Five FISH of Sanibel-Captiva Leaders Named Finalists for the 2026 ENPY Awards
The islands' human-services agency places five of its own in the running for Lee County's nonprofit honors - including a lifetime-achievement nod for its president and CEO and an executive-director nomination for the leader who rebuilt FISH after Hurricane Ian. Winners are named Dec. 9 in Fort Myers.
SANIBEL - FISH of Sanibel-Captiva, the islands' human-services organization, has five leaders nominated for the 2026 ENPY Awards, the Santiva Chronicle reported - the annual honors for Lee County's nonprofit community, with this year's ceremony set for Wednesday, Dec. 9, at the DoubleTree by Hilton at Bell Tower in Fort Myers.
President and CEO Maggi Feiner is a Lifetime Achievement nominee after two decades leading FISH - service she provides without compensation, the Chronicle reported. Executive Director Maria Espinoza is nominated for Executive Director of the Year, credited with transforming the organization in Hurricane Ian's aftermath, including the food-security and disaster-relief work behind FISH's Resiliency Hub. Board Vice Chair Bill Hayles and board member Leah Winkler are both nominated for Volunteer Leadership - Hayles for chairing the Building Committee through facility and infrastructure projects, Winkler for leading the JOG N JAM fundraiser to record participation and fundraising. Senior Services Director Erika Arnowitz is nominated for Nonprofit Program Director of the Year for programs including Meals-by-FISH home-delivered meals, Friendly Faces luncheons, reassurance calls, medical-equipment loans and senior food backpacks.
"These five leaders represent the very heart of our mission," Board Chair Susan Ryckman said in the announcement. FISH - the name stands for Food Programs, Island-Based Education, Senior Services and Helping Hands - approaches 45 years of "neighbors helping neighbors" in 2027. Island residents who need help, or who want to volunteer, can reach FISH at fishofsancap.org or 239-472-4775.
