Dr. Hemita Klose
Tell us about you and your business.
I was born in Harare, Zimbabwe, and raised in Lusaka, Zambia, before moving to the United States with my family in 2000. My passion for education led me to graduate high school at 16, earn a degree in Micro and Molecular Biology from the University of Central Florida at 20, and graduate in the top 5 of my class from the University of Florida College of Dentistry. Dentistry has been my passion for as long as I can remember. I’ve had the joy of practicing in Orlando and building a thriving private practice in New York City. Now, as the owner of Naples Dental Boutique, I feel truly blessed to serve this community. Our practice is about more than just teeth—it's about creating a welcoming space where you feel valued and cared for. We pride ourselves on combining compassionate care with cutting-edge technology, from same-day crowns to 3D printing, ensuring you receive the highest quality of dentistry in a comfortable environment.
Tell us about special initiatives you are working on.
One of the initiatives I’m most proud of is our upcoming Day of Service in partnership with Westshore OMS Specialists, Endodontic Specialists of Naples and Naples Periodontist. On November 14, 2025, we will be donating over $100,000 worth of dental care to disabled veterans, identified through the Wounded Veterans Relief Fund, and to reservists who are patients of record at our office. As a veteran family, this is deeply personal to us. We know firsthand the sacrifices service members and their families make, and it’s an honor to use our skills and resources to give back to them in a tangible way.
Steve Popper
Tell us about you and your business.
I am the Founder, President & CEO of Meals of Hope - the largest Food Pantry provider in Florida. We operate 14 weekly Food Pantries in Collier and Lee Counties giving food to approximately 4,000 families each week. We also have some of the only Baby Food Pantries in the US. In addition to our Food Pantries we have developed a line of dried fortified meals that are given to Food Banks across the country. These meals are packed by volunteers - giving them the opportunity to give back to their community. Since 2007 we have packed over 115,000,000 meals across the Country.
Looking ahead, what legacy do you hope to leave behind for future generations both within your family and community?
The legacy I hope to leave behind is knowing that our children are kind, loving and will make a difference in their community. After 18 years of running Meals of Hope, knowing that we will continue to give food to people who so desperately need help throughout SWFL and beyond.
What advice would you give others to make a difference in their communities or pursue leadership roles?
We have over 40,000 volunteers participate each year in our meal packing program. The advice I want to give is that everyone can give back some way to their community. By giving back, people learn that it can be fun and impactful. So get out there and volunteer. You will find that by helping others you are actually helping yourself by being able to contribute to your community.
Lane Beatty
Tell us about you and your business.
I grew up in the small town of Harbor Springs, Michigan where Sports activities played a large role in my life. Being raised by my father who worked nights, I started coordinating the neighborhood kids to meet at my house right after school. We would play neighborhood games or basketball, football or baseball until the 6:00 church bells rang and we knew it was time to go home for dinner. After graduating from Central Michigan University in 1983 and teaching physical education for 14 years, I noticed that the children were inside, sitting at tables during the after-school program where I was teaching. After observing this day after day as I was leaving work, I knew that I would be able to make after-school more fun and athletic by giving the children 2-3 choices of what they would like to do every 45 minutes, rather than putting them all in the same activity. Sports CLUB was born in the fall of 1999 with six children at two elementary schools. Today, we serve approximately 1,000 children per day in Collier County at both public schools and at our home base, The Sports CLUB Center located at 3275 Pine Ridge Road. I never dreamed that what I started doing after school in my childhood would turn into a profession that has been the most rewarding work of my life.
What advice would you give others to make a difference in their communities or pursue leadership roles?
I would say you will always miss 100% of the shots you never take. Find your talent and use it to make a difference for others. Giving back is the greatest reward you can give yourself - everyone has more to give of their time, talent or resources than they often realize.
Noemi Y. Perez
Tell us about you and your business.
Having grown up in Immokalee, it is one of my greatest honors to serve as President and CEO of The Immokalee Foundation—an organization that has been opening doors of opportunity for local youth since 1991. Our mission is simple but powerful: Building Pathways to Success by focusing on workforce development through education, career readiness, and professional growth.
In 2019 we launched our Career Pathways program, a data-driven initiative that aligns our students with high-demand, well-paying career fields right here in Southwest Florida. They are Healthcare, Engineering & Construction Management, Business Management & Entrepreneurship, and Education & Human Services.
Through this innovative after-school and summer education model, we prepare Immokalee’s youth for meaningful careers that lead to financial independence, while also addressing the evolving workforce needs of our region. It’s a win-win for our students and for Southwest Florida.
Looking ahead, what legacy do you hope to leave behind for future generations?
I hope to leave behind a legacy rooted in opportunity, service, and gratitude. My desire is to create a clear pathway to success for future generations, both within my family and throughout the community. I want them to flourish — not only by achieving their own dreams, but also by carrying forward the responsibility to come back and give back.
