CO-FOUNDER

Diane Sampson Roskamp was born and raised in Washington, DC. She attended the University of Maryland majoring in early childhood education and taught school for several years while raising two sons.  She moved to Florida in 1972, living first in Bradenton and Longboat Key before moving to Sarasota.

In 1980, Diane began a career in senior housing and joined forces with Bob Roskamp to build a company called Freedom Group, Inc. They developed many life care communities across the country specializing in upscale senior housing, assisted living centers, skilled nursing centers and Alzheimer's support centers.  They married in 1996, creating a blended family of six children and six grandchildren.

In 2002, Diane Roskamp co-founded Designing Women Boutique with Jean Weidner and Margaret Wise.  The shop is one of Sarasota’s most exciting and productive charitable endeavors.  It is setting a new standard for fashion consignment and has already made money and merchandise grants of $375,000 to local arts, endowment and human services organizations.

Additionally, Diane has served on the Board of Trustees of The Ringling School of Art and Design for five years (both of her sons are graduates of that institution).  She has also been on the boards of The Asolo Theatre Company, Sarasota Ballet of Florida, The Animal Rescue Coalition, NARSAD-The Mental Health Research Organization and many others.  The Roskamps have a special passion for curing Alzheimer's disease in our lifetime, for which purpose they founded and actively participate in The Roskamp Institute which is devoted to understanding causes and finding cures for neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders and addictions. 

Diane and Bob Roskamp continue to develop senior living communities in Arizona, Pennsylvania and Florida. Their company, Roskamp Management, manages and operates Jacaranda Trace in Venice and Sarasota Bay Club in Sarasota.

SEE ALSO:JEAN ALLENBY-WEIDNER MARGARET WISE