Leadership St. Pete (LSP) seeks to identify, recruit and develop leaders who represent the diversity of our local community. Each year, we select a diverse array of individuals spanning various industries and career stages to embark on an immersive six-month journey.
This year marks a momentous milestone for LSP, as the program celebrates its 55th anniversary. Established in 1970, LSP is one of the oldest leadership programs of its kind in the nation, fostering the growth and development of community leaders dedicated to making a meaningful impact in St. Petersburg and beyond. For over five decades, LSP has empowered hundreds of graduates, cultivating a legacy of leadership that continues to shape the region.
As we commemorate this extraordinary anniversary, we’re thrilled to introduce the Leadership St. Pete Class of 2025—a dynamic cohort of exceptional individuals ready to carry forward LSP’s tradition of excellence and help shape the future of our vibrant region.
Meet the 2025 Class Chair
Jenna Stock Wunsch, Raymond James
Jenna Stock Wunsch, a proud graduate of the LSP Class of 2021, serves as Communications Director at Raymond James. With a passion for fostering connections and driving meaningful change, Jenna brings her expertise and dedication to her role as Chair of the LSP Class of 2025.
Leading a 27-member Planning Committee, Jenna is committed to guiding this year’s diverse cohort of 39 business and community leaders through an impactful journey of growth, collaboration, and civic engagement. Reflecting on the program, Jenna shared, “I am honored, as the chair of this year’s class, and on behalf of the Planning Committee, to introduce the Leadership St. Pete® Class of 2025. This year’s class is a diverse group of leaders committed to the continued success of St. Petersburg by learning about the challenges we face and building relationships with those who can make things happen equitably for all in our community.”
Jenna’s leadership embodies the mission of LSP—empowering leaders to make a lasting, equitable impact on our community.
Meet the Leadership St. Pete Class of 2025
Alex Schapira
Organization: Hines
What I do: I'm a Director at Hines, a real estate development and investment firm that's leading the development outside the Tampa Bay Rays' proposed stadium.
Leadership inspiration: "You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards" - Steve Jobs.
Brian Plexico
Organization: Tampa Bay Rays
What I do: Help the Tampa Bay Rays build a winning organization by leading our software and data initiatives for our Baseball Operations department.
Leadership inspiration: "You miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take."
Callie McCarthy
Organization: Inspired Acres
What I do: I am the Community Engagement Manager for Inspired Acres; I am responsible for our events, social media, graphic design, and marketing.
Favorite thing about St. Pete: I’ll never run out of new restaurants to try!
Carlos Rodriguez
Organization: The Beck Group
Favorite thing about St. Pete: The stunning coastal city feel in conjunction with the urban structure, which provides endless opportunities for business and entertainment.
Leadership inspiration: “Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate and doubt to offer a solution everybody can understand.” – Gen. Colin Powell
Claire Gallo
Organization: Hancock Whitney Bank
What I do: I am a bridge-builder, connecting our associates and financial services with partners to meet our community where they are.
Favorite thing about St. Pete: My favorite thing about St. Pete is easily the PEOPLE. Whether I am walking into a workout class, trying a new restaurant, or grabbing a cup of coffee, everywhere I go… I am met with true warmth and authenticity.
Dallas Keeney
Organization: Raymond James Financial
Favorite thing about St. Pete: Besides having the greatest people, my favorite part about St. Pete is the availability of outdoor activities. Whether it’s running the pier, driving to the beach, walking Central, or grabbing an outside table at Ferg's, St. Pete lets you soak up all the sun it has to offer.
Leadership inspiration: “No one - not rockstars, not professionals athletes, not software billionaires, and not even geniuses - ever make it alone.” - Malcolm Gladwell
Daniel Wood
Organization: University of South Florida
Favorite thing about St. Pete: The bustling arts and creative scene here which I am proud to be part of.
Leadership inspiration: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead.
David Delrahim
Organization: Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick
What I do: As a business and real estate lawyer, I counsel people and businesses by assessing the situation, strategically negotiating, and advocating their position.
Favorite thing about St. Pete: The people are the best part of St. Pete. We have small city vibes with big city fun.
David Reider
Organization: Berlin Patten Ebling
Favorite thing about St. Pete: The vibe of the city - it is professional but also approachable and friendly.
