Meet the Marco Leadership Class of 2026: Part 2

The Leadership Marco program began its 23rd class year late last month, hosting a series of workshops that run through November to teach local leaders and business owners about Marco Island and its community.

Run by the Marco Island Area Chamber of Commerce, this year’s 12-person class will participate in a series of full-day workshops hosted by local businesses, media outlets, teachers, first responders, and more. The aim of the program is to inform participants about the area and foster strong community leadership.

The program has run continuously since 2001, with class sizes ranging from 10-14 people. Those interested in future classes are encouraged to contact Marco Island Area Chamber Program and Event Manager Donna Niemczyk at 239-250-3381 or at donna@marcoislandchamber.org.

Last week, six members of the class were featured. This week will showcase the remaining members participating in the Class of 2026.

Ryan Welker is an associate attorney with Woodward, Pires & Lombardo and has been practicing in Florida since 2023, having first begun working in law in Ohio starting in 2011. Welker specializes in estate planning, state and trust administration, guardianship, and long-term care planning.

Having been born and raised in a large Midwestern city, Welker said that one of his favorite things about Marco Island is that the community supports itself, and he felt that there is a genuine sense of pride among the people who come to the island—whether to live, work, visit, or contribute in other ways. He added that seeing the burrowing owls was also a highlight.

“Marco Island is a truly unique place, and for me, that uniqueness includes everything from the joy of spotting burrowing owls to seeing gopher tortoises in their natural habitat,” said Welker.

He explained that the reason he wanted to participate in Leadership Marco was to learn more about the island and its history, and that leadership, to him, means being willing to help others move toward meaningful goals.

“Every matter presents its own unique facts, challenges, and opportunities, and I am always ready to work toward a thoughtful solution. I view the past as an important data point, but not as a limitation; sometimes the right solution simply has not been discovered yet. One of the reasons I enjoy practicing law is that, even after 15 years in the legal profession, I continue to encounter situations that are unlike any I have handled before. No two clients are the same, and I take pride in being flexible, creative, and responsive to the uniqueness of each client’s circumstances.”

Trevor Allen is another associate attorney from Woodward, Pires & Lombardo, focusing on real estate and corporate law. Allen said that he’s been coming to the Southwest Florida area for as long as he can remember, and that it’s always been a second home well before he got involved in working on the island full time.

Allen said he wished to take part in Marco Island to learn more of its history and the broader community, along with connecting with other professionals invested in the future growth of the area. He added that he felt the sense of community on Marco Island was one of its greatest strengths, alongside its natural beauty.

Allen also said that, to him, leadership means being dependable, setting a strong example, and creating opportunities for others to succeed.

Kara Sajdak is the managing partner of the Marco Island branch of The Dorcey Law Firm, with a focus on estate planning and asset protection. Sajdak first moved to the island in 2005, and after living on Marco for two decades, she said that the area is still an extraordinary place to live ーand that’s one of her favorite aspects of it.

“When you live here every day, it's easy to forget just how extraordinary this place is. And what’s better are the people ー from year-round residents and seasonal neighbors to visitors from around the world. Despite our different backgrounds, we are all connected by this little slice of paradise,” Sajdak said.

Sajdak said she decided to get involved in Leadership Marco after hearing many positive testimonies about the program. 

“This program will not only help me grow as a professional and strengthen my practice, but also provide the opportunity to become a more engaged and effective leader who can make a meaningful, lasting impact on our community,” said Sajdak.

Sajdak said that, to her, leadership means building and empowering the right team for the task at hand, as no one achieves success alone, and that fostering a collective vision is critical to achieving one’s goal.

Shawna Smilgius works as a broker associate for RE/MAX Alliance Group, selling real estate in the Marco Island and South Naples area. For years, Smilgius owned her own brokerage in the Chicago area before moving to Southwest Florida full-time.

Since coming to Marco Island, she said that she’s come to deeply care about the community and wishes to strive to make meaningful contributions to its longevity and success.

“I genuinely care about being part of this community for the long term. I’m ambitious and driven professionally, but success to me isn’t only measured by what I accomplish in my career. I want to contribute, build meaningful relationships, and leave the community a little better because I was part of it,” said Smilgius.

She added that what has remained her favorite aspect of Marco Island since moving to the area, like other participants in the program, has been the sense of community.

“I love the combination of natural beauty and community that Marco Island offers. The water, wildlife, beaches and sunsets are extraordinary, but what makes Marco special is that despite being a world-class destination, it still has the feeling of a community where people know one another and genuinely care about the island.”

Smilgius said she wished to take part in Leadership Marco to learn more about that community, along with the businesses and issues that shape the island, and to develop relationships with those who care about its future.

To her, she said leadership is less about titles and more about responsibility ー showing up and listening and following through when something needs to be done. The best leaders don’t know all the answers but surround themselves with good people who can figure things out, Smilgius said.

Michael Rojek runs Rojek REALTORS® with his wife, Barbara Rojek, an estate team which he said is ranked in the top 20 in South Florida. Rojek is also deeply involved in other organizations around the island, serving as the IT Administrator for the United Church of Marco Island, handling Sunday livestreaming, volunteering in electronics at the Bargain Basket thrift shop, and DJing for local charity events, the Women's Newcomers Club, and condo parties.

He said that, since moving to the island, he’s fallen in love with the sense of community, which made him and his wife feel welcomed at a time that they knew next to no one in the area.

“Marco Island brings together people from all walks of life and corners of the world, yet retains a warm, small-town heart. Whether coming together for local events, cheering on youth sports, or just helping a neighbor, the diverse and welcoming spirit of the people here is what makes this place truly special,” said Rojek.

“I want people to know that everything I do comes from a genuine love for this island and its people who welcomed us with open arms when we first moved here and knew absolutely nobody,” he added. “My goal is always the same: to connect, give back, and serve. I believe in showing up for our community in every way possible, and I’m always ready to lend a hand.”

Rojek said that, with interacting with so many people around the island, he joined Leadership Marco to gain a deeper understanding of the civic and economic dynamics that keep the island thriving, along with connecting and sharing ideas with other business leaders.

He explained that his vision of leadership means showing up where it counts, whether through volunteering or directly supporting sports and other programming in the area.

“True leadership builds a stronger foundation for the next generation to thrive.”

Jennifer Abreu has worked for Publix in the pharmacy for 16 years and currently serves as the digital sales and marketing associate at the Bargain Basket. Abreu said that one of her favorite things about her current position is making connections with those from across the island. 

She joined Leadership Marco due to her desire to learn more about the island and the local businesses in the area. 

According to Abreu, her vision of leadership is to show the same commitment, integrity, and accountability that you expect from others.