Greater Naples Chamber names Sen. Kathleen Passidomo 2026 ‘Friend of Collier Business’
The Greater Naples Chamber presented state Sen. Kathleen Passidomo with the 2026 Friend of Collier Business Award during Wake Up Naples on Wednesday, Sept. 30. Presented by friend and former state Sen. Garrett Richter, the award recognizes Passidomo’s longstanding service to Collier County and Southwest Florida.
“Kathleen Passidomo has been a steadfast leader and advocate for our community for decades, and her impact extends far beyond her years of service in the Florida Legislature,” said Kristina Park, president and CEO of the Greater Naples Chamber. “She has led with integrity, a clear sense of purpose and genuine desire to strengthen our region and state. Her ability to bring people together has set an example for many, and she continues to be an inspiration to the next generation of leaders. We are proud to recognize her as a true friend of Collier County’s business community.”
Passidomo has served in the Florida Legislature for 16 years, beginning with her election to the Florida House in 2010 and continuing with her election to the Florida Senate in 2016. She concludes her legislative service this year due to term limits after holding several Senate leadership positions, including majority leader, chair of the Senate Rules Committee and Senate president.
“If you look up ‘Friend of Collier Business’ in the dictionary, there’s a picture of Kathleen Passidomo,” said Richter, regional president of Sunflower Bank. “Her years of public service on behalf of Southwest Florida has made a lasting impact. This recognition is incredibly well deserved, and we are grateful for all she has done for Collier County.”
Passidomo reflected on her career in public service during the Wake Up Naples conversation. She provided attendees with perspective on the 2026 legislative session and discussed several policy initiatives she championed during her time in office. Among them were the Live Local Act, focused on expanding attainable housing options for Florida’s workforce, and Live Healthy, which focused on increasing access to health care, strengthening Florida’s health care workforce and encouraging innovation.
“Serving Collier County and Southwest Florida has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” said Passidomo. “I’ve had the privilege of representing a community that means so much to me and working alongside people who care deeply about its future. I am grateful for the trust, support and friendships that shaped my time in the Florida Legislature, and I look forward to continuing to find meaningful ways to give back to the community I am proud to call home.”
The Chamber’s Friend of Collier Business Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to Collier County through leadership, public service and support for a strong and thriving business community. Past recipients have included Gov. Ron DeSantis and former County Manager Leo Ochs.