By Tom Reese. Photo by Nancy Guth.
The following article appeared in Sarasota Scene Magazine in January 2026.
As any strong community foundation would do, Gulf Coast Community Foundation is consistently looking for ways to ensure even greater community impact, increase its partnership network, listen to fresh perspectives, and meet challenging philanthropic goals.
With these goals and its mission in mind, Gulf Coast has recently appointed three exceptional and highly distinguished women to its board of directors who will all contribute in a large way to the foundation’s incredible impact in our region for today and tomorrow.
Deb Kabinoff
Deb worked tirelessly to launch and build two successful software and technology companies throughout her career. Described as a trailblazer by her peers, she retired in Sarasota in the early 1990s after selling one of her companies at the age of 42. Although technically retired, Deb dove headfirst into the world of philanthropy and has never slowed down.
“When I moved here from California, I immediately got involved in philanthropy and many nonprofit organizations. As a Jewish woman, I felt a responsibility through the tradition of ‘tikkun olam’ to give back to my community and heal the world for the privilege of having been given this life. I started out volunteering with and contributing to arts organizations, Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Selby Gardens, and several other nonprofit groups,” said Deb.
Deb and her late husband, Larry, realized there was a serious affordable housing crisis in Sarasota county and immediately got to work to remedy the situation, eventually launching a new company to build amenity-packed affordable houses in North Port.
“I was happy to be building a lot of houses and helping various charities, but I wanted to make a bigger overall impact on the community in a more strategic way. I wanted to work with an organization that would add to my ability to make a significant contribution in our area. I learned about Gulf Coast and the ways they were addressing the needs of our region, and I knew that it was the organization I had been looking for.”
Deb began by opening her own donor-advised fund through Gulf Coast.
“Because my career was based on starting and building software companies, I’m especially interested in participating in projects that use technology to solve problems. Gulf Coast helped me find the most meaningful opportunities in our area that aligned with causes I care about. Gulf Coast believes in bold and proactive philanthropy, and I’m always looking to push the envelope to get things done.”
The team at Gulf Coast invited Deb to serve on its board in early 2025.
”I was honored to be asked to join the board because Gulf Coast is the heart of philanthropy across our community. Gulf Coast and our donors have invested more than $625 million in our region.”
As a board member, Deb will continue her philanthropic impact through an even more prominent role—helping to steer Gulf Coast’s priorities now and in the future.
“Gulf Coast values collaboration. We know that true transformation can only come from working together with our donors, advisors, nonprofit partners, and the community as a whole. I look forward to helping lead this effort.”
Elizabeth Moore
Gulf Coast has always been deeply rooted in environmental causes and conservationism, so it was a no-brainer to ask the legendary Elizabeth Moore to join its board of directors.
After spending much of her life in the Boston area, Elizabeth and her family initially moved to Bradenton in 2008 before ultimately settling in Sarasota. Upon realizing the power of collective and organized philanthropy, Elizabeth quickly got to work with various organizations in the area, including Gulf Coast.
“My observation about the world of philanthropy is that while a lot of funding goes to worthy causes like the arts, hospitals, or human services, not enough is done when it comes to natural resources, land conservation, water quality, and the environment. Those kinds of resources really represent the foundation of human existence and the world we share with so many other species,” said Elizabeth.
In 2016, Elizabeth purchased Triangle Ranch 1,143 acres in Myakka with the assistance of Big Waters Land Trust (formerly Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast), where she also serves on the board of directors. The land where Triangle Ranch sits is right next to Myakka State Park. This acquisition established a vital conservation easement to preserve its legacy as open space and wetlands, as well as wildlife habitats. She also hosts many fundraising and educational events for environmental groups and causes.
Elizabeth’s reputation and long-standing work with organizations such as Selby Gardens, Big Waters Land Trust, TREE Foundation, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, and others have made her a prominent philanthropist known locally and around the country.
“My goal as a board member is to expand upon the mission of Gulf Coast and increase the support for environmental causes in our area. I’m very ambitious and excited to work on potential new projects and network with other environmental leaders in the community.”
Elizabeth has made meaningful demonstrations of what she believes in by saving land from development, funding the Florida’s Water Gallery at the new Mote Science Education Aquarium, the International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration, and much more.
“We are going to make an impact here. We can’t be everything to everybody, but the targets and missions we want to fund will make a meaningful impact on our region. I know I can influence other funders and donors to partner with Gulf Coast, and I hope to be an inspiring role model for the community.”
Dr. Gail Morrison Morganroth
Dr. Gail Morrison Morganroth passionately champions health equity, fueled by her mission and curiosity of how we can do more together as a community. Together with her husband, they are actively involved with the Selby Master Plan capital campaign committee, the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation for research, and the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee. As a board-certified nephrologist, Dr. Morrison Morganroth has played a key leadership role in academic medicine and philanthropy.
“We live in a world where we must help people to live better. My husband and I are both physicians who worked in West Philadelphia and areas where many people unfortunately live in poverty. During my 48 years at the University of Pennsylvania, I created a program where physicians and students would physically go out into the community to meet patients at their home to see how they were living and what problems they had in order to serve them better,” said Gail.
Gail first found herself in the Sarasota area when she and her family bought a condo on Lido Key in 2009. After spending years vacationing and living here seasonally, she made Sarasota her home after buying a house on Siesta Key.
“Over the last five years my academic work in universities shifted more toward virtual and remote work, which allowed me to learn about Gulf Coast. I was already involved in nonprofits and had a donor-advised fund with the organization before, but I got to know Phillip Lanham when he became president and CEO in 2023, and I subsequently became more involved with Gulf Coast.”
Gulf Coast is always looking to add more diverse individuals to its board of directors, and Gail’s distinguished career in medicine brings an important and timely perspective to the foundation’s work. Her work and reputation from spending years with the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine in Philadelphia created a unique opportunity to get more involved in healthcare initiatives in the community.
“I took about a year and a half going to various Gulf Coast events and meetings to see how they performed as an outsider to get a good understanding of their goals, mission, and strategic planning. I really appreciated that they took such an organized and strategic approach toward philanthropy.”
One of the most appealing aspects to Gail about Gulf Coast is how its philanthropic efforts are not just one and done. It is an ongoing effort with many people actively involved in the process to make sure funds are going to places and causes that need it most. As Gail enters a new chapter of her professional life, she hopes to use her skills and experience with Gulf Coast to make a meaningful impact on our community now and in the future.
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