Updates from alumni of Leadership Tampa are always cause for celebration. The messages are proof positive that no matter how many years have passed since the sender’s LT program days, the special connections between class members remain. With more than 50 LT classes going back to 1970, that invisible network of connections is part of the fabric of our community. The message below is the most recent one to make us pause and give thanks for these bonds. Twenty years after graduating, the LT Class of 2005 is still there for each other when it matters most! Before you read even the first sentence of LT 2005’s Allison Whitaker, keep this in mind: Since January, the devastating series of wildfires that started in Los Angeles have spiraled out of control. These fires have devastated thousands of buildings and entire neighborhoods, forced the evacuation of 200,000+ residents, and claimed priceless human lives. The Palisades and Eaton fires burned for weeks at a time, exhausting the efforts of firefighters who came from all over the country to help. The losses are calculated in billions of dollars. And somewhere, in all that terrifying scene, was Jenni Wiegel Bond, a member of the LT Class of 2005.
From Allison Whitaker, LT '05:
"Leadership Tampa Class of 2005 (Best Class Ever!) in Action
News traveled fast when we learned that our dear friend and classmate, Jenni Wiegel Bond, lost her home and everything in it to the California fires. Without hesitation, our class came together in a big way—sharing heartfelt messages, words of encouragement, and generous donations to support her and her family. The outpouring of kindness not only provided financial relief but also served as a powerful reminder, especially to Jenni, that we are all part of a network that truly cares. The response from our class blew me away and reinforced, once again, that Leadership Tampa is more than just a program—it’s a lifelong bond that proves the power of community and connection."
Leadership Tampa Class of 2005 - Graduation - Tampa Bay Chamber