The Tampa Bay Chamber proudly presented the 2024 Dottie Berger MacKinnon Woman of Influence Award to Joanne B. Sullivan, Assistant Vice President of Community Engagement for USF Health.
Sullivan’s career in fund-raising and development in Tampa spans more than 30 years and includes key leadership positions at the University of South Florida, the University of Tampa, and the Tampa Museum of Art. Her skills as a “serial connector” and “friend raiser” are legendary. Joanne has shared the University of South Florida vision for nearly a decade, masterfully galvanizing the support of business leaders, community stakeholders, and elected officials – contributing to the success of USF Health.
Her nominator, Wendy Ross, described Joanne as an inspiration to all who seek to make Tampa Bay and the world a better place. “Joanne has a way of imparting her wisdom and compassion positively and making one feel like they have the power to move any needle forward,” said Ross, “Her experience and success is never flaunted as she mentors another professional; rather, her brilliance imparts the most basic of common decencies, etiquette and support. When you have Joanne Sullivan in your corner rooting for you, it's pretty easy to feel respected and empowered.”
Ross is one of countless people in the region with a ‘Joanne story’ of their own.
“Her grace, charm, good humor, optimism, and persistence allow her to bring unusual suspects together to recognize their commonalities of purpose and acknowledge that they will be stronger working together,” said Donna Petersen, the former Dean of the USF College of Public Health. “The health of every individual in a community is dependent on the health of the community – the environment, the culture, and the institutions that create opportunities for people…” explained Petersen, “It is a virtuous cycle that is completely dependent on individuals who provide the glue, the “secret sauce” that keeps us connected. Joanne is not just one of those people, she is the exemplar of those people.”
The annual Dottie Berger MacKinnon Woman of Influence Award pays tribute to a woman exemplifying outstanding professional values; going above and beyond the normal expectations of a leader; and serving as an inspiration to the community. An 18-year tradition, and closely guarded secret, the award announcement surprising Joanne was made during today’s sold-out Women of Influence Luncheon at the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street.
A servant leader, she is a coveted mentor in the Chamber’s Emerging Leaders of Tampa Bay, remains active in the Leadership Tampa Alumni association since graduating from Leadership Tampa in 1991, is a volunteer with the American Red Cross West Florida Region, and a sustaining member of the Junior League of Tampa. Joanne’s honors include being elected to the National Board of Easter Seals, named a Businesswoman of the Year finalist by the Tampa Bay Business Journal, and awarded the Lloyd Horton Lifetime Achievement Award by fundraising peers.
The Chamber’s 2024 Woman of Influence event featured keynote speaker Sarah Moshman, an Emmy award winning documentary filmmaker - nationally known for empowering women with her inspiring storytelling. To learn more about the Chamber’s Women of Influence and Women’s Programming initiatives.
