life success. She helps develop leadership and transformational skills through coaching, workshops, and facilitated development sessions. Before transitioning into coaching, Sharon spent 16 years in corporate finance, ultimately serving as Acting CFO. She brings a strong foundation in public speaking, decision-making, and collaborative problem-solving, with a passion for helping teams clarify challenges, build relationships, grow together, and create sustainable success. Since relocating to Sanibel, Sharon has become active in SCBWA and local volunteer initiatives, contributing both her corporate expertise and coaching skills to the community.

Sean Niesel, Hospitality & Resort Development

Sean Niesel is a Sanibel-based hospitality owner with a lifelong connection to the island, dating back to 1990. After launching and selling a Seattle-based business to Shell Oil, he returned to Sanibel permanently in 2016, bringing a background in business management, electrical engineering, and new construction.

Following Hurricane Ian in 2022, Sean led the complete rebuild of his family’s historic Shalimar property, reimagining Shalimar Beach Resort with 33 elevated, FEMA-compliant units built for long-term resilience. Deeply committed to Sanibel’s recovery and future vitality, Sean is honored to participate in the CFI Leadership Program.

Jodi Schwartzel, Financial Services & Wealth Management Professional

Jodi Schwartzel is a Vice President and Portfolio Manager with The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company, where she works closely with individuals and families to steward assets with intention and align financial strategies with long-term goals and values. With a background in wealth management and client leadership at firms including Morgan Stanley and UBS Financial Services, Jodi brings a thoughtful, relationship-driven approach to guiding clients through complex financial decisions. Deeply committed to community service, Jodi has served on several local nonprofit boards and is an active supporter of causes focused on conservation, education, and philanthropy. She completed her CFP® curriculum at Florida State University and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Ringling School of Art & Design.

About Charitable Foundation of the Islands

The Charitable Foundation of the Islands is dedicated to fostering philanthropy, leadership, and collaboration for a vibrant Sanibel and Captiva community. Rooted in the Francis Bailey Society’s legacy since the 1990s, CFI officially became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2011. Learn more at charitablefoundationoftheislands.org.

For more information on the CFI Leadership Program, visit mycfi.org/leadership.