The Collegiate Leadership program entered its fifth year in 2023 with approximately 30 scholars from Saint Leo University, The University of Tampa and University of South Florida. Scholars are selected from a pool of applicants and participate in the monthly curriculum exploring careers in the public, private, non-profit, and philanthropic sectors. Local business leaders credit Collegiate Leadership with helping to develop, recruit and retain top talent in the region. Collegiate Leadership is sponsored by the Bellini Foundation and Riley Education Foundation.
Collegiate Leadership Tampa Bay Class of 2023
Saint Leo University
- Asha Burns
- Marco Calvo
- Traliyah Carey
- Ashley Eudora Griffith
- Angelica Molina
- Maria Gabrielle Nakata
- Geordante Neely
- Vineet Shinde
- Tayhana Taylor
The University of Tampa
- Victoria Baldor
- Rachel Lane
- Madelaine Lauger
- Vincent Mora
- Caitlin Murray
- Lorielle Raab
- Christopher Serrant
- Jahnel Villalba
- Zahra Wilson
University of South Florida
- Luiz Gabriel Viera Costa
- Olivier Daniel Fourcand
- Zaynab Salahuddin
- Katherine Salinas
- Chase Austin Strelec
Sponsors
March – Scholars visited Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ headquarters, the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, ZooTampa and Busch Gardens to learn about careers in the sports, arts, and entertainment industries.
The Class of 2024 was the largest in the program’s history. Tampa International Airport was among their stops during the program day on the transportation sector.
Congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2023.
With increased awareness of Collegiate Leadership on college campuses, the program is being expanded to help a growing number of students build a network of mentors and connections.
Since 2004, Emerging Leaders has become the premiere networking and leadership program for young professionals in the Tampa Bay region. More than 500 professionals, ages 21 – 35, participated this year. Participants benefit from the engagement with business leaders in a variety of industries at our member companies
Mentor Protégé Program
Sponsors: Lions World Vision Institute; Workscapes Inc.
In 2023, we counted 78 pairings in the Mentor Protégé Program. Over the course of nine months, young professionals enhanced work skills, leadership development, and career advancement plans. Protégés were paired with industry leaders, and a community outreach event was part of the experience.
Young Professional Summit
Sponsors: Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas & West Pasco; Rivero, Gordimer & Company; Ultimate Medical Academy
The Young Professional Summit is a partnership between the Tampa Bay Chamber’s Emerging Leaders, St. Pete Young Professionals and Clearwater Young Professionals, expanding their networks and sparking more regional collaboration. 2023 Sponsors were Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas & West Pasco; Rivero, Gordimer & Company; and Ultimate Medical Academy.
Vision Series
Sponsor: Carnival Cruise Line
In 2023, the annual Vision Series focused on the economic impact of Port Tampa Bay and how each pillar of the port operates, and safety measures in place to protect the environment.
Engage Series
Sponsor: Rivero, Gordimer & Company
Engage Series events happen once a month and are hosted by local businesses, designed to build relationships, and give young professionals a platform to meet business leaders in dynamic companies across Tampa Bay.
Nonprofit Fair
Sponsor: United Way Suncoast
The Nonprofit Fair connects Emerge members seeking volunteer opportunities with local organizations recruiting, as well as opportunities to serve on community boards and advisory committees. In 2023, the fair hosted 26+ non-profits and was sponsored by United Way Suncoast.
Aspire Program
Sponsors: Amgen; DTCC; Ice Cold Air; Northwestern Mutual
Among the newest additions to Emerge programming, Aspire is a four-part training series with professionals in diverse career paths and industries. Guest speakers help to expand the realm of career options young professionals to consider.
Emerge Annual Meeting
Presented By
This signature event for Emerging Leaders culminates a year of service in various committees; professional and business development experiences unique to Emerge; and fun networking events across the Tampa Bay region. In 2023, the celebration was held at ZooTampa and bookmarked by the transfer of leadership from 2023 Chair Brett Scafidi to 2024 Chair Mallory Kuba and presentation of Deanne Dewey Roberts Emerging Leader Award.
Deanne Dewey Roberts Emerging Leader Award
Founding Sponsor: ChappellRoberts
Each year, Emerge honors a young professional in the Tampa Bay region for extraordinary leadership and community service. The award is presented by ChappellRoberts in memory of its co-founder, Deanne Dewey Roberts, who was instrumental in the creation of Emerge in 2004, after being the Chairwoman of the Tampa Bay Chamber’s Board of Directors in 2003.
Mentor Protégé Program had one of the highest pairings to date in 2023!
July - Annual Young Professionals Summit at Threshers Stadium in Clearwater.
December – Emerging Leaders Annual Meeting Co-Presenting sponsors were Leadership Tampa Alumni and Ultimate Medical Academy.
Engage Series events were hosted across the Tampa Bay region.
Vision Series event at Port Tampa Bay engaged young professionals with industry leaders in this important economic engine.
Winner of the 2023 Deanne Dewey Roberts Emerging Leader Award, Antoine Richards received $1,000 prize for the charity of his choice.
