The Kids Are Alright

Student-led nonprofit group LEAD Estero empowers peers

By Cheryl Mandell

A remarkable youth-driven organization has taken root and flourished here in Estero. Over the past four years, student-led nonprofit LEAD Estero has created opportunities for peers, fostered leadership skills, and raised funds for scholarships and educational programs in Southwest Florida.

 

A Vision for Students, by Students

LEAD Estero was established in May 2022 by brothers Jeffrey and Matthew Stevens, students at Estero High School who were inspired to make a difference in their community by creating opportunities for their classmates and future generations of students. While helping students was the ultimate outcome, the original plan for the organization was slightly different.

“My family and I were on a long drive, and we were talking about getting more involved in the community,” said Jeffrey, Estero High School class of 2024. “The idea started as helping less fortunate children and then kind of transformed into focusing more on Estero itself. We wanted to offer scholarship money and give kids opportunities to volunteer in the community so they could get involved, too.”

Jean and Michael Stevens, the parents of Jeffrey and Matthew, are no strangers to philanthropy. They have supported the Breaking Par golf and gala fundraiser since its inception in the Grandezza community in 2013. As an avid tennis player, Michael has also been involved with Madisen’s Match since its beginning 16 years ago, raising money for Golisano Children’s Hospital.

“Jeffrey and Matthew watched their dad support nonprofits in our area for many years,” said Jean. “So, I think they saw it, and it led them to have that kind of spirit.”

Jeffrey currently attends the University of Florida, but he still manages to lend a hand when he can. Matthew is LEAD Estero’s current co-president, along with Gianna Del Negro. Graduation is imminent, but there is always room for a new member to take the place of a graduating senior.

In their joint leadership role, Matthew and Del Negro help spread the word about LEAD Estero and research the needs of students in scholarship capacities, in addition to the considerable work that goes into LEAD Estero’s largest fundraising event, Breaking Par for Education.

Students involved with the organization gain first-hand experience in nonprofit management, event planning, fundraising and community engagement — skills that are valuable for college, careers and lifelong civic participation.

“As someone who has a passion for helping others, I was inspired to join LEAD Estero because this organization not only enables me to give back to my community, but it allows me to help my fellow students and peers,” said Del Negro. “Having grown up and lived in Estero my entire life, I am so grateful that LEAD Estero provides me the opportunity to give back to a community that has enriched me in so many ways.”

One of the organization’s goals is to help members gain experience in their prospective careers.

“Most of these kids are aspiring to go to college,” said Michael Stevens. “So, if someone in the group wants to be an attorney, for example, we will try to get them some experience in that field, to see if it’s something they truly want to pursue.”

Members have shadowed at local hospitals, and one member met with a judge in Orlando, sitting in on a week-long trial. Opportunities are currently being explored to provide a piloting experience for a member who is interested in aviation.

 

Making an Impact

 

The members of LEAD Estero are the backbone of the organization. These young leaders take on roles that mirror the responsibilities of established nonprofit boards and committees. They strategize, plan events, canvas, manage partnerships and mobilize volunteers.

One of the organization’s primary goals is to provide financial support to graduating Estero High School students pursuing higher education. Through its fundraising efforts, LEAD Estero awards scholarships each year. In 2024 and 2025, LEAD Estero provided scholarships totaling nearly $70,000 through the Collaboratory, a Southwest Florida community foundation.

Working with Engage Estero, LEAD Estero also established a $25,000 endowment fund at Florida Gulf Coast University, which provides scholarship awards in perpetuity — ensuring long-term support for Estero students. The endowment has grown significantly, thanks to the organization’s fundraising success.

In previous years, LEAD Estero developed and hosted leadership camps in partnership with FGCU’s Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship. These week-long programs gave students experiential learning opportunities where they tackled real business challenges, refined their leadership skills, and presented their ideas in Shark Tank-style pitches. Winners received scholarships, and participants gained confidence and vital entrepreneurial experience.

