Kourtney Sanchez, CEO of United Way Suncoast
20 Questions with TBBW

Kourtney Sanchez

Kourtney Sanchez takes over as CEO of United Way Suncoast after leading community impact initiatives for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. She discusses leadership, family, Tampa Bay and the advice that still guides her career.

First jobSales associate at American Eagle
Favorite Tampa Bay spotCoffee Pot Boulevard
Last book readStart With Yourself by Emma Grede
Best adviceNever run from a job, run to a job

Early Years

01

College alma mater

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University of Florida for my bachelor’s degree and Duke University for my master’s degree.

02

First job

Sales associate at American Eagle.

03

Favorite TV show of all time

The Office or Gilmore Girls.

04

Place in Tampa Bay where you do your best thinking

Walking along the water on Coffee Pot Boulevard.

05

Most used phone app

Messages.

Daily Habits

06

Wake-up time on workdays

6 a.m. or earlier if I’m catching a Pilates class.

07

Habit you rely on when your schedule gets overwhelming

Handwritten to-do lists, or morning dance parties with my kids to start the day off right.

08

First album you bought

Britney Spears’ Baby One More Time.

09

Local restaurant you recommend most often

Olivia or Hook’s.

10

Last book you finished

Start With Yourself by Emma Grede.

“Never run from a job.
Run to a job.”

Kourtney Sanchez

Leadership

11

A decision you would make differently today

Not to sound cliché, but I wouldn’t change any of my decisions because they’ve led me to where I am today.

12

First cell phone

Nokia.

13

Skill you had to learn the hard way

I’ve spent years intentionally building my emotional intelligence. This isn’t something I’ve “learned the hard way,” but it’s a skill I work on every day.

Leadership lesson

“I’ve spent years intentionally building my emotional intelligence.”

14

Most famous person you’ve met

Erin Andrews.

15

Last thing that made you laugh out loud

Always something my 4-year-old does or says.

Personal

16

Movie you will never watch again

Any of the Saw movies. I saw the original more than 20 years ago, and it still haunts me.

17

Last place you traveled for fun

A fall road trip with my sisters from Portland to Kennebunkport, Ogunquit and Salem.

18

Charity or cause you support

United Way Suncoast, of course.

19

Something you were overly confident about early in life

Singing, although I did sing at my high school graduation.

20

Best advice you still think about

“Never run from a job, run to a job.”

About Kourtney Sanchez

Kourtney Sanchez is the incoming CEO of United Way Suncoast and previously served as chief impact officer for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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