CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas offers a full range of career planning services for professional and entry level candidates, including career orientation; turnkey resource centers that assist in the candidate’s job search; career fairs; interviewing techniques; labor market information specific to occupations and industries in demand as well as resume building tips, salary and wage information and more; and professional networking.
CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas strengthens the competitive edge of local businesses in measurable ways that lead to the economic vitality of the region. A team of business consultants, dedicated to specific industry sectors, works as a partner with local businesses to provide innovative, value-added workforce solutions.
Keidrian Kunkel, President and CEO
In this role, Kunkel is responsible for workforce & economic development, where it is vital to partner with businesses, government agencies, and community organizations to drive workforce programs that create employment opportunities and a skilled talent pipeline. She is an experienced leader with a proven track record in non-profit management, program development, and stakeholder engagement.
Your career has been devoted to workforce development. What makes you so
passionate about this industry?
I am passionate about building high-performing teams and empowering others to
succeed. I initially fell in love with teaching Adult Education classes to job seekers
attending my local American Job Center; I found a career in workforce development as an opportunity to serve and connect even more job seekers to meaningful employment opportunities. The ever-evolving nature of this field fuels my creativity, allowing me to design, implement, and scale innovative workforce solutions that have earned national recognition and set industry benchmarks. I see an incredible opportunity to bring that same level of creativity and success to this newly merged workforce organization, driving meaningful impact for job seekers and businesses alike.
What, in your opinion, are some of the biggest areas of opportunity in workforce development?
In workforce development, our top priority is connecting job seekers with businesses to create meaningful career opportunities. Bridging the skills gap through upskilling and reskilling programs ensures our workforce is prepared for evolving industry demands. Expanding access to workforce training—especially in technology, healthcare, and skilled trades—is essential for driving economic growth and creating pathways to highquality jobs, particularly for our opportunity youth. However, we cannot rely solely on state and federal funding. Strengthening public and private support through fundraising efforts will enhance our ability to serve both job seekers and industries, ensuring longterm impact and success. Listening to employers and industry leaders to ensure we are effectively matching our job seekers with adequate training and employment opportunities. Working in tandem with our Economic Development partners allows us an avenue to accomplish this task. Developing the trust of business and industry is a challenge, but a tremendous opportunity.
What is the number one thing that you believe will impact Tampa Bay’s
competitiveness in the coming decade?
Collaboration is key to strengthening Tampa Bay’s competitiveness. Our region is
economically, educationally, and culturally strong, and as it continues to grow, it is
more important than ever for governments, organizations, and industries to work
together in the region’s best interest. Building strong relationships and creating
consensus around a shared vision are critical to long-term success. The unification of
the Pinellas and Hillsborough workforce boards is a significant step toward this regional approach, and we are already seeing its positive impact on job seekers and businesses.
What role do you see CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas playing in helping to shape our community’s workforce development in the future?
The CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas board is committed to innovative leadership in workforce development, striving to set the standard for Florida and the nation. My team and I are dedicated to championing bold, transformative strategies that create
meaningful opportunities for local job seekers and businesses. Our priority is to align
resources, talent, and technology to drive sustained impact and success in the Tampa
Bay region. By fostering a more efficient, performance-driven organization, we can
better meet the needs of our community while adapting to the evolving workforce
landscape. My goal is to position CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas as a leader in
workforce development—recognized for excellence, collaboration, and measurable
impact.
Lastly, what are your thoughts on the Tampa Bay community so far, as a recent
transplant?
I am very much in love with the Tampa Bay community. I relocated here before the
opportunity with CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas was available. Tampa Bay has so
much to offer from nature to the arts to education to industry and it’s all woven together by the people. People in Tampa Bay know how to work hard and how to play hard. It’s an amazing place to call home and I appreciate how much everyone has done to welcome me.
