| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Simone Chassin Lutgert |
| Date of Birth | January 12, 1952 (unverified, public directory listing) |
| Age | 74 years old (as of 2026) |
| Place of Birth | Pensacola, Florida, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Philanthropist, Civic Leader, Former Sales and Advertising Executive |
| Famous For | Leadership in Naples philanthropy, Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples, Naples Winter Wine Festival, mother of artist Lana Gomez |
| Marital Status | Married to Scott Lutgert since November 2003 |
| Children | Seven children in a blended family, including daughter Lana Gomez (publicly confirmed) |
| Estimated Net Worth | Not publicly verified |
Simone Lutgert Gomez first came into local prominence in Naples, Florida, through her tireless commitment to community causes and philanthropic endeavors. While her name often surfaces in online searches alongside her daughter, artist Lana Gomez, and comedian Sebastian Maniscalco, Simone’s personal achievements in fundraising and civic leadership stand as her own. Known for her role in raising significant funds for the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples and her ongoing contributions to the Naples Winter Wine Festival, she has built a reputation as a dedicated volunteer and organizer. Her story intertwines professional skill, family influence, and a deep sense of community responsibility, creating a life both private and publicly impactful.
Early Life and Family
Simone was born and raised in Pensacola, Florida, where she developed an early sense of family values and work ethic. Her formative years in the Gulf Coast region provided a foundation for both her career and later philanthropic work. After completing her primary and secondary education locally, she pursued higher education at Memphis State University, graduating with a degree that enabled her to enter the professional world with confidence. During her early adult years, Simone worked as a sales and advertising executive in Memphis, a role that honed her organizational skills and prepared her for leadership in public initiatives. These early experiences laid the groundwork for the skill set she would later bring to Naples’ civic and philanthropic landscape.
Career and Civic Engagement
After relocating to Naples with her family in 1996, Simone transitioned from corporate work to community service. She became actively involved in various charitable organizations, focusing on children’s causes, arts, and family services. Her early involvement included initiatives such as the Hats in the Garden fundraiser at the Naples Botanical Garden and programs supporting The Shelter for Abused Women & Children, demonstrating a commitment to broad community impact. In 2004, she took on a formal role as Auction Day co-chair for the Naples Winter Wine Festival, an experience that led to subsequent positions as marketing and creative director for the 2005 and 2007 festivals. Her combination of strategic planning, event management, and donor engagement proved instrumental in elevating these community fundraising efforts.
Simone’s most significant contribution came through her involvement with the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples. Around 2005, she joined the museum’s board, taking on responsibilities that included fundraising leadership for a multi-million-dollar capital campaign. By 2010, she had played a key role in raising approximately $20 million toward a $25 million goal, securing donations and coordinating public outreach efforts. Her work contributed directly to the museum’s successful opening in March 2012, which attracted thousands of visitors and established a permanent institution for educational and cultural enrichment in Naples. In 2019, she helped reimagine the museum’s annual fundraiser into the Night at the Museum event, increasing attendance and donations to roughly $1.5 million, highlighting her continued influence in local philanthropic circles.
Marriage and Family Life
Simone married Scott Lutgert in November 2003, joining families to form a blended household of seven children, three sons-in-law, and eight grandchildren as reported in 2015. The Lutgert family is prominent in Naples, with Scott serving as chairman of The Lutgert Companies, a long-standing real estate enterprise known for shaping Naples’ residential and commercial developments. Simone’s role as a matriarch and community figure is intertwined with her family life, particularly as the mother of Lana Gomez, a visual artist who has received local and national recognition. The family maintains a relatively private personal life, and Simone’s influence extends both through her direct philanthropic work and through supporting her family’s public and creative endeavors.
Her connections to the arts and entertainment world are reinforced by public appearances, such as the 2023 Chicago premiere of About My Father, where Simone, Scott, Lana Gomez, and Sebastian Maniscalco were photographed together. These moments underscore her role as a supportive parent and civic figure, bridging family, philanthropy, and community recognition. Additional family connections include Heather Dockweiler, who, along with Simone, was honored as a mother-daughter duo for the Women of Initiative program in 2021.
Philanthropy and Recognition
Simone Lutgert’s philanthropic work spans multiple decades and causes. She has been recognized for her leadership in fundraising campaigns for the Golisano Children’s Museum, as well as for her contributions to the Naples Winter Wine Festival and related children’s programs. Gulfshore Life highlighted her as part of its 2010 “Men & Women of the Year” list, recognizing her dedication to the capital campaign that brought CMON to life. Naples Daily News further acknowledged her efforts in 2015 by naming her among the “25 over 50,” spotlighting her impact on local arts, healthcare, and family-focused initiatives. While specific personal wealth is not publicly documented, her civic influence is measurable through the institutions she has helped fund and sustain, including campaigns generating tens of millions of dollars for local cultural and educational projects.
