Past Speakers
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July 18, 2022
Bonnie Brown, Ph.D., Lead Epidemiologist for the Manatee County Substance Abuse Prevention Collation
Bonnie Brown, Ph.D. is an applied behavioral health researcher with experience in public education, child and family studies and substance abuse. Her research and evaluation studies focus on behavioral health strategies for those struggling with mental illness and community-based interventions that
support vulnerable populations. Most recently, Dr. Brown has focused on the means to support children and their families impacted by the opioid use epidemic, particularly those involved in the child welfare system of Florida. She is an experience trainer in mental health and is passionate about raising
awareness and reducing stigma around mental health issues. -
July 11, 2022
David Gywnn, Secretary, Florida Department of Transportation District Seven
Mr. Gwynn was appointed as FDOT District Seven Secretary in July of 2017. Prior to this appointment, David served as Director of Transportation Operations for FDOT District One in Bartow. Mr. Gwynn spent 30 years in the private sector, providing consulting services to the transportation industry before joining FDOT in January 2016. He co-founded TEI Engineers & Planners in 1991 and led the growth of the firm to over 125 staff members throughout Florida and Georgia. He later served in senior executive roles for several large engineering consulting firms, leading business units of up to 700 staff members throughout the Southeastern United States.
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June 27, 2022
Bridgette Bello, CEO and Publisher of Tampa Bay Business & Wealth
Bridgette Bello, CEO and Publisher of Tampa Bay Business & Wealth, was the former president and publisher of the Tampa Bay Business Journal for 11 years. She is a longtime media professional with more than 30 years of experience and was the first woman publisher in the newspaper’s 40-year history.
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June 20, 2022
Tim Marks, Metropolitan Ministries, President /CEO
“I believe in the work of Metropolitan Ministries because I have personally witnessed the life-changing programs and compassionate staff ...
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June 13, 2022
Addison Davis, Superintendent of Schools for Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS),
Addison Davis serves as Superintendent of Schools for Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS), the nation’s seventh largest school system, where he took office in March 2020. He is recognized for his ability to inclusively decision make, establish goal-based management systems, transform instructional practice, and ensure that students’ best interests are at the heart of all decision-making.
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June 6, 2022
Brian Kornfled, President & Co-Founder of Synapse Florida
Brian current focus motivated him to immerse himself in the Florida innovation community, forming abundant relationships with those who have visions similar to his. This led him to co-founding Synapse, an organization who will make a profound impact on the Floridian ecosystem.
This 501c3 nonprofit organization has opened a whirlwind of opportunities for Brian as Synapase continue to cross barriers in shaping Florida's future for jobs, talent, capital, and business. -
May 23, 2022
Jeff Scott, Head Football Coach, University of South Florida
Named the fifth head coach in USF football history on Dec. 9, 2019, Jeff Scott was one of the
most respected coordinators and recruiters in the nation when he took over the Bulls program,
becoming the youngest head coach in The American as he turned 39 in December. -
May 16, 2022
Jeff Vinik, Businessman, Philanthropist, Owner of the 2020, 2021 Stanley Cup Winners, Tampa Bay Lightning, Minority Owner of the Boston Red Sox
Jeff Vinik purchased the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 3, 2010, promising a comprehensive transformation of the franchise while pledging to make a significant positive impact in the Tampa Bay community, and he has delivered. Upon acquiring the Lightning, Vinik vowed to make the organization “world-class,” creating an unrivaled fan experience while putting together a team of which Tampa Bay sports fans would be proud, on and off the ice. Vinik and his franchise became Stanley Cup Champions on September 28, 2020 when the Lightning defeated the Dallas Stars in six games after spending 65 days in the pandemic-induced NHL “Bubble.” The Lightning repeated the feat, becoming just the second team since the turn of the century to go back-to-back, after downing the Montreal Canadiens in five games to capture a second-straight Stanley Cup on July 7, 2021.