Delesa Morris, M.S., CFRE® is the President for Tidewell Foundation. She joined the team in July 2022 bringing more than 20 years of experience in philanthropy, community relations, strategic planning, communication, and non-profit management.

Her career experience includes serving as the Executive Director of Philanthropy for Cleveland Clinic Martin Health System, Assistant Vice President at Palm Beach Atlantic University and Director of Development, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati.

Delesa holds the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential and earned her M.S. degree in Organizational Leadership and a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Delesa is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Association of Healthcare Philanthropy and Charitable Gift Planners of Southwest Florida. Her passion is igniting joy through philanthropy.

Passionate about healthcare access and equity, she gravitated toward Tidewell Hospice’s mission to provide Full Life Care for all, working as a Community Partnership Specialist. She helped to break down the barriers to care within her local community.  In her current role, Samantha helps ensure that hospice care is available for all who need it through donor support to the Foundation.  Samantha graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and a certificate in Medical Anthropology. Like a true Gator, she returned to UF in 2022 and is pursuing her MBA.

Chris has been fulfilling her dream of making positive and lasting impacts on our community for the last 20 years. Chris joined the Tidewell Foundation as a Philanthropy Advisor in June 2020. She was promoted to Senior Philanthropy Advisor in January 2022 and then to Director of Philanthropy in 2023. Prior to her work at the foundation, Chris was the Development Director for Sarasota Crew for four years, completing their $4-million capital campaign. Chris has had a robust career in fundraising managing Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s STEMsmart initiative, first as the foundation’s Director of Community Investment and later in a consulting role as the STEMsmart Project Manager. Prior to working at Gulf Coast, she served on the foundation’s Board of Directors, along with many other local nonprofits. She also volunteered as project manager of Gulf Coast’s Florida BRAIVE Fund, a $5-million fund to assist Florida-based military personnel and their families affected by deployment to Afghanistan and Iraq. Chris graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelors in Biological Science and the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Nursing. Outside of work, Chris enjoys spending time with her 2 sons, as well as, reading a good book, cooking with her family, and snow skiing.

Nicole brings more than 10 years of non-profit experience to Tidewell Foundation specializing in both health and human services. Most recently, she served as the Development and Donor Relations Manager for JFCS of the Suncoast. Prior to that, she held the position of Director of Development for Mental Health America of Dutchess County and the Assistant Director for Planned Parenthood MHV, located in upstate New York.

Nicole possesses a deep appreciation for how the nonprofit sector seeks to improve the quality of life within a community. Every day she strives to make the world a better place.

Megan joined the Tidewell Foundation team in March 2022, as a Senior Philanthropy Advisor. She has worked in the Sarasota nonprofit community for over 10 years, helping to advance missions she cares deeply about. Megan graduated from the University of South Florida with her Bachelors in Psychology and Florida Atlantic University with her Masters in Nonprofit Management. She received her Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) credential in 2018. Outside of work, Megan enjoys visiting local parks, spending time with her two cats, Millie and Eliza, and traveling around the world.

Lorraine loves to grant wishes. She oversees and manages the Foundation’s overall day-to-day management, organization, and coordination of the administrative activities and procedures. She is responsible for managing programs that advance Tidewell’s mission such as the Tidewell Wishes and Humanitarian Funds. She joined Tidewell in November 2016 as the Philanthropy Executive Assistant where she answered the needs of the team every day. Several years after graduating from St. John Fisher College in Rochester NY, she and her husband relocated to Venice FL where they have lived for over 20 years. Lorraine has 2 adult children; a daughter who is a 3rd grade teacher in Tampa and son, who is attends the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.

Larry joined Tidewell in June 2014. He is responsible for assisting in database development, report generation and the receipt and acknowledgement of charitable contributions. He is also responsible for data imports and data entry. He is also responsible for data imports, data entry and coordinating donor appreciation calls by Tidewell volunteers. Larry has more than 25 years of experience developing income tax preparation software with Arthur Andersen & Co. and Jackson Hewitt. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of South Florida and has completed additional training in accounting and taxation.

Jasmine transitioned to the role of Philanthropy Associate in February 2024 after three years of clinical-facing work with Tidewell Hospice. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy and previously served Tidewell Hospice patients in Manatee, Sarasota, and Charlotte counties. During her tenure as a music therapist, Jasmine collaborated with the Tidewell Foundation team at several events, cultivating a passion for philanthropy. Now, Jasmine is excited to bring her experience and dedication to her new role, eager to contribute to the organization’s mission of brightening the lives of those served by Tidewell Hospice and its affiliated companies.

Jennifer has worked in the non-profit sector for two decades and in the creative field for more than 35 years. Prior to joining the Tidewell Foundation team in January of 2022, Jennifer was an Art Director at AAA The Auto Club Group in Tampa, and the Marketing & Communications Specialist at The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee. Jennifer has a Bachelor Degree in Communication Arts & Sciences from Michigan State University, has won several industry awards, and has twice juried the Folio International Eddie & Ozzie Awards. When she is not busying herself with creative projects, she is recreating on either land, sea (or both); spending time with her two sons, rescue dog Bauer and two lovingly adopted kitties, or with family and friends.