Home > About

About
Photo of Simone, her husband and their 6 children
Simone Knego

Though Simone Knego has had a varied career, she began her professional life as a Certified Public Accountant in 1995 working in Tyler, Texas. Simone holds both a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Accounting from the University of Florida. After she moved to Sarasota, Florida in 2000, Simone went back to school to become a teacher. Raising six kids, she was already managing her own classroom— she decided why not get paid for work that aligned with her own daily life? She worked as an Elementary and Exceptional Student Education teacher for three years, where she strove to create a safe and productive learning environment for all students. The job opened her eyes even further to the role schools can play in providing children with stability, especially those who may not experience the comfort of constancy at home.

She motivates others to impact the world the way they were created to!

Simone is passionate about being involved with philanthropy,
especially within the Jewish world.

Photo of Simone speaking at a conference of Jewish Federations

Jewish Federations focus on making the world a better place for all people, and through her volunteer work, she witnessed the difference that Jewish Federations can make locally and across the globe. Wanting to play a role in this important work, she became a board member of the Sarasota-Manatee Jewish Federation where she was the 2016 Doris Loevner Memorial Young Leadership Award winner and sits at their board.

Simone also served as the 2018-2019 Co-Chair of the Jewish Federations of North America’s National Young Leadership Cabinet.Simone’s work with the Jewish Federation helped her realize that she had the ability to inspire others to dedicate time and resources to projects, both personal and charitable, that can make a difference in people’s lives. Simone has shared this message with numerous audiences and, in doing so, has discovered her passion for public speaking.

Simone’s work with the Jewish Federation helped her realize that she had the ability to inspire others to dedicate time and resources to projects, both personal and charitable, that can make a difference in people’s lives. Simone has shared this message with numerous audiences and, in doing so, has discovered her passion for public speaking.

We tasked Simone with a challenge: engage our highest Federation donors – ranging in age from 30-somethings to seniors – in a speech that inspires collective giving to strengthen our philanthropic capacity. Drawing from her experience as a professional, community volunteer, international leader, as well as her personal reflections as a daughter, wife, mother, and friend, Simone delivered the perfect balance of realistic and aspirational, thought-provoking and heartfelt. We recommend her thoroughly and would welcome her back any time.

  • Leslie Glaze
  • Ph.D in Speech and Hearing Science, Community Volunteer and Board member of JFSA

Simone’s ability to connect - really connect - whether you are an audience of one or thousands - is unparalleled. She is not merely willing to share her journey, but thrilled to. Simone’s passion is contagious - how often do you meet someone who inspires you, energizes you, reassures you, teaches you and challenges you?

  • Jenna Corman Mandel
  • Associate Vice President of the National Women’s Philanthropy and Jewish Federations of North America
Want to meet Simone?

Let's get in Touch


Pin It on Pinterest