Greater Naples Leadership names new board, members

05/02/2024

Greater Naples Leadership announced their 2024-2025 president and slate of board officers and directors elected during the GNL annual meeting held on March 25. The nonprofit’s newly elected board, helmed by President Donna Messer, assumed office on May 1.

2024 – 2025 Officers and Directors:

Officers:

President – Donna Messer (Masters Class XX)
President-Elect – Tom Leipzig (Masters Class XX, New)
Secretary – Jack Fortnum (Masters Class XXIV, New)
Treasurer – Geoff Murphy (Masters Class XXIV, New)
Immediate Past President – Gunther Winkler (Masters Class XXII)

Committee Chairs:

Membership – Beth Stein (Masters Class XXIII)
ACE Social – Barbara Hurt-Simmons (Masters Class XXII, New)
Alumni Continuing Education (ACE) – Giselle Wagner (Masters Class XXIV) /Paul Myerson (Masters Class XXVI, New)
Community Services – Eric Wallach (Masters Class XXIV)
Communications – Elizabeth Strong (Masters Class XXV, New)
Class Rep – Susan Eddy (Masters Class XXIV)
Distinguished Leadership – Jan Guben (Masters Class XXIII)

Members-At-Large:

Peter Berry (Masters Class XXIV)
Neal Gelfand (Masters Class XX, New)
Dean Lewis Lohman (Masters Class XXV)
RJ Weigel (Masters Class XXV)
David Whittaker (Masters Class XXV)

Retiring Board Members:

Caren Arnstein (Masters Class XXII)
Kathryn Bettis (Masters Class XXIV)
Kitty Keane (Masters Class XVIII)
Julie Wade (Masters Class XXII)

Masters Class XXVIII Leaders:

Ginny Veras, Chair (Masters Class XXVI)
Jim Barrett, Vice Chair (Masters Class XXVII, New)
Chris Costello, Program Co-Chair (Masters Class XXVI, New)
Tom Farrington, Program Co-Chair (Masters Class XXVI)

Newly elected GNL Board President Donna Messer said, “It’s a privilege to take the helm, leading GNL in our efforts to educate and inspire proven leaders about the issues and needs in Collier County. Our enthusiastic team reaches new goals of community service each year, and I am excited to expand the outreach.”

Immediate Past President Gunther Winkler added, “It has been an honor to serve as GNL President this past year. As I hand the reins over to Donna and our new Board, I look forward to the future accomplishments of this great organization. Thank you also to our retiring Board members for doing such a great job during their term.”

In addition, GNL is pleased to announce the 50 candidates selected for its incoming Masters Class program. From October 2024 through March 2025, Masters Class members will participate in a series of educational sessions on Naples and Collier County highlighting volunteer opportunities in nonprofit and civic organizations.

Masters Class XXVIII: