The Leadership Collier Foundation, an affiliate of the Greater Naples Chamber, announces the successful completion of the Youth Leadership Collier Class of 2025 Program. It concluded with a graduation ceremony on June 13.
Youth Leadership Collier is specifically designed for rising high school seniors in Collier County. The one-week program features a weekend retreat, hands-on business and leadership experience, and behind the scenes sessions that provide students with a firsthand understanding of a variety of industries in Collier County.
“We are so proud of these young leaders that will represent the future of Collier County,” said Kristina Park, president and CEO of the Greater Naples Chamber. “By going through this program, they all have outstanding perspectives that will not just build a future for them, but with them, ensuring it reflects their vision and aspirations.”
During the 2025 program, participants heard from a variety of elected officials and community leaders about the opportunities and challenges facing Collier County. Students participated in sessions focused on local government, the environment, agriculture, healthcare and human services, and commerce, arts and tourism. Speakers throughout the week included former state Sen. Garrett Richter, Collier Clerk of Courts and YLC founder Crystal Kinzel, NCH CEO Paul Hiltz and Sunshine Ace Hardware President Michael Wynn.
“Youth Leadership Collier will provide these students with the tools to become impactful leaders,” said Tiffany Lehman, chair of the Youth Leadership Collier program. “For me, Youth Leadership Collier is more than a program, it’s personal. Every year, we see the incredible transformation participants undergo and I’m deeply grateful that students have the opportunity to share their experiences with key business leaders in our community.”
Youth Leadership Collier Class of 2025 Graduates
The Leadership Collier Foundation Advisory Board and the Greater Naples Chamber congratulate the following Youth Leadership Collier Class of 2025 graduates:
- Jennifer Ariciaga, Golden Gate High School
- Sofia Babbitt, Barron Collier High School
- Leila Bender, Community School of Naples
- Victoria Birmingham, Gulf Coast High School
- Chloe Bourk, Aubrey Rogers High School
- Brody Dasari, Homeschool
- Thomas Diblasio, Mason Classical Academy
- Dalton Drosselmeier, Barron Collier High School
- Elayna Francway, Gulf Coast High School
- Savannah Hood, Naples High School
- Shanaya Goemaere, Community School of Naples
- Valerie Hernandez-Santos, Golden Gate High School
- Kaden Jenkins, St. John Neumann Catholic High School
- Kendra Keulerr, First Baptist Academy
- Ilya Knyazev, Mason Classical Academy
- Tobias Kopecny, Community School of Naples
- Shimon Levy, Community School of Naples
- Sarah Lindo, Immokalee High School
- Faith Lopez, Lorenzo Walker Technical High School
- Domenico Lucarelli, Aubrey Rogers High School
- Simone Markus, Gulf Coast High School
- Diana Martinez-Juarez, Immokalee High School
- Minerva Mendez, Lely High School
- Liliana Miloseska, Barron Collier High School
- Darren Nieves, Aubrey Rogers High School
- Vibhav (VJ) Nimmagadda, Gulf Coast High School
- Nikolai Pratasenia, Mason Classical Academy
- Danny Prospero, Homeschool
- Bridget Rojas, Lely High School
- Xenon Ruiz, Golden Gate High School
- Cameron Smith, Seacrest Country Day School
- Alara Timur, Aubrey Rogers High School
- Isabella Vargas, Palmetto Ridge High School
- Mia Vergara, Naples High School
Founded in 2005, Youth Leadership Collier is a program of the Leadership Collier Foundation, an affiliate of the Greater Naples Chamber that works to activate the potential of leaders to build a stronger Collier County through leadership programs, community education and resource building.
For more information about Youth Leadership Collier and the Leadership Collier Foundation, visit leadershipcollier.org. For more information about the Greater Naples Chamber, visit napleschamber.org.
About the Leadership Collier Foundation
The Leadership Collier Foundation (LCF), of the Greater Naples Chamber, educates local business leaders about the societal and economic challenges facing the community today through the programs and initiatives it governs: Leadership Collier, Associate Leadership Collier, Youth Leadership Collier, The Emerging Leadership Council and Campaign for Leadership. Through the work of the LCF Alumni Association, graduates continue to build alliances, foster goodwill and civic trusteeship that will strengthen Collier County. The foundation also leads the Chamber’s initiative for work-based learning opportunities for local business and students supporting talent development.
About the Greater Naples Chamber
The Greater Naples Chamber is a nonprofit organization of more than 1,000 active members that works to strengthen the local economy and promote the business community. The Chamber accomplishes this through public policy and business advocacy, leadership programs, executive business forums and sessions, and enhanced member benefits and services. The Chamber is dedicated to cultivating economic opportunities for all.