Leadership inspiration: "Nothing has ever been accomplished in any walk of life without enthusiasm, without motivation, and without perseverance." - Jim Valvano
Demetras Miller
Organization: Fidelity Information Services (FIS)
What I do: I am responsible for seeking out and connecting with talented individuals who are in search of a great career opportunity. Providing them an opportunity to secure a great career as a member of the FIS family.
Leadership inspiration: “I refuse to believe that the 'isness' of a man’s present being will prohibit him from seeking the 'oughtness' that is forever in his reach” - MLK Jr.
Dr. Chris Slininger
Organization: Cerebral Chiropractic Center
What I do: As a Craniocervical Specialist, I evaluate and treat misalignments and dysfunctions at the craniocervical junction.
Favorite thing about St. Pete: The Parks
Edwin Gonzalez
Organization: Suncoast Credit Union
What I do: As a DEI Director, my role is to ensure everyone feels welcomed and valued by promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Favorite thing about St. Pete: I love our inclusive community! The proximity to the water and the ability to enjoy outdoor activities year-round is great. Plus, we’re blessed with some truly amazing sunsets.
Gage Smith
Organization: Smith Fence Company
What I do: We are a third-generation general contractor offering temporary & commercial fence services throughout the state, and motorsport solutions internationally.
Favorite thing about St. Pete: The beaches
Jamie McClendon
Organization: Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
What I do: I work in administration of the Pinellas County jail. I oversee the day to day operations of the entire department and work as a liaison between various departments to ensure compliance.
Leadership inspiration: “For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11
Jared Schneider
Organization: Kimley-Horn
What I do: I'm an urban planning consultant who works with communities to help improve and design places for people.
Favorite thing about St. Pete: The environment - It's a good size city but isn't too big or too small, it's surrounded by water with opportunities for nature, the city is dynamic and made up of diverse people.
Jason Levey
Organization: St. Petersburg Police Department
Favorite thing about St. Pete: I enjoy the variety of places to eat, visit and the culture. Most favorite is Mazzaro's!
Leadership inspiration: "Action springs not from thought, but from a readiness for responsibility." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Joy Brownworth
Organization: Studio+
What I do: As Creative Director and Associate at Studio+, an architecture and interior design firm, I lead marketing, brand awareness, and communication strategies that showcase the firm’s expertise in designing transformative spaces.
Favorite thing about St. Pete: What I love most about St. Pete is its vibrant arts scene paired with a deep sense of inclusivity and diversity, creating a welcoming and creative community where everyone feels at home.
Kate Diggs
Organization: Zelis
What I do: I help train adults!
Leadership inspiration: There is no I in Team.
Kelly Abanda
Organization: Better Brain Project
What I do: Using neuroscience, I help leaders and teams get more done with less stress.
Leadership inspiration: “Do not desire to fit in. Desire to oblige yourselves to lead.” - Gwendolyn Brooks
Kenya Woodard
Organization: Pinellas County Schools
Favorite thing about St. Pete: The people! There’s a very friendly vibe here. And there’s always something to do or see, no matter your interests.
Leadership inspiration: "Tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today." - Malcolm X
Kevin Elliot
Organization: Parc Center for Disabilities
Favorite thing about St. Pete: My favorite thing about St. Pete, is the amount of people who care for one another.
Leadership inspiration: "Just do the right thing."
Kimani Flemming
Organization: City of St. Petersburg Boyd Hill Nature Preserve
What I do: I oversee the Terry Tomalin Campgrounds and Boyd Hill Jr. Leaders at Boyd Hill Nature preserve, a 400-acre preserve in the heart of South St. Petersburg.
Favorite thing about St. Pete: Morning sun rises over Tampa Bay, lunch from Mair's Caribbean Restaurant, and sunsets in the Gulf of Mexico as ships sail under the Skyway Bridge.
Kirby Kelleher
Organization: Ellie Mental Health St. Petersburg
What I do: I am a mental health therapist providing compassionate, evidenced-based therapeutic services to adults, couples, and teens. I am committed to reducing the stigma of mental healthcare in our community!
Favorite thing about St. Pete: The diversity of our community and how welcoming we are to anyone.
