Initiative Leads

Jennifer W. Abbott

Initiative Lead,

Jennifer Abbott brings more than 30 years of experience advancing philanthropy and strengthening nonprofit organizations to her work with The Patterson Foundation. As an initiative lead, she draws on a career defined by building strong, respectful, and enduring relationships with nonprofit leaders, donors, volunteers, staff, and community partners.

Jennifer is the founder of Abbott Advising, LLC, where she works with charitable individuals and their professional advisors to translate values and passions into purposeful giving strategies and long-term philanthropic plans. She also provides strategic guidance to a limited number of nonprofit leaders seeking to deepen their mission impact through philanthropy.

Previously, Jennifer spent six years at Manatee Community Foundation, where she served as Interim Executive Director and Director of Philanthropy, advancing transformational giving and strengthening the foundation’s community impact. Prior to that, she spent a decade at Forty Carrots Family Center expanding philanthropic support for its mission of strengthening families. Earlier in her career, Jennifer held development and brand-building roles in Washington, DC, and Austin, TX, working with organizations such as Southwest Airlines and United Way.

Jennifer holds the CAP® (Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy®) designation from The American College of Financial Services. She is an active leader in the philanthropic community, serving on the board of the Charitable Gift Planners of Southwest Florida and previously as the 2019 president of the Southwest Florida chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), advancing ethical and effective fundraising.

A Sarasota native, Jennifer enjoys exploring Florida’s natural beauty and traveling with her husband, Mark. Favorite destinations include Boston and Denver to visit their adult children. Jennifer’s weakness include salted caramel and letting her dogs on the couch.

Join Jennifer on LinkedIn

To contact Jennifer: jwabbott.professional@gmail.com

Donald R. Bowman, Ed. D.

Initiative Lead,

Commencing January 2023, Dr. Donald R. Bowman continues his journey in higher education as lead consultant for The Patterson Foundation's Advancing Philanthropic Leadership (APL) initiative. In collaboration with the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, the APL initiative provides an innovative model that develops a network of future philanthropic leaders.

Dr. Bowman's career spans over forty-four years in both the private and public sectors of higher education as well as in community college and university settings. His leadership roles have focused on student enrollment and development. He has demonstrated the ability to unite teams in an environment of collaboration to bring about change and innovation in State University of New York (SUNY) and State College of Florida institutions, including his former role as Vice President of Student Development and Enrollment Services at the State College of Florida.

Dr. Bowman's community service has spanned the areas of K-12 advisory and strategic planning initiatives; membership on distinctly different executive boards; volunteering for non-profit organizations such as Tidewell Hospice; and facilitating the leadership of lay church groups.

He earned a Baccalaureate degree from Hartwick College in Sociology, with a minor in Music; a Master of Arts in Counselor Education from the State University of New York at Oneonta; and a Doctorate in Higher Education (Student Development emphasis) from Nova Southeastern University.

Dr. Bowman, his "renaissance" wife Robin, and their two daughters moved to Florida in 1995…never looking back to the infamous New York snowstorms!

To contact Dr. Donald R. Bowman: dbowmantpf@gmail.com

Join Donald on Twitter: @DonBowman_tpf

Larry Clark

Initiative Lead,

Larry Clark is passionate about social change, which fueled his desire to cofound No Margin, No Mission in 2011. He recognized the need for entrepreneurial thinking and leadership in the health and human service sector through his many years of experience working with nonprofits and foundations across the country. With a career that spanned nearly 30 years at the Seattle-based Comprehensive Health Education Foundation, Larry is widely respected as a pioneer in the social enterprise movement.

Through his extensive work in philanthropy and with health and human service organizations, Larry is nationally recognized by both sectors as a cutting-edge thinker and innovative leader. He is a frequent and distinguished speaker on topics pertaining to social enterprise and entrepreneurial thinking in the nonprofit sector and has developed unique expertise in income generation, intellectual property development, and strategic partnerships.

Larry has been active on several national boards representing a combination of foundations, community-based organizations, and coalitions. He recently served on the Alliance of Nonprofits Board and Center for Social and Emotional Education Advisory, and has also served on the boards of Grantmakers in Aging, Community Anti Drug Coalitions of America, the Social Enterprise Alliance, Philanthropy Northwest, and the Local Initiative Funding Partners Advisory for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Larry earned his Bachelor of Science in Community Health Education from Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington.

Join Larry on Twitter: @Larry_JClark

To contact Larry: lclark@nomarginnomission.org

Michael Corley

Initiative Lead, TPF Administration,

Michael is a nonprofit leadership consultant working with the Board of Directors and CEOs/EDs of funders and agencies on strategy, governance, alignment, and leadership.