Her strategy in philanthropy combines professional event planning with hands-on community engagement. Simone’s leadership ensured that the CMON capital campaign not only reached its financial targets but also fostered public enthusiasm and support. The Night at the Museum fundraiser, redesigned under her guidance in 2019, reflects her understanding of audience engagement and donor motivation. Through these efforts, she has solidified a legacy of commitment to children’s education, the arts, and community cohesion.
Current Involvement
As of 2026, Simone holds the status of Board Emeritus at the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples, maintaining an ongoing advisory role while allowing new leadership to take operational control. She continues to support the Naples Winter Wine Festival, including serving as a 2025 Auction Lot Committee Member, demonstrating her enduring involvement in high-profile philanthropic events. Reports and photographic coverage indicate that she remains present at significant Naples community functions, combining visibility with hands-on support for ongoing charitable programs. While maintaining a degree of privacy in her personal life, she remains a respected figure among Naples civic leaders and philanthropists.
Lesser-Known Facts
Beyond her prominent fundraising achievements, Simone has shared personal insights in public interviews. She once indicated that, had she chosen an alternate career path, she might have pursued interior design, reflecting her creative interests. In questionnaires published in Gulfshore Life, she described her enthusiasm for fashion and footwear, revealing a lighter personal side. Additionally, she has credited her parents with instilling a strong sense of values and work ethic, shaping both her professional and philanthropic approaches. In fundraising, Simone has often emphasized the importance of imagination and engagement, encouraging donors to connect with causes in meaningful and personal ways. These dimensions add texture to her biography, illustrating the blend of professional acumen, family dedication, and personal charm that defines her public image.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Simone Lutgert Gomez?
Simone Lutgert Gomez, more accurately known as Simone Chassin Lutgert, is a philanthropist and civic leader based in Naples, Florida. She is recognized for her work with the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples and the Naples Winter Wine Festival. Additionally, she is the mother of artist Lana Gomez and is associated with public appearances alongside Sebastian Maniscalco through family connections.
What is her relationship with Lana Gomez?
Lana Gomez is Simone Lutgert’s daughter, a fact confirmed in multiple Gulfshore Life articles. Simone has been publicly connected to Lana through philanthropy events and family appearances, including the 2023 Chicago premiere of About My Father. Their mother-daughter relationship has also been highlighted in local civic awards and recognition programs.
Who is Simone Lutgert’s husband?
Simone has been married to Scott Lutgert since November 2003. Scott Lutgert is chairman of The Lutgert Companies, a prominent real estate development firm in Naples. Together, they maintain a blended family and have appeared publicly supporting civic and philanthropic events in the Naples area.
What is Simone Lutgert Gomez known for in Naples?
She is best known for her philanthropic leadership, particularly in raising funds for the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples and her involvement in the Naples Winter Wine Festival. Her work spans multiple community initiatives, including children’s programs, arts fundraising, and healthcare support. Simone has received local recognition for her efforts through publications such as Gulfshore Life and Naples Daily News.
What is her current involvement in philanthropy?
As of 2026, Simone Lutgert holds a Board Emeritus position at the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples and continues to participate in fundraising activities, including her 2025 role on the Naples Winter Wine Festival Auction Lot Committee. She remains active in community events and continues to support children’s educational and cultural programs in Naples.
Conclusion
Simone Lutgert Gomez represents a blend of civic dedication, family involvement, and strategic leadership in philanthropy. Her contributions to Naples’ cultural and educational institutions have left lasting impacts, particularly through the Golisano Children’s Museum and the Naples Winter Wine Festival. While her personal life maintains a degree of privacy, her public achievements and commitment to community welfare stand as tangible markers of influence.
Her work demonstrates how professional skills from earlier careers can be effectively translated into philanthropic leadership. By applying her experience in sales and advertising to fundraising and event organization, Simone has enabled the creation of institutions that enrich countless lives. Her influence extends beyond dollars raised, touching the social and cultural fabric of the Naples community.
Looking ahead, Simone’s ongoing advisory roles and participation in philanthropic events suggest a continued presence in shaping community projects. Her story offers insight into how civic-minded leadership, family engagement, and strategic initiative can converge to leave a meaningful legacy, inspiring both current and future generations of philanthropists and civic leaders.
