Business Notes
FLORIDA TRUST CONTINUES WOW SERIES
Florida Trust Wealth Management is continuing with its Wisdom of Women (WOW) series.
The next event, “Investing and Estate Planning for Women — The Celebrity Edition,” will take place on March 12 from 1 to 3 p.m. at its office on Sanibel and on March 19 from 4 to 6 p.m. at its Bell Tower office in Fort Myers.
Designed for women, the series brings together inspiring speakers, meaningful conversations and practical guidance on topics from financial confidence and personal well-being, to legacy planning and lifelong learning. It creates a welcoming space for women to explore, connect and grow.
The 2026 series kicked off on Feb. 10 with “Chip & Sip: A Short Game Lesson and Long-Term Financial Tips.” The interactive session offered practical insights and confidence-building strategies to help attendees take control of their golf game and financial game.
Registration is required.
To register, contact Frances Steger at fsteger@sancaptrustco.com or 239-472-8300.
Florida Trust Wealth Management is at 2450 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, and at 13525 Bell Tower Drive, Fort Myers.
CHAMBER TO HOST BUSINESS LUNCHEON
The SanCap Chamber will hold its business luncheon meeting on March 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Community House, at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
The guest speakers will be the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation’s (SCCF) Coastal Watch Director Kealy Pfau and Sanibel Sea School Director Shannon Rivard. Pfau will talk about voluntourism through Coastal Watch, and Rivard will give a state of the Sanibel Sea School update.
Rivard leads a team of educators, developing hands-on curriculum and fostering community partnerships to further the Sanibel Sea School’s mission. She holds a Bachelor of Science in marine science and biology and a Master of Professional Science in marine conservation from the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. Rivard joined the Sanibel Sea School in 2017 as a marine science educator. Her leadership skills and passion for the organization’s mission and innovative teaching style led to her current role as director.
Kealy attended the University of Tampa, where she studied environmental and marine science, then worked for Audubon, where she monitored and protected nesting shorebirds on beaches in Florida and Massachusetts. She took the reins as conservation initiative coordinator in 2020, and she serves as the liaison between the SCCF and Coastal Watch Advisory Committee to plan and execute conservation initiatives on Sanibel and Captiva.
The SCCF is sponsoring the luncheon.
The cost is $35 for attendees.
Registration is required by March 13 at 5 p.m. at sanibel-captiva.org or by contacting Aaron Walton at aaron@sanibel-captiva.org or 239-472-8759. Payment is due at the time of registration.
SHELL POINT TO PRESENT RESIDENT PANEL
Sanibel and Captiva residents who want to learn about life at Shell Point can hear directly from neighbors who have already made the move.
A panel discussion and Q&A will be held on March 19 at 2 p.m. at The Community House, at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Hosted by Director of Sales Zach Gurick, it will feature former island residents who now live at the retirement community in Fort Myers.
The program is free, but registration is required.
To register, call 239-421-5888 by March 13.
For more information, visit ShellPoint.org or contact info@shellpoint.org.
Shell Point is 15101 Shell Point Blvd., Fort Myers.
SCIAR PRESENTS ECONOMIC SUMMIT
The Sanibel Captiva Islands Association of Realtors (SCIAR) hosted its 2026 Economic Summit on Feb. 19 at The Community House on Sanibel.
Guest speaker and National Association of Realtors Chief Economist Dr. Lawrence Yun presented a comprehensive economic outlook for real estate professionals and the public.
He provided insight into national, state and local economic trends shaping the housing market, offering analysis and projections for 2026 and beyond.
Attendees gained perspective on key factors influencing real estate, including market performance, interest rates and broader economic conditions, reinforcing SCIAR’s commitment to keeping the community informed and engaged on issues impacting the region’s housing landscape.
The event was sponsored by Bank of the Islands, Heidrick & Co. Insurance, Regions Bank, Superior Title Company, and Trademark Roofing.
BANK UNDERWRITES CFI ANNUAL REPORT
The Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) announced that Bank of the Islands is the inaugural presenting sponsor of its 2025 Impact Report.
It will highlight grantmaking, donor-advised funds, scholarship initiatives and community leadership efforts. The report will detail grants awarded, funds under management and initiatives launched, and it will recognize the donors, volunteers and partners.
