This week marked another important milestone in the history of the Tampa Bay EDC. The Genspiration Foundation – the family foundation of USF President Emerita Dr. Judy Genshaft, her husband, Steve Greenbaum, and their sons Joel and Bryan – gave us a $200,000 gift to establish a new, results-driven internship program for USF students that will train a new generation of economic developers. We are deeply grateful for their support of our mission and thanks to them, we will have three brilliant new teammates to accelerate the positive impact our work has on Tampa and Hillsborough County.
“The Tampa Bay Economic Development Council was a natural fit for Genspiration Foundation to support because, like our foundation, it strives to improve life in our community so individuals, families and businesses can thrive,” said Dr. Genshaft.
Our Genspiration interns will be with us for a full academic year beginning next month, and have special assignments within our Marketing, Business Development and Community Development teams. Our Marketing intern, for example, will play a key role in developing web site and social media content and promoting Hot Jobs of the Day for our Make it Tampa Bay web site, giving her valuable experience in managing a national talent attraction campaign.
Tampa Bay’s incredible rise as an economic powerhouse is the direct result of the focused and intentional leadership of people like Dr. Genshaft. She was one of the principal founders of the Tampa Bay EDC and served as our chair in 2019. In the two decades that she led USF, the university soared to become one of the top research institutions in the country and achieved its long- held goal of becoming a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU).
Since retiring from USF, she and her family have focused on growing Genspiration Foundation. Its vision is to promote, through strategic grantmaking, a society where individuals and families can live up to their potential and contribute back to their community, leading to a world of tolerance and mutual respect. The Genshaft/Greenbaum family’s philanthropic investments support education, health and community and economic development.
On behalf of our entire board and team, thanks again to Judy, Steve, Bryan and Joel for this transformational gift.
Have a happy and safe Labor Day weekend!
Craig
