BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Good Beginnings That Last A Lifetime
Board of Trustees – June 1, 2024 – May 31, 2025
Officers
Benjamin (Ben) Jones, CFP®, AIF® is a managing director at Mariner Wealth Advisors.
Ben has been managing assets for private individuals, families and charitable organizations since 2005. Prior to joining Mariner Wealth Advisors, he served as president, principal and chief investment officer at Allegiant Private Advisors. He continues to lead the Sarasota office while also supporting Mariner Wealth Advisors’ growth in the region. Ben and his team provide holistic and comprehensive wealth management solutions to help clients reach their financial goals.
Over the years, Ben has been active in the community through local nonprofit organizations and professional associations including the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, Young Leaders Alliance, the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and the Forty Carrots Family Center. Ben is an alumnus of Leadership Sarasota.
Ben was named to Forbes’ Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list, ranking #40 in Florida in 2019. He was also ranked #191 on the Forbes’ 2020 Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors list. He holds a dual degree in Economics and East Asian Studies from Bates College. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and holds the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® designation.
Ben proudly serves on the board of directors and is the treasurer for Forty Carrots Family Center. He and his wife, Erin, are the proud parents of two children, Andrew and Lauren, both of whom are graduates of the Forty Carrots Preschool. In his free time, he enjoys playing tennis and is an avid Red Sox fan.
The Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors ranking by SHOOK Research is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, gained through due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. Those advisors that are considered have a minimum of seven years’ experience, and the algorithm weights factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass best practices in their approach to working with clients. Portfolio performance is not a criteria due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK receive a fee in exchange for rankings.
The 2020 Top Next-Gen list included 500 rising advisors who help managed over $1 trillion in client assets. Each advisor was nominated by their firm, then vetted and ranked by SHOOK Research. Advisors do not pay a fee for placement on the list, which is independently determined by Shook Research. For advisors already on a ranking, there is a fee to be highlighted in bold. For more information related to the award, visit https://www.forbes.com/top-next-gen-advisors/#7b7678996df0.
These awards and the due-diligence process conducted are not indicative of the advisor’s future performance and there is no guarantee of future investment success Your experience may vary. You are encouraged to conduct your own research to determine if the advisor is right for you. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. SHOOK does not receive a fee in exchange for rankings.
Dawn Doughty is originally from the Washington DC area, grew up in Maryland and lived in Northern Virginia until moving to Sarasota in 2008. Dawn retired from Chevy Chase Bank in 1996 to stay at home with her two daughters. While working for Chevy Chase Bank she served as the executive assistant to the General Auditor, managed a four division Audit Department and later moved to the Home Equity Division as a loan officer/underwriter and a subordination specialist.
After her retirement in 1996, Dawn was an active volunteer while living in Northern Virginia, serving as President of the Great Falls Women’s Club and President of the Great Falls Women’s Club Scholarship Board. For these organizations, she planned several fundraising events to benefit scholarship programs for high school graduates in Northern Virginia. She also helped launch a successful building campaign for a new firehouse for the Great Falls Volunteer Fire Department.
Dawn and her husband, Dennis moved to Casey Key in 2008. Since then she has served on the Casey Key Association board as Membership Co-Chair, Secretary and is a current Vice President overseeing various projects for the association. Dawn received her introduction to Forty Carrots Family Center four years ago when she took on the role of Wine Co-chair for their annual Wine, Women & Shoes fundraiser. Her duties as Wine Co-chair have allowed her to establish great working relationships with wineries, distributors and retail partners and manage the 1500 bottles of wine donated to be poured over the 3-day event each year.
Dawn is passionate about volunteering, children, and families, enjoys fine wine, golf and traveling the world with her husband.
Valerie Dall’Acqua
Born in a Chicago suburb, Valerie pursued a degree in Marketing and Communications at Elmhurst College, followed by graduate studies at Northwestern University. Her career path led her into executive management positions in relationship marketing, internet advertising and optimization. Managing multi-million-dollar accounts for several national retail clients, honing her skills in strategic planning and revenue projections, Valerie’s last position as Vice President of Marketing for a venture capital backed start-up allowed her to branch out on her own and pursue other interests as an independent real estate consultant.
