AdventHealth Polk Foundation

Can you tell us a little bit about your professional career?

When I graduated from University of Florida (UF), the next day I moved straight to Sebring, Fla. and began marketing and merchandising Everglades Foods products to Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, Publix and other stores across the Southeast. I learned so much in this role over the next 10 years that when I left, the owners told me I had gained the title of Corporate Manager – unbeknownst to me! From there, I moved into agricultural real estate and financing with the Land South Group in Lakeland, Florida as the Senior Vice President of Business Development. I went on to receive my real estate and mortgage licenses, all while learning about this important service for the agriculture industry.

After so many years with for profit business, I felt called to transition into the nonprofit sector. I joined Warner University in Lake Wales in 2015 as the Assistant Vice President for Advancement. I spent the last nine years raising funds totaling around $40 million for student scholarships, capital projects including the turf football field, Tye Athletic Performance Center and Swindle Agricultural Complex.

What drew you to the Executive Director role with the AdventHealth Dade City & Zephyrhills Foundations?

I was contacted about this role by a gentleman who I respect very much, and he asked me to take a look at it. And it did not take long to realize what an amazing organization AdventHealth is! Everyone I met has been warm and welcoming. When I researched and found that the organization’s beliefs are aligned with mine, it was a perfect fit.

I was also born in the Lake Wales hospital, and we'll just say my dad has visited a "time or two" for ranching incidents over the years, so I feel a strong connection to that Polk Foundation campus.

How do you think the experiences you’ve already had have helped prepare you for this new role?

All my experiences over the years have helped prepare me for this new role, not just my previous fundraising role at Warner. Development is focused on relationships and people – connecting people to what they are passionate about by building a relationship with them and matching that passion with a project to support. My degree from UF is in public relations, so I bring an emphasis on raising awareness to the role. Every day, I want to share the good news of what AdventHealth offers to our community!

What are some of the things you’re most excited about embarking on as the new Executive Director?

What I am most excited about as I embark on this new role is meeting all the PEOPLE!

I love people. That includes the physicians and staff at both AdventHealth Lake Wales and Heart of Florida hospitals, my new fellow team members, the Polk Foundation board, community members who support us and the dear patients this is all about. I am eager to see how I can help, what projects are most needed at the hospitals and how we can work together to reach our goals!

If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be?

I'd like to say funny, but that may set me up for high expectations, so we'll go with genuine.

When you’re not working, what does everyday life look like?

I am a seventh-generation cattle rancher as my family has been ranching in Central Florida for many years. My husband and I operate Wynn Cattle and this is what keeps him busy every day (and only keeps me busy in the evenings paying bills). So on the weekends, we love riding through our cows, checking them and feeding them with our son Jake.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?

I'm ready to get started!

Please make sure to welcome Leigh Ann yourself by sending her a message! She would love to explore ways you can partner with the AdventHealth Polk Foundations to provide exceptional whole-person care in our community.