The report will be unveiled in the spring and distributed to 3,000 donors, fundholders, nonprofit partners and community stakeholders. It will also be available online for download.
“The Charitable Foundation of the Islands serves as an essential connector in our community — bringing together donors, nonprofits and civic leaders to address evolving needs,” bank President Robbie Roepstorff said. “We are proud to support CFI’s 2025 Impact Report and help share the powerful stories of donors, volunteers and nonprofit partners who are working every day to strengthen our island community.”
CAPTRUST EXPANDS WITH SUNCOAST
CAPTRUST Financial Advisors (CAPTRUST) announced that Suncoast Prosperity Advisors, a wealth management practice and division of Suncoast Equity Management, has joined CAPTRUST.
Suncoast Prosperity Advisors joined CAPTRUST in January from Suncoast Equity Management, which will continue operating independently as a boutique investment management company.
Suncoast Prosperity Advisors provides comprehensive wealth management services to private wealth clients through tailored financial planning and deep investment expertise. Led by President Jeff Strouse and supported by a team of eight professionals, including senior advisors Beth Neal and Terri Ritchie, the practice has approximately $830 million in assets.
With the addition, CAPTRUST expands its presence in Tampa with a second office and it introduces new locations on Sanibel and in Highlands, North Carolina.
For more information, visit https://www.captrust.com/.
JOHN R. WOOD ACQUIRES REALTY GROUP
John R. Wood Christie’s International Real Estate expanded its Southwest Florida footprint with the acquisition of the Walker Realty Group, a brokerage in Punta Gorda.
The acquisition, which officially closed on Feb. 27, marks a strategic step in the company’s continued growth across the region and mission to provide customers with experienced, locally knowledgeable real estate professionals.
The Walker Realty Group brings a team of 11 agents, including founder Leanne Walker. The office will be led by Roger Morris, a veteran Charlotte County broker with extensive local experience.
For more information, visit JohnRWood.com.
The Punta Gorda office is at 110 Sullivan St.
FISH ATTENDS CAP PARTNER WORKSHOP
FISH of Sanibel-Captiva recently attended an American Red Cross Community Adaptation Program (CAP) workshop, “Financial Success Strategies for Nonprofits,” at The Heights Foundation in Fort Myers.
It brought together regional CAP partners to focus on strategies for strengthening financial health. The workshop included sessions on grant readiness, diversified funding streams, fundraising strategy, board engagement and organizational planning. It also provided time for networking and collaboration among the CAP partners serving communities in Southwest Florida.
Led in part by CAP Grants and Collaborative Projects Manager Andrew Brown, the workshop walked attendees through what it takes to build a strong grant seeking mindset. Topics included diversifying income sources, maintaining clear financial and strategic plans, preparing required documentation and audited financial statements, and strengthening storytelling through clear mission messaging.
The afternoon session focused on rounding out a fundraising strategy, including the role of board members and leadership in supporting development efforts.
SAN CAP BANK SERVES AS SPONSOR
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank was a sponsor for the Fort Myers Beach Lions Club’s 68th annual Fort Myers Beach Shrimp Festival on March 7-8 on Fort Myers Beach.
The festival highlighted the area’s famed “Pink Gold” Gulf shrimp. It also honored and supported local fishing families and Fort Myers Beach’s historic fishing industry through the Blessing of the Fleet and the Pink Gold shrimp boil.
In addition, there was an arts and crafts fair, a shrimp-eating contest and 5K race.
Proceeds from the event will support community programs, vision services and scholarships.
DOC FORD’S, DIXIE FISH STAFF VOLUNTEER
For a third consecutive year, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille and Dixie Fish Company employees took part in the Tunaskin Beach Keepers Club’s 11th annual beach cleanup on Feb. 15 on Fort Myers Beach.
Staff from the Fort Myers Beach restaurants collected 10 bags of debris in three hours.
Doc Ford’s also donated bean dip and ceviche meals for all of the volunteers.
The cleanup attracted more than 400 volunteers, and it raised $6,000 through registration fees and donations for Keep Lee County Beautiful and the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation.
The HM Restaurant Group manages Doc Ford’s and the Dixie Fish Company.