FISH OF SANCAP Announces New Staff Members

FISH OF SANCAP is pleased to welcome new staff members to their team, Susan Alexander as Senior Services & Community Engagement Director and Laura D. Rodriguez as Accounting Manager.  “We’re so fortunate to welcome two incredibly talented members of the Southwest Florida non-profit community here to the islands. Susan and Laura both bring with them years of non-profit experience and will ensure we’re able to better serve Sanibel and Captiva,” said Alicia Tighe Orgera, FISH Executive Director.

Susan, in her position at FISH, will oversee senior programs and community engagement, actively working with community stakeholders to ensure FISH continues to meet the needs of island seniors. Susan was born and raised in South Florida. Before joining FISH, Susan ran the Beyond School Walls program, for five years, at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast.  She helped many students in the Lee County School system follow their dreams to attend college and higher education certification programs, obtain careers and be good stewards to the community. She attended the College of Wooster in Ohio and obtained her bachelor’s degree in Communications and Public Relations from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA.  She has a graduate certification from The University of Pittsburgh in Elementary Education. Susan has been active in the Southwest Florida non-profit community for years in a volunteer capacity as Vice President of the Auxiliary board for Golisano Children’s Hospital and President Elect for the Auxiliary board for Lee Memorial Hospital, HealthPark Hospital, and Golisano Children’s Hospital.  She also lends her talents as a FutureMaker for the Southwest Florida Community Foundation. She and her husband enjoy spending time with their three children and doing whatever they can to give back to the community.  “It’s an honor for me to join the FISH team and be able to provide educational, entertaining and innovative programming to the Sanibel and Captiva community.  I’m excited for this opportunity and I look forward to working with all of the people and the businesses on the islands,” stated Susan.

Laura will maintain FISH’s day-to-day financial operations and fiscal integrity through her role as Accounting Manager. Laura was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She is a mother of 3, one with special needs. She was a stay at home mother who worked from home, baking to help make ends meet and pay for her son’s medical bills. She learned of her love of accounting when she started working for Jackson Hewitt preparing Tax Returns for individuals and small businesses and later with H&R Block. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from South Florida Community College with an AAS Degree in Accounting and was recruited to work right after graduation at Saint Catherine’s Catholic Church in Sebring, Florida. As their bookkeeper, she had to reinstate policies and procedures from the Diocese of Venice to make sure they complied and passed their audit. Laura has always been a firm believer of honesty, responsibility and accountability while following policies and procedures. She also worked as a Distribution Administrator at Coca Cola Refreshments in charge of Payroll for the Fort Myers and Sarasota warehouses. During the last 6 years she worked at The Foundation for Lee County Public School as their Fiscal Manager keeping them in compliance and helping them achieve their Platinum status with Charity Navigator.  “Joining FISH is an opportunity of a lifetime; a positive change.  Becoming a part of this organization gives me the opportunity to help people in a direct way. It is a privilege that brings fulfillment to my heart,” stated Laura.

For more than 38 years FISH has been a “neighbors helping neighbors” organization as the islands only wrap-around service provider offering a wide range of human services.  FISH works through donations, and, with their professional staff, provides assistance to those that live, work or visit Sanibel and Captiva.  To learn more about the programs and services of FISH, please contact Alicia Tighe Orgera, Executive Director, at (239) 472-4775 or visit their website at www.fishofsancap.org