It was a night to remember and one for the Tampa Bay Business and Wealth history books.
More than 500 guests, including finalists and sponsors, were in attendance for the 2023 Tampa Bay Business Women Awards, held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, in Tampa.
Fifty women were honored for their work in business and the Tampa Bay community, with 17 being named winners in their categories. Rhea Law, president of the University of South Florida, was named the 2023 Overall Winner. (Full list of winners below. More photos coming later this week.)
The finalists and winners were selected by an outside panel of judges including Ed Ellsasser, CEO at PrimeGroup Insurance, Robert Hessel, CEO at Source1 Solutions, Pam Iorio, former Mayor of Tampa/CEO at Big Brothers Big Sisters America, and Danny Persaud, CEO at MidFlorida Armored.
Thank you to our presenting sponsors TD Bank and Morgan Auto Group, and our nonprofit partner Habitat for Humanity Pinellas and West Pasco Counties.
In addition, thank you to Source 1 Solutions, the red carpet sponsor, and Nperspective, the champagne toast sponsor.
We present the winners of the 2023 TBBW Awards:
Young category: Tanna Mock, president, solved by Tanna
Nonprofit (small) category: Madeline Robinson, founder and executive director, Wheelchairs 4 Kids
Nonprofit (large) category: Jessica Muroff, CEO, United Way Suncoast
Education (small) category: Micha Seal, CEO and president, Watermelon Swim
Education (large) category: Rhea Law, president, University of South Florida
Construction and Real Estate category: Elizabeth Dvorak, CEO, Workscapes
Manufacturing category: Deborah Duffey, president, co-founder and chief product development officer, Dermazone
Health and Wellness category: Dr. Rashmi Roy, senior thyroid surgeon, director of thyroid surgical services, Clayman Thyroid Center at the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery
Business Services category: Melissa Seixas, state president, Duke Energy Florida
Technology category: Vera Muzzillo, CEO, Proforma
Government category: Lori Larsen, chief strategy officer, Celestar Corp.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leaders category: Avril Walker Stinson, senior director, minority business accelerator and economic inclusion, Tampa Bay Chamber
Military and First Responders category: Toni Roach, captain, behavioral health, Pasco Sheriff’s Office
Sports and Entertainment category: Penny Parks, founder and president, Links Financial and Links Golf
Transportation and Aviation category: Lisa Holland, president and CEO, Sheltair
Entrepreneur category: Joy Gendusa, founder and CEO, Postcard Mania
Financial Services category: Jennifer Garbowicz, senior vice president, Private Client Advisor, Bank of America Private Bank
2023 Overall Tampa Bay Business Women of the Year: Rhea Law, president, University of South Florida
Photos by PamElla Lee Photography.
