People with Purpose: Kyla Weiner

When Kyla Weiner was growing up, her mother was always involved — whether it was with the PTA or the local soup kitchen — and Weiner was always with her. As a teenager, Weiner volunteered at the nursing home where her mother worked and at the hospital where her grandmother worked. Years later, not much has changed. Here, Weiner, 33, shares her thoughts on why getting involved is important for the next generation.
 

My involvement with philanthropy in Sarasota began almost 10 years ago when I moved here from New York City for my boyfriend, now husband, Dave. I was an assistant buyer for Victoria’s Secret and my degree is in fashion merchandising management from Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), so there weren’t any jobs here related to that. I ended up getting a job as a marketing specialist at Suntrust Bank. Working for a bank was never in the plan, but after meeting Margaret Callihan and Veronica Brady, I knew I had to work for them. They were such strong, positive female role models who really do it all.

Because of that job, I had a giant snapshot of what was available in terms of volunteering and getting involved with a nonprofit organization. I was able to find my passion pretty quickly.
I’ve served a few different boards, including ALSO Out Youth, Florida Public Relations Association, Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida and the Junior League of Sarasota. In addition to serving on committees for those organizations, I’ve volunteered on committees for Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida, Children First, Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, Animal Rescue Coalition and The Ringling, chairing around 10 events with those organizations.

After having Amara (her daughter, pictured), what I care about the most is centered on what is good for her. I still serve on a few committees and when people need my help on something, I’ll see what I can do, but my only board level commitments now are with Amara’s school, Temple Beth Sholom Schools, and Planned Parenthood.

I’m passionate about these two organizations because for one, I want to be extremely involved in my daughter’s education and to make sure she’s getting every opportunity to learn and be challenged. I watch the amazing teachers and administrators at Temple Beth Sholom Schools and I’m inspired to give more of my time and help them give the kids an incredible education. My involvement with Planned Parenthood can be summed in up the fact that it’s a woman’s basic right to have control over her body. I want to be sure that right is always available for all women, and it’s so much more important to me now that I have a daughter.

It’s important for me to be involved in these organizations because I can really make a difference. They listen to my ideas and let me run with them. I feel like everything I do for them has a direct impact, and that’s powerful. It’s so refreshing when organizations empower their boards and volunteers and are not afraid of change.