Leadership change announced at Sarasota charitable foundation

After accomplishing what she set out to do at Sarasota-based Tidewell Foundation, President Debbie Mason is stepping down.  

The nonprofit provides philanthropic support to Tidewell Hospice, an Empath Health member organization, as well as other Empath Health companies. 

Delesa Hinkle Morris, a more than 15-year professional in the health care and higher education nonprofit sector, was hired to take over as interim leader as of Dec. 1, following a national search that concluded in August. She brings in over 15 years of experience.

“I’ve accomplished what I committed to do to establish the Tidewell Foundation in support of Tidewell Hospice,” Mason says in a release. “Working with a fabulous staff and board, we built an effective, strategic organization focused on brightening the lives of patients and families served by Tidewell.”

The president of Empath Health, and president and CEO of Tidewell Hospice, Jonathan Fleece made the announcement Nov. 2.

“Under Debbie’s leadership and supported by the Tidewell Foundation Board of Directors and a solid team of philanthropy professionals, the Tidewell Foundation has significantly grown its revenue, gained new donors and expanded crucial community partnerships,” Fleece says. “We thank Debbie for her leadership over the last three years.”