Shari Clark
Shari Clark is a dedicated community advocate and Resiliency Hub Manager at the Pine Manor Improvement Association in Fort Myers, Florida, where she has spent the past 15 years helping individuals and families access essential services. In her role, she provides hands-on support with everything from food stamp and unemployment applications to resume writing and job searches, while also operating a food pantry and diaper bank. Serving a diverse community, Shari approaches her work with compassion and practicality, focusing on removing barriers so people can meet their basic needs and move forward with dignity.
Her path into social services was anything but traditional. A U.S. Army veteran who served eight years as an ammunition specialist, Shari went on to build a career in warehouse operations, working with companies such as Coca-Cola and a Comcast contractor, as well as in merchandising and sales with Arizona Tea. After a period of unemployment, an opportunity to help a friend at a local food pantry became a turning point. What began as a 10-hour-a-week role assisting with benefit applications gradually grew into a full-time position, ultimately leading her to become the Resiliency Hub Manager.
Shari’s work is grounded in a deep personal commitment to helping others and giving back to her community. She describes herself as “a social worker of sorts,” driven by faith and a belief in serving those in need. Known for her patience, resourcefulness, and willingness to meet people where they are, she has earned recognition for her impact, including a frontline service award during the COVID-19 pandemic and community nominations for her leadership. For Shari, the work is more than a job—it is a calling to support others and make a meaningful difference every day.
• American InterContinental University- Associate's
• Goodwill Frontline Professional Award (Post-COVID)
• B103.9 Top 12 Women of the Year Award (2023)
• Citizen of the Year Nominee - Southwest Florida Inc. Chamber of Commerce for Estero
• Barbershop Chorus
• Church Bell Choir
• Church Singing Ministry
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my faith and my mom. My mom was a worker bee, and she instilled in me the power of work and to love God. She passed away almost 30 years ago, but the work ethic she taught me continues to drive everything I do. My faith keeps me grounded and motivated to serve others, following Matthew 25:35 - if you help the least of these, you help me. I've always been a helper, and this position allows me to live out those values every single day.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is to never quit. Just keep doing what you're doing. I've never really received formal career advice - I'm a bootstrap-type gal who's always run on my own band. I'm just a worker, and no matter what, I'm always working. A lot of people say they need to clone me, but I just keep pushing forward and doing what needs to be done.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Have a lot of compassion, understanding, and patience. It takes all three of these qualities to deal with different people in this field. When you're working in social services and helping diverse communities, you need to approach each person with empathy and give them the time and care they deserve. These aren't just nice-to-haves - they're essential skills for anyone wanting to make a real difference in people's lives.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field right now is finances. When you work for a small nonprofit, finances are always a challenge - trying to keep the doors open, keep me paid, and continue the mission. We're always trying to find funding to keep things going so we can continue to serve the community. It's a constant effort to secure the resources we need to maintain our services for the people who depend on us.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Respect is one of the most important values to me. My military background taught me discipline and how to show authority - being able to be authoritative but not pushy. I think that's why I've been able to work where I work for so long, because I deal with a very diverse community including Haitians, Hispanics, Black clientele, and white clientele. No matter what language they speak, especially when I get upset, I can get my point across really easily. People will say, 'Don't mess with Sherry when she gets mad,' but I'm able to put my foot down when I need to while being kind and caring all at the same time. It's about finding that balance between being firm and compassionate.