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Community Cooperative CEO, Stefanie Ink Edwards Wins Community Impact Award

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Community Cooperative CEO, Stefanie Ink Edwards Wins Community Impact Award

FORT MYERS, Fla. (August 13, 2024) – Community Cooperative is thrilled to announce that their CEO, Stefanie Ink Edwards, has been honored with the prestigious ‘Community Impact Award’ from The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce. This esteemed recognition highlights Stefanie’s exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to addressing hunger and homelessness in southwest Florida.

Since graduating from the Lutgert College of Business at Florida Gulf Coast University and earning her master’s degree from the University of Florida, Stefanie has dedicated her career to making a positive impact in southwest Florida. Driven by a deep sense of purpose, she has devoted herself to enhancing the lives of vulnerable populations in the region.

Under Stefanie’s visionary leadership, Community Cooperative has continually advanced its mission to support those in need and effect lasting change within the community. Her tireless dedication has not only propelled the organization’s programs forward but has also inspired many others to contribute and engage.

The Community Impact Award honors exceptional leadership and the ability to mobilize resources to inspire action. Stefanie’s relentless efforts have been crucial in furthering the mission of Community Cooperative. “This award is a testament to the collective efforts of our incredible team and the generous support of our community,” says Stefanie Ink Edwards, CEO of Community Cooperative. “While we celebrate this achievement, our work is far from done. We remain steadfast in our commitment to ending hunger and homelessness in southwest Florida.”

Stefanie’s commitment to the community extends beyond Community Cooperative. She co-founded the South Florida Mud Run in early 2012, a distinctive fundraising event aimed at raising money for a worthy cause while promoting a healthy, family-friendly lifestyle. The Mud Run contributed 100 percent of its net proceeds to the Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida to support the construction of a new tower for the hospital. She has also been appointed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to a three-year term on the Florida Commission on Community Service, also known as Volunteer Florida.

Her exemplary contributions have included active roles in various organizations, such as the PACE Center for Girls Lee County, the American Cancer Society, Girls Going Places, the Lee County Continuum of Care Governing Board, the Lee Health Foundation, Fort Myers High School, Florida Gulf Coast University, Greater Fort Myers Chamber Women in Business, Leadership Lee County, the Lee County Planned Giving Council, IMAG Science and History Center, United Way of Lee County, and the Fort Myers Woman’s Community Club.

About The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce

The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce represents over 800 businesses, professionals, and individuals throughout Lee County. We provide opportunities for members to network with other businesses, participate in meaningful committee work, become better educated through various Chamber-sponsored programs, and communicate one-on-one with community leaders.

About Community Cooperative

Since 1984, Community Cooperative has worked to effectively eliminate hunger and homelessness in southwest Florida while simultaneously inspiring and supporting sustained positive change in its clients by delivering innovative food, education, and social service programs. With a dedicated team of volunteers, board of directors and staff, Community Cooperative stays committed to its core responsibility to collect and distribute resources through a strong and viable network of community partners. Community Cooperative is an exemplary steward of the resources entrusted to it and serves clients with compassion and integrity. Through collaboration and ongoing education, Community Cooperative supports and strengthens those whose lives have been affected by hunger and homelessness, ensuring that they have access to the resources necessary to transform their lives with dignity.

Media Contact: Aliyah Santana, Social Media & Marketing Coordinator, Aliyah@communitycooperative.com or call (239) 332-7687 ext. 105