Dr. Lou Traina

Dr. Lou Traina is Symboliq Wealth Management’s Senior Philanthropic Director. Lou holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Seton Hall University, and a Doctor of Education Degree from renowned Columbia University. Some of Columbia’s notable graduates include Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes, J.D. Salinger, FDR, Theodore Roosevelt, Warren Buffet, Alexander Hamilton, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and others.

Lou has served in public and private nonprofit enterprises in southwest Florida for more than 30 years and is well known throughout the philanthropic community as a preeminent expert in his field. He specializes in assisting clients with major gifts, capital campaigns, and executive coaching solutions. He achieves this by connecting the individual donors’ personal values with charitable causes, thereby helping the individual donor make informed and educated decisions with their charitable dollar.

Among his many accomplishments, Lou secured the naming rights of Hodges University, the Suncoast Credit Union Arena, Kenneth Oscar Johnson School of Business, Jerry & Arlene Nichols School of Professional Studies, John W. Fisher School of Technology, Francis Pew Hayes Center for Lifelong Learning, George H. Gaynor Campus Building, and the Lavern Norris Gaynor President’s Chair.
His knowledge, experience, and leadership expertise allow a deep understanding of philanthropy from the donor perspective, and the importance of finding the real need for giving and the joy of philanthropy.
Lou’s career has also spanned many decades in higher education. He is an advocate for the advancement of leadership education and has an extensive background in teaching leadership doctoral classes and chairing doctoral committees for Nova Southeastern University. He has held positions of Advancement Vice President, Foundation Executive Director, and Campus Top Executive. He has also led several capital and major gift campaigns that have included Florida Southwestern State College, Hodges University, Healthcare Network, and the Diocese of Venice.

In March of 2019, the Board of Trustees of Florida Southwestern State College acknowledged Lou with the highest respect and admiration given by presenting him with the lifetime Emeritus title -having retired but allowed to retain their title as honor. This was the first Emeritus honor to be awarded to a Vice President in the 60-year history of the college.

On National Philanthropy Day in 2013, Dr. Traina was recognized as the “Outstanding Fundraising Executive of the Year” by Collier Lee Chapter Association of Fundraising Professionals. This prestigious award is only given to an “outstanding individual fundraising professional, who works for a nonprofit or charitable organization” (AFP Global).

In his spare time, Lou enjoys playing golf, exercising, and non-competitive mixed martial arts.