Prior to founding The Corley Company, Michael held positions of President/COO and CFO of a 200+ employee professional employer organization, a practice administrator to a 25-physician pediatric group, and VP, Marketing for a health technology company. Michael currently consults with several private foundations, and he has served on nonprofit boards as the Board Chair, Treasurer, Governance Chair, and Finance Committee.

Michael received his undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee and his MBA from the University of South Florida – Tampa. Michael is a graduate of Leadership Florida. He is married to Stacey, with whom he has two sons.

Join Michael on Twitter: @michaelpcorley

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaelpcorley/ or thecorleycompany.com

To contact Michael: mcorley@thepattersonfoundation.org or michael@thecorleyco.com

Cheri Coryea

Initiative Lead,

Cheri's public sector experience spans over 30 years, and while the majority of it has been in Manatee County, Florida, the nature of the work has allowed her to build bonds regionally and nationally with thought and management leader networks. The last 14 years of Cheri's public sector work included roles as county administrator, deputy county administrator, and first department director of the Neighborhood Services Department for Manatee County Government.

Highly regarded as a trusted and effective relationship builder among all aspects of the community, Cheri spent the bulk of her public sector work in the human services and community services field. Cheri served as the first Children's Services Coordinator for the county, bringing to life the Children's Services dedicated millage programs in 1990. Today, the Children's Services programs target children ages 0-17 and their families who live in Manatee County through the grant work of over 100 different nonprofit agencies. These programs serve at-risk and economically disadvantaged children subject to abuse, neglect, and abandonment. In 2016, Cheri led the charge to change the county grant funding process from funder to investor. To date, more than $150 million has been provided to local nonprofit agencies that yield significant results to improve children and family outcomes.

In 2007, Cheri was tapped to create the Neighborhood Services Department. In 2014, she facilitated the merger of two departments— Neighborhood Services and Community Services—focusing on programs from infants, neighborhood planning, behavioral health, and low-income medical services to County Indigent Burial. Over 2,400 different neighborhoods are now engaged with their local government through various virtual tools, neighborhood action plans, newsletters, and libraries. Citizens now feel they are making a difference.

Her strategic planning expertise led to the first Economic Development Division in the County, focusing on job creation, retention, and incentives for all business types. With the motto of "At Your Service," Cheri helped cut through the red tape and developed an expedited environment of business-friendly government that has added over 4,600 high-wage and high-skilled jobs in Manatee County since 2009. She continues to strive to positively impact ALICE through her involvement with the United Way Suncoast.

While county administrator, Cheri recognized the large portion of potential retirees in the upcoming years and emphasized the development of young professionals to enhance the county's workforce. With a few talented county-employed young professionals, Cheri built the Manatee Millennial Movement (M3) into a nationally recognized force to be reckoned with, increasing Manatee County's millennial workforce from 17% to 27% in four years. Adding a project-driven county internship program in three seasons has allowed the county to advance the use of technology, GIS planning, energy efficiency, parks, preserves, and citizen engagement while attracting and retaining highly motivated students to the area.

Cheri and her husband raised their two girls along with their four-legged furry and equine family members locally. Their daughters have grown up to become successful professionals.


To contact Cheri: CCoryea@thepattersonfoundation.org

Victoria Finley

Initiative Lead,

As a consultant with The Patterson Foundation, Victoria Finley focuses on outreach and stewardship for the beautiful Patriot Plaza at the Sarasota National Cemetery.

For ten years before entering the Sarasota-Manatee philanthropic community, Victoria served as vice president of an environmental microbiology manufacturing company that produced beneficial microbes for seed enhancement and petroleum-degrading microbes for soil remediation and water treatment. Her move from corporate to philanthropy was inspired by love—love for her community and the unique charitable giving that exists in the Suncoast region.

Victoria is a nonprofit business consultant and enjoys engaging with agencies to encourage their potential. Victoria’s interests lie in project management and strategy to polish and advance an agency’s hidden gems.

Victoria is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and has aligned with several sectors of the area’s nonprofit agencies, particularly in health and human services and education, to assist in polishing and advancing missions. She focuses on brightening awareness and impact to express to the community the blessings of engaging with purpose.

Victoria earned a BS in secondary English education and a minor in business and professional writing from the University of South Florida.

Join Victoria on LinkedIn

To contact Victoria: VFinleyTPF@gmail.com

Sara Leonard, MBA, CFRE

Initiative Lead,

Sara Leonard is an accomplished advancement professional with over 30 years of fundraising and nonprofit management expertise across the healthcare, educational, and cultural sectors. As the founder of the Sara Leonard Group, she provides strategic consulting, coaching, and training to fundraisers, CEOs, and nonprofit board members, empowering organizations to achieve their missions.

Sara is deeply committed to the belief that fundraising drives the life-changing and life-saving work of the nonprofit sector. She champions an ethical, collaborative approach to fundraising, emphasizing teamwork and sustainable impact.

