Christine Jennings

Christine Jennings has a varied background involving finance, politics, and community service. Her 40-year career in banking culminated in a 14-year stint as the Founder, President, CEO, and Chairperson of the Board for the highly successful Sarasota Bank.

Christine retired from banking in 2004 and that year, and again in 2008, was a candidate for the U.S. Congress. Her incentive to enter politics was to help improve the lives of people throughout the west coast of Florida.

In 2009 Christine accepted the challenge of turning around the financially struggling Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. With her guidance and efforts, the Troupe was able to reach their dreams of acquiring a permanent performance space and garnering widespread community support.

Since Christine moved to Sarasota in 1984, she has been a leader in many community organizations, such as the Florida West Coast Symphony, the Foundation Board of Florida State University, Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, American Cancer Society, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and All Faiths Food Bank, to name a few. She served as president of The John and Mable Ringling Museum Board of Trustees, Sarasota Film Festival, Sarasota Ballet of Florida, Mental Health Organization, and the Downtown Association of Sarasota. Currently, Chris is a member of the Foundation Board of New College.

Christine’s leadership in community service was recognized in 1997 when she became the Outstanding Volunteer for the National Society of Fundraising Executives. In 2010 Christine won the Arts Leadership Award, presented by the Sarasota County Arts Council, for her significant contributions to the arts and cultural life in this area.