What is your proudest accomplishment as a leader?

Our community has been hard at work for over a decade, building and growing our economy. The Hillsborough County Economic Development Innovation Initiative (EDi2) was created to help grow and develop innovative technologies, companies, and high-wage jobs. By partnering with other organizations, such as TiE Tampa Bay, we work together to assist in this important, successful, and innovative collaboration for our local economy. We directly support entrepreneurs through programs, events, and opportunities that grow technology and innovation startups, jobs, and private investment. We invest in our community by providing resources that directly assist local companies and entrepreneurs on their journey to economic prosperity in Hillsborough County. Our community is our investment.

It is an honor to work with the many hardworking and successful startup founders, entrepreneur support organizations, academia, investors, and stakeholders to foster and facilitate the economic growth that we have seen in our community – it truly takes a whole County. I have witnessed significant growth in our community, and I am proud to be a part of the history that together we are making in Tampa.

Our support for the local technology and innovation community provides real value to entrepreneurs. The success of our partners and companies shows just how strong our program is and our partnerships are. Our collaborative partnerships are drivers of innovation that are vital components of our thriving ecosystem, one that is built to last.

What is the one piece of advice you’d give to other aspiring women leaders?

Every person is part of your journey to success – professionally and personally. Utilize those relationships, and don’t be afraid to help others. To make a positive impact, you have to be open to improving the lives of others. Not all of them will necessarily be impacted how you think they should be, but the right ones will. Most importantly, they will impact you for the better.         

What inspires you most about your work or your industry?

What inspires me is the existing and newly created partnerships and relationships that I make every day. To see the synergy of the collaboration in our community grow and our ecosystem thrive is inspirational to me.

Who is a woman from history (or your own life) who has inspired you, and why?

There are two women that come to mind who inspire me.

Oprah because her story is phenomenal – how she came from a very humble background and experienced hardships yet turned them into a positive thing, not just for herself, but for everybody, with the inspiring work she does as a storyteller. Her work creates change and has had a positive influence on the world.

My Mom because she takes the challenges in life and perseveres – and does it all for the good of her family. She is smart and kind and doesn’t give up on people. Her strength and her big heart inspire me in my own life’s challenges.

In one word, how would you describe the legacy you want to leave as a leader?

Connector

Share a favorite quote that motivates you. 

“The only way to be is prepared.” – Jennifer Whelihan