Brown named a Florida Trend 500 honoree
The leader of a Cape Coral nonprofit has been recognized for his work, being named as one of the top statewide executives in the Sunshine State.
David Brown, president and co-founder of Family Initiative, was recently dubbed a 2026 Florida 500 honoree by Florida Trend, a statewide business publication.
The annual recognition recognizes 500 of the most influential executives across Florida’s major industries, highlighting leaders whose impact reaches beyond their organizations and into the communities they serve.
“It felt incredibly humbling,” Brown said. “This recognition belongs to our team and to the families who trust us with their children. Hopefully is a testament to what’s possible when organizations put families voices first.”
Established in 2015, Family Initiative is a nonprofit organization based in Cape Coral, dedicated to supporting children, teens and young adults impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) through innovative programs and evidence-based therapies. Its team of clinicians serves children through a compassionate, personalized approach using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Occupational Therapy (OT).
Family Initiative also offers autism play groups, teen meetups, parent education and community conversations, empowering individuals and families across Southwest Florida.
For Family Initiative, officials said Brown’s recognition reflects leadership rooted in compassion, innovation and putting families first, last and always.
Family Initiative officials said Brown’s steadfast commitment to families impacted by ASD is the center of his hands-on approach to shape a culture in which it is nothing short of inclusivity, high standards and kindhearted care.
When asked what the honor means both professionally and personally, Brown said, “Professionally, hopefully this honor elevates the families we serve on one of Florida’s largest stages. Personally, it reminds me why I chose this work in the beginning, it’s about creating positive change for others. I share it with our amazing team and Board of Directors who put their hearts and souls into our mission.”
Working to help children, teens, young adults and their families with ASD is the heart of Family Initiative. It provides ABA and OT, and early intervention screenings to receive care and resources, as well as community-based social skills programs open to families across Southwest Florida.
Family Initiative provides individualized education through its private school for children on the autism spectrum, Thrive Academy, and personalized information to parents and caregivers for achieving milestones at home and navigating the child welfare system.
Brown said his ability to listen and surrounding himself with the right team is what makes him successful.
“I listen first,” he said. “My background as a social worker taught me that families know their children better than anyone, so I try to build every program around what they tell us they need. I also surround myself with people who are better than me at what they do, and then I get out of their way. We have incredibly talented professionals who are exceptional in their roles, I am proud to serve alongside them.”
Brown added that what makes the recognition meaningful is the opportunity to bring greater attention to creating a more inclusive community for children with autism to discover their strengths and their families to feel understood.
“It’s what Family Initiative dedicates itself to and our greatest measure of success will always be the difference we make in a family’s life,” he said. “What I love most is seeing a child do something their family once thought might never happen, whether that’s saying a first word, making a friend or walking into school with confidence. Those moments are my rocket fuel. Every family we meet reminds me how much work is still left to do, and I want Family Initiative to be the place families can count on when they need help most.”
In addition to autism services, Family Initiative provides training and support for child welfare caregivers through its Family Impact Program.
For more information, visit fi-florida.org.
Family Initiative is at 734 SW 4th St., Cape Coral.
Florida Trend’s Fortune 500 list for 2026 may be found at floridatrend500.com.
To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com