about us

2010 Awards

Celebration luncheon The "She Knows Where She's Going" Award Winners

According to her mother, Jaymie has possessed the Strong, Smart and Bold qualities since infancy. Jaymie is known for her huge heart, bold spirit and ability to get things done. Going through periods of her teenage years where choices she made did not always lead her down the right path, she uses those troubled times to inspire others to not take the same journey.

Her early career in Sarasota involved fundraising for the United Way, Jewish Community Center and American Jewish Committee. She assisted the JCC in expanding their children’s programs. The Kids Fair was an educational outreach program for needy kids. Jaymie’s efforts resulted in a 200% increase in funding. At the AJC, the oldest human relations organization in the country, Jaymie helped them significantly increase their exposure and fundraising dollars in the Sarasota area. She is actively involved in such community organizations as American Cancer Society (helping to raise money for its ROCK program kids with cancer); UCP, Lakewood Ranch Community Fund, the Honor Sanctuary, Meals on Wheels & SMART, and donates hundreds of thousands of dollars in-kind to every organization that makes a request.

In 2004 she became involved with her husband’s restaurant business. She managed Pattigeorge’s Restaurant on Longboat Key while launching what was to become a boutique, off-site catering company. Fete Catering has grown substantially yearly and has become a major, established catering entity in Sarasota and Manatee counties. The need for banquet space and a larger catering kitchen prompted Jaymie and her husband, Tommy, to acquire a 25,000 sq ft Lakewood Ranch restaurant & banquet facility in late 2007. They moved Fete Catering to this facility and opened the Polo Grill and Bar, both becoming important anchors in the Lakewood Ranch/East County community.

Jaymie is also an avid horseback rider, polo player and loves to share her love for horses with children.

Charlene “Charlie” Lenger

Charlie Lenger is a true example of the spirit of the "She Knows Where She's Going" award. Charlie is the founder and owner of Tropex Plant Leasing. While still a New College student, Charlie took "lemonade stand 101 theory" to a new level, with her senior thesis "Applied Entrepreneurial Theory". Charlie bought $50 in plants, borrowed an umbrella and set up a roadside plant stand.

By listening to her clients, Charlie learned the real need was forservice. Clients wanted plants and pots to blend with their decor. Clients wanted the plants maintained and replaced to keep them attractive. Clients wanted no upfront costs, only to pay a flat monthly fee. Within 9 months of graduation, Charlie had parleyed $50 into $10,000 to seed Tropex. Allowing clients to continue to teach her, Tropex has grown to a $3,000,000 a year business.

When she was a girl, Charlie's task was the family grocery shopping. Grocery money, tips earned from her mother’s second job as a waitress, was seldom abundant. Charlie would load her cart, total her purchases, and then put items back on the shelves to stay within budget. At age 16, Charlie defined "rich" for herself. "Rich" would be shopping at Publix and keeping all the items in her cart. Today her standard of defining her material wealth hasn't expanded much beyond that. Winston Churchill's quote, "we make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give" is her touchstone. Her focus is what she gives to her clients, her staff and her community.

Charlie is a strong supporter of Girls Incorporated dating back to the days when Girls Inc. was Girls Club of Sarasota. As the 2008 President of Zonta Club of Sarasota, Charlie secured Girls Inc. as the beneficiary of the ArtZ girls fundraising project.

2009 Awards

Celebration luncheon The "She Knows Where She's Going" Award Winners

Senator Lisa Carlton

After hearing Senator Lisa Carlton’s life story there is no doubt that she’s always known where she’s been going. Raised on a 17,000 acre ranch on the outskirts of Sarasota County, born to Mabry and Barbara Carlton, you could say leadership was in her genes. Mabry, a judge and a county commission, made a notable impact on his two daughters, teaching them about community involvement and a love for the land. Barbara, Lisa’s mother, took over the ranch after the untimely death of Mabry in 1989 and has since carried on the family’s management of the ranch. Senator Carlton learned at a young age a love for agriculture and a love for the community.

The most notable attribute of Senator Carlton’s extensive career was in 1995 when she became the newest and youngest delegate to represent Sarasota, which by the way was achieved by winning the seat from a 10-year Republican incumbent, State Representative Dave Thomas. Senator Carlton served in the Florida Senate for 10 years until she was term-limited. While there, she became the second highest-ranking post of president pro tempore.

Senator Carlton accomplished much while in Tallahassee, serving in a variety of leadership roles on educational and fiscal committees. At the same time, she was raising three small children and co-managing the Mabry Carlton Ranch with her mother and sister.

