In 2015, the TECO Energy Center for Leadership launched the Leadership Summit. This interactive event brings together a large group of participants composed of leaders throughout the Tampa Bay business community, University of Tampa students, faculty, nationally recognized speakers and panel members. Attendees are able to connect with local business leaders, gain valuable leadership insight and advice, and learn about hot topics in leadership.
2026 Leadership Summit
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026
7:15 a.m. to 12 p.m.
University of Tampa
Vaughn Center
9th Floor, Crescent Club
Keynote Speaker: Amanda Silver
Theme: [Re]Discovering You
Amanda Silver is the CEO of College Magazine, TEDx speaker, and bestselling author of #Qualified: You Are More Impressive Than You Realize. She’s also a keynote speaker and the host of Find Your Passion Career podcast. Silver has appeared on Good Morning America, Cheddar TV and ABC10. Her advice has been featured in Business Insider, NBC News, Today, and MarketWatch. Her speaking audiences include universities, associations and organizations who are eager to create meaningful change and live intentional lives.
Have you ever felt unqualified to go after your goals? Whether you’re beginning or advancing in your career, Silver's message is more powerful than ever: you are qualified. She’s here to shake up your autopilot, uncover your unique value and actively pursue experiences, a method she personally follows.
Leadership Panel:
Bob Buckhorn, Former Mayor, City of Tampa
Valerie Lavin, Founder & CEO, Luminary Global
Ora Tanner, CEO, Black Unicorn Education
2021 Leadership Summit
Topic: "Developing Your SPARK As A Leader"
Leadership Panel:
Mary Pat King
Chief Executive Officer, Girl Scouts of West Central Florida
Brian Butler
Army Officer (retired) and President and CEO, Vistra Communications
Simon T. Bailey
Speaker, Breakthrough Strategist, Life Coach and Author of Be the Spark:
Five Platinum Service Principles for Creating Customers for Life
2020 Leadership Summit
Topic: "Reaching New Heights"
Leadership Panel:
T.J. Szelistowski
President, Peoples Gas
Jessica Muroff
CEO, United Way Suncoast
Yvette Segura
Regional Vice President, USAA
Mary Abbajay
Best-selling Author of Managing Up: How to Move Up, Win at Work, and Succeed with Any Type of Boss
2019 Leadership Summit
Topic: "Leadership in Turbulent Times"
Leadership Panel:
Bob Rohrlack
President and CEO, Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce
Major General Edward F. Dorman III
United States Army, (Retired), Director, Logistics and Engineering, U.S. Central Command
Henry Gonzalez III
Tampa Bay Market President, Beach Community Bank
Jen Shirkani
Author of Choose Resilience and Ego vs EQ, Emotional Intelligence Speaker
Spring 2018
Topic: "Conquering the Pinnacle of Leadership"
Leadership Panel:
Gregory Celestan
Chief Executive Officer, Celestar Corporation
Judith A. Lisi
President/CEO, David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts
Timothy J. Adams
Chairman of the Board, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center
Ryan Holiday
Author of Perennial Seller, Ego is the Enemy, The Daily Stoic and more
Spring 2017
Topic: “Empowering Growing Leaders”
Leadership Panel:
Rhea Law
Chair, Florida Offices, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC
Dave Pizzo
Market President, West Florida Region, Florida Blue
Dave Ciesla
Regional Trauma Director, Tampa General Hospital and USF Health
Spring 2016
Topic: “Courage: The Essence of Leadership”
Leadership Panel:
Jane Castor '81
Chief of Police (Retired), City of Tampa
Mark House
Managing Director, The Beck Group
Suzanne McCormick
President and CEO, United Way Suncoast
Spring 2015
Topic: “Leadership Makes the Difference!”
Leadership Panel:
John Ramil
President and CEO, TECO Energy Inc.
Pam Iorio
National President and CEO of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America,
Former Mayor of Tampa
Maj. Gen. Karl Horst
Former Chief of Staff of U.S. Central Command located at
MacDill Air Force Base
Pete Teigen
Business Transformation Executive, Watson Project, IBM
