Achieving Kindergarten Readiness through Collaboration
Meet the People & Partners who Help us Thrive
In order to ensure that all children in Tampa Bay are ready for kindergarten, we rely on a diverse group of partners, committees, and individuals. Together, we can best align efforts and resources to make sure the right help gets in front of the right people — as efficiently as possible.
Leadership Council
Comprising key players in the early childhood landscape, the Thrive by Five leadership council provides strategic guidance, direct access to a breadth of knowledge and resources, and unique opportunities to collaborate and align endeavors.
Rebecca Bacon
Executive Director
The Children’s Board
Ric Banciella
Director, Bosses for Babies
The Children’s Movement of Florida
Dustin Becker
Director, Client & Community Relations
PNC Financial Services
Kathleen Beckman
Volunteer
Thrive by Five Tampa Bay
Nicole Brown
Vice President, Commmunity Impact
United Way Suncoast
Dr. Sheron Brown
Director of Education & Youth Opportunities
City of St. Petersburg
Christie Bruner
Vice President of Advocacy
St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce
Lindsay Carson
Chief Executive Officer
Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County
Dr. Emily Cimino
Director, Early Childhood
Hillsborough County Public Schools
Dr. Brandi Sanchez
Vice President of Community Impact
Community Foundation Tampa Bay
Anna Corman
President & CEO
Hillsborough Education Foundation
Harry W. Fogle
Director, West Central Early Steps Program
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
Joan Freese
director of education
WEDU PBS
Dr. carla fry
Hillsborough Director
Florida Department of Health – Hillsborough County
WONETHA HALL
COMMUNICATIONS Manager
Champtions for Children
Audrey Harrell
Volunteer
Thrive by Five Tampa Bay
Dr. Fred Hicks
Chief Executive Officer
Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County
Walter Jennings
Director, Student Success Initiatives
Helios Education Foundation
DR. BILAN JOSEPH
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES MANAGER
Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg
Kim Jowell
Chief Executive Officer
Pinellas Education Foundation
Dr. Lisa Lopez
Professor & Program Coordinator
University of South Florida
Dr. James McHale
Director
University of South Florida – Family Study Center
Jennifer Mekler
Director of Early Childhood Education
Pinellas County Schools
Amanda Moore-Krummerich
Senior Public Health Services Manager
Florida Department of Health – Pinellas County
Marisa Mowat
Executive Director
Healthy Start Coalition-Hillsborough
Mary Jo Plews
Executive Director
Healthy Start Coalition of Pinellas, Inc.
Eliseo Santana
Environmental & Clean Energy Gulf Coast Regional Manager
Alianza Center
Tyheshia Scott
Director of Children’s Board Family Resource Centers
Lutheran Services Florida
Dr. Emily Shaffer-Hudkins
Director, Bay Area Early Steps
University of South Florida
JASon SOOS
Vice President, Commercial Banking
Synovus
Marlene Spalten
Chief Executive Officer
Community Foundation Tampa Bay
Jeni Torello
Executive Vice President, Operations
Amplify Clearwater
Work Groups
As part of the formula to achieve collective success in this critical work, Thrive by Five has established work groups dedicated to focusing on areas identified through comprehensive research and strategic planning. Work groups are led by passionate volunteers and staff including a range of community members, organizations and businesses.
Business Engagement
- Identify and cultivate Family Friendly workplace
policies that facilitate working families’ ability to
access resources and support their loved ones. - Amplify and expand corporate volunteer efforts in
Tampa Bay.
Children & Family Success
- Ensure that families have access to
resources that nurture and support their child’s on-time development, through TB5 Connects. - Lead development and distribution of early literacy
resources for families.
Systems Alignment & Strategy
- Analyze and monitor early learning community
wide metrics. - Develop strategies to achieve TB5 impact goal of
65% kindergarten readiness by 2030.
Communications
- Increase overall awareness of Thrive by Five
resources and initiatives. - Expand social media presence and engagement.