The Press Club of Southwest Florida welcomed two influential voices to its November Newsmakers Luncheon, Dave Lougee, former President and CEO of TEGNA, and Maria Jimenez-Lara, CEO of the Naples Children Foundation (NCF), for a wide-ranging conversation that underscored both the disruption transforming modern media and the profound impact of philanthropy on the region’s most vulnerable children.
Dave Lougee: A Candid Look at Broadcasting’s Transformation
Lougee spoke at the luncheon in an off-the-record session, a request made due to the pending Nexstar–TEGNA merger and the ongoing regulatory approval process. This approach enabled honest, open discussion about the forces transforming the broadcasting industry, not political games or corporate drama. However, Lougee did speak on the record about how future journalists can position themselves for success.
Lougee says the changing nature of content creation itself should be the focus of journalists. In an era where individuals can film, edit, publish, and distribute their own material, Lougee observed that “people who can create their own content don’t need anybody else to help them, video, audio.” Yet Lougee remained hopeful, particularly for the next generation of journalists. He spoke about the emerging prototype of the modern reporter: One who can uncover complex stories, harness data, and apply analytical rigor. “Someone who can dig stuff up, figure out how, be a great data-driven journalist,” he said, describing the future of impactful journalism.
On artificial intelligence, Lougee was pragmatic and urgent. “AI is a great opportunity for young people at large. In the next two to three years, the window shuts. Be ahead of your peers. Understand how to master AI for good means. It’s going to be powerful.” His message was clear: The industry is changing, but so too are the tools, and with them, new opportunities for those willing to adapt.
Maria Jiminez-Lara: Transforming Lives Through Collective Impact
Maria Jimenez-Lara delivered an inspiring, data-rich presentation highlighting the extraordinary work of the Naples Children’s Foundation (NCF), the founding organization of the renowned Naples Winter Wine Festival.
Jimenez-Lara shared both the remarkable achievements and the ongoing needs facing children across Collier County. Since its inception, NCF has invested more than $336 million into nearly 90 of the region’s most effective nonprofit organizations, funding collaborative programs that improve outcomes in education, health, mental wellness, and basic needs.
Jimenez-Lara also used the occasion to announce a rebranding of the Naples Children and Education Foundation, now known as Naples Children Foundation.
Today, NCF stands as the single-largest source of funding for children’s social services in Collier County, a position achieved not through isolated giving, but through strategic partnerships and communitywide collaboration. Despite this success, Jimenez-Lara emphasized that the work is far from finished. Many children still face barriers that limit opportunity, stability, and long-term success. Her message was both hopeful and cautionary: Progress has been profound, but the need for sustained commitment remains urgent.
A Luncheon of Insight and Purpose
From the disruption of legacy media to the transformative power of philanthropy, the November Newsmakers Luncheon offered attendees a compelling snapshot of two forces shaping Southwest Florida’s future: How information is created and how communities care for their most vulnerable.
It was a reminder that change, while inevitable, also presents opportunity, whether in redefining journalism for the digital era or continuing the mission to ensure every child in Collier County has the chance to thrive.
SAVE THE DATES: Mark your calendar for upcoming press club events on Dec. 16, Jan. 14, Feb. 10, March 12, April 9, and May 14.
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