The Tampa Bay area is propelled forward each year by the women in our community. Here is a small selection of so many women who keep the ball rolling in St. Pete.
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Jessica Rivelli
Jessica founded Working Women of Tampa Bay in an effort to create an environment that motivates and inspires women to be better leaders. She believes that each one of us can be responsible for a fellow member’s professional growth by connecting them with resources. Since the launch of the foundation in 2016, Working Women has given $15,000 to more than 20 women-owned startups as part of their “Seed Money” grants.
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Alsace Walentine
Alasce Walentine opened her own independent bookstore on Central Avenue. She makes it her personal mission to get to know the people in our community so that she can provide the best inventory. She says she loves to connect to people by learning about what books they like. She says, “Books aren’t products; they are pieces of art that delve into human nature. Much of a bookseller’s day is spent figuring out the next best book for each customer by speaking frankly with them about what inspires them.”
Photo courtesy Academy Prep
Gina Burkett
Head of School, Academy Prep St. Petersburg
Gina entered the field of education shortly after earning her MBA and has over 25 years of experience as a teacher and an administrator. Over those 25 years, she has been involved in schools in New Orleans, Tampa, and St. Petersburg, as well as serving on the Florida Commission for ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International). She leads the students and teachers at Academy Prep St. Pete in the direction of a more supportive learning environment.
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Kate Berlin
Founder and Executive Director of Purple Dot Yoga
After yoga helped Kate break the cycle of abuse and partner violence, She quit her job in the corporate sector and started Purple Dot Yoga Project. Kate is a certified yoga teacher specializing in Trauma Informed Yoga. She realized, “the tools acquired from a dedicated yoga practice benefitted her life to journey from survivor to thriver” and made it her mission to share this knowledge with her community.
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Lorielle J. Hollaway
Founder and Owner of Cultured Books
Photo courtesy of The Library
Photo courtesy of The LibraryRachel Bennett
Executive Chef of The Library St. Pete
Rachel Bennett, the executive chef of The Library, is one of 23 semifinalists for the James Beard Foundation’s Restaurant and Chef Awards: Rising Star Chef for 2019. Rachel Bennett started out at Bern’s Steakhouse shucking oysters and then worked up to executive sous chef at Oxford Exchange. Then she began working towards opening a restaurant as an executive chef that was similar to Oxford Exchange, but also completely individual.
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