Dawn Belamarich joins Leadership Florida’s Cornerstone Class
Dawn Belamarich, CEO and President of Collaboratory, has been selected for Leadership Florida’s Cornerstone Class 43 for the 2025-2026 session.
Belamarich joins more than 50 leaders from across Florida for a nine-month educational program focusing on issues critical to the state. Established in 1982 by the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Florida identifies individuals who demonstrate the passion, commitment, and positioning to drive positive change.
“It is such an honor to be selected for this year’s Leadership Florida Cornerstone Class,” Belamarich said. “I am truly inspired by the past and present leaders of this program. I look forward to learning more about our state and ways in which we can work together to create positive impact for years to come.”
Belamarich, who has led the Collaboratory for the past two years, has held leadership roles for more than 15 years within the social services and behavioral health fields. She holds a doctorate in business administration and leadership and master’s degrees in sociology/criminology and mental health counseling.
The Cornerstone Class will convene for classes in cities across Florida. This opportunity will enhance leadership skills and provide relevant information on Florida’s history, demography, diversities, challenges, and opportunities.
Leadership Florida has graduated more that 3,300 leaders who hold positions across the state, including CEOs of major corporations, mayors, elected officials, nonprofit executives, leading academicians, and professionals in various fields. They are also farmers, managers of high-tech consortiums, rural hospital administrators, and head Florida’s most important agencies. These graduates collectively serve on more than 5,000 boards of companies and organizations throughout Florida, demonstrating their commitment to local and state communities.
ABOUT COLLABORATORY
Collaboratory is a regional community foundation with an evolved mission committed to coordinating the solving of Southwest Florida’s major social problems by 2040. Not alone, but with everyone—the entire community working together across all five counties: Lee, Hendry, Glades, Charlotte and Collier.
Collaboratory provides community leadership, raises and coordinates funding, and disburses funds to organizations that are helping solve the problems our donors and the community have identified as priorities. Collaboratory also provides capacity building with training and resources for regional partners. Given the complexities of the social challenges in our region, Collaboratory ensures we are all working together and that every generous donor achieves the biggest impact with their funds. By using and sharing data to track progress, we ensure that donor dollars are best invested to move the needle on improving social issues.
Connection and collaboration are at the heart of our mission. Since 1976, we have made over $130 million in grants to individuals and organizations across the region to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations. It is upon that legacy of a commitment to community we will collectively achieve our 2040 goal. To learn more and get involved, call 239-274-5900 or visit www.collaboratory.org.