The Tampa Bay region is home to service members in all branches of the U.S. military. The Chamber supports our military community with year-round programming, partnerships to address the career needs of military spouses and service members transitioning to civilian careers.
Military Appreciation
Presenting Sponsor
During National Military Appreciation Month in May, Military Appreciation brings together the business community and service members stationed with MacDill Air Force Base and the U.S. Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg. Sponsors make it possible for hundreds of service members to attend at no cost and they donate prizes and vacation packages for the event raffle that’s exclusive to service members in attendance.
Operation Partnership
Sponsor: USAA
Unique to our Chamber, Operation Partnership is primarily focused on employment opportunities for service members and military spouses. Components include professional development, networking with local businesses hiring military talent, and strategic pairings between transitioning service members and Chamber Member host companies. Over 700 businesses and organizations have participated in the Transition Tampa Bay since it began. In 2023, the annual Recruit & Retain Military panel expanded to include companies recruiting military spouses and transitioning service members.
Military Bay, USA™
Raising community awareness of the military’s billion- dollar impact in the local economy and demonstrating support of local service members and veterans is our Military Bay, USA™ campaign. Launched in 2023, 73 local businesses adopted the moniker in the first 12 months. It was showcased on the national stage at veteran appreciation events by Walmart and Bob Woodruff foundations; and mentioned by name on CNN during news coverage of Tampa Bay.
Supporting Military Families
Our military programming goes beyond traditional assistance programs. In 2023, we connected with more than 40 Air Mobility Command spouses at MacDill Air Force Base on quality-of-life initiatives. We supported MacDill’s Family Resiliency Task Force and MacDill’s Tinker School (K – 8th grade). Our work with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation continues and 4 years after bringing its Hiring Our Heroes program to Florida, it grew to other parts of the state and graduated the first class of its Military Spouse Fellowship right here in Tampa Bay.
Military Advisory Committee
Year-round, our Military Advisory Committee helps advocate on behalf of our region’s growing defense industry comprised of military veterans, transitioning service members and military spouses. Chamber Members in MAC play a vital role advocating at the state and national level, alongside our Policy Advisory Council and Board of Directors. In 2023, local meetings, delegations to the state capitol and Congress - moving key issues forward.
M.A.C. Key Issues
- Affordable housing for Florida military installations
- Leveraging military talent in civilian workforce
- Federal Locality Pay for service members in our region
- Universal Professional License Recognition for employment of Military Spouses
- Mitigating D.O.D. changes at MacDill’s health clinic and off-base in Brandon regarding access
- Recruitment for U.S. Space Force
- MacDill Commuter Ferry Service to address workforce housing and traffic concerns
May 4 – Military Appreciation at the Florida Aquarium was presented by USAA.
June – Airman Josh Hammons flew in from New Mexico to participate in Transition Tampa Bay event. By fall, he was recruited by TECO.
Members of Congress, MacDill Air Force Base representatives, and the Chamber’s Policy Council and Military Advisory Committee met to discuss federal locality pay to help military families in the region.
News cameras highlighted the Military Spouse Fellowship in Tampa Bay, three years after our Chamber brought the U.S. Chamber’s Hiring Our Heroes program to Florida.
November – Military Bay, USA™ was front and center during the Walmart Foundation’s inaugural Headliners & Heroes Concert supporting veterans.
Chamber members helped support Blue Star Families “Nourish the Service” event on MacDill Air Force Base, assembling 1,200+ bags of food, hygiene kits, and household products.
The Minority Business Accelerator launched its first Cohort in 2018 and by 2023 had graduated 5 Cohorts of MBA entrepreneurs. The accelerator’s targeted curriculum spans approximately 2 years and serves Black and Hispanic owned businesses and organizations in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk and Manatee counties. Covering all major aspects of owning a business, it’s designed to increase capacity, create jobs and build wealth, and was the first accelerator of its kind designed for small businesses in the region rather than startups.
Sustaining Sponsors
Community Partners
Grants
MBA Cohort 2023
- Floyd Freeman, Cableytics
- John Diaz, Ceiba Ltd. Co.
- Max Volmar, Jr., M&G Janitorial Services
- Charles Jackson, Mijan Construction
- Damaris Ortega, Ortega Custom Cabinets
- Kalvin Weathersby, Power Civil Construction Services
World Chambers Congress
In June 2023, the Tampa Bay Chamber was one of only two chambers of commerce from the U.S.A. invited to speak at the World Chambers Congress about the accelerator. Since then, more than 20 organizations from around the world have followed up with us to learn more about it and specific components they might replicate in their own communities.
253+
Total Employed by ‘23 & ‘24 Cohorts
$8.14M+
Gross Sales
$400K+
Company Secured Capital
*All metrics are self-reported.
Our partnership with TECO and Tampa Bay Buccaneers continued in 2023. During each home game, a member of MBA Cohort ’23 was spotlighted.
MBA Cohort ‘23 learned the power of S.W.O.T. - examining the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats in their business.
A proud moment for all six MBA entrepreneurs in Cohort ’23 upon completion of their program.
