The Pops Orchestra’s Chief Administrative Officer, Melissa Warthen, Selected as Member of Sarasota Chamber’s 2027 Adult Leadership Sarasota Program

The Pops Orchestra’s Chief Administrative Officer, Melissa Warthen, Selected as Member of Sarasota Chamber’s 2027 Adult Leadership Sarasota Program

SARASOTA, Fla. (July 28, 2026) – Leadership Sarasota, a program of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, is excited to welcome the Leadership Class of 2027 — a diverse and dynamic group of professionals committed to making a lasting impact in our region.

The Pops Orchestra of Bradenton and Sarasota is proud to announce that Melissa Warthen, Chief Administrative Officer, has been selected to join this year’s class, representing a strong commitment to leadership, community engagement, and professional excellence. Since joining The Pops less than one year ago, Warthen has helped transform the organization’s administrative operations, bringing greater structure, efficiency, and momentum to its continued growth.

Warthen brings more than two decades of experience in higher education leadership, nonprofit administration, event management, and community engagement. Before joining The Pops, she held several leadership roles at State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, where she supported donor communications, marketing strategy, community partnerships, and philanthropic growth. She previously spent more than a decade at the University of Pittsburgh directing student programs and overseeing campus-wide initiatives serving more than 8,000 students.

Chosen through a competitive selection process, members of the 2027 Leadership Class have demonstrated exceptional achievement and a strong dedication to community development, innovation and civic leadership. The class features professionals from across industries, each bringing unique experience and insight to help shape Sarasota’s future.

“We are excited to welcome these exceptional individuals to the 2027 Leadership Class,” said Heather Kasten, President & CEO of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, a 2014 graduate of Leadership Sarasota and 2023 graduate of Leadership Florida. “Their dedication, diverse expertise, and passion for community betterment make us confident they will play a pivotal role in shaping Sarasota’s future.”

“Melissa has made an extraordinary impact on The Pops in a remarkably short time,” said Dr. Robyn Bell, Managing and Artistic Director of The Pops Orchestra. “Her ability to create stronger systems, bring people together, and turn ideas into action has positioned our organization for continued growth (plus, she played saxophone in middle school!) We are proud to see her leadership recognized through this opportunity.”

Participation in Leadership Sarasota offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to gain deeper insight into local issues, build lasting relationships with fellow leaders, and strengthen the skills needed to drive positive change across the region.

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