Judy Genshaft, University of South Florida president emerita, gifted the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council $200,000 via the Genspiration Foundation, a family philanthropic initiative dedicated to education, health and community development. The gift is meant to fund a new internship program designed to train the next generation of economic development professionals.
The inaugural cohort of three USF student interns will spend the academic year working across the EDC’s Business Development, Community Development and Marketing departments. The year-long roles will provide hands-on experience with projects that drive economic change and opportunities to interact with some of the region’s largest employers and developers.
“The Tampa Bay Economic Development Council was a natural fit for Genspiration Foundation to support because, like our foundation, it strives to improve life in our community so individuals, families and businesses can thrive,” said Genshaft.
Craig J. Richard, president and chief executive officer of the Tampa Bay EDC, said the gift reflects Genshaft’s ongoing leadership. “The Tampa Bay EDC team and I are incredibly grateful to be the recipients of this tremendous gift from Genspiration Foundation. We look forward to fulfilling the mission of the foundation by training these interns to make a difference in our community,” he said