SPEAKERS

December 15, 2025

Mayor Jane Castor, the 59th Mayor of the City of Tampa, embodies a legacy of dedicated service and unwavering commitment to her hometown. A lifelong Tampa resident, she graduated from Chamberlain High School and the University of Tampa, where she was a basketball and volleyball scholarship recipient and Hall of Famer.

Her journey in public service began as an officer for the Tampa Police Department. She eventually rose through the ranks to become Tampa's first female Chief of Police in 2009. She served six years as chief, pursuing progressive law enforcement strategies, reorganizing the department, and reducing major crimes by 70% citywide.

In 2019, Tampa residents elected her as mayor, and she immediately spearheaded ambitious initiatives through the establishment of the Transforming Tampa’s Tomorrow (T3) advisory teams. These teams created roadmaps to address the city's most pressing issues, including transportation, affordable housing, workforce development, resident services, and sustainability and resilience.

Mayor Castor's administration is implementing the city's most ambitious infrastructure initiative in generations, undertaking the challenge of rebuilding Tampa’s aging water and wastewater systems. The Progressive Infrastructure Plan for Environmental Sustainability (PIPES), a pioneering $3 billion program, underscores her unwavering commitment to enhancing Tampa's essential infrastructure.

Mayor Castor's tenure has been marked by significant accomplishments, including securing more than $90 million in federal and state funding for vital transportation and mobility enhancements. Furthermore, her administration has established Tampa's inaugural Sustainability and Resilience Officer position and the first Climate Action and Equity Plan for the city, demonstrating a proactive approach to environmental stewardship.

Overwhelmingly reelected in 2023, Mayor Castor remains resolute in her mission to transform Tampa's tomorrow, placing an emphasis on improving residents' quality of life through the enrichment of city parks and the celebration of art.

You’ll often see her around town with beloved "Office Dog" of Tampa City Hall and rescue pup, Alcaldesa, which means mayor in Spanish. Beyond her mayoral duties, Mayor Castor is a proud Seminole Heights resident who enjoys fishing and cheering on Tampa Bay sports teams, from the Stanley-cup-winning Lightning to the Super Bowl-winning Buccaneers. She cherishes quality time with her family, including her partner Ana Cruz and sons, Sergei and Seely, whom she adopted as infants from Ukraine.

About City of Tampa:

Located on Florida’s west coast along Tampa Bay, the City of Tampa is one of the fastest-growing urban cities in the southeastern United States. With a population of more than 400,000 residents, Tampa serves as the cultural, economic, and transportation hub of the Tampa Bay region, home to over 3 million people.

Tampa’s economy is driven by diverse industries including finance, technology, healthcare, tourism, maritime trade, and higher education. The city hosts a thriving port, a top-rated international airport, and a rapidly expanding innovation corridor attracting both startups and global enterprises.

Tampa is known for its year-round outdoor lifestyle, balancing modern growth with deep historical roots – from its Cuban cigar–making heritage in Ybor City to its storied Gasparilla pirate traditions. Under the leadership of Mayor Jane Castor, Tampa continues to invest in sustainable infrastructure, transportation, and resilience initiatives that make it a model for smart urban growth.