Senator Carlton has always played an active role in the Sarasota community from the Board of the Sarasota Agricultural Fair to the Taxpayers Association and the School-to-Work Shadowing Program. She currently serves on the board of the Education Foundation in Sarasota.

Senator Lisa Carlton serves as a role model to all girls, demonstrating a commitment to the community, while raising a family and running a family enterprise.

Sally Schule

Born in Clinton, Iowa, Sally Schule knew early she wanted a career in fashion. After completing her degree from Northern Illinois University with a BS in fashion merchandising and a minor in journalism, Sally began her career at Saks Fifth Avenue. You could say her business experience has taken her full circle as she made her way through Neiman Marcus, Jacobson’s and then back to Saks. Working first as the public relations manager, she was then promoted to assistant general manager and then all the way to the top as General Manager, where she has held that position since 2005.

Along the way, Sally has set a clear example of how to manage and support a staff while dealing with difficult family challenges at home. Sally’s daughter was diagnosed with epilepsy and while working a full-time job, she quickly became her daughter’s medical advocate, searching for how to best approach her daughter’s medical condition. Sally was constantly dealing with emergency calls from school and caregivers after Kalie’s seizures. Kalie is now 19 and seizure free. Sally’s husband of 22 years, Bradd, and her 15- year old son, Tyler are part of Sally’s support team at home, as Sally stays busy with not only her daily work schedule but also her contributions to non-profits and fundraising all over Sarasota County.

Sally provides an excellent example of how hard work and dedication play a paramount role in her ability to give back to the community; all while raising a family and being a wonderful role model to our girls

Visionary Award

Kristine, Steve, Tim and Marlene White

This year’s Board of Trustees’ “Visionary Award” winner is the Steven and Kristine White family. Kristine White has volunteered with Girls Inc. for the past four years and she has made volunteering a family affair. When Kristine is not able to come in to work in the Kids Café program, Kristine’s daughter, Marlene, comes in. Kristine goes above and beyond her volunteer role, assisting in many other projects at Girls Inc., including the Celebration Lunch, etiquette lessons and work done at the center during the holidays. Namely, Project Claus that involves the entire White family and dozens of volunteers each year purchasing and passing out holiday gifts for hundreds of families. Their contributions as a family to our community are an inspiration to us all.

Girl of the Year

Kiana Brown

At 11 years old, Kiana Brown is undecided about whether she wants to be a judge or work in the television industry. A 6^th grader at Booker Middle School, Kiana does know that she is strong, smart and bold. She is a 4.0 student and is an outstanding girl at Girls Inc. Kiana works in the television venture as a producer, anchor, photographer and editor and quickly learned the equipment and the ability to put a half hour television show together. Kiana loves to read, especially mystery novels, and to take long walks. Kiana dreams of travel and adventure, someday hoping to live where it snows. Kiana knows that after she has an established career, she will return to Sarasota and visit Girls Inc. and give back. She thinks that there is something very special about Girls Inc. and wants others to know what a great place it is.

2008 Awards

Winner of the WEDU Be More ...Brillant

Described as an award for the organization that displayed the most imaginative, creative, and innovative use of original ideas to achieve organizational goals. Girls Inc. was able to earn this prestigous honor for our MicroSociety Program a microcosim of the real world within the walls of Girls Inc.

The city is called Dream Harbor and the girls are learning important real life skills. Each girl has a voice and choice as a Dream Harbor citizen. They construct their own learning and shape their learning culture. The MicroSociety program design teaches girls how to build and run a miniature society through the creation of businesses (ventures) and government agencies and the wealth of jobs within them. The entrepreneurial spirit motivates dynamic learning and pursuit of new ideas and opportunities. Young entrepreneurs produce goods and services, elected officials establish laws, Peace Keepers enforce these laws and reporters track down stories. All citizens earn wages, invest in products, deposit and borrow ( Micro dollars) money from “Micro” banks, and pay taxes, tuition and rent. Opportunities for leadership, meaningful decision-making and responsibility are vested, aligned and accounted for at every level. Teachers take the role of facilitators enabling their students to effectively run their own businesses and government agencies. Sarasota is one of the first after school programs to implement a MicroSociety into their after school programming.