Beyond scholarships, LEAD Estero has collaborated with local organizations including Rotary Club of Estero to put on events such as Light Up Estero and more recently, the Rotary Car Show at Coconut Point. The group donates time and funds to causes such as childhood obesity prevention and support for children with speech disorders. LEAD Estero students have volunteered at the Harry Chapin Food Bank and HOPEN pickleball tournament and have made donations to programs like Happen 365 and the Walk for Apraxia.

After Hurricane Ian swept through Southwest Florida, the members of LEAD Estero stepped up. In November 2022, LEAD volunteers partnered with Engage Estero in hurricane relief efforts in the ravaged West Broadway area of Estero.

 

Breaking Par for Education

Former Engage Estero board member and longtime education advocate Jim Shields has been a driving force for the group, providing mentorship and guidance. The Stevens family connected with Shields after LEAD Estero was formed in 2022, and a new, exciting partnership emerged. The result was Breaking Par for Education, with LEAD Estero and Engage Estero working in conjunction with Grandezza as the host of this two-day fundraising event.

“I was very impressed with what I learned LEAD Estero was doing to give back to our community,” said Shields. “I took a bit of a risk in 2023 and invited LEAD Estero to plan and execute Breaking Par. What can happen to a well-attended charity when handed to high school students to fully plan and execute? Well, in its first three years, the LEAD Estero students have averaged net proceeds at an amazing 26% increase than all previous years.”

Breaking Par for Education is the signature fundraising event that is at the heart of LEAD Estero’s success.

This annual fundraiser brings together community members, local businesses and supporters throughout the area. Proceeds from the event directly fund LEAD Estero’s educational initiatives.

There are two themes for the 2026 Breaking Par for Education, which will be held on Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22, at the Club at Grandezza. The Saturday golf outing is a shotgun scramble tournament celebrating the semiquincentennial of the United States; guests are encouraged to wear red, white and blue to show their patriotism. The gala on day two is Hawaiian luau-themed, and guests will enjoy spirited costumes and participation from LEAD Estero members, along with dinner and cocktails, live and silent auctions, raffles and recognition speeches. This year’s guest of honor is Shields.

A tremendous amount of work is put into Breaking Par, from canvassing for sponsors months in advance, to pre-event preparations in the weeks leading up to the event, and the myriad “day-of” details that are both seen and unseen.

“After all the people have left the gala and the kids are helping clean up, seeing the kids all together, as a parent and LEAD mentor, you get this overwhelming rush of gratitude,” said Jean Stevens. “We are just so proud of the work they’ve done.”

To learn more about this exciting and meaningful fundraising initiative, visit leadestero.com.

 

A Growing Movement

 

If you look at the LEAD Estero logo, it is a silhouette of the original seven members of the group. The silhouette serves as a reminder that so much can be accomplished when a team works together.

What lies ahead for LEAD? “As I think about the future beyond my graduation, I’m not worried,” said Matthew. “We have a lot of mentors that will guide us where we’re going.”

Amy Kuchenbecker has spent years promoting local education initiatives through Junior Achievement, the former Education Outreach Council of Engage Estero, and now mentoring the members of LEAD Estero.

“My fondest memories over the past few years have been watching the members grow, advance and become very poised as they advance through the ‘ranks’ of the group,” said Kuchenbecker. “Working with this special group of young adults has kept me a bit younger, given me lots of laughs, and confirmed that they enjoy working with us ‘old folks’ and do listen to our advice.”

LEAD Estero stands as an inspiring example of what motivated young people can achieve when given the platform to lead. Its model empowers students to make tangible contributions to their community, while also gaining critical leadership experience. With each year, the organization’s impact grows — through scholarships awarded, programs developed, and community relationships strengthened.

“These students of LEAD Estero are to be highly commended for their accomplishments,” said Shields. “My hope is that LEAD Estero’s mission of ‘students helping students’ continues to grow and forever flourish.”

As LEAD Estero continues to expand its reach, the group remains a testament to the power of student initiative — transforming ideas into action and, in the process, breaking new ground for future leaders in Estero and beyond.