Krystal Flakes-Martin
Organization: City of St. Petersburg
What I do: I manage the Lead Reduction Program within the Housing Department and our goal is to address lead-based paint hazards and reduce lead poisoning in children.
Favorite thing about St. Pete: The natural beauty of the City, from the Water to the Architecture.
Latorra Bowles
Organization: The Deuces Live, Inc
Favorite thing about St. Pete: My favorite thing about St. Pete is its rich African American heritage and vibrant cultural history, especially along the historic Deuces corridor.
Leadership inspiration: "You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them." – Maya Angelou
Lauren Bell
Organization: St. Pete Innovation District
What I do: I make connections between people, places, and things while engaging with youth and STEAM.
Leadership inspiration: "Our real discoveries come from chaos, from going to the place that looks wrong and stupid and foolish." - Chuck Palahniuk, Invisible Monsters
Lauren Moon
Organization: Raymond James & Associates
Favorite thing about St. Pete: The abundance of choices (and sunshine)! No matter what you're in the mood to do, St. Pete always has something to offer.
Leadership inspiration: “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it... The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” ― Nelson Mandela
Mai Jenney
Organization: University of South Florida St. Petersburg
Favorite thing about St. Pete: My co-workers and our campus culture.
Leadership inspiration: “We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it as not as dreadful as it appears, discovering that we have the strength to stare it down.” -- Eleanor Roosevelt
Mia Conza
Organization: St. Petersburg College
Favorite thing about St. Pete: The sunsets.
Leadership inspiration: "Believe you can and you're halfway there."
Michael Shields
Organization: BayCare - St. Anthony's Hospital
Favorite thing about St. Pete: The vibrant downtown and preserved green space along the waterfront.
Leadership inspiration: “Do the best you can. No one can do more than that.” - John Wooden
Peveeta Samuel
Organization: Duke Energy
What I do: I work on Duke Energy's economic development team and collaborate with our communities to bring new industry and businesses into the area that bolster jobs and capital investment opportunities.
Leadership inspiration: "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
Rachel Snyder
Organization: The Dali Museum
What I do: As Donor Relations & Fundraising Manager, I foster meaningful relationships with donors, showcase the museum's collection and educational initiatives, and lead its volunteer philanthropy group.
Favorite thing about St. Pete: St. Pete is so welcoming, blending culture with local charm. Plus, you can spot dolphins at Vinoy Park!
Randi Riley
Organization: Sabal Trust Company
What I do: As a Fiduciary at Sabal Trust, I assist families in protecting and transferring their assets to future generations by providing expert estate planning and investment management guidance. I build strong, lasting relationships with clients, offering personalized support to navigate complex estate matters and ensuring their financial legacies are preserved in alignment with their wishes.
Leadership inspiration: "Failing to prepare is preparing to fail."
Regina Thomas
Organization: Power Design
Favorite thing about St. Pete: My favorite thing about St. Pete is the arts and culture it offers. It’s very unique and constantly changing.
Leadership inspiration: "Whether you think you can or you can't, you're right." - Henry Ford
Sherrish Gaines
Organization: City of St. Petersburg
What I do: I connect people to our city by building partnerships, promoting events, and sparking community pride through creative outreach and marketing. From ribbon cuttings to parades, I try to bring our city’s programs and celebrations to life to make sure everyone feels included and inspired.
Leadership inspiration: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou
Tanja Gromadzki-Hobby
Organization: TD SYNNEX
What I do: I lead the regional Ethics and Compliance Program for the Americas at TD SYNNEX. We partner closely with the business to provide training, guidance, and support to ensure business decisions are made with ethics and integrity.
Leadership inspiration: “You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." — Winnie the Pooh
Trina O'Connell
Organization: Northwestern Mutual
What I do: My vision is to help every person I meet feel more confident with their financial literacy by meeting them where they are without judgement.
Leadership inspiration: "Become the kind of leader that people would follow voluntarily; even if you had no title or position." —Brian Tracy
Walker Willis
Organization: Working Ox Capital
Favorite thing about St. Pete: I enjoy the diversity of the arts and the cultures, and I also love how it still feels like a small town where I can know people on the street and really get to know people in the community.
Leadership inspiration: "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." - Winston Churchill
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