Results-oriented, high-energy leader with experience in developing and managing strategic partnerships, communications strategy, public, media, and community relations initiatives, and conferences and special events. I offer expertise in the following areas:• Strategic planning and communications for corporations, nonprofits, and universities• Organizational leadership and board management• Strategic alliance creation with public and private partners• Conference and special event development and management• Business-to-business and consumer public and media relations• Executive training, curriculum development and internal communications program development• External corporate communications and media relations.Key accomplishments include:Currently serving as Chief Operating Officer of the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council. I lead strategic planning, marketing, research and investor relations initiatives. Responsible for board, executive committee and Annual Meeting agenda and program development. Also responsible for spearheading key projects including Make it Tampa Bay talent attraction campaign (in partnership with Hillsborough County and Visit Tampa Bay), the Tampa Bay Economic Prosperity Foundation, the EDC's 501c3 affiliate organization, and the EDC's Competitiveness and Talent Retention and Development initiatives.I am Chair of the Florida Economic Development Council Foundation and Immediate Past Chair of the statewide association for economic development organizations. Previously I led as its first Executive Director the Tampa Bay Technology Forum (TBTF). Worked with volunteer board of directors to develop mission, vision, member value proposition, events and fundraising strategy. Led team to grow organization from zero to more than 300 member companies representing 25,000+ technology professionals.Co-founded and served as president of CreativeTampaBay, a nonprofit organization formed in 2003 to connect economic development, business, arts, technology and university professionals and foster creativity and innovation in the region. CreativeTampaBay was recognized as a Statewide Best Practice in the Enterprise Florida 2004-2009 Strategic Plan. Co-created and produced several groundbreaking national and international conferences: Creative Cities Summit (2004), Florida Tech Transfer Conference (2004-2008), Ringling College of Art and Design’s Sarasota International Design Summit (2006-2010) and Service Design + Tourism Conference (2013), and the Florida Boomer Lifestyle Conference (2009-2010).