FSU Alumni Association

The Inspire Award for FSU Women of Distinction

The Inspire Award recognizes alumnae who have distinguished themselves as leaders within their industry and whose hard work and determination serve as an inspiration to current students and young alumni at Florida State University.

Nominations and applications for the 2025 Inspire Award will open Fall 2024.


 

Please join us in congratulating our 2024 Inspire Award honorees!

 

Michael Saunders Headshot

Michael Saunders

(B.S. ’64)

College of Education, Health and Human Sciences
Sarasota, Florida

Michael Saunders is the founder and CEO of Michael Saunders & Company, an independent real estate brokerage with principal offices in Sarasota, Florida. Established in 1976, Saunders has overseen her firm’s growth from a single office into a network of 17 full-service offices. Today, with more than 600 agents and 150 staff members spanning the Gulf Coast region, Michael Saunders & Company is known as the luxury leader in Southwest Florida. Recognized among the top 15% of real estate firms in the U.S. by Real Trends 500, the company was ranked No. 77 in sales volume nationally in 2023. Saunders also serves on the board of directors and global advisory board for Leading Real Estate Companies of the World and its luxury arm, Luxury Portfolio International. Saunders earned a B.S. in social science education at FSU and is a past board member of The Ringling Museum of Art Foundation Board of Directors.
Leticia Stropes Headshot

Leticia “Tish” (Garcia) Stropes

(B.A. ’95, B.S.’95)

College of Social Sciences and Public Policy
 

Tish Stropes is the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives for the Fisher House Foundation. Stropes spearheads the foundations’ engagement with worldwide sporting competitions for service members and veterans. She also leads programs that help military families stay connected to loved ones undergoing medical treatment. Additionally, Tish develops and sustains long-term partnerships with supporting organizations. She has spoken internationally about the importance of families in the continued recovery of wounded, injured and ill service members and veterans. Stropes is a Presidential Leadership Scholar and currently serves on the Boot Campaign Board and FSU’s Division of Student Affairs Council. Previous experiences include working for the White House and Department of State and teaching at Department of Defense schools in Japan. Stropes graduated from FSU with political science and international affairs degrees and went on to earn an M.S. in educational leadership. She currently resides in the greater Washington, D.C., area with her husband.

Nomination Information

Requirements:
  • A woman who has “shattered the glass ceiling” in her career, demonstrated success in her profession, risen “in the ranks” in her field or created her own exceptional opportunity.
  • A woman who has proven to be a mentor to others or served as a volunteer or mentor in her profession
  • A woman who has given of her time, talents and treasure back to FSU, served on her college board or other FSU board, demonstrated philanthropy to FSU or volunteered to speak to classes or mentor students
  • A woman who is a leader in her community, served on community boards or promoted/ inspired others during her career
A complete nomination includes:
  • Nomination form: Please provide accurate and current information for the nominee and the nominator.
  • Narrative Responses: Please answer our five (5) short narrative responses (1,000 words or less) about why you feel this individual should be considered for this award.
Nominations:

Nominees must be placed in formal nomination each year with a completed online nomination form. Nominations can be made by anyone. Nominations will be solicited through the Florida State University Alumni Association’s newsletters, social media and alumni chapters and networks. All nominations must be received by the Alumni Association upon the designated due date each year.

Important Dates:
  • November 22, 2024 - Nominations open
  • February 9, 2025 - Nominations close
  • Late January-February - Verification and review process
  • Spring/Summer 2025 - Honorees are notified
  • Fall 2025 - Honorees are recognized during Homecoming

Process: A committee appointed by the Alumni Association National Board of Directors selects the recipient of the Inspire Award. Each year’s recipient is notified upon approval of the Engagement Committee in Spring 2024. If a nominee is not selected in a particular year, she may be re-nominated in succeeding years.

Self-nominations will not be considered.

Florida State University Alumni Association reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to determine the final list.


Previous Recipients of the Inspire Award

2016 Inspire Recipients

Wendy Clark (B.A. ’91)
Maura Hayes (B.S. ’82)
Nancy McKay (B.S. ’78)
Nada Usina (B.S. ’93, M.S. ’94)

2017 Inspire Recipients

Stacie Bene Harris Cox (B.S. ’02, J.D. ’05)
Melanie Shoemaker Griffin (B.S. ’02, J.D. ’05)
Susan Ann MacManus (B.A. ’68, Ph.D. ’75)
Judy A. Schmeling (B.S. ’82)

2018 Inspire Recipients

Dr. Loretta Jackson Brown (B.S.N. ’87)
Julie Dunn Eichenberg (B.S. ’94)
Joy Lynn Fields (B.S. ’86)

2019 Inspire Recipients

Naomie Baptiste (B.S. ’06)
Anne Hamilton (B.S. ’79)
Heather Pinder Rodriguez (B.A. ’95, B.S. ’95, J.D. ’98)
Jennifer N. Hanson (B.S. ’01)

2020 Inspire Recipients

Cecelia Bonifay (B.A. ’71, M.S. ’76, J.D. ’85)
Marion Hargett (B.S. ’93)
J’Tia Hart Ph.D. (B.S. ’02)
Nan Casper Hillis (B.S. ’76)

2022 Inspire Recipients

Linda Alexionok (B.S. ’77)
Lisa Brock (B.S. ’80)
Melissa Van Dyke (B.S. ’90)
Karen Walker (B.S. ’87, M.S. ‘88)

2023 Inspire Recipients

Alison Curdt (B.A. '05, B.S. '05)
Dena Jalbert (MBA '10)
Jennifer Engel (A.A. '97)