Safe Children Coalition announces 2025 Champions for Children

On March 27, 2025, child welfare organization Safe Children Coalition (SCC) will present its 3rd annual Giving Breakfast, during which four “Champions for Children” will be recognized for their contributions to caring for children in our community as well as for their support and advocacy on behalf of Safe Children Coalition. The organization proudly announces its 2025 Champions for Children: philanthropists Keith Monda and Veronica Brady, Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation President | CEO Teri A Hansen, and Bridge A Life Executive Director Jody Jester.

Monda, former President and COO of Coach, Inc., has dedicated his post-retirement to philanthropy and nonprofit leadership. He is the past chair of The Ohio State University Foundation’s Board and Feeding America. Currently, he serves on the board of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and is an active emeritus board member of All Faiths Food Bank. Brady, a longtime Sarasota County resident, had a 25-year career at SunTrust before serving as Senior VP for Philanthropy at Gulf Coast Community Foundation. She then joined The Bay, helping raise $25M in charitable gifts. Brady has served on the boards of the Junior League, Sarasota Family YMCA, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, and Asolo Repertory Theatre. She currently serves on the board of the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee. The couple actively supports numerous local nonprofits, including SCC, with their resources and philanthropic guidance.

Hansen is a committed change agent for children and families in Sarasota County and beyond. Under her leadership, the foundation has supported numerous nonprofits and led initiatives including the First 1,000 Days and the Hear4Youth Mental Health collaborative in partnership with the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. A San Diego native, she holds a journalism degree from San Diego State University, served as a public affairs officer in the U.S. Air Force, and is an alumna of the Harvard Business School where she completed the Advanced Management Program. She has over 30 years of philanthropic leadership experience. Before joining Barancik Foundation, she was President and CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation for 13 years. She currently serves on the boards of Asolo Repertory Theatre, Ringling College of Art and Design, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, YMCA of Southwest Florida, and Gulfside Bank. Her past board service includes the Council on Foundations and the Florida Philanthropic Network.

Jester is the passionate leader of Bridge A Life (BAL), a local organization with global reach. Through BAL, Jester works to provide caregivers and professionals with additional tools to help them serve vulnerable populations with excellence. BAL collaborates with Safe Children Coalition through several programs designed to alleviate the stress of foster and adoptive families so they can focus on caring for children. Florida’s Circuit 12 received the “2023 Community of the Year Award” for successfully implementing CarePortal – managed in Circuit 12 by BAL – a national platform connecting volunteers with the needs of vulnerable children and families. Launched statewide in 2020 as part of the Governor’s Faith and Community Initiative, CarePortal is now part of Hope Florida. In 2021, it was introduced locally through a partnership with SCC, focusing on preventing families from entering the child welfare system. The program has since expanded to 19 agencies and involves 557 church responders. Last year BAL served nearly 3,000 children and more than 700 families in our community.

“We are incredibly grateful to our community – and especially to our 2025 Champions for Children – for their dedication to children,” said SCC President and CEO Brena Slater. “We can't wait to recognize them during our upcoming Giving Breakfast.”

As the lead Community Based Care (CBC) agency for Circuit 12, which includes Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties, SCC leads the way in establishing collaborations between local community agencies providing critical, life-saving programs and services for children, youth, and families in need. Visit sccfl.org to learn more.

The Giving Breakfast will take place on Thursday, March 27, 8-9:30 a.m. at Michael’s On East (1212 East Avenue S., Sarasota). The Giving Breakfast is a sponsored event; sponsorships ranging from $1,000-$20,000 are now available and can be purchased online at sccfl.org/giving-breakfast.

For questions regarding sponsorships and/or the event, contact SCC’s VP of Communications and Community engagement, Jacqueline House: jhouse@sccfl.org or 941-371-4799, ext. 1127.

About Safe Children Coalition, Inc.
Safe Children Coalition, Inc. (SCC) serves as the lead agency for community-based care for Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties. SCC is a collaboration between local community agencies who provide services to children and families in need. SCC is committed to protecting children, strengthening families, and building community. The core functions provided by SCC include child welfare case management, foster care, adoption, independent living, prevention, diversion, quality management, and support services. Visit sccfl.org or call 941-371-4799.