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The Hessel Family Foundation Appoints Sharri Cagle as Executive Director

CLEARWATER, Fla., June 25, 2026— The Hessel Family Foundation has announced the appointment of Sharri Cagle as its new Executive Director. A seasoned non-profit leader with more than 20 years of experience in community advocacy, Cagle will oversee the foundation’s diverse mission to support individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), veterans, and families facing pediatric cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

Cagle joins the Hessel Family Foundation following a successful tenure at the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation (NPCF) and a lifetime of grassroots advocacy. Her deep-rooted connection to the Tampa Bay community and her proven track record of humanizing charitable initiatives make her uniquely qualified to lead the foundation into its next chapter of growth.

“Our mission is driven by the heart, and finding a leader who understands how to genuinely connect and impact the community is a game-changer,” said Robert Hessel, Co-Founder of the Hessel Family Foundation. “Sharri’s hands-on philosophy, paired with her extensive background in building empathy-led programs, will be invaluable as we expand our outreach and deepen our support for veterans and families in need.”

Cagle’s journey in the non-profit sector spans over two decades, sparked initially by her involvement in local PTAs and advocacy for her then foster children. Her path took a defining turn when her son, Colin, then a fifth grader, inspired a neighborhood lemonade stand that raised $60,000 in a single month for a peer’s heart transplant which also involved a Change for Kindness drive as well as a Kind Carnival. That pivotal campaign blossomed into the creation of Keys to Kindness and its flagship summer program, Kind Camp. What began as a trial camp for 14 children has grown exponentially, serving 315 campers last year alone and fostering lifelong friendships built on teamwork, manners, and conflict resolution.

As Executive Director, Cagle will bridge the synergies between the Hessel Family Foundation and these established community programs, maintaining a robust, multi-faceted focus on the foundation’s core pillars.

“Funding is vital, but giving people hands-on opportunities to experience the impact they are making is what truly changes the world,” said Sharri Cagle, Executive Director of the Hessel Family Foundation. “When you give intentionally, you receive something priceless in return. I am honored to step into this role with the Hessel Family Foundation, where we are given the space to do things right, ensure every touchpoint is meaningful, and create lasting change.”

Cagle’s immediate roadmap includes major milestone campaigns and strategic community events designed to maximize engagement and return-donor stewardship such as Kind Camp’s 10th Anniversary. This summer, Kind Camp celebrates its “Big 10” promotion, featuring a video retrospective from former campers; many of whom are now eligible for college scholarships and an interactive campaign focusing on “10 acts of kindness.” The curriculum will also weave into the national America 250 celebration, focusing on the theme: “Choose your freedom to be kind.”

Planned for late autumn, the foundation will host a heavily themed Roaring ’20s gala. Conceived in collaboration with Senior Vice President of Global Professional Services of Source 1 Solutions, Don Bily, the event aims to move away from the traditional, rigid gala format to focus on authentic community connection. The immersive evening will feature a unique Roaring ’20s fashion show showcasing local children, ensuring a memorable first impression that directly drives the foundation’s fundraising mission.

Under Cagle’s leadership, the Hessel Family Foundation is turning intentional kindness into measurable action. Her vision positions the foundation not just as a beacon of community support, but as a driving force for the families, veterans, and children who need it most.

About the Hessel Family Foundation

The Hessel Family Foundation is a Clearwater-based non-profit organization dedicated to fostering community-driven solutions and providing critical support to veterans, individuals with autism, and families navigating pediatric cancer and life-threatening diseases. Through strategic partnerships, corporate philanthropy, and hands-on community programming, the foundation seeks to empower vulnerable populations and inspire a culture of intentional kindness.