Canviiy (Cohort ‘24) secured a historic contract with the largest healthcare group purchasing organization in the USA.
Paragon Cyber Solutions (Cohort ‘24) won Small Business of the Year in the category of 5- 20 Employees.
June – The Minority Business Accelerator was a finalist in the Best Chamber Model of Innovation category, competing with chambers from Turkey, China and Chicago.
The Minority Empowerment Program provides support, mentoring and training to small businesses and non-profit organizations not yet ready to scale. MEP entrepreneurs benefit from the access of a Fit 3 level membership, gaining knowledge and expanding their network during the early stages of their business trajectory. This targeted approach serves Black and Hispanic owned organizations to codify more inclusive approaches to business growth in our region.
Sponsors make it possible to host quarterly, specialized programming and cover nearly all the costs of each participant’s top-level membership during the program year. Many advance to our Minority Business Accelerator with its higher threshold of annual earnings.
Sponsors
MEP 2023 Entrepreneurs
- 100 Black Men of Tampa Bay, Inc.
- The Color of Wellness Media
- Creamy Crack Body Cream
- Creative Growth Services
- Edward Jones Advisor
- Halo Solutions, LLC
- Imperial Cabinets & Millwork
- Kidney Care Coaches
- M & R Catering
- The Mainframe
- The Management Suite
- MB Strategies
- Rolanda McDuffie CPA
- The Spa by Folashade
- Spanish Consultants Inc.
- Vikings Junk Removal
- We Think Marketing Group, Inc.
- Wing Boys Deli
- zSofTech Solutions
In addition to quarterly workshops, MEP entrepreneurs are connected to supplier diversity programs across the region.
The creative behind the Chamber’s 2023 Year in Review video debuted at Annual Meeting was MEP graduate Kinard Robinson of Empowering Creative. Filming took place at Vu Studio Tampa Bay.
The Management Suite Workshop gave MEP participants insightful information on leadership.
MEP entrepreneur Meloni Waller fine-tuned her public speaking, serving as the Moderator for the Chamber’s Work Redefined State of the Workforce breakfast in the fall.
MEP entrepreneurs learned from subject experts at the Florida Small Business Development Center at USF.
MEP 2023 graduate, M & R Café Southern Cuisine, went on to be profiled by Fox 13’s local cooking show.
The Women of Influence Committee, comprised of volunteers from Chamber Member companies, fuels our dynamic Women’s Programming. Events and curated experiences celebrate the accomplishments of women across all industries; address workforce needs; and leverage the expertise of our members to problem-solve issues impacting the Tampa Bay region. In 2023, our Chamber saw a 57% increase in engagement with 987 attendees attending programming events.
Women of Influence Luncheon
Presenting Sponsor
The annual Women of Influence luncheon coincides with National Women’s History Month. In 2023, this Signature Event set a record – selling out a full six weeks in advance, the earliest in its 17-year history. On March 24, Presenting Sponsor Tampa General Hospital helped welcome more than 600 guests to the Hilton Downtown Tampa, including Global Workforce & DEI Expert and WOI keynote speaker Dr. Shirley Davis.
Dottie Berger MacKinnon Women of Influence Award
A highlight of the WOI luncheon is the presentation of the Dottie Berger MacKinnon Award. Receiving nominations from the community, the WOI committee selects a Tampa Bay area businesswoman exemplifying outstanding professional values; demonstrating the ability to go above and beyond the normal expectations of a leader; and serving as an inspiration to the community. Congratulations to 2023’s winner Marie Chinnici-Everitt, Managing Director and Chief Marketing Officer of Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation.
Pearls of Wisdom
Sponsor: Greenberg Traurig
Our Pearls of Wisdom events set the stage for courageous conversations with accomplished women, who share their professional journey, strategies for success and bold personal advice they either received from mentors or wish they had! In 2023, these events were hosted at the Tampa Museum of Art and Willa’s.
Pearls of Experience
Sponsor: Bright Investments; Hillsborough Community College
Our Pearls of Experience series is networking with a twist. Highly interactive, guests connect with businesswomen at the top of their field. The on-site experiences typically center around non-traditional career paths for women. In 2023, three Pearls of Experience showcased women in the automotive industry, construction sector, and zoology.
Global expert and Best-Selling Author Dr. Shirley Davis delivered a powerful keynote during the 17th Annual Women of Influence Luncheon.
A highlight of the event, sold-out annually, is the announcement of WOI award – presented by WOI Committee Chair and prior year’s award recipient.
Always a surprise to the winner, the 2023 Dottie Berger MacKinnon Woman of Influence had no idea she had even been nominated. Friends and family gathered under the pretext of her birthday.
Pearls of Experience: Secrets of the Zoo featured a panel of all- women leaders at ZooTampa.
Two Pearls of Experience: Powered Up events featured experts from Erwin Electric, Matcon Construction Services, D-Mar General Contracting & Development, Nissan North America and Ice Cold Air.
A “Kodak” moment with Pearls of Wisdom Sponsor Greenberg Traurig law firm and our all-star panel at Willa’s.