In her 17-plus years of experience in marketing and data analysis, Valerie became known for her exceptional business savvy and innovative approach to problem solving. These skills have been a tremendous value in her success. Valerie launched her second career after relocating to Annapolis, Maryland. There she quickly became one of the area’s top real estate professionals. Lured by the semitropical charm of Florida’s Gulf Coast, Valerie and her husband Charles relocated to the Sarasota area and reside on Casey Key where her experience and expertise has solidified over 15+ years. Valerie provides her clients with the trust and confidence needed when navigating the challenges of Sarasota’s competitive real estate market, in waterfront property development, building and sales. In her spare time, Valerie enjoys time with family, reading, cooking, travel, Pure Barre and Pilates.
Members
Kevin Cooper is President|CEO at The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. Prior to his current role, Cooper was Director of Community Investment for Gulf Coast Community Foundation where he helped oversee grant administration and initiatives. His previous experience also includes having been Vice President for Public Policy and Sarasota Tomorrow Initiatives at The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and, before that, Executive Director for the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce. Cooper was a sergeant in the United States Army National Guard, and his service included a tour of duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He earned his undergraduate degree in Marketing from Kent State University and an MBA from Florida State University. Cooper is active in the community, serving on a number of advisory boards.
Kevin is married to his wife, Missy, and together they parent a daughter, Violet, and a son, Cohen.
A long, winding road brought Jag Grewal to Sarasota 21 years ago. Born in West Malaysia, he finished elementary school and the family then moved to Singapore. At 14, they immigrated to Australia, where Jag completed high school at 16 and won a scholarship to the University of South Australia. After successfully completing a rigorous degree program in Electrical Engineering, Jag decided to join his father’s property development company and learned the business. In the late 90’s, his entrepreneurial spirit brought him to America. After a short stint in Arizona in property development, Jag discovered Sarasota as he was flying to Africa on a mission assignment. He completed that assignment and moved to Sarasota in December 2000.
Jag is married with four children and enjoys squash and golfing, when time permits. Prior to forming a partnership with Ian Black at Ian Black Real Estate, Jag had been with Coldwell Banker Commercial and was recognized as one of the top 5 producers worldwide, since the firm purchased Arvida Realty in 2001. Mr. Grewal has been involved in a multitude of transactions from investment grade and development to industrial properties, as well as representing Real Estate Investment Trusts, such as The Lightstone Group, iStar Financial, Starbucks, Walgreens and Prime Retail.
A well respected commercial real estate broker, Jag has completed sales and leases over $500M in this region and has earned numerous distinctions throughout his career including:
- Past President of the Commercial Investment Division – an organization that serves all of the commercial real estate practitioners /affiliates in Sarasota County
- Prestigious Commercial Realtor of the Year, awarded by his peers in December 2007
- Obtained CCIM designation in March 2015, awarded by the Certified Commercial Investment Member Institute.
- 2015-2020 Board Member of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance
- Board Member of the Bradenton Area EDC
Jackie Griese is a Professional Realtor with Michael Saunders & Company. She holds the Accredited Buyer’s Representation (ABR®) and is a graduate of the University of Evansville. She possesses over 30 years of leadership and sales experience and previously, she was instrumental in creating a startup business with her husband that grew into a multimillion-dollar, multifaceted operation servicing Fortune 500 companies in the financial services, plastics, healthcare and utility industries. Today, Jackie works to understand her client’s lifestyle goals, budgets, and what matters most when considering relocation to the beautiful Gulf Coast of Florida. Her clients learn very quickly she is diligent about ensuring a smooth, seamless and worry-free transition when relocating to the Gulf Coast; the next place she hopes they call home! Jackie is an active volunteer in the community as she has worked with Child Protection Center, Venice Area Chamber of Commerce, United Way, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ohio Valley. She is currently a Steering Committee Member of the Van Wezel Foundation.
Karimu F. Hill-Harvey, retired Judge, born in Orange, New Jersey has and continues to dedicate her life to righting the wrongs experienced by people of color and promoting the economic, social, political and cultural development of African American communities.
Judge Hill-Harvey received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Seton Hall University in 1979; a Juris Doctorate at Seton Hall School of Law in 1983 and a L.LM. Masters in Trial Advocacy at Temple University, Beasley School of Law in 2000. She has been admitted to the Bars of the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit, U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey and New Jersey.
She became a Municipal Court Judge in 2000 and sat on the bench in East Orange, Irvington and Newark, until her retirement in 2014. During her tenure on the bench, she continued to operate the private practice that she founded in 1988 and served as Adjunct Professor for Rutgers Business School and Essex County College. Earlier in her career, Judge Hill-Harvey was Assistant Counsel to the Newark Board of Education Legal Department, Municipal Court Administrator for the City of East Orange, and Acting General Counsel for the Housing Authority of the City of Newark. Post-retirement, she became a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil and Family Mediator, a Parenting Coordinator and a United States Bankruptcy Court Middle District of Florida Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Mediator.