2007 Awards

Winner of the WEDU Be More... Entertaining (Outstanding Achievement in Special Events)

stephania feltz wedu In a community where hundreds of social and fundraising events take place each week, Girls Inc, dedicated to separate itself from the pack by doing what it does best. The event entitled "This One's Fore The Girls" - a very appropriate title - featured a myriad of components. Hosting more the 800 guests at the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota, the event hosts a young lady served by Girls Inc. seated at each table. The event included the presentations of 3 awards honoring women in the community who are inspiring girls to be precisely the organization's mission statement...to be strong, smart, and bold.

Excellence in Action Award

Girls Incorporated of Sarasota County recently received huge national recognition as the first recipient of the "Excellence in Action Award - Outstanding Affiliate of 2008". The award was presented March 31, 2008 at the National Girls Incorporated conference in Newport Beach, CA. Girls Incorporated of Sarasota was the only agency to achieve this award from among 83 Girls Incorporated member organizations.

Excellence in Staff Leadership

Dawn Wiley from Girls Incorporated of Sarasota County was awarded "National Program Staff of the Year" honor. Dawn has been with Girls Incorporated for 3 1/2 years. Over this time, she has continually taken on new tasks and responsibilities. Her nomination letter describes her behavior and attitude, in both her personal and professional life, as representative of the Girls Inc. mission and values. Dawn is instrumental is maintaining a cooperative environment for staff, volunteers and girls and she works throughout the community to advocate for the rights and needs of all girls.

Strong, Smart & Bold ® Alumna

Nancy Cason from Girls Incorporated of Sarasota County was awarded "National Alumnae of the Year" . Nancy gives back to the organization that helped her as a young girl by providing leadership to fundraising events and committees. She is a founding member of the Girls Inc. Alumna Association, and is helping this group plan a career fair for the Girls Inc. members as well as a fundraising project. Through her professional role as a local attorney, Nancy has committed to donate a minimum of 20 hours of legal work to families of Girls Inc. members. Nancy is a partner, Attorney at Law with Syprett, Meshad, Resnick and Lieb.

Celebration luncheon April 16th, 2008

The "She Knows Where She's Going" Award was presented to two amazing role models.

Susan T. Danis

"She Knows Where She's Going" Honoree 2008
The first recipient was Susan Danis, Executive Director of the Sarasota Opera. The Sarasota Opera recently re-opened its door at the beginning of March after a $20 million renovation of its 1926 historic Opera House. Not only was the successful $60 million campaign Susan's idea but the opera's budget has grown from $3.2 million to more than $8 million during her tenure.

Judi Gallagher

"She Knows Where She's Going" Honoree 2008
The second recipient was Judi Gallagher, a multi-media chef and culinary consultant business owner. Judi spices up our television and radio airwaves as well as writes for several local publications. She does this all while generously seasoning the culinary world with her consulting business for high-end restaurant clientele like Beach Bistro, Fleming's, Roy's, Venture Hotels and others.

Visionary Award Honoree 2008

Jaime L. Wallace

The 2008 Board of Trustees' "Visionary Award" winner was presented to long time Girls Inc. supporter Jaime Wallace. Joining the firm of Icard, Merrill in 1985, Ms. Wallace became the first woman shareholder of the firm in 2006. Jaime was the first chair of the Girls Incorporated's "Celebration Luncheon" in 1989, has served as President of Girls Incorporated's Foundation Board and has served on the National Girls Incorporated Board of Trustees.

"Girl of the year 2008"

Alexis Smith

Alexis Smith - 2008 Girl of the Year This impressive young girl is the first mayor of Dream Harbor, our Girls Incorporated MicroSociety. During her term, Alexis has had the opportunity to represent Girls Inc. at several community events and shadow Sarasota's Mayor, Lou Ann Palmer. She has learned that the most important quality of being a good mayor is to listen to other girls' opinions. She has enjoyed working with Mayor Palmer, Vice Mayor Kirschner, Jude Riva and Supervisor of Elections Kathy Dent. In addition to being the mayor, she also serves as the Post Master of Dream Harbor. One of her favorite parts of MicroSociety is the opportunity to spend micro dollars at the micro market.

Where are they now?

Alicia Chalmers

Girls Inc. Alumna

Alicia Chalmers Alicia owns her own business, Horizon Title Services. The most exciting thing in her life is her son, Colt and her life motto is "Live Well, Laugh Often, Laugh Much".

Dawnyelle Singleton

Girls Inc. Alumna

Dawnyelle Singleton Dawnyelle is a Graphic Designer. Her motto is "Every day in every way, my life is getting better!"

Nancy Cason

Girls Inc. Alumna

Nancy Cason Nancy is an attorney in Sarasota, Fl. Her motto is "work hard, play hard, be honest and be true to yourself."