Barbara Zdravecky, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida is our Wonder Woman today.

Barbara grew up in a small town outside of Pittsburgh, PA with her two siblings, Janet and Stephen. Daughter to Marge and Larry, Barbara was the first person in her family to go to college, graduating from the University of Pennsylvania. Not wanting to spend another winter in PA she headed south to Manatee County.

Barbara became a social worker at Manatee Glenns, doing rape crisis and crisis intervention work and as her background was in psychiatric nursing she was contracted to do all the screenings for Baker Acts and drug detox cases, graduating to Head Nurse of Psychiatrics.

Needing a break, she moved to Key West. Now Barbara’s idea of a break and ours may be a little different…While in Key West, Barbara helped start the First Hospice Program in Key West, primarily caring for those affected HIV/AIDS.

For more than 20 years Barbara has served as the President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southwest Florida and in July of 2015, she completed the merger of the Planned Parenthood affiliates in Sarasota, Naples, and Orlando – creating Planned Parenthood of South West and Central Florida. Barbara currently oversees a staff of 176 at the affiliate’s 12 health centers and manages a budget of $16 million as she works to help women and families obtain affordable, high-quality reproductive healthcare. Collectively 39,000 patients will be served for over 61,000 visits annually.

Barbara has led this organization with energy, enthusiasm, tenacity, drive, and passion and will be found in the halls of Washington and Tallahassee pushing for equitable and affordable healthcare access for women and children.

Barbara’s civic life is just as full as her professional life. She continues to be involved in an impressive array of local, regional, state and national organizations, including the Manatee Center for Women’s Health Advisory Committee, The Junior League of Manatee County Community Advisory Board, The Manatee County Library Association Community Advisory Board, Manatee Community Council for Children Executive Board, The Downtown Center for Children Executive Board, Manatee County Chamber Board and League of Women Voters, Manatee. Barbara was also on the founding board of the Women’s Resource Center of Manatee.

Statewide, Barbara is just as committed and her involvement includes the League of Women Voters, Florida Commission on the Status of Women, Florida House, International Suncoast Women’s Forum, Leadership Florida, Class XVII, serving as a member of the Board of Directors, Calusa Regional Chair, Statewide Selection Committee Chair and Statewide Recruitment Committee Chair, Fund for the Future and ACEC – National CEO Council, Vice Chair.

Barbara has been recognized for her professional and civic leadership with the AAUW Women of Achievement Award in 2009, the National Council for Jewish Women – Recipient for “Women of Power” award in 2005 and the PPFA Ruth Green CEO of the Year Award in 2006.

A 30 year resident of Anna Maria Island, Barbara loves to read and cook, walk the beach, do Pilates and yoga. Barbra’s incredible compassion and loving heart make her the most precious of friends and of course, most importantly, an amazing and proud mother to her daughter Maggie.