Judge Hill-Harvey has received numerous awards and recognitions for her work and advocacy including the YMCA of Essex & West Hudson “Women of Influence Award”, The Seton Hall University “Distinguished Alumni Award for Law Politics & Justice” and The National Association of Negro Business & Professional Women’s Club, Inc. “Woman of Distinction Award”. Of exceptional note is the fact that Judge-Hill Harvey was the first African American woman listed in the “Top 20 Verdicts and Settlements” of the New Jersey Law Journal, by obtaining a $3.25 million settlement in Grant v. LaResca in 1995
She has been acknowledged for various case laws, publications and has numerous industry membership affiliations such as the American Arbitration Association, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Sarasota County Bar Association, George Edgecomb Bar Association, Fred G. Minnis, Sr.Bar Association and Association of Retired Attorneys of Sarasota.
Judge Hill-Harvey is a widow (Balozi Z. Harvey), with two children and 2 grandchildren. Judge Hill-Harvey continues her legacy of righting wrongs for all – particularly African Americans.
Chris Jarmul is the IBM Global Account Manager for International Data Corporation (IDC), a leading IT industry analyst firm. Born in Ridgefield, Connecticut, she spent a large portion of her school years in Sarasota including being in the ‘Beta; Class; when Pine View School opened. Her family moved, however, so she finished high school in North Carolina and attended the University of North Carolina as an Honors Student and NC Fellow. She graduated from Gannon University with a BA in Communications. During a 12 year stint in Dallas, she worked in magazine publishing, eventually becoming the group publisher of several trade magazines in the sportswear business.
Moving to Southern California for personal reasons, Chris entered the technology publishing market, then moved to IDC and has worked there most of the nearly 22 years since, except for three year sabbatical for travel and living in Southern France. She and her husband, Dai Morgan, moved from France to Sarasota in 2009.
Chris has been a Red Cross Disaster team member, was a Team Captain for several years for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Downtown Sarasota and is volunteer for the Gulf Coast Youth Rugby Foundation. She has three grown children; her daughters live in Berlin, Germany and Raleigh, NC and her son, Rhys Morgan, lives in Sarasota. She has a granddaughter, Charlotte Boykin, who attended Forty Carrots Preschool last year as a 4 year old. She loves being back in Sarasota, belongs to two book clubs, and enjoys cooking every weekend for friends and family.
Hal Johnson
Eric Kaplan is a resident of Sarasota and an attorney admitted to practice in Florida, New York and New Jersey. He holds his CPA license in New York, and his professional practice emphasis is real estate, banking, taxation, philanthropy and entertainment. He is a Trustee of the Louis & Gloria Philanthropic Trust, and is the vice chair of the Jewish Family & Children’s Services of the Suncoast. Eric is also Board member and chair of the audit committee of Sarasota Private Trust Company, a Board Member of the Boys & Girls Club of Sarasota, and the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation. He has been married for 40 years to his wife Marcia, and has three adult children and four grandchildren.
Bob Lewandowski has a background in Human Resources, Health Management and Real Estate. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Bob hold degrees in Psychology and Industrial Relations from Loyola University of Chicago. He retired in 2015 and has volunteered locally at the Loveland Center in Venice.
He and his wife Terry have 2 adult children, Katie and Mark. In his quiet time he enjoys golf, fishing, boating and the arts.
Alan Ross opened Suncoast Orthotics & Prosthetics, Inc. in 1981 to serve the needs of the amputee population in the Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte County areas. He served as Chairman of the National Exam Development Committee for the National Certification Board in Orthotics & Prosthetics and was Chairman of the Florida Licensure Committee seeking to develop a Licensure Bill to regulate the provision of orthotic and prosthetic care in the State of Florida. In 2013 he sold his business to the Hanger Clinic, a national leader in orthotic and prosthetic care and continues to serve as Clinic Manager. He is married with two grown children.
Susan R. Sakhai is a Senior Trust Advisor on the Wealth Advisory Team in our Sarasota, Florida office and is the Senior Fiduciary Officer for Northwest Florida region of Northern Trust. Susan serves as a point of contact and service provider for existing and newly developed client relationships, with a focus on estate planning and wealth transfer strategies. Susan also works closely with her clients to develop and administer customized financial planning including deposit, credit, investments, wealth transfer and business succession planning.
EDUCATION
Susan received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science, cum laude, from Vanderbilt University and a Juris Doctor Degree from Emory University School of Law. While practicing law in California, she was a California Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law.
