Annual Report
Tampa Bay Partnership Logo White

About

Solutions Are Not Found in Silos

About The Tampa Bay Partnership

Advancing a clear vision and collective actions.

The Tampa Bay Partnership is composed of a coalition of ~40 regional business and nonprofit leaders representing more than 120,000 employees. We work with government, nonprofit, and business sector partners across the region to accelerate the competitiveness and inclusive growth of our 8-county regional economy. 

The Partnership helps unite the collective voices and influence and hone in on a unified message to address regional challenges and achieve what no individual or organization can accomplish alone.

The Tampa Bay Partnership fosters regional collaboration to improve life for all Tampa Bay residents.

Our Vision

To be a region united in action, where business, government and community leaders work together to ensure equitable access to opportunity for all our residents.

The Partnership is currently engaged in a range of regional issues, including Transportation, Education, Workforce Development, and Housing Affordability.

Learn More

Our Team

The Tampa Bay Partnership is home to a lean, strong team of talented professionals, driven by a passion for our region and a commitment to action, engagement and results.

Bemetra Simmons

President and CEO

Learn More

Sarah Burgoyne

Senior Director of Research and Public Policy

Learn More

Courtney McDonnell

Senior Director of Programs

Learn More

Shannon Kalahar

Senior Director of Strategic Communications

Learn More

Diane Soto

Director of Operations and Logistics

Learn More

Leadership

The work of the Partnership is only possible thanks to the generous support of our Investors.

Learn More

Bemetra Simmons

President and CEO

Linkedin

Bemetra Simmons has served as president and chief executive officer of Tampa Bay Partnership in Tampa, Florida, since September 1, 2021. The Tampa Bay Partnership is a coalition of regional business and nonprofit leaders designed to improve the civic quality and economic well-being of the residents of Tampa Bay. Ms. Simmons’s extensive network and relationships throughout the eight-county Tampa Bay region, the state, and the country have informed her successes in convening and activating decision-makers to propel solutions for the area’s greatest needs, including workforce development, education, transportation, and housing affordability.

Ms. Simmons previously served as the chief strategy and operations officer for United Way Suncoast from 2020 to 2021, and she has held leadership and executive leadership roles at Mutual of Omaha Bank, Wells Fargo, and BB&T.

She is a member of the board of directors of the Jacksonville Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. She is active in the Tampa Bay community and currently serves on several boards, including the board of trustees for St. Leo University, the Florida Nonprofit Alliance, the Tampa Bay Sports Commission, and Visit Tampa Bay. Ms. Simmons is a Leadership Tampa graduate and a member of Leadership Florida Cornerstone Class XXXVIII. She was named as one of the “Most Admired CEOs” in 2025 by the Tampa Bay Business Journal, and has also been recognized as a 2024 Women of Distinction Honoree by the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida. In addition, she is listed as one of the Florida 500 by Florida Trend and is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

Ms. Simmons received a BS in business administration from Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee, and an MBA from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Sarah Burgoyne

Senior Director of Research and Public Policy

Sarah Burgoyne is the Senior Director of Research and Public Policy at the Tampa Bay Partnership, where she directs regional research initiatives and shapes public policy strategies to drive economic growth and development across the Tampa Bay area. Before joining the Partnership, she served as Lead Demographer at Nielsen, providing critical insight into population estimation and championing the use of public data in Nielsen’s media products.

Sarah earned a BS in Sociology and Political Science from the University of Illinois and an MA in Applied Demography from Bowling Green State University. She is deeply engaged in the applied demographic community, having served on numerous boards and committees for population and public data organizations. She is also the co-author of the white paper “Census Differential Privacy and Private Sector Demographic Data Products.”

A proud Apollo Beach resident, Sarah can often be found supporting local community events and festivals that bring people together. She also enjoys spending her weekends soaking up the sun at the area’s beautiful beaches. In her free time, Sarah loves relaxing at home with her shih tzu and two mini Bernedoodles.

Courtney McDonnell Senior Director, Programs

Courtney McDonnell

Senior Director of Programs

P: 813.872.2813
E: cmcdonnell@tampabay.org
Linkedin

Courtney McDonnell joined the Tampa Bay Partnership in April 2018.  As the Senior Director of Programs, she handles investor relations and coordination of meetings and events for the Partnership as well as support for the Partnership’s advocacy efforts.

McDonnell brings experience in community and political outreach to the role, most recently serving as Political & Finance Director for Castor for Congress, where she worked to re-elect Congresswoman Kathy Castor in Florida’s 14th Congressional District during the 2016 election cycle.

She previously served as Legislative Correspondent and Staff Assistant in the Washington, D.C. office of Congresswoman Castor, handling a legislative portfolio including the issues of Education, Trade, and Science and Technology, as well as overseeing the office legislative correspondence program. Her previous experience includes positions with the Office of U.S. Senator Bill Nelson and Florida Representative Loranne Ausley.

McDonnell has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in International Affairs from George Washington University. She has lived in Tampa with her husband, Tommy, since 2015.

Shannon Kalahar Senior Director of Strategic Communications

Shannon Kalahar

Senior Director of Strategic Communications

P: 813.872.2807
E: skalahar@tampabay.org
Linkedin

Shannon Kalahar is the Senior Director of Strategic Communications at the Tampa Bay Partnership, where she leads external communications, public relations, and advocacy strategies.

She plays a key role in shaping the Partnership’s research, including the annual Regional Competitiveness Report, into clear, actionable narratives that inform and engage the community.

Prior to joining the Partnership, Shannon held communications leadership roles at the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg and the University of South Florida St. Petersburg.

She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Florida and an MBA with a concentration in Information Systems from the University of South Florida

Diane Soto

Director of Operations and Logistics 

Diane Soto was born and raised in Guatemala City, where she cultivated a strong sense of discipline and determination. After earning a law degree from Universidad Rafael Landívar, she pursued her passion for equestrian sports, relocating to Germany to train, work, and compete in show jumping. Following two enriching years in Europe, Diane moved to the United States to be closer to her family.

In New York City, Diane transitioned into the events industry, working with high-end restaurants before joining Gap Inc.’s corporate team. During her eight years with the company, she managed in-house events, led field leadership conferences, and coordinated several collaborative projects. This period highlighted her adaptability and adventurous spirit, as she explored diverse career opportunities while excelling in her roles.

Over the past nine years in the United States, Diane has discovered new passions, including triathlons, marathons, and ultramarathons. She credits her father’s advice—”Choose a job you love, and you will never work a day in your life”—as a guiding principle throughout her career.

Currently, Diane resides in St. Petersburg, Florida, where she is part of a vibrant and active community. She is excited to embark on her next chapter as a member of the Tampa Bay Partnership, where she will serve as the Director of Operations and Logistics.