How an education veteran is changing the odds for the future workforce of Tampa Bay
Chris Pello, an educator and school operations specialist with more than 20 years’ of experience in the Tampa Bay area, has spent his career creating opportunities for students with cognitive challenges. Recognizing a dearth of choices for children with a range of special needs, from autism to Down’s syndrome, Pello and his wife, Bernadette, founded
Project Dynamo aims to do what’s right in grey areas
It was August 2021, between the American withdrawal from Afghanistan and the 20th anniversary of 9/11, when Bryan Stern met his destiny as a first responder. Stern, a former intelligence operative and agent for the Department of Defense, was cruising 33,000 feet over the Atlantic, using spotty airplane Wi-Fi, when he filed the official paperwork
How Heart of Adoptions is hoping to raise awarenessfor kids in the adoption system
More than four decades ago, when she first started working in the complicated courts of family law, Jeanne Tate wasn’t looking to revolutionize adoption in Florida. She was simply a young female lawyer in a bustling, all-male office, determined to forge her own path. Searching for a way to specialize and build up her client
BayCare’s vision and the values of health care is what drew CEO to role
Like many who choose medical professions, for new BayCare Health Systems chief executive officer Stephanie Conners, the occupation is the calling. Conners began her career as a nurse, keeping her licenses updated even after moving into administration. In fact, one of the first things Conners did, while shadowing her BayCare predecessor, Tommy Inzina, last fall
How Live Tampa Bay is tackling the opioid crisis, one stigma at a time
Back in late 2020, when Jennifer Webb was approached by a friend about a potential leadership role for a new initiative, she had no idea that she stood at an intersection of fate. Rick Homans, then president and chief executive officer of the Tampa Bay Partnership, and David Pizzo, West Central market president, reached out
Rise Up is expanding its mission in business
Tampa Bay area native Kristen Bracey discovered her life’s vocation while earning her master’s degree in social justice and human rights at Arizona State University. Working in ASU’s office of sex trafficking intervention research, Bracey had the opportunity to take part in a court-mandated diversionary program supported by Catholic Charities. For six years, Bracey
Providing a ‘camelot’ for the community
For Michael DiBrizzi, president and chief executive officer of Camelot Community Care, there’s magic in every moment that’s spent helping a child, or family, in need. As a nonprofit organization dedicated to child welfare and behavioral health, Camelot serves more than 15,000 children and families, a day. Although best known for facilitating foster care and
Shield of Faith Missions goes into the holidays with veterans in mind
Thee holiday season puts gratitude into high gear, but even before the thanks of Thanksgiving, Americans celebrate Veterans Day to pay respect to the men and women who protect and serve the United States. This past Veterans Day, Tampa Bay area nonprofit Shield of Faith Missions launched a special fundraising campaign to keep American warriors,
Tech answers for health care problems
BeniComp, an innovator in the thriving space of insuratech, leverages technology to offer creative solutions in health insurance. For president and chief operating officer Steve Pressler, framing business within a creative perspective comes naturally. A graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design, Pressler took his master’s degree in 3D animation and launched a multimedia
‘Tis the Season for Giving
The Bay area’s unmistakable signs of autumn are here: pumpkin-flavored ice cream at Chill Bros. and Tampa Bay Buccaneer flags waving against blue skies. It’s no wonder that four local nonprofit groups are already gearing up for the holiday season. With many vulnerable people, in Florida, facing additional hardship this year because of Hurricane Ian,
Ahead of the November election, a local policy institute has resources available
Voting season is upon us. If you are new to the process, or simply craving a civics primer, the website of The Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions, housed out of St. Petersburg College, has resources to guide you through the voting process. Approaching its 10th year of service to the Tampa Bay area, ISPS offers
Standing up to silence
Domestic abuse often is shrouded in silence. According to a National Crime Victimization survey, only about half of all domestic violence incidents are reported to law enforcement. Misinformation, stigma, fear—there are many reasons contributing to this silence, but CASA Pinellas speaks out for survivors, and victims, reminding us every day, but especially now during National