Whether through time, talent, or treasure, my vision is for them to help others in the same way opportunities were once given to them. By paying it forward, they will strengthen the foundation of our community, ensuring that every generation has the chance to rise, lead, and make a difference.
Gary Markel
Tell us about you and your business.
I was born in Richmond, Virginia, and have been fortunate to build a full and meaningful life. I’m married, with one son, and after a long career in the insurance industry and several other entrepreneurial pursuits, I now enjoy retirement here in Naples, Florida, where I live full-time. Naples is not only where I’ve chosen to build my home, but also where I’ve discovered a powerful sense of community and purpose.
While my business career gave me the tools and resources to succeed, what I’m most proud of today is the opportunity to give back. In 2011, my wife Denise and I founded Operation Healing Forces, with a mission to serve America’s wounded Special Operations Forces warriors, veterans, caregivers, and families of the fallen. We knew there was a critical need to provide support for these men and women who have sacrificed so much in defense of our nation, and OHF has since grown into a national nonprofit recognized for its life-changing programs.
I may be retired from the insurance world, but I’m far from retired from making a difference. Supporting our nation’s Quiet Professionals through OHF is both a responsibility and a privilege. Being able to do this work from Naples, surrounded by such a caring and generous community, is one of the greatest blessings of my life.
What is most important to you in life?
What matters most to me is being loved by my family and respected by my friends and peers. Beyond that, it’s vitally important to feel as though I am part of something greater than myself. Through Operation Healing Forces, I’ve been able to dedicate my time and resources to serving those who have sacrificed so much for our nation. For me, leaving a legacy of hope and healing for wounded Special Operations warriors and their families is a profound measure of a life well-lived.
At the end of the day, it’s not about personal accolades or material success - it’s about knowing that the work I’ve supported will continue to change lives long after I’m gone. If my contributions help a warrior reconnect with their family, give a caregiver strength to carry on, or prevent even one life from being lost to despair, then I can say with certainty that my life’s purpose has been fulfilled.
Steve DiMarco
Tell us about you and your business.
We are a Naples based full service, chauffeur transportation company. We 100% guarantee five star transportation service. With our new model, fleet of vehicles, including SUVs, Mercedes sprinters, mini coaches, and luxury buses. Located at 1030 Collier Center Way, Naples.
How long have you been in Naples? What brought you here?
I’ve been in Naples since 1999, back-and-forth to my Connecticut base company. Now have made Naples my home base for the past three years.
Looking ahead, what legacy do you hope to leave behind for future generations both within your family and community?
I want to be remembered for the love and values I passed on to my family and friends.
What advice would you give others to make a difference in their communities or pursue leadership roles?
Find a cause that matters, gather people who care, and get to work. Action beats intention every time.
How do you define success in your life?
As a cancer survivor, every day I wake up is a successful day.
Tell us about the charity/charities you support and why it’s important to you.
I support the Cancer Society because I’m a cancer survivor myself. Their work in research, awareness, and patient support is deeply personal to me, and I want to help others going through the same fight.
What motivates you?
My motivation comes from my faith in God and my love for my family.
Have there been any significant mentors or role models in your life? If so, who and how?
My father has been my biggest role model. He’s taught me hard work, perseverance, and how to stay calm in tough situations.
Katie Brennan
Tell us about you and your business.
School Lunch Matters is a 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated to addressing the nutritional needs of children in our local community. Our mission is to provide healthy breakfasts, lunches, and snacks, to children, ages 0-5, attending local daycare centers in Collier County who are unable to afford nutritious food options or suffer from food insecurity.
Our activities include operating a local commercial kitchen to prepare and deliver meals daily to these daycare centers. We collaborate with the State of Florida food reimbursement and program directors of local centers to implement and optimize the food program. We also engage in fundraising efforts and reach out to local donors to fund our initiatives. Additionally, we provide programs that further support and nurture habits for healthy eating.
Have there been any significant mentors or role models in your life? If so, who and how?
The very best mentors I had were my grandparents, I was fortunate enough to have both sets of grandparents into my late 20’s and 30’s and I was able to spend a lot of quality time with them. They each had their own unique personalities. However, what they all had in common was gratitude. I believe because they all grew up in the Depression Era, this instilled a strong sense of gratitude for everything they acquired through life. They taught me most about my faith, family, and having gratitude which in turn leads to giving back to the community and to others.
If a genie offered you one wish to grant, what would it be and why?
I would like to see the food insecurity rate in Collier County reach zero. Once that milestone is achieved, our next goal would be to replicate this nonprofit model and establish additional chapters in other counties. I believe a local, community-focused approach is the most effective and efficient path to achieving this objective.