SPEAKERS

Kim Jowell, Hillsborough Education Foundation (HEF), CEO
January 23, 2023
Kim Jowell has devoted her life’s work to advocating for the most vulnerable children and families in our communities. For more than 20 years, she’s had a proven track-record of success in leading diverse not-for-profits. Since joining Hillsborough Education Foundation as CEO in 2017, she has increased financial resources more than 20 percent. Under Kim’s visionary leadership, the nonprofit has expanded its programs to advance their mission of
strengthening public education—raising on average $8 million annually to support students and teachers in the seventh largest school district in the country.
The Tampa Bay Business Journal named her 2022 Businesswoman of the Year for her impact on public education and drive to leave the world a better place. This fall, she received the first memorial Joe Rizzo Learner and Leader Award from the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations for her willingness to share her knowledge with peers across the state and continuous professional development growth.
Kim is also a member of CEO Council of Tampa Bay, serves as a board member for Athena Society and is the Vice Chair of Finance for the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations.
She received a bachelor’s degree in Criminology and a minor in Public Administration from St. Leo University and is a graduate of Leadership St. Pete and Community Foundation Tampa Bay’s Nonprofit CEO Leadership Development program.
Kim has previously held executive roles at the regional and national level for Girl Scouts of the USA and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. She is a former Victim’s Advocate, and a certified crisis responder who was recognized for her crisis work at Ground Zero, post 9/11.