Collaboratory recently welcomed new board leadership.
Gary H. Griffin, Chair
Gail Markham, Immediate Past Chair
Sally Jackson, Vice Chair
Dr. Harrison S. Knight, Secretary/Treasurer
Gary H. Griffin will serve as board chair; Gail Markham as immediate past chair, Sally Jackson as vice chair, and Dr. Harrison S. Knight as secretary/treasurer. Their positions took effect July 1, 2025, for a two-year term.
Griffin has more than 35 years of experience in engineering, estimating and project management. He is chairman of the board at B&I Contractors, Inc., an employee-owned mechanical, electrical, HVAC and plumbing contracting firm. He holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from University of Florida.
Markham has participated on the board since 2016. She has been recognized for being an outstanding community leader on many occasions. Her CPA firm, which she began as a sole practitioner in 1979, has consistently ranked as one of Florida’s best companies to work for by Florida Trend magazine.
She is the founder and former chair of the Lee County PACE Center for Girls; sits on the FGCU Foundation Board of Directors and Finance committee and is chair/advisory board member of the Lee County Industrial Development Authority.
Jackson retired from Lee Health in 2017 after 12 years as system director, government and community relations. Her career spans executive roles in business, state government and chambers of commerce and includes advocacy, visioning, administration, management and collaborative leadership. She earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in administration of justice from Southern Illinois University.
Knight retired from the Broward County School District as the assistant director of Transportation and Fleet Services. Prior to that position, he served in a supervisory capacity with the Lee County School District. He has returned to the rostrum as the senior pastor and co-founder of Thee Trinity Church. He is a real estate agent; a life insurance agent and final expense specialist with Senior Life Insurance Company/Legacy Assurance.
He received his Doctor of Philosophy in Theology and Doctor of Divinity from Disciples of Christ Bible College and Seminary. He earned his master’s degree in business administration from Northcentral University, his Bachelor of Science in business administration from South Carolina State University, and an associate’s degree in business administration from Edison Community College (now Florida Southwestern State College).
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.