EXPERTISE
Susan has over 18 years of experience in the area of trusts and estates. Prior to joining Northern Trust, Susan was a practicing attorney with Henderson, Caverly, Pum & Charney, in San Diego, California. She worked with high net worth clients to implement sophisticated estate plans, provide advice regarding wealth transfer strategies and administer complex trust administrations.
INTERESTS
Susan she lives with her husband in Sarasota, Florida with their two sons. Susan enjoys sporting events, boating and golfing.
3 THINGS PEOPLE ASK ME
•What happens if I should be incapacitated?
•Why should I consider a Corporate Trustee?
•How should I balance the level of wealth I pass between family and charity?
Tammie M. Sandoval-Badger, JD, CTFA is a Senior Vice President and Senior Relationship Advisor with Northern Trust. Tammie is well-known in the local community, serving the Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota markets for over 14 years. Tammie provides customized wealth management strategies for affluent individuals and families, specializing in the areas of trust and estate administration. Her collaborative approach with clients’ legal, financial, and philanthropic advisors provides in-depth and holistic knowledge for generational and philanthropic transitions of wealth.
Tammie is passionate about serving her clients and the communities she lives and works in. She currently serves on the boards of Forty Carrots Family Center and St. Martha Catholic School. She is an active member of the Southwest FL Estate Planning Council, Sarasota County Bar Association and Florida Bar Association. Tammie and her husband Greg are proud parents of their two children, and in her spare time Tammie is an avid reader, enjoys exercising, cooking, and baking.
Joleen Searles
As a founding partner of Searles, Sheppard & Gornitsky, Joleen helped shape the firm’s commitment to providing clients the best possible guidance, support, and knowledge to satisfy their legal needs. Joleen employs an in-depth knowledge of the estate planning field to design plans that offer clients the peace of mind that they and their heirs will be taken care of in the best way possible. She believes that, regardless of their situation, everyone should have some manner of estate plan. Joleen enjoys working with each client to craft the most optimal plan for them, no matter how simple or complex that plan might be. Joleen manages the firm’s ultra- high net worth practice utilizing numerous advanced multifaceted planning solutions to help those clients navigate the many unique estate complexities and tax challenges they face. Additionally, Joleen oversees the firm’s estate settlement and probate practice, assisting those who have lost loved ones through the process of settling the estate. Joleen couples her breadth of knowledge with a warm, friendly personality that puts clients and advisors at ease, even when discussing topics that are often disconcerting. Growing up an Army brat, living all over the world – across the likes of Texas, North Carolina, California, Japan, Alabama, Virginia, New York, Germany, and the list goes on, Joleen learned early to relate to people from a variety of backgrounds. She believes this enables her to look at every situation from different perspectives in order to achieve the best possible results for her clients. Joleen looks at every plan as a puzzle unique to that person and loves the opportunity to assist every client in attaining the ideal outcome. Joleen teaches continuing education seminars for financial advisors, attorneys, and other professionals for about estate planning, wealth preservation, estate settlement, and updates regarding the latest changes in the law that impact estates and taxes. Joleen has a B.A. from the University of Virginia, a J.D. from Hofstra University, and an LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Miami. She is licensed to practice law in Florida, New York, and Tennessee.
Kevin Stencik joined PNC in 2018 as the Market Leader for West and Central Florida’s Commercial Banking unit, which delivers impactful advice and customized solutions to optimize the financial performance of companies, with revenues between $5mm – $50mm. Kevin has 19 years of banking experience, including both individual production and leadership roles within the commercial, business banking and retail segments.
During Kevin’s banking career he has held numerous non-profit and foundation board and committee seats, such as the Selby Foundation in which he served from 2012-2016. He is currently serves on the board of the Manatee EDC and PNC’s Foundation for WCFL. Kevin lives in Sarasota with his wife, Michelle and two children, Mackenzie and Bennett. He graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science, Business.
Susan Travers is an experienced non-profit fundraiser, volunteer coordinator, and event planner. For over 25 years she has worked with worthy organizations to support their missions of helping those in need within the community. Susan believes that one person can make a huge difference in the lives of many.
For 7 years Susan was a volunteer/mentor in the National Charity League, a Mother-Daughter philanthropic organization, focused on community service, social development and cultural experience. She, along with her daughter, completed over 500 hours of hands on community service in support of Ronald McDonald House, the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, and Senior Services, just to name a few.