A dedicated educator and thought leader, Sara frequently shares her insights as an instructor at the Nonprofit Leadership Center of Tampa Bay, where she developed the Fund Development Academy. She leads the Fueling Dynamic Fundraising initiative for The Patterson Foundation, helping organizations strengthen their fundraising practices to increase mission impact. 

Her passion for advancing the fundraising profession is reflected in her past service on the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Global Marketing Awards and Communications Committee and as a past AFP Tampa Bay Chapter president.

Sara holds the Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) designation, has been recognized as a Master Trainer by AFP, and earned the BoardSource Certificate of Nonprofit Board Education. Additionally, she completed the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate through the University of South Florida Muma College of Business. Sara received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Tampa and her MBA from the University of South Florida.

Join Sara on Twitter: @SaraTampa

Connect with Sara on LinkedIn

To contact Sara: sara@saraleonardgroup.com

Mike Oxman

Initiative Lead,

Michael Oxman believes in the power of innovation to transform the social sector, which inspired him to cofound No Margin, No Mission in 2011. A self-described entrepreneur and business leader with a strong desire to create a better world, he embraces opportunities to help organizations become stronger and more thrivable so they can achieve greater mission impact. Michael’s talents have been widely embraced by nonprofit and philanthropic leaders nationwide.

Michael’s extensive experience in both for-profit and nonprofit entrepreneurial ventures has earned him respect nationally as a subject-matter expert, consultant, and speaker on topics pertaining to earned income and social enterprise, business planning, plus brand and marketing strategy. With consulting experience that runs broad and deep, Michael’s client portfolio spans a wide range of health and human service, arts, and philanthropic organizations.

Prior to founding No Margin, No Mission, Michael was an advertising and communications senior executive at Havas (formerly Euro RSCG Worldwide) in the firm’s Chicago office. During his time there, Michael led the Agency’s Business Development and Digital Marketing teams, plus strategic brand development for Walgreens Boots Alliance. He also initiated his strategic work in the nonprofit sector for the Seattle-based Comprehensive Health Education Foundation (C.H.E.F.). Prior to joining Havas, Michael was a senior executive at Publicis (formerly D’Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles) in the firm's Detroit office, leading strategic brand development for the Cadillac Motor Car Division of General Motors. Earlier in his career, Michael held executive positions at other leading advertising agencies, advising Fortune 500 clients such as Chiquita Brands Worldwide and The Iams Pet Food Company on brand strategy.

Michael has served on several Chicago-area nonprofit boards, including Ravinia Music Festival’s Ravinia Associates and Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

Michael earned his BA in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his MS in Advertising from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism in Chicago.

Join No Margin, No Mission on Twitter: @margin_mission

To contact Michael: moxman@nomarginnomission.org

Brian Ries

Initiative Lead, Agriculture Future,

Brian brings over 20 years of experience in media leadership to The Patterson Foundation, with a strategic focus on cultivating public awareness and understanding of critical community issues. As a key member of the executive team at the Herald-Tribune, he successfully forged partnerships with philanthropic organizations and community groups to expand coverage of topics vital to area residents.

Prior to his tenure at the Herald-Tribune, Brian’s diverse career trajectory provided him with a unique perspective. He was an award-winning restaurant critic and food writer, a certified sommelier and regional sales director for a group of California wineries, and owner and operator of a niche chain of comic book and game stores.

Brian is a voracious reader and met his wife while working at Waldenbooks in the Sarasota Square Mall when he was a teenager.

To contact Brian Ries: brian@brianries.com

Karen Windon

Initiative Lead,

Karen Windon joined The Patterson Foundation in June 2020 to support the work of the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading. Passionate about the criticality of reading and literacy, she uses her talents to help design and manage the Campaign's projects.

Karen also serves as the Initiative Lead for the Community Preparedness, Recovery, and Resiliency (CPR-R) initiative, focused on opportunities to optimize efforts in preparedness, recovery, and resilience toward long-term impact. Her experience as the Manatee County Emergency Management Director, Public Safety Director, Florida Emergency Preparedness Association President and Commission Chair of the International Emergency Management Accreditation Program help to inform this initiative.

After retiring from a 35-year career with Manatee County Government, culminating in eleven years as Deputy County Administrator, Windon taught in a local elementary school, fulfilling a long-held passion.

She holds a degree in Business Administration from Eckerd College and continues to be a lifelong learner. Karen has two adult daughters and a grandson (who owns her heart and keeps her focused on the future). In her downtime, Windon enjoys exploring the great outdoors, traveling, kayaking, pickleball, reading, and spending time with family.

Connect with Karen on LinkedIn

To contact Karen Windon: KWindonTPF@gmail.com