Our Team

Senior Management

Kim Jowell, middle-aged woman with brown short hair, black and white headshot, Hillsborough Education Foundation

Kim Jowell

Chief Executive Officer

813-574-0262

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Kim Jowell

Chief Executive Officer


Proud mom of 2 adult boys and 2 French Bulldogs.

I love Champa Bay. Big fan of our amazing sports teams.

Huge nature lover! Which is why my favorite vacation was to Costa Rica!

813-574-0262

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Mike McCollum, young adult man, black and white image, head and shoulders showing only, Hillsborough Education Foundation

Mike McCollum

Chief Advancement Officer

(813) 574-0296

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Mike McCollum

Chief Advancement Officer


Big, big sports fan in general. Favorite sport is basketball.

Favorite food is Macaroni & Cheese (the homemade kind).

Dark Knight is my favorite movie of all time (willing to debate this).

(813) 574-0296

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Michelle Matis

Chief Financial Officer

(813) 574-0281

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Michelle Matis

Chief Financial Officer


My favorite place to visit is Italy. If I won the lottery, I would move to Tuscany.

I’m a true Floridian, born and raised in Central Florida.

I have two cats who are really the ones in charge of the house.

(813) 574-0281

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ana cormon

Anna Corman

Chief Program Officer

(813) 463-4283

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Anna Corman

Chief Program Officer


I served in the Peace Corps in Kyrgyzstan from 2010-2012.

Parks and Recreation is one of my favorite TV shows.

I have two doodles, Penny & Huxley, who keep me very busy.

(813) 463-4283

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    our amazing staff

    Amari Smith

    College Success Coach

    (813) 574-0264

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    Amari Smith

    College Success Coach


    I studied abroad in Peru during my undergrad at San Diego State.

    I was born and raised in California.

    I love biking around town and spotting gators!

    (813) 574-0264

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    Amber Sale

    Development Coordinator

    (813) 574-0293

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    Amber Sale

    Development Coordinator


    I am a second generation Tampa native.

    I’ve been a ballet dancer for 20 years.

    The top countries I’d like to visit include Nepal, Japan and Cambodia.

    (813) 574-0293

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    Angie Anthony

    Dir. of Scholarships and Grant Programs

    (813) 574-0273

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    Angie Anthony

    Dir. of Scholarships and Grant Programs


    I have 2 adorable dogs & love taking them to the beach-our happy place!

    I‘m Greek & Irish. I love cooking traditional Greek foods & visiting Greece.

    Love my job & helping students on their path to success!

    (813) 574-0273

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    Chris Diaz

    Teaching Tools Resource Center Assistant

    813-574-0260

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    Chris Diaz

    Teaching Tools Resource Center Assistant


    I’m a member of both the Centro Austuriano and the Centro Espanol de Tampa.

    I grew up just three blocks from HEF’s office & Teaching Tools store.

    I got in a snowball fight at Leto High when it snowed on 01/19/1977.

    813-574-0260

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    Dan Grucza

    Warehouse & Facilities Coordinator

    (813) 574-0288

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    Dan Grucza

    Warehouse & Facilities Coordinator


    I enjoy helping my kids with their house projects.

    My favorite food is pizza. I could eat it every day.

    Watching TV puts me to sleep, unless it is football.

    (813) 574-0288

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    Danielle Bangsil

    Development Manager

    (813) 574-0275

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    Danielle Bangsil

    Development Manager


    I’m a dog mom to two Australian Shepherds, Nellie and Kylo.

    My favorite places to visit are Hawaii and the Philippines.

    I was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. Go Bills!

    (813) 574-0275

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    Elisabet Rivera, young woman with long curly hair, black and white headshot, Hillsborough Education Foundation

    Elísabet Rivera

    Mentor Coordinator

    (813) 574-0272

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    Elísabet Rivera

    Mentor Coordinator


    According to Myers Briggs, my personality type is ISFJ-A aka “The Defender.”

    The beach (& any place near a body of water) is my happy place!

    I served with AmeriCorps for 2 years after graduating from USF.

    (813) 574-0272

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    Hannah Coto

    Executive Assistant to the CEO

    (813) 574-0262

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    Hannah Coto

    Executive Assistant to the CEO


    I was born and raised in Florida and love to be near the water.

    I am a cat mom to two, Moe and Mae.

    I graduated from USF but am a Miami Hurricanes football fan.

    (813) 574-0262

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    Johanne Castagan

    Tech Connect Program Assistant

    (813) 574-0268

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    Johanne Castagan

    Tech Connect Program Assistant


    The gym is my happy place.

    I was a performer in the pregame show of Superbowl XXXV.

    My running group is called Brunch Bunch with a Running Problem.

    (813) 574-0268

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    Kaye Acosta

    Teaching Tools Program Coordinator

    (813) 463-4280

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    Kaye Acosta

    Teaching Tools Program Coordinator


    On the weekends my husband and I like to go paddleboarding and eat tacos.

    I lived in Spain for four years before moving to Florida.

    I love to read and am currently working on writing my first novel.

    (813) 463-4280

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    Kayla Gleason

    Content Creator

    (813) 574-0277

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    Kayla Gleason

    Content Creator


    I have a black standard poodle named Frankie (short for Frankenstein).

