Supporter Spotlight: Elizabeth Moore

The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee campus takes great pride in its commitment to being a student-centered, community-engaged place of learning that empowers students to lead lives of impact.

And, for the past 26 years, the campus has showcased the success of its students and the symbiotic relationship it has with the community during a magnificent celebration known as Brunch on the Bay.

The event draws upwards of 800 people to campus who are eager to celebrate and support the success of USF Sarasota-Manatee campus students -and the impact that students ultimately make as professionals in the community-while enjoying exquisite cuisine prepared by some of the finest restaurants in the region. Brunch has generated more than $5.9 million in scholarships that have been awarded to more than 1,900 students, most of whom are from the Sarasota-Manatee region.

This year, the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus has the good fortune of having Elizabeth Moore serve as chair of the Brunch planning committee.

Elizabeth has clearly established herself as a prominent community leader in the Sarasota-Manatee region since moving to the Suncoast from Massachusetts 12 years ago and immerses herself in supporting a variety of important local and global causes. As a philanthropist and environmentalist, she serves on several local boards, including Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, the Lemur Conservation Foundation, WUSF Public Media and the Boys and Girls Club of Manatee County. She also has a special passion for the arts and culture and providing opportunities for others.

“I have attended Brunch on the Bay as a guest the past five years and loved it,” Moore said. “There’s a young, vibrant energy going on here. USF trains students to become outstanding professionals in our community and supports critical issues that impact our growth and future.”

Elizabeth said that she sees many ways in which USF students can contribute to the success of the region.

“I believe in the future of our community. We rely on having well-educated, highly skilled workers in many sectors-healthcare, business, government, non-profit organizations, you name it. So we need to continue to invest in our students, partner with USF on research projects, and build a stronger infrastructure.”

Elizabeth is well versed in empowering organizations to meet aspirational goals and has earned a reputation as a woman who is deeply committed to supporting conservation and philanthropic causes.

In January, she started a three-year term as president of the TREE Foundation, an international non-profit organization based in Sarasota dedicated to research, education and conservation. She also is an active supporter of Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium and helped the organization open the Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration in the Florida Keys in 2017. She also was instrumental in establishing the Marine Science Center at St. Stephen's Episcopal School in Bradenton, creating an 1,100-acre conservation easement, Triangle Ranch, near Myakka River State Park, and funding the Elizabeth Moore Lemur Forest Habitat in Myakka for the Lemur Conservation Foundation.

“We are honored to have Elizabeth serving as a chair of Brunch on the Bay,” said Karen Holbrook, regional chancellor of the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus. “She is a well-respected leader in our community and cares deeply about young people, education and helping organizations accomplish worthy missions that make the world a better place.”