Mike Bennett Presented with 2025 "but for" Leadership Florida Award

Leadership Florida Presents Mike Bennett with 2025 "but for" Leadership Award

When Mark Wilson (Cornerstone Class 26), CEO, The Florida Chamber of Commerce, gave a presentation at the 2016 Leadership Florida Annual Meeting that included data on the fiscal benefit cliffs, Ashley Brown, CEO, The Women's Resource Center and a member of Cornerstone Class 31 took notice. This was an issue impacting their clients and an example of a systemic barrier many women and families in Florida face. Ashley knew she needed to take a collaborative approach and reached out to former Florida Senator Mike Bennett, Cornerstone Class 36.

When Mike learned about the issue, he jumped into action. He reached out to legislators locally and across the state including Representative Will Robinson Jr., Cornerstone Class 29 and former Representative Vance Aloupis, Connect Class 4. He encouraged them to put forward legislation to address this issue for Florida families.

Through bipartisan collaboration, in 2022, the Florida Legislature passed the Economic Self-Sufficiency Bill, a bipartisan bill expanding childcare subsidies and providing women with a pathway to build financial security without losing critical support.

Mike Bennett served as a member of the Florida Senate from 2002 to 2012 as well as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2001 to 2002. Later, Mike Bennett served as Manatee County Supervisor of Elections until 2024.

We are so excited to celebrate alongside Mike Bennett as he is honored with the 2025 “but for” Leadership Florida Award.