(Naples, FL) – February 22, 2022 – Greater Naples Leadership (GNL) has named Sandy Parker, a graduate of GNL Masters Class X, as the 2022 recipient of its annual Distinguished Leadership Award (DLA) in acknowledgment of her efforts to provide non-partisan information and issue-based education to Florida voters via several avenues of communication. Ms. Parker is the first DLA honoree to represent the public sector in many years.
Having launched her website and companion blog, Sparkers Soapbox, in 2010, Ms. Parker’s extensive monthly roundup of government news concerning Florida’s legislature, governor, cabinet, and courts, and a second monthly summary focusing exclusively on Collier County government now reach an audience of approximately 2,200 readers. She also writes and publishes two separate voter guides each election season for state and local candidates which address various referenda on the ballot.
Ms. Parker is a frequently requested, popular lecturer whose presentations help inform Floridians about their state and local governments. Her speaking topics include Understanding Florida Government, Get Ready to Vote in the Upcoming Elections, Looking Ahead to/Back on Current/Past Legislative Sessions, and Public Education in Florida.
Sandy’s community participation is extensive, primarily as an active member of the League of Women Voters of Collier County since 2005, having served as its president from 2009-2010. Her community involvement also includes:
- Southwest Florida Community Advisory Board for the News-Press and Naples Daily News (2021)
- Frequent presenter on State and local governments to local community groups, continuing care retirement communities, adult education programs, and GNL Government Day
- Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce member (2019 to present)
- Press Club of Southwest Florida (2019 to present)
- Books for Collier Kids (Director, 2012 – 2016 and Director Emerita, 2016 to present)
- Community Foundation of Collier County (Finance Committee member – 2010 to 2012)
Before moving to Naples, Sandy held executive positions in accounting, investor relations, and corporate finance, retiring as Vice President – Treasury and Investor Relations with the Dun & Bradstreet Corporation. She received a BA with the highest honors and honors in American Studies from Douglass College at Rutgers University, where she was also elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Ms. Parker has an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
GNL President Jerry Godshaw said, “Sandy exemplifies the mission of our organization to educate exceptional and highly accomplished individuals about Collier County and encourage them to serve in important nonprofit and civic leadership roles to make a positive contribution to the community. As GNL celebrates 25 years of community impact, Sandy is exactly the type of leader we envisioned when creating this Distinguished Leader Award.”
A luncheon to present the Distinguished Leadership Award to Ms. Parker will be held on March 10th, 2022, at 11:30 am at the Naples Sailing and Yacht Club. The luncheon is open to the public. Those wishing to attend can email gnloffice@gnlwebsite.org to register.
For more information about Sandy Parker, the Distinguished Leader Award, and Greater Naples Leadership, please email Caren Arnstein, call 239.300.7055 or visit Gnlwebsite.org.