Women of Influence

Rhea Law, interim president of the University of South Florida, was honored with the Governor’s Business Leader of the Year Award at the Fall Meeting of the Florida Council of 100. The Governor’s Business Leader Award honors a Florida business leader who is a model leader for the state and has excelled in business, civic

Tampa Bay area resident Leah Roddenberry earned a royal upgrade in June, when she shifted her Miss Tampa crown over to make way for the Miss Florida tiara. The honor caps a two-year cycle of competition preparation and pandemic-era outreach, and begins her countdown to the Miss America scholarship competition in December. She describes her

The adage “Give a man a fish, and you’ll feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he’ll eat for a lifetime” rings true to Pamela Noel. A licensed infectious disease physician, practicing in Tampa, she often travels to Haiti to direct the efforts of Haiti’s Elite Medical Team. Noel founded HELMT

One day, not too long ago, Erin Meagher was reading information about the benefits of coconut oil. Some of those benefits claimed it could help with brain and heart health, and even weight management, because it boosts metabolism. “I thought if this is real, why isn’t everyone using it?” Meagher says. “These are the three

Tay area entrepreneurs: Whether you’re struggling to navigate a marketplace affected by COVID-19 or need help making a business dream profitable, the Tampa Bay Women’s Business Centre is here for you. Webinars, training, business coaching, networking opportunities, financial assistance … it’s all available, and it’s all free. And a side benefit? The director just might

Steady is the head that wears the crown: Meet Leah Roddenberry, the longest-reigning Miss Tampa, future lawyer, author and advocate. When she was crowned in March 2020, Roddenberry looked forward to the year of service that comes with the title. Then the pandemic hit. After more than a year, packed with creative Zoom outreach sessions

Rita Lowman, president of Pilot Bank, received the 2021 Dottie Berger MacKinnon Woman of Influence Award by the Tampa Bay Chamber. The Woman of Influence Award recognizes a woman whose leadership has made a positive impact in Hillsborough County. It pays tribute to an individual who exemplifies outstanding professional values; demonstrates the ability to go

After two years in its downtown Tampa home, Workscapes, a women-owned contract furniture company, is expanding its corporate headquarters, and showroom, at a new location. The new, long-term lease is for 31,820 square feet at Keating Resources’ distribution center at 101 S. 34th St., near downtown Tampa. Elizabeth Dvorak, CEO of Workscapes, established ownership of

Jennifer Locklear is passionate about nurturing diverse leadership. As chief talent officer of ConnectWise, and co-founder of Fe League (alongside Keri Higgins-Bigelow), a Tampa Bay area women in leadership group to advance women in corporate roles, Locklear knows diversified leaders strengthen a company. As she explains, “you want the people you hire to reflect the

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

Dawn Hackney is blazing a trail of hemp, and hope, as CEO and president of GreenTree Natural Wellness Center. Hers is a cannabis category crusade: helping people achieve wellness through third-party-tested products free of THC and pesticides. She describes ‘business as usual’ in her industry as a constant onslaught of regulatory mandates and a pervasive

In this virtual session Dr. Kim Macuare, from The Dali Museum, worked with the audience on identifying personal innovation strengths and obtaining an understanding of how this information can be used for personal growth and improved team communication and dynamics.