Women in Business in Charlotte County Florida: A Hidden Gem of Leadership and Philanthropy
September 30th, 2025
Women in Business in Charlotte County, Florida
Source Article: by Sue Wade Sun (Sept. 28, 2025)
Women leaders are shaping Charlotte County’s future in ways that go far beyond business. Dr. Shelley Strickland was featured by the Sun (Sept. 28, 2025) as Port Charlotte’s Businesswoman 2025. Her work as the CEO of the Charlotte Community Foundation (CCF) shows how leadership and philanthropy can strengthen a community at its very core.
Business success matters. But in Charlotte County, it’s equally about giving back. Women entrepreneurs, executives, and nonprofit leaders are creating opportunities, mentoring talent, and building a legacy of impact. Shelley Strickland stands as a powerful example of how women in business here combine purpose and profit, making the county a true hidden gem.
Meet Shelley Strickland: A Hidden Gem in Port Charlotte
Shelley Strickland’s journey is grounded in family, faith, and an early sense of responsibility. The granddaughter of a Detroit pastor, she remembers dropping coins into the offering plate and realizing that small contributions, when pooled together, make a big difference.
At just nine years old, her father gave her Barbara Walters’ book on how to talk to anyone. That moment, though small, nudged her out of shyness and into a lifetime of relationship-building. Today, as CEO of the Charlotte Community Foundation, those lessons carry into every conversation with donors, partners, and community leaders.
Strickland doesn’t see herself as a spotlight figure. Instead, she sees herself as a bridge between people and causes. As she told the Sun, “It’s not about us; it’s about what we can do for others.”
Charlotte Community Foundation: Building a Legacy of Giving
Many people don’t fully understand what a community foundation does. CCF explains it simply: it’s like a savings account for the community. Donors invest through endowments, the foundation grows those funds, and the earnings return to nonprofits, scholarships, and programs.
Strickland has been focused on enhancing the hallmarks of a community foundation: building permanent, pooled assets for a dedicated service area—for CCF all of Charlotte County—and the fair and unbiased awarding of grants and scholarships with widespread community engagement.
Philanthropy as a Hidden Gem of Business Culture
Philanthropy in Charlotte County isn’t just about large estates and big checks. Strickland is introducing new programs that allow donors to create a permanent endowed fund for as little as $5,000. That lowers barriers and invites more people into the act of giving.
This inclusivity shifts the narrative. Instead of philanthropy being a privilege for the few, it becomes a community-wide culture. Volunteers, families, and businesses all play a part. And in return, donors discover what Strickland calls the “hidden benefit” of giving: a sense of belonging.
Why Women in Business Charlotte County Florida Stand Out
Charlotte County offers fertile ground for women in leadership. Here, collaboration outweighs competition, and community involvement is valued alongside profit margins.
From small business owners to nonprofit CEOs, women leaders bring a distinct vision: growth tied to purpose. Strickland’s recognition in the Sun demonstrates that women in Charlotte County are celebrated not only for financial success but also for their impact on people’s lives.
This model of leadership resonates with site selectors and investors. When a county champions women leaders who uplift their communities, it signals strength, resilience, and shared values.
Scholarships and Workforce Development in Charlotte County
Workforce development is central to Charlotte County’s future. The Charlotte Community Foundation plays a vital role in that mission. In 2025, CCF awarded $260,000 in scholarships to 65 students, making it the county’s largest scholarship provider.
Of that quarter million, half of the scholarships are for working adults, from certificates to graduate programs. That’s not just a gift — it’s an investment in the talent pipeline to retool, retrain, and attract talent: from keeping graduating seniors in Charlotte County to graduate degrees for current workers. For businesses considering relocation or expansion, this matters. It shows that Charlotte County prioritizes education and opportunity.
Philanthropy Meets Economic Development
At first glance, philanthropy and economic development may seem like separate worlds. In Charlotte County, they’re deeply connected. A thriving nonprofit sector, supported by strong community foundations, signals to businesses that this is a place where people care, where community is prioritized, and where partnerships flourish.
As Strickland told the Sun: “We can’t just sit and wait for the next big estate to help us out. We have to rebrand ourselves and look to the future.” That forward-thinking mindset mirrors the county’s broader development goals. Businesses don’t just seek infrastructure — they seek communities where their employees and families can thrive.
Leadership Lessons from Shelley Strickland
Shelley’s philosophy of leadership is simple but profound:
- Ego has no place in philanthropy.
- The real reward lies in the impact of collective giving.
- Inclusivity creates sustainability.
She models humility while driving measurable results. Her approach highlights a broader truth — leadership in Charlotte County doesn’t look like a spotlight on one individual. It looks like a constellation of efforts, joined together for the common good.
How Charlotte County Nurtures Hidden Gems
The story of Shelley Strickland is part of a larger pattern. Charlotte County nurtures leaders by offering:
- Strong chambers of commerce and civic organizations
- A collaborative Economic Development Office (EDO) that values community voices
- Nonprofits and foundations that provide platforms for meaningful involvement
The Hidden Gem campaign celebrates exactly these qualities — not always flashy, but deeply impactful. Strickland’s recognition shines a light on what makes Charlotte County unique: it’s a place where leaders don’t just build businesses, they build communities.
Get Involved with Charlotte Community Foundation
Philanthropy thrives when more people join in. Residents and businesses can:
- Learn about endowment options starting at $5,000
- Encourage applicants for and support scholarships that fuel the local workforce
- Volunteer time or expertise to serve as a reviewer for grants or scholarships
To explore opportunities, visit charlottecf.org.
FAQs: Women in Business and Philanthropy in Charlotte County
What is the Charlotte Community Foundation?
It’s an “umbrella” nonprofit that invests donor contributions and redistributes earnings through grants to nonprofits serving all sectors and scholarships.
How much has CCF given back to Charlotte County?
More than $13 million in grants and $1.2 million in scholarships since its start.
Why was Shelley Strickland called Port Charlotte’s Businesswoman 2025?
She was featured by the Sun newspaper with that recognition in a profile article published Sept. 28, 2025.
How do scholarships from CCF support workforce growth?
They provide funding for students and adults pursuing education, ensuring a skilled local workforce.
What makes women in business in Charlotte County unique?
They emphasize collaboration, community involvement, and long-term impact alongside business success.
How can individuals or small businesses contribute?
By creating an endowment fund, donating to existing funds, encouraging applicants for grants or scholarships, or volunteering to serve as a reviewer.
Conclusion: A Community Where Business and Giving Go Hand in Hand
Women in Business Charlotte County Florida are not just breaking glass ceilings — they’re building stronger foundations. Shelley Strickland’s leadership at the Charlotte Community Foundation proves that success and service can go together.
In Charlotte County, the hidden gems are everywhere: in business owners who mentor, in leaders who give, and in communities that grow stronger together. This is not just a place to work. It’s a place to belong.
Women leaders are shaping Charlotte County’s future in ways that go far beyond business. Recognition of Shelley Strickland as Port Charlotte’s Businesswoman 2025 — as reported by the Sun (Sept. 28, 2025) — proves it. Her work as the CEO of the Charlotte Community Foundation (CCF) shows how leadership and philanthropy can strengthen a community at its very core.
Business success matters. But in Charlotte County, it’s equally about giving back. Women entrepreneurs, executives, and nonprofit leaders are creating opportunities, mentoring talent, and building a legacy of impact. Shelley Strickland stands as a powerful example of how women in business here combine purpose and profit, making the county a true hidden gem.
