Best Lawyers in America 2025
Dunlap & Moran attorney Ryan A. Featherstone has been named to The Best Lawyers in America 2025 edition for his work in real estate law – Featherstone’s third consecutive year receiving the honor.
Born and raised in Sarasota, Featherstone’s practice spans residential and commercial real estate transaction. His career includes leadership roles with the Sarasota-Bradenton Attorney’s Real Estate Council and the Gulf Coast Mortgage Bankers Association.
A graduate of Pine View School and the University of Florida, Featherstone earned his Juris Doctor from Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles, completing his final semester at Stetson University College of Law.
New director of development
The Jazz Club of Sarasota has appointed Danielle La Senna as its first director of development as the organization builds on 45 years of presenting world class jazz in the region.
The position will focus on expanding the Jazz Club’s reach, building partnerships, and securing resources to sustain and grow its programs. La Senna earned a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from Indiana University and a master’s in arts education from Harvard Graduate School of Education.
La Senna began her career performing jazz, musical theater, and classical music in New York City, and was director of adult education at The Juilliard School for over a decade. Most recently, she was executive director of the Choral Artists of Sarasota.
Family Development Credential
Children First has announced that four employees have earned the National Family Development Credential awarded through the University of Connecticut.
The Family Development Credential, established in 1994, prepares frontline workers to coach families in setting and achieving goals for healthy self-reliance. Participants complete 90 hours of training, develop a portfolio demonstrating their skills, and pass a comprehensive exam.
Earning the credential are family advocates Elena Hawley, Laura Swift, Katiuska Reyes, and Mihaela Tessmer, along with Jasmine Tart of partner agency Step Up Suncoast. Portfolio advisers who supported the graduates include Bailee Faulkner, Elaine Bellamy, Syraida Maldonado, Jennifer Kinney, and Awilda Vasquez.
Around and about
· Child Protection Center capital campaign and grants manager Elizabeth K. Topp has been named a Certified Fund Raising Executive by CFRE International, joining more than 8,000 professionals around the world with the designation. The CFRE credential requires meeting a series of standards that include tenure, education, and fundraising achievement. CFRE has set standards for fundraising professionals since 1981.
· The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Leadership Sarasota with a Leadership Alumni Celebration on Oct. 9 at The Gator Club, 1490 Main St., in Sarasota. The event for Leadership Sarasota alumni includes music and a chance to win two round-trip Southwest Airlines tickets. Info: Pete Bartosik at pbartosik@sarasotachamber.com.
· DutchCrafters, a Sarasota-based retailer of Amish furniture, has been recognized for the fifth consecutive year on Furniture Today’s Beyond the Top 100 list. DutchCrafters has appeared on the list every year since 2021. The 2025 list includes DutchCrafters along with 38 other companies representing 77 stores across 23 states.
· Sarasota Memorial Health Care System was named one of America’s Best Physical Rehabilitation Centers by Newsweek, placing its Rehabilitation Pavilion among the top in the nation for inpatient rehabilitative care. The annual ranking highlights the top 320 inpatient physical rehabilitation facilities across the United States.
· The Florida Center for Early Childhood has earned COA Accreditation, a service of Social Current, recognizing the organization’s commitment to best practices in early childhood care and behavioral health services. Accreditation involved a thorough review of The Florida Center’s operations, including interviews with staff, clients, and board members.
Compiled from news releases
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Dunlap & Moran real estate attorney named to Best Lawyers in America 2025
Reporting by Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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