22 Mar Member Spotlight: Cory Adler
Cory Adler’s experience includes decades of experience working for non-profit organization throughout the state of Florida, most recently in St. Petersburg and Pinellas County. Cory has successfully led many community organizations’ development efforts in successful long-term cultivation and fundraising efforts by building a robust donor base and creating and overseeing the implementation of a strategic approach to fundraising, which included major gifts, corporate donations, grant solicitation, and other resources.
Cory and her husband Lynn Leidersdorff moved to St. Petersburg 25 years ago to become the Public Affairs Director at the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce where she administered diverse programs in Government Relations, Public Relations, Transportation, Multi-cultural Diversity, Leadership and Environment; she served as staff liaison for chamber committees including Community Alliance, a multi-cultural diversity program Sign Ordinance Task Force, City Beautification, and Leadership St. Pete.
From staffing programs at the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, to interacting as a government liaison, to directing Habitat for Humanity, to raising funds and awareness of CASA (Community Action Stops Abuse) and Family Resources, to representing the Florida International Museum, the Palladium Theater, the Morean Arts Center, the 2020 Plan Taskforce, and back to CASA, her life skills have embraced the significance and economic impact non-profit organizations have on our society.
Cory is an energetic and enthusiastic team player while being comfortably self-motivated. In 2007 she was honored by the Tampa Bay Business Journal as the “Woman of the Year – Non-Profit Category” and, just this year, Cory was a finalist for the “Iconic Woman of the Year – Inspire Category” for the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce.
Cory has created new and innovative programs, extending from inception of an idea, through preparing and presenting persuasive business plans, to developing and implementing the programs and providing the ongoing support structure. She has extensive experience in budgeting, in financial monitoring, and in revenue generation through membership, grants, and corporate sponsorship. She has a background of both managerial and hands-on involvement in creating successful publicity and promotional and communications campaigns. She has exhibited a consistent knack for being able to identify, recruit, and hire exceptional staff, and for establishing highly productive and team-oriented work environments.
In her “Encore” career, Cory retired from fundraising and has contracted with non-profits and for-profit businesses to focus on team building and leadership. In addition, she is growing her officiant business, providing meaningful transitions during pivotal moments throughout the lifecycle.
Cory has been · Selected as a National Point of Light 2004 Women of the Year – Non-Profit – Tampa Bay Business Journal · Nominated for Volunteer of the Year – Alachua County · Awarded Volunteer of the Year – Corner Drug Store · Awarded Volunteer of the Year – Mental Health Services, Inc. · Awarded Helen K. Leslie Award – Business and Professional Women (BPW)/St. Petersburg-Pinellas
And been involved with numerous organizations as · Past President, Vice President, Membership Chair, Suncoast Tiger Bay, St. Petersburg · Former Chair, Coronation Ball, Suncoasters, Inc. · Past Board Member Association of Fundraising Professionals · President, 1st Vice President, Program Chair, Past President, BPW/St. Petersburg-Pinellas · Board Member, Chair, Women’s Council, Ambassador, Cultural Development Council, St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce · Board Member, Florida Public Relations Association · Board Member, Pinellas County Science Center Board of Directors