Tampa 2009 Community Council

Mayor Pam Iorio has been the Honorary Co-Chair of the Tampa Sister to Sister Campaign since its inception in 2007.  She has been inspirational in encouraging city workers to attend the fair by allowing them to take time off from work to get screened.

Liana Lopez serves as the Public Affairs Director for the City of Tampa. In addition to serving as Co-Chair of the Sister to Sister Campaign, she currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Tampa Connection and is a member of the Junior League of Tampa.

Stephanie Amberg is Vice President of Public relations for OSI Restaurant Partners, LLC.  She was recently awarded the 2008 Founders award by Fleming's Prime Steak House & Wine Bar.  "Sister to Sister saved the life of a dear friend of mine.  That is an organization where I want to spend my time."

Angela Ardolino is the editor-in-chief of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine.  We were lucky enough to be able to partner with Angela and Tampa Bay Parenting this year to present a special "kids area" at our Women's Heart Health Fair.

Mary Jane Badillo is Tampa General Hospital's Community Relations Manager.  Mary Jane brings the hospital's staff and services "to the community" by providing great educational health programs, valuable screenings, and working with local advocacy and charitable organizations. 

For the past three years, Shannon Black has been the Public Relations Coordinator for OSI Restaurant Partners, LLC.  A graduate of Clearwater Christian College, she is active in the Sister to Sister Campaign, as well as Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance.

With more than 30 years experience in retailing and urban development, Christine Burdick was chosen as the President of the Tampa Downtown Partnership in April of 2002.  She promotes the Healthy Heart Campaign to the downtown business community.

Barbara Casey arrived in Tampa just in time to become the Executive Director of Tampa's first Super Bowl.  She was named Director of Public Affairs for the Tampa Sports Authority.  "I was drawn to Sister to Sister by the story of a friend who was screened and identified by STS screening."  She is active in promoting the Campaign to the greater Tampa area. 

Colleen Chappell is President and CEO of ChappellRoberts.  With nearly 20 years of experience, she specializes in brand development, integrated marketing, advertising, public relations and pricing strategies.  She is a great resource for potential sponsors and exhibitors for the Heart Health Fair.

Melinda Chavez is the Director of the Tampa Bay Business Committee for the Arts.  Melinda is a member of the Tampa Downtown Partnership and the Tampa Bay Business Committee.  Melinda has served for a number of years on the Gasparilla Sidewalk Art's Festival Committee.

Margo Eure's commitment to community involvement spans a number of years and all of the arts.  She has served on the Florida Orchestra Board; she is currently on the Board of the Tampa Museum of Art which is to open in January. She has chaired the Gasparilla Sidewalk Art Festival, a nationally acclaimed juried show. 

Joyce Fisk was an executive in the banking industry before moving to Tampa Bay and Company, the Tampa Visitor and Convention Bureau.  Joyce is Vice President of the Partnership for Tampa Bay and Company.  During her professional years she has been associated with some of Tampa's largest events.

As Director of Public Information and Community Relations for Tampa International Airport, Brenda Geoghagan is responsible for the development, planning and implementation of programs.  Brenda helped promote the Campaign in the community, volunteered her time and collected donations for door prizes and goody bags.

Dr. Joette Giovinco is the medical reporter for FOX 13.  Most recently, her focus has been cardiovascular disease prevention, as the co-director of the Lipid Clinic at the University of South Florida, College of Medicine. She was a great addition to our council, helping to spread the word throughout the Tampa Bay area, speaking at luncheons to promote the Sister to Sister campaign and bringing awareness to heart disease.

As the Audience Development Manager for the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Kari Goetz has the unique ability to reach out to organizations, corporations and the community on behalf of TBPAC.  Kari helped with door prizes, goody bags, contacts in the community, as well as entertainment at the Health Fair.

Irene Guy is a recently retired Verizon Executive, and is very active in public policy and community relations in the greater Tampa area.

Lori Hudson joined Hillsborough County Government's team in October 2005, and serves as the County Communications spokesperson.  Lori strives to reach all citizens with the vital information that families, businesses and communities need to hear from their local government.  

Dianne Jacob is the senior Vice President of Marketing for Tampa Bay and Company.  She is a member of Leadership Florida and was an active facilitator for First Night Tampa Bay, a New Year's Eve Festival of the Arts.

Dr. Joan McCarthy is a Gynecologist in a solo practice in Tampa. "South Tampa Gynecology" focuses on personalized care for women with a strong focus on maintaining good health through preventative medicine.  She promoted the Campaign throughout the Tampa medical community and volunteered at the Health Fair.

Cyndy Miller has been the Director of Growth Management and Development Services for the City of Tampa.  She is a certified public accountant.  Prior to coming to Tampa, Ms. Miller served as Associate Administrator of Airports, Federal Aviation Administration in Washington D.C.

Gwendolyn Miller was the first African- American female ever elected to the Tampa City Council in 1995.  Council Member Miller was the first African-American ever to be elected to the Tampa City Council.  Additionally, she was elected by her peers to serve as Chair of Tampa City Council three consecutive times.

Sandra Murman is the State Chairperson for the State Council for Healthy Communities.  She has been a member of the Health and Human Services Committee as well as its Chairperson.  "STS has been a dynamic force in the Tampa Bay community by bringing together women from all corners and uniting them in purpose and profession to help heart disease."

Ronda M. Parag is the Publisher/Managing Editor of Tampa Bay Metro Magazine and Tampa Bay Weddings Magazine. Ronda is also responsible for the marketing of the magazine and securing advertising clients. In addition to being one of Sister to Sister's media partners, Ronda helped with door prizes and securing potential exhibitors.

Laura Schmalhorst is one of the most well known caterers in Tampa.  She founded A La Carte Catering, Chef's on the Loose and Vagabond Gourmet.  She has used her creativity and culinary skill for a number of Tampa non-profit organizations.  She recently provided the catering for Sister to Sister's "Chics, Cheese and Cheers".

Janet Rivera Tucker currently serves the City of Tampa in the Human Resources Department, as the HR Special Projects Leader. Working with communications, marketing campaigns and training of strategic and tactical Workforce Development initiatives - Janet was able to widely promote the Sister to Sister campaign. Through her position with the city, she was able to reach all city employees through various internal communication outlets. 

Elizabeth Vocke is a Senior Account Supervisor in the Tampa office of Hill & Knowlton.  Vocke's primary responsibilities include public relations and media relations and she also has a special expertise in video production. Elizabeth managed a majority of the PR for the Sister to Sister Campaign.

Linda Zipkin was Public Relations Manager for Neiman Marcus and is currently a Marketing Consultant.  "The cause of STS is number one as the reason for my involvement.  Heart disease is near and dear to my heart since it claimed both of my parent's life. But the diversification and camaraderie of the dynamic women on this Executive Council is a terrific added bonus."