Advancement

Contributing Chargers

Shorecrest’s Mission is augmented by the generosity of our parents, grandparents, alumni and friends who support the school philanthropically or by effecting change locally, globally or right here at Shorecrest. We call these community members Contributing Chargers.

NOMINATE A VOLUNTEER By MARCH 24
3/20/2023
Jackie Spoto Bircher, 2022 Volunteer of the Year

Many wonderful people give their time, energy, and effort to Shorecrest each year. If you know of someone whose contributions have been outstanding, please NOMINATE that person for the Janet Root Volunteer of the Year Award.
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1923 Society Celebration

On February 10, 2023, nearly 120 members of the 1923 Society gathered together at the Morean Center for Clay for a centennial-themed event celebrating the impact of leadership level giving.

This annual event, recognizing donors who contribute $1,923+ to the Shorecrest Fund, featured remarks from Head of School, Nancy L. Spencer, where she revealed the six areas of focus of the new strategic plan set to debut later this year.

Attendees were also invited to participate in a new 1923 Society Celebration tradition – honoring the partnership, generosity, and commitment of a leadership donor family who shares a passion for the Shorecrest mission and has made the institution a philanthropic priority. This year the School honored the Root family for their nearly 50 years of generosity and commitment to Shorecrest’s mission.

Janet H'16 and Dr. Allen Root joined the community in the 1970's, when their two youngest children, Michael '85 and Jennifer '81, became Shorecrest students. Following in the footsteps of their father, the children all went into medicine. Michael was recently recognized as the 2019 Shorecrest Distinguished Alumni and currently resides in Ohio where he is a professor of Microbial Infection and Immunity at Ohio State College of Medicine. Jennifer attended medical school and completed her fellowship in the Northeast, later returning to her roots in Florida where she currently practices as a pediatric oncologist for Johns Hopkins All Children’s Cancer & Blood Disorders Institute.

In her remarks at the event, Head of School Nancy Spencer shared, “In every way that Janet was an advocate for Shorecrest, her husband, Dr. Allen Root, has been equally invested in making their shared dream for Shorecrest a reality. Their partnership has been an integral part of making the visual and performing arts co-curricular program what it is today."

Together in 2015, they established the Janet G. Root State of the Arts Endowment. More recently, Dr. Root has championed the creation of the Janet G. Root Award for Excellence in the Visual Arts and the Janet G. Root Circle to serve as a gathering and performance space.

The Root family’s nearly 50 years of philanthropic support leaves an indelible mark on Shorecrest’s history and future.

Dr. Allen Root shared a few words on behalf of his family before being presented with a special gift from Shorecrest—a Scholastic Arts awarded painting titled ‘Perception’ by Heidi Hicks ‘21 (pictured).

This year’s event was proudly sponsored by Harrington Air Conditioning.

The 1923 Society, named for the year of our School's founding, is made up of more than 150 donor families including parents, grandparents, alumni, business partners and friends. Their gifts to the Shorecrest Fund help support the School’s greatest needs and highest priorities by providing immediate resources for students, faculty, and programs. All Shorecrest Fund contributions are spent within the same school year they are given.

To learn more about our Giving Circles and Societies, please visit www.shorecrest.org/giving.

Shorecrest Community Sponsors

Shorecrest Preparatory School is grateful for the support from our community at large.

If your business is interested in joining our Community Sponsors for the 2023-2024 academic year, please contact Sarah Heibein, Senior Giving Specialist, Community Partnerships sheibein@ shorecrest.org or 727-456-7533.

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Advancement Office Team

List of 5 members.

Michael Gillis

Director of Advancement

727-456-7514

Bio
Michael Gillis, his wife Rosalind and their two daughters, moved from NYC to allow Michael to become the Director of Advancement in 2017. Following commencement from Choate Rosemary Hall, Michael spent a year studying at The Goethe Institute in Salzburg, Austria. He then earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociolinguistics and German from the University of Vermont, and a Fundraising School Certificate at the Lily School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Mr. Gillis spent the first portion of his career as a producer and director with companies including Fox Home Entertainment, Sony Studios, Columbia Tristar and GMG, Inc. In recent years, he has directed the major gifts program at North County School and a capital campaign for Manhattan Country School. The Gillises have two daughters at Shorecrest, Luna '26 and Sada '28.
Laina Bennett Coburn

Associate Director of Advancement for Shorecrest Fund & Giving Programs

727-522-2111 x 178

Bio
Laina Bennett Coburn is originally from Palm Harbor, and returned to the Tampa Bay Area after previously living in Minneapolis and Atlanta. She joined Shorecrest after working most recently as a fundraiser for The Atlanta Opera. Mrs. Coburn has experience working in non-profit arts organizations, broadcast media and database management. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Olaf College where she majored in music, management and media studies.
Sarah Heibein

Sr. Giving Specialist

Bio
Sarah brings over 15 years of experience in fundraising and event management to her role as Senior Giving Specialist, Community Partnerships in the Office of Advancement. Most recently, for the past six years she was a key member of Ronald McDonald House Charities Alberta, where connections to the community were fostered with a keen interest for corporate partnerships, major gifts and grant management. Sarah believes in a multi-faceted approach to creating a culture of philanthropy within any organization.

Mrs. Heibein holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Acadia University in Nova Scotia, Canada. Sarah and her family are newly minted residents of St. Petersburg, having moved from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She has had the opportunity to call many international locations home and cannot wait to begin a new chapter in Florida. Her two children are enrolled in The Experiential School and she is delighted to be both a new colleague and parent to the Shorecrest community.
Olivia Segalman

Associate Director of Advancement for Community Engagement & Events

Bio
Olivia Segalman joined the Shorecrest Advancement Office in the summer of 2019. A native of Baltimore, MD, she has lived in Tampa, FL, for the past nine years after attending the University of Tampa, where she earned her bachelor's degree in Advertising and Public Relations. She also holds a master's degree in Public Administration from the University of South Florida. Olivia came to Shorecrest from Tampa Preparatory School where she served as the Communications Coordinator.
Clark Sukaratana

Stewardship Specialist – Donor & Information Services

Bio
Clark Sukaratana came to Shorecrest as a recent graduate of the University of Georgia, where he earned his bachelor's degree in Finance and master's degree in Nonprofit Management and Leadership. His recent experience includes working with the Boys and Girls Club of Athens and UGA HEROs, and has spent his summers coaching soccer in his hometown of Hinesville, Georgia.