Tom Waters, longtime local philanthropy leader and president and CEO of Easterseals Southwest Florida, has extensive work experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, and community partnerships. Waters leads one of Southwest Florida’s oldest and most successful nonprofits serving children, teens, and adults with developmental disabilities. He recently added comprehensive autism services with over thirty community collaborators, leveraging the power of partnership and positive impact regionally and across the state.
As chief advancement officer at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, Waters led the organization’s 2020 vision and strategic plan. He was responsible for surpassing initial fundraising goals and executing the successful beginnings of a $50 million comprehensive fundraising effort.
Throughout his noteworthy career, Waters has held leadership positions at several nonprofits, including Mile High United Way in Denver, Colorado, and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. In his twelve years as vice president of philanthropy at the Community Foundation of Sarasota, he led a team whose fundraising efforts helped grow assets to over $200 million, with another $200+ million in future commitments.
Waters is a third-generation Sarasota “snowbird” and has been a permanent resident of Florida for the past twenty-five years. He carries on a family legacy of community engagement and commitment to serving others.
