Roger Capote is CAN Community Health’s senior vice president and chief communications officer.
As the country’s second largest HIV/AIDS healthcare organization, CAN has established that excellent healthcare starts with a foundation of inclusion, compassion and respect for all communities regardless of race, color, gender, creed, personal beliefs, national origin, age, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or the ability to pay.
Roger has been with CAN for almost five years and was hired as the chief advancement officer. He has since been promoted and has had his role expanded due to his executive acumen, contribution and ability, and is currently responsible for leading the communications, community engagement, marketing, social media, prevention and outreach departments.
Roger manages the strategic plan, personnel and leadership for each of these functions, while also serving as a consultant to the CEO and COO relative to public relations and affairs. His work promoting, memorializing and publicizing CAN’s 30 years in the fight against stigma and HIV treatment for all culminated this year in the development of CAN’s first Annual Report, the Strategic Executive Retreat and CAN’s attainment of numerous achievements.
They include being selected as one of the 2022 Best Nonprofits to Work For by The Non-Profit Times for the fourth time; recognition in the Gator100 by the University of Florida Alumni Association, which honors the world’s fastest-growing businesses led by UF alums; being named among the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s One Tampa Bay honorees receiving the Champion of Healthcare Award from the Manatee Chamber of Commerce.
Roger has more than 16 years of experience leading marketing and community engagement in the non-profit sector, with previous executive experience at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. He is the Chair-Elect for the Glasser-Schoenbaum Human Services Board of Trustees and was recently elected to the Safe Place Rape and Crisis Center’s Board of Directors. Roger further demonstrated his commitment to the community through his work with the Asolo Youth Board this year.
Lastly, Roger has served as both coach and mentor to youth in the LGBTQ+ community, ensuring that they have positive guidance and support as they navigate the difficulties they face in society. Roger’s leadership and his work with CAN, Asolo and SPARCC are all in complete devotion to the uplifting and advocacy of the community that he serves and is a member of.
He has proven to a be a wonderful executive and contributor here at CAN, a loyal family member and a community service disciple. I am proud to call him friend. Roger is truly remarkable and has earned this distinguished and honorable selection!
To view the full list of Watermark’s Remarkable People of 2022, click here.