Johnette Isham

As Executive Director, Johnette brings her design thinking to the execution of Realize Bradenton’s cultural master plan and partnership development. Her experience spans multiple sectors—arts, design, education, non-profit, corporate, and municipal. With a deep belief that all is possible when you focus on the best in people, she specializes in working with others on transformations. After 18 years as Vice President at Ringling College of Art and Design, Johnette partnered with The Wellness Community to create a green facility for free cancer care using art, nature, and technology. Johnette recently presented her capacity building ideas at the UN Global Forum for Business as an Agent of World Benefit. She lives happily in a house full of art, surrounded by three males—her husband, father, and a Weimaraner.

For more on Johnette’s background,

Kevin Webb

Kevin’s path to Bradenton led from a suit and tie job in Ohio to the National Poetry Slam to the Village of the Arts in 2002. After researching artists’ communities, he found the Bradenton area to have the richest selection of cultural assets and greatest potential for growth. Kevin operates a gallery in the Village called Tenth Avenue West Studios, and recently served as President of the Artists Guild of Manatee. Active in the Realize Bradenton cultural planning process, he believes that creativity is a team venture and a strategic tool in building communities. At Realize Bradenton, Kevin works to promote people, events, and cultural organizations, with an emphasis on “buy local” from our community’s artists, businesses, and farmers.

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Laura McKeithen

Laura is a fifth generation Floridian. Active in the community, she raised her three children in Bradenton. In addition to her community service, Laura ran a successful small business for more than 20 years and brings years of experience in event planning and media relations to Realize Bradenton. She has worked with numerous non-profits, most recently as Community Relations Specialist with Family Resources. At Realize Bradenton, Laura connects and engages people to downtown’s arts, culture, and heritage, with a strong focus on families and youth. Laura has a strong passion for the arts, traveling, reading, the outdoors and Bradenton. She lives in the River District and can often be seen with her beautiful Golden Retriever Maggie on the Riverwalk or at the Farmers’ Market.

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Realize Bradenton Creative Fellows Program

Our fellows program builds the confidence and connections for the next generation of community leaders. A fellow is a recent college graduate who works on a variety of projects that inform and engage residents and visitors.

A Creative Fellow is:

> a leader and a follower
> highly motivated hopeful and helpful
> fluent with social media
> results-oriented and enjoys the mundane
   to the exhilarating.

Listed below are our current Creative Fellows.

Morgan Bettes

As Media Specialist, Morgan assists with electronic communications, event promotions, and assignments with donors, sponsors, and board members. She has a Marketing degree from University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and a concentration in graphic design. Morgan has a passion for non-profit organizations because she believes they are the true fabric of a community. Her professional experience includes working with Adopt a Family of Manatee and Season of Sculpture as a Graphic Design Consultant and Special Assistant to the Board of Directors. Morgan was recently named a 2012 Judith O'Connor scholar at the BoardSource Leadership Forum, a national conference focused on the impact of nonprofit boards and the unique role they play in advancing the public good with strong governing practices. In her off hours, she spends time with Mister, her 3-year old Goldendoodle, and Bailey, her Thoroughbred mare.

For more on Morgan’s background,
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Keren Swedberg

As the Volunteer 
Program Coordinator, Keren personally meets and matches volunteers with exciting and diverse opportunities to assist with the growth, stimulation, and development of our community. Her crew is known as the Downtown Ambassador team and this energetic group is rapidly growing under her enthusiastic direction. Specializing in event planning and volunteer coordination, Keren has managed the execution of domestic and international events from camp functions to student activities to concert series. She completed her degree in Business Administration at Bemidji State and moved to Florida shortly thereafter. She loves cruising on her 750 Kawasaki Vulcan Motorcycle and sailing with her crew from the Palmetto Yacht Club.

For more on Keren’s background,
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