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Tampa Leadership highlights the executives, entrepreneurs and innovators shaping the region’s future.

This category features in-depth profiles, interviews and on-the-ground stories about the people driving growth across Tampa Bay. From C-suite strategy to community impact, these are the leaders moving the region forward.

Tampa Leadership

Tampa team leads high-risk extraction of Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado
 |  Chuck Merlis

A Tampa rescue leader reflects on his highest-risk mission yet.

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María Corina Machado appears publicly after her extraction while Bryan Stern, founder of Greybull Rescue, is shown in a portrait inset.
Academy of the Holy Names unveils $16.5M campus upgrade with new 2-story Health and Wellness Center
 |  Chuck Merlis

The Academy of the Holy Names is investing $16.5M in campus upgrades anchored by a new 2 story, 13K sq ft Health and Wellness Center.

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Collage showing the new Murphy Health and Wellness Center at Academy of the Holy Names with renderings of the restored chapel, second floor terrace, and upgraded athletic locker room.
How does philanthropy fuel Tampa Bay’s economic growth?
 |  Contributed Content

Data shows how philanthropy powers Tampa Bay’s economic growth by strengthening the systems that help people and businesses thrive.

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Aerial view of downtown Tampa showing the Hillsborough River, Riverwalk, high-rise office towers and neighborhoods stretching toward Tampa Bay under a bright blue sky.
How did Jake Kurtz build Brick Media? Brick by brick
 |  Chuck Merlis

How Jake Kurtz turned a $500 side hustle into one of Tampa’s fastest-growing social media agencies.

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Professional headshot of Jake Kurtz smiling in a navy blazer, placed inside a circular frame on a blue gradient background with the words “Brick By Brick” in bold white text.
Meet Dieumerci Christel, whose journey from a refugee camp is reshaping student-teacher connections
 |  Chuck Merlis

Born in a Tanzanian refugee camp, Dieumerci Christel is building Enlightapp to help schools strengthen connection and student engagement.

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Dieumerci Christel sitting in a conference room wearing an NDSU sweatshirt while working on Enlightapp.
How CareerSource’s new CEO is rebuilding Tampa Bay’s workforce
 |  Contributed Content

CareerSource Tampa Bay CEO Keidrian Kunkel is reimagining how the region develops, connects and retains talent.

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CareerSource Tampa Bay logo featuring four geometric shapes in orange, green, blue, and light blue, arranged in a triangular formation with the words “CareerSource” in green and orange and “TAMPA BAY” in blue.
Fit2Run opens new store on Water Street ahead of Gasparilla
 |  Chuck Merlis

Fit2Run has opened a new Water Street Tampa store, creating a dedicated hub for downtown runners ahead of Gasparilla.

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Interior views of the new Fit2Run pop-up at Water Street Tampa showing apparel displays, accessories and a wall of running shoes from brands like HOKA and On.
National firm opens South Tampa innovation center with full test kitchen
 |  Chuck Merlis

A national consumer goods firm has opened a new South Tampa innovation and experience center with a full test kitchen for real world product testing.

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A collage of four images showing the opening of a new innovation and experience center in South Tampa. The first image shows a ribbon cutting with executives standing in a row inside the facility. The second image shows product displays with kitchenware and housewares on modern shelving. The third image shows an open workspace with glass meeting rooms and product shelves. The fourth image shows a chef preparing food inside the center’s full test kitchen.
How a 2nd-gen entrepreneur revived his family’s Tampa liquor stores
 |  Chuck Merlis

Trey Lawson returned to Tampa to rebrand his family stores, grow Liquor Depot and build a community movement around bourbon and the $20 buzz.

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Trey Lawson stands inside Liquor Depot next to a whiskey barrel.
Tampa physician turns personal pain into a mission to heal
 |  Chuck Merlis

Dr. Ali’s story shows how empathy and discipline shaped a Tampa health system built to serve.

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Dr. Ali sitting in his personal office surrounded by books and artwork.
Tampa CEO talks about leadership, growth and purpose
 |  Chuck Merlis

Ashley Butler talks about leadership growth purpose and community impact during TBBW’s November CEO Connect.

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Guests gather at Aqua at Westshore Yacht Club during TBBW’s CEO Connect event with Ashley Butler.
St. Pete YMCA’s new CEO sets belonging as top priority
 |  Chuck Merlis

New CEO Nicci Bucher is leading the St. Pete YMCA with a focus on belonging, partnerships and community growth.

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Nicci Bucher, newly appointed CEO of the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg, stands outside a YMCA facility, smiling confidently. The YMCA logo is displayed beside her.