When Kamala Harris gave her acceptance speech in November, for vice president, she recounted words her mother had told her, “You may be the first to do many things but make sure you’re not the last.” This quote rang close to home to Ambee Stephens, CEO of the EmpowHERment Community Center, a nonprofit organization based … Read more
Heart-shaped chocolate boxes on every shelf. Red roses at every florist. We all know February is traditionally the month for love and all things heart-related. February also reminds us to take care of our heart. It is American Heart Month—an annual celebration to encourage people to join the battle against heart disease. Jake and Kate … Read more
Growing up in St. Pete Beach, Linda Olson watched her father run a small commercial art business out of their home. It was valuable early exposure to entrepreneurship for the woman who today is helping shape the future of entrepreneurship in the Tampa Bay region. As the founder and CEO of Tampa Bay Wave, a … Read more
Photos by Michael McCoy Ben Heldfond’s most prized possession is a book, one that resonates with the story of his life. A first edition of The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, written by AA’s founders, Bill Wilson and Bob Smith. Heldfond, who is 24 years sober, is forthcoming about his story of recovery. Heldfond is … Read more
Sarah MacDonald, president of TECO Services and executive vice president of corporate safety and environment for Emera Inc., TECO’s holding company, is at the forefront of an exciting time in the energy industry. A recently released report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, or IPCC, warns that more needs to be done to cool … Read more
Tonjua Williams became St. Petersburg College’s seventh president on July 3, 2017. A St. Petersburg native, Williams began her tenure with the college in 1986, rising through a variety of academic and administrative roles to become the first woman and first African American to hold the position at the school. Previously, she was senior vice … Read more
Interview transcribed by Melissa Razdrih Dewey Mitchell and Allen Crumbley have been in business together for more than 30 years. Both are brokers, and co-owners, of Capstone Tropical Holdings in Trinity. Meeting at the University of Alabama in 1974 as freshman with football scholarships, the two maintained a longstanding friendship that led to an amazingly … Read more
Photos by Penny Rogo Michael Saunders is an iconic member of the Sarasota business community, you may know her by her colorful scarves. The woman with a man’s name built her waterfront luxury real estate business during a time when women needed a male signature to get a $5,000 loan. She’s a leader that doesn’t … Read more
Photo by Rod Millington My downtown St. Petersburg neighbor Roger Dow is a globetrotter. I love running into him unexpectedly, at an outdoor café on Beach Drive, and listening to him describe his worldwide travels. In fact, he’s my travel hero. As the CEO and president of the U.S. Travel Association, his Washington, D.C.-based organization … Read more
By Jo-Lynn Brown Photos by Penny Rogo Jeff Gigante is starting a new journey with his newest concept, Forbici. This transition is pivotal because Gigante is arguably one of Tampa Bay’s busiest restaurateurs, with eight restaurants under the Ciccio umbrella and a long list of philanthropic endeavors. The restaurant group employs more than 1,300 workers … Read more
