South Tampa Chamber recognizes TBBW’s Bridgette Bello as a Champion for Women (PHOTOS)

The South Tampa Chamber presented Bridgette Bello with the inaugural Bridgette Bello Champion for Women Award at an event held at the HCA South Tampa.

The South Tampa Chamber’s Bridgette Bello Champion for Women Award recognizes an individual or organization that has demonstrated exceptional commitment and impact in advancing equality and empowering women.

This award honored Bello and, in future years, will honor others who have made significant contributions through advocacy, leadership, mentorship or community service, creating positive change and fostering environments where women can thrive.

“There are a number of members who have said over time we should have an award for an outstanding woman in our community. This past year, we expanded our Business of the Year awards program and it was decided that we would not only like to recognize a female business leader but we would we like to recognize Bridgette, specifically, and she would be the inaugural recipient of an award in her name – the Bridgette Bello Champion for Women Award,” said Kelly Flannery, president and chief executive officer of the Chamber.

Bridgette Bello, CEO and publisher of Tampa Bay Business & Wealth Magazine. In its first year of publishing, TBBW was awarded two Charlie Awards by the Florida Magazine Association and, in 2022 won two more Charlie Awards. In 2022. It was also honored as the second-best magazine in the State of Florida, by the Florida Magazine association. In 2024, it’s up for four more Charlie Awards with FMA.

In 2021, TBBW was named Small Business of the Year by the Tampa Bay Chamber, in the startup category, and was one of only 27 companies in the entire country to be a finalist for Small Business of the Year with the United States Chamber of Commerce, in 2022.

Bello is a formerly Governor Appointed Vice Chair for the St. Petersburg College board of trustees, as well as Board of Directors emeritus for The Spring of Tampa Bay. She’s a member of CEO’S Against Cancer, Florida, chaired the Alzheimer’s Association Gala in 2020 and 2021, and currently serves on the boards of the CEO Council of Tampa Bay, Centre Club Tampa, I Rise, Leukemia Lymphoma Society of North Florida and is the 2024 co-chair for LLS Light the Night.

“It was an amazing surprise and a very touching award with heartwarming words from my family, friends and my TBBW partner, Jason Baker,” says Bello. “Having this award named after me will forever be one of my favorite honors.”

Photos by Empowering Creative

You May Also Like
BayCare names chief academic officer

BayCare has appointed Dr. Shelby Kutty as vice president and chief academic officer, effective Jan. 6. Kutty will oversee the academic integrity and quality of educational programs under the direction

Read More
Shelby-Kutty-baycare
HMC Hospitality Group promotes COO from within company

HMC Hospitality Group, based in Clearwater, has promoted longtime executive Steve Clement to chief operating officer, overseeing all Hooters and Hoots locations in the Tampa Bay and Chicago regions. Clement

Read More
Steve-Clement
Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber names new CEO

The Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce has named Charlie Justice its new chief executive officer, succeeding Robin Miller, who stepped down in December. “The board performed an extensive search

Read More
Charlie-Justice
German medical device company establishes U.S. headquarters in Tampa

Medability GmbH, a Germany-based medical technology company, has established its United States headquarters in downtown Tampa, leasing 1,600 square feet at 1000 N. Ashley Drive. The company plans to create

Read More
Other Posts
Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay to honor community leaders

Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay will mark its 60th anniversary with a celebration on March 6, at the JW Marriott Water Street Tampa, recognizing individuals who helped shape the organization.

Read More
Bank of America names Michael Esposito Tampa Bay President

Bank of America has named Michael Esposito as president of its Tampa Bay market, succeeding Bill Goede, who retired in December, after 35 years with the company. Esposito, who joined

Read More
Michael-Esposito-bank-america
Metropolitan Ministries announces CEO Tim Marks’ planned succession

Tim Marks, president and chief executive officer of Metropolitan Ministries, will step down later this year, marking the nonprofit’s first leadership transition in nearly two decades. Marks, who has led

Read More
Tim-Marks-met-mini
Evara Health Foundation names executive director

Evara Health Foundation has named Bill Merchant as its executive director. He brings more than 10 years of fundraising experience to the organization. “I am truly honored to join the

Read More
bill-merchant