Susan was involved for 18 years with Country Club of the South Charity Guild, a 100% all-volunteer organization that raises funds and provides grants to over 50 Atlanta area non-profits who support families and children in need. Beginning as Volunteer Coordinator, then VP of PR/Marketing, VP of Fundraising, among other rolls, Co-President, the organization has raised over $4 million dollars for worthy causes.
Additionally, in 2015, Susan was the Co-Chair of the “Atlanta is Grateful” fundraiser, which netted $235K for Your Grateful Nation, dedicated to helping Special Forces Operators (Navy Seals, Green Berets, and Delta Force) transition to the executive level job market. Responsibilities included identifying, contacting, obtaining commitments from potential financial partners/supporters, as well as oversight and management of all details regarding the “Atlanta Is
Grateful” event.
Currently, Susan is Co-Chair for the Van Wezel Foundation Gala, whose mission is to “create a world class performing arts center that enriches the community, support arts education and inspire young minds”. The funds raised through this event will enable over 30,000 students and their families to have access to the arts that would not otherwise be reached due to financial limitations.
Susan and her husband Jim will be married for 35 years April 9, they have 4 grown children and 5 grandchildren, one more on the way. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Marketing from the University of Illinois.
Monica Van Buskirk, Principal of Monica Consults
Monica Van Buskirk is the Principal of Monica Consults, developing and providing marketing, branding, and fund-raising services for Sarasota area non-profit organizations. Monica’s most recent contract has been with the New College Foundation to initiate and develop the Pei Residences Renewal Project. Previously, Monica had been a member of the New College Foundation Board before resigning to take on this project. Monica Consults also had contracts with the Safe Children Foundation for their marketing and fund-raising project.
Monica held the position of President and CEO of the Van Wezel Foundation from 2012-2019. During her tenure the Foundation had double digit growth. The Foundation won several awards including the 2014 Frank G. Berlin, Sr. Cultural Organization of the Year award from the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, Best Fundraising Event in Sarasota Magazine’s “Best of 2016” edition and the 2017 Herald Tribune Reader’s Choice for Best Non-Profit (both Sarasota & Manatee). Before becoming President and CEO of the Foundation, Monica was Vice Chairman of the Board and a Member of the Executive Committee and had been involved with the Van Wezel Foundation since 2002.
Before becoming President and CEO of the Van Wezel Foundation, Monica was a property consultant and Senior Realtor representing high net worth individuals and groups as well as Principal of Monica Consults. Monica has been a member of the Board for the Sarasota Medical Alliance Foundation and multiple year Chair for the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Leadership luncheons.
Monica’s wide range of business experience includes past President and CEO of Monica’s Best Foods, a multi-line chocolate company in New York City and Boston. She had also been the Vice President of Marketing for Godiva Chocolatier, Pepperidge Farms and Campbell Soup Company, as well as a Vice President for Brentano’s Book Stores and MacMillan Publishing, New York City.
Monica did undergraduate work at Columbia University, New York City, and received her BA and did graduate work in Economics at CUNY Graduate Center, New York City.
Brian Volner, Managing Director with Sarasota Private Trust Company
Brian Volner is a Managing Director with Sarasota Private Trust Company. His responsibilities include client relationship management and new business development. Mr. Volner has over 20 years of financial services experience, having held leadership roles in managing teams responsible for commercial lending, asset and liability management, private banking and treasury management. He has developed new markets via loan production offices and “de novo” branches. Most recently he led business development efforts in Southwest Florida, helping to grow a $220 million privately owned company into a $1.7 billion public company traded on the NYSE in less than five years.
Mr. Volner is past Chairman of the Board of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance. He has served on the Board of Manatee Sarasota SOLVE and the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation, where he is currently on the Board’s Executive Committee as Treasurer. Mr. Volner holds a BS degree in Financial Economics from Carson Newman University. He is a graduate of Leadership Manatee and the Florida School of Banking, through the University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business.
Emeriti
Kim Githler
Jeff Steinwachs and his wife Ellen moved to Sarasota in 1997. Their passion for Forty Carrots Family Center began in 2003 with the birth of their first child. As new parents and as a growing family, they enrolled in and learned from the parenting classes at Forty Carrots with their three children. In addition, their children all attended the preschool at Forty Carrots. Here, Jeff learned how Forty Carrots reaches beyond its doors to so many families in our community. Wanting to help the organization further its mission of strengthening families, Jeff served as a Forty Carrots Trustee, acting as Treasurer, and as a member of the Finance Committee. He now serves as a Trustee Emeritus and continues to support the organization.