What does 20 years of investing in young people look like? What happens when community leaders come together year after year for the purpose of empowering the next generation? Sometimes, it looks like a Club member finding their voice to lead a sold-out event. Sometimes, it looks like an alum returning to their hometown as a young professional ready to make their community a better place. Sometimes, it looks like a room full of people coming together to see the great futures being made at The Club every day.
On September 4th, 2026, Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties (BGCSDC) celebrated a major milestone with the 20th Annual IPG Leadership Breakfast. The morning brought together community leaders, supporters, Club members, alumni, and partners to look back on two decades of leadership and look ahead to the next generation.
Held at the Lee Wetherington Boys & Girls Club, the IPG Leadership Breakfast highlighted its legacy in our community and the lasting impact it has had on young people. Since its beginning in 2006 with Community Youth Development (CYD), the IPG Leadership Breakfast has brought the community together to support one shared belief: when we invest in young people, we invest in the future of our community.
At the heart of the morning was a panel moderated by Former FL State Senator Lisa Carlton, which featured current Club members and alumni as they shared their accounts of how leadership opportunities at the Club can shape young people’s lives now and long after their time as members. Panelists exchanged Club stories about the mentors and experiences at BGCSDC that shaped them to succeed and give back to their community.
“I’m proud to say that I graduated from Duke in the spring, and now I'm back home in Sarasota, starting the next chapter of my life and working at Sarasota Memorial as a phlebotomist,” said William Moragne, Club alumnus. “The Club played a big role in helping me become the person I am today, and I’m grateful for the experiences, relationships and opportunities I had there that continue to shape me.”
As the event marked the finale of a 20-year chapter, it also focused on what comes next. The morning concluded with a call to continue investing in the young people who are at The Club today and who will become the community leaders of tomorrow.
“The future of our community is already at The Club today,” said Bill Sadlo, President/CEO of BGCSDC. “When we invest in our Club members, we’re not just supporting young people today; we’re helping shape the leaders, teachers, entrepreneurs, and community members of tomorrow.”
Throughout the morning, guests were invited to take part in our “Every Club Kid Should Know” activation, sharing a lesson, piece of advice or words of encouragement they believe every young person should hear.
The messages reflected the power of passing wisdom from one generation to the next and the importance of having people in your corner as you grow. That spirit of connection is at the heart of our partnership with IPG, whose support of Leadership Breakfast and engagement with Club members through career exploration, job shadowing and hands-on experiences continue to create opportunities for young people to see what’s possible.
The 20th Annual IPG Leadership Breakfast was made possible by sponsors including IPG, Lee Wetherington Homes, Drs. Robert and Patricia Gussin, Tom and Debbie Shapiro, The Martella Family Foundation, Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, Alexandra Armstrong, First Watch, Gecko’s Hospitality Group, Ringling College of Art & Design, CoolToday, Halfacre Construction Company, Atlas Insurance, Blistex with David & Suzanne Arch, Shutts & Bowen with John Patterson, Shumaker with Meghan O. Serrano, Esq., Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, Mabry Carlton Ranch, Caldwell Trust Company, FCCI Insurance Group, Boar’s Head, LocaliQ Herald-Tribune, Palm Printing, Pinnacle Partners and Synovus, and and Wolfie's with Michelle & Jonathan Mitchell and the Kayla Mitchell Foundation.
Event proceeds benefitted BGCSDC’s award-winning Teen Programs, providing local youth with opportunities to develop leadership skills, explore career pathways, build confidence, serve their communities, and prepare for successful futures.
We’re grateful to everyone who has helped make these 20 years meaningful, and to those who continue to invest in the next generation of leaders. As we look toward the next 20 years, we invite you to relive some of the moments that made this milestone morning so special.
