F.I.S.H. welcomes new board members

By F.I.S.H. OF SANIBEL-CAPTIVA - | Jan 3, 2024

F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva recently announced John Morse as chair and Susan Ryckman as vice chair of the board of directors for 2024, as well as welcomed new Directors Bill Hayles and Leah Winkler and returning Director Sheridan Snell.

“Jim (Metzler) and Ellen (Sloan) have been outstanding F.I.S.H. officers, and I am grateful for the leadership and direction they have provided to our organization. We’re thankful for their support and continued service,” President and Chief Executive Officer Maggi Feiner said. “We are also looking forward to working with John Morse as chair and Susan Ryckman as vice chair as they lead the F.I.S.H. organization through our recovery journey. They both bring a wide range of business and professional expertise, as well as in-depth knowledge of our community, to our organization.”

Morse is currently serving on the board and is past board chair of the F.I.S.H. Foundation. He was originally appointed to the board in 2011 and served until 2021. Morse was board chair for 2013 and 2014, and was elected board emeritus in 2022. A retired corporate attorney, he serves as general counsel for F.I.S.H. Morse also serves on the boards of the Charitable Foundation of the Islands and Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation.

Ryckman joined Lee Health in 2012 and served as the vice present of Operations and chief nurse executive for the Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida until retiring in 2020. A Chicago area native, she is a pediatric nurse practitioner who held clinical and leadership roles since completing her undergraduate work at Northern Illinois University. Ryckman has a Master of Science in nursing from the University of Cincinnati. She also serves on the Ronald McDonald House Charities board as president and on the local March of Dimes board, as well as supports other organizations focused on the care and nurture of children and families.

Hayles has leadership and operation management skills, having worked in the hospitality industry for more than 30 years. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, he graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and went on to complete an Advanced Management Program for the Hospitality Industry at the University of Guelph (Ontario). Throughout his career, Hayles was recognized for excellent customer service, developing teams with high employee engagement and service ratings, and receiving numerous service awards, including the ITT Ring of Quality Award.

F.I.S.H. OF SANIBEL-CAPTIVA John Morse

Winkler holds master’s degree in occupational therapy from Towson University and held a career in the field of therapy. In 2021, she began volunteering at the F.I.S.H. food pantry. Winkler also co-chaired the 15th Annual F.I.S.H. 10K/5K and F.I.S.H. Sound+Waves Music Festival last year. Her professional career included the position of vice president of Operations at Genesis Health Ventures.

Snell was elected to the board for her first term from 2016-18 and a second term from 2019-2021. She was elected board emeritus in 2023 and is a member of the F.I.S.H. Donor Development and Building Committees. Snell is involved with raising donor awareness to the operational needs of F.I.S.H., as well as other essentials F.I.S.H. has in order to meet client needs.

“Their life experiences and passion for our neighbors helping neighbors organization will enhance our mission as we continue to assist Hurricane Ian survivors and those in need,” Feiner said of working with the new and returning directors.

Additional board officers include: Jim, past board chair; Feiner; Greg Blurton, treasurer; and Nicole McHale, secretary. Additional directors include Jim Brady, Melissa Congress, Jane Majeski, Lisa Ann Miller, Kathy Samson and Sloan.