Fort Myers Beach Chamber head leads complicated Ian recovery

Over her eight years as president of the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce, Jacki Liszak has endured one challenge after another. 2017’s Hurricane Irma. Major red tide outbreaks. The pandemic. And, of course, 2022’s Hurricane Ian, which completely devastated the town on Estero Island.

Her job for almost a decade has been one part business booster, one part tourism promoter and one part community cheerleader. It’s required perseverance, adaptability, and a desire to keep advocating for the barrier island Liszak calls home. Even after her own residence and the boutique hotel she owned suffered major damage from Ian.