Interim president named at Sarasota nonprofit

An interim president has been appointed to lead Sarasota-based Tidewell Foundation after the former President Debbie Mason stepped down a month ago. 

Delesa Hinkle Morris, who was hired in July 2022, has assumed the position. The announcement was made official Dec. 14.  
 
Morris brings over 20 years of experience within the health care and nonprofit sectors to the role. She was previously the executive director of philanthropy at Cleveland Clinic Martin Health Foundation in Stuart, a position she held for five years.  
 
“I am pleased to be selected to serve at the Tidewell Foundation at a time of growth and opportunity,” Morris says in a press release. “We are building strong donor commitment and community partnerships. It’s exciting to lead in the mission of brightening the lives of patients, families and residents of communities served by Tidewell Hospice and I look forward to making an even greater impact as we expand exceptional programs and services offered to patients.”
 
At this time, a spokesperson for the foundation says they are not conducting a search for the role. 

“We are so very fortunate to have someone with Delesa’s experience in health care philanthropy alongside her commitment to creating a caring culture among colleagues,” Jonathan Fleece, Empath Health president and Tidewell Hospice CEO, says. “Donors can remain assured of Tidewell Foundation’s never-ending commitment to supporting hospice care complemented by Empath’s growing new services in our region, including home health, palliative care, and elder care.”
 
The nonprofit provides philanthropic support to Tidewell Hospice, an Empath Health member organization, as well as other Empath Health companies.