Community Foundation Tampa Bay adds five trustees

Community Foundation Tampa Bay named five new members to its board of trustees on September 15, 2026, adding leaders from business, law, higher education, finance, real estate and civic life. The move comes as the foundation looks to deepen community ties and expand its philanthropic impact across Tampa Bay.

Why it matters: - Community Foundation Tampa Bay is adding leaders with deep ties across business and civic life as it works to connect philanthropy with community needs in the Tampa Bay region. - The board additions bring experience that could help shape nonprofit investment across Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties.

What happened: - Community Foundation Tampa Bay welcomed five new trustees on September 15, 2026: Rhea Law, Bill Goede, Roxanne Bartley, Bryce Bowden and Sean Brown. - The foundation said the new trustees bring experience spanning business, law, higher education, finance, real estate and community service. - President and CEO Marlene Spalten said the trustees help keep Community Foundation Tampa Bay connected to people, opportunities and needs across the region. - The five new members join an existing board chaired by Linda O. Simmons.

The details: - Rhea Law is the former president of the University of South Florida and former CEO and chair of Fowler White Boggs. - Law’s board and committee experience includes Tampa Electric Company, Peoples Gas, the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council, the Tampa Bay Chamber, the Council of Governors for the Tampa Bay Partnership, and the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center Board of Directors and National Board of Advisors. - Bill Goede is the former Tampa Bay president for Bank of America, a role he held for 18 years during a 36-year career with the company. - Goede now serves as an assistant professor of instruction at USF’s Muma College of Business and remains active with several Tampa Bay nonprofit organizations. - Roxanne Bartley is global chief revenue officer at TRAKAmerica. - Bartley has volunteered with the Straz, the Caribbean-American National Development Organization and the South Tampa Chamber. - Bryce Bowden is a commercial real estate specialist with Turner Cole Company and a military veteran. - Bowden’s community involvement includes Big Brothers Big Sisters, Harbour Isles HOA, Hillsborough County Hospital Authority and Wimauma Community Development Corporation. - Sean Brown is an active Florida CPA and former chief financial officer of Minor League Baseball. - Brown is involved with several Tampa Bay-focused nonprofit organizations and recently served as chair of Community Foundation Tampa Bay’s Audit Committee. - Community Foundation Tampa Bay said its trustees play an important role in staying connected to local needs and opportunities. - The foundation said the new trustees each bring valuable connections and unique perspectives.

Between the lines: - The board refresh signals an emphasis on people who can bridge corporate, nonprofit and public-sector networks. - The mix of trustees suggests the foundation is leaning on leaders with both operational experience and community credibility.

What's next: - Board members and Community Foundation Tampa Bay representatives are available for comment. - Community Foundation Tampa Bay will continue directing philanthropic investment across the Tampa Bay area. - More information is available at Community Foundation Tampa Bay. - The foundation’s LinkedIn page is here.

The bottom line: - Community Foundation Tampa Bay is broadening its board with five new trustees who bring leadership experience and local connections across the region.