Real estate development in Southwest Florida is still mostly a man’s world, but Sandra Hesse, former managing partner of Quail West in Naples and the developer of several other communities, was a notably successful exception. Hesse, who chose her field after studying Asian art history, brought her creative spirit to her business challenges. She retired in 2005 following the sale of the Quail West development, and has since thrown herself into her community involvement. Sandra Hesse was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and as a result of corporate moves of both her father and former husband (in addition to three years during her husband’s service in the Army Security Agency), she has lived in many places (sometimes more than once) - Sioux City, Iowa; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Kirkwood, Missouri; Meridian, Mississippi; Kirkwood, Missouri; Hopkins, Minnesota; Omaha, Nebraska; Fort Dodge, Iowa; St. Cloud, Minnesota; Boston, Massachusetts; Saitozaiki, Kyushu, Japan; Mitchell, South Dakota; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and since 1988 - Naples, Florida.
She currently serves as the treasurer of the International Wine & Food Society, Naples Branch; is on the Board of Directors of Senior Care Communities and affiliates, a 501©(3) nonprofit corporation formed to foster and develop housing and services for the elderly, Minneapolis, Minnesota; and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Guadalupe Center of Immokalee, a privately funded non-sectarian initiative by individuals who care about children in need living at or near poverty the level in Collier County, Florida. The mission of the Guadalupe Center is to break the cycle of poverty by providing educational, social and other support programs and resources.