    I studied abroad in the UK and want to revisit Scotland.

    I love to paint (animals & people are my favorite subjects)!

    (813) 574-0277

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    Kayla Zambito

    College Success Coach

    (813) 574-0267

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    Kayla Zambito

    College Success Coach


    Love podcasts, Taylor Swift and reading (Favorite author is Taylor Jenkins Reid).

    I share a birthday with two of my three sisters.

    Bunny mom to a house rabbit, named Maggie.

    (813) 574-0267

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    Kristen Hendrickson

    Program Support Assistant

    (813) 574-0260

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    Kristen Hendrickson

    Program Support Assistant


    Hockey is my go to sport and have had my photo taken twice with the Stanley Cup. Go Bolts!

    I love 70’s and 80’s music with two of my favorite genres being Yacht Rock and New Wave.

    I have a passion for gardening and am cultivating a beautiful butterfly garden.

    (813) 574-0260

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    Lamine Gueye

    eLearning Coach

    (813) 574-0270

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    Lamine Gueye

    eLearning Coach


    Teaching about technology has introduced me to amazing students and parents.

    I love the science, industry, and art of route running.

    Porus, Manchester, Jamaica is my second home.

    (813) 574-0270

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    Laura Grucza, older woman with hoop earrings and blonde hair, black and white headshot, Hillsborough Education Foundation

    Laura Grucza

    Major Gifts Manager

    (813) 574-0274

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    Laura Grucza

    Major Gifts Manager


    I am a New York girl at heart.

    I was a roadie for the halftime show at Super Bowl XLIII.

    My glass is half full, always!

    (813) 574-0274

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    Liz Butler

    eLearning Coach

    (813) 574-0280

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    Liz Butler

    eLearning Coach


    I have two daughters who are 6 & 9 and two doodles: Gus & Daisy. 

    I love spending time with my family. The zoo & boating are our favorite activities.

    I love shopping and traveling.

    (813) 574-0280

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    Lynne Mantz

    Grants Manager

    (813) 463-4284

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    Lynne Mantz

    Grants Manager


    I’ve lived in Florida for 25 years & take advantage of the active lifestyle.

    My husband says the internet was invented for me – I love to discover new things!

    My favorite vacation spot is anywhere on or near the water.

    (813) 463-4284

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    Melanie Jimenez, young adult woman with curly hair, black and white headshot, Hillsborough Education Foundation

    Melanie Jimenez

    College Success Coach

    (813) 574-0269

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    Melanie Jimenez

    College Success Coach


    I love going salsa dancing.

    My favorite food is Sushi. I can eat it every day!

    I love collecting magnets from different cities and countries, I have 55 in total.

    (813) 574-0269

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    Mia Wuster

    Director of Take Stock in Children

    (813) 574-0271

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    Mia Wuster

    Director of Take Stock in Children


    Nature addict! I own over 20 plant varieties & spend most of my free time outdoors.

    Open to being challenged to a spicy food eating contest (I will win).

    Formerly a Disney College Program Intern stationed in Animal Kingdom!

    (813) 574-0271

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    Mindy Taylor, young adult woman, wearing glasses, smiling, black-and-white, Hillsborough Education Foundation

    Mindy Taylor

    Director of Impact

    (813) 574-0268

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    Mindy Taylor

    Director of Impact


    I love to camp at Disney’s Fort Wilderness with my family.

    I have an adorable cockapoo named Ginger.

    I love to read and have been in my book club for 25 years.

    (813) 574-0268

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    Mitzi Castiglione

    Controller

    (813) 574-0282

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    Mitzi Castiglione

    Controller


    Having grown up near a produce field, I’m a tomato and strawberry connoisseur.

    My hobbies include hiking and snorkeling. I love adventure!

    I love all animals, especially cats!

    (813) 574-0282

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    Natalie Doig

    Director of Teacher Resource Program

    (813) 574-0287

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    Natalie Doig

    Director of Teacher Resource Program


    #BoyMom to a high school senior.

    As a Formula 1 racing fan, I’ve traveled from England to Austin, Texas to see races.

    I love everything Christmas!

    (813) 574-0287

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    Pablo Gonzalez

    Accountant

    (813) 574-0284

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    Pablo Gonzalez

    Accountant


    Proud dad to my four pets. Two dogs Bentley & Spicy and two cats Luna & Snow.

    I love Italian food and hope to enjoy it in Italy some day!

    NYC is at my core but am excited to embrace my move to Florida.

    (813) 574-0284

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    Shelby Hearn-Belluso

    College & Career Center Coordinator

    (813) 463-4284

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    Shelby Hearn-Belluso

    College & Career Center Coordinator


    I love planning weekend getaways with my family.

    I think DreamWorks hit it out of the ballpark with Shrek.

    My favorite music genre is Pop Punk.

    (813) 463-4284

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    Stephen Ford

    Director of Digital Equity Initiatives

    (813) 574-0283

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    Stephen Ford

    Director of Digital Equity Initiatives


    University of Tampa – National Champion (Baseball ’93)

    Hobbies – Coaching Baseball, Golf, and spending time with family

    Tampa Bay Sports Fan (Rays, Bucs, Lightning)

    (813) 574-0283

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    Zarna Martinez

    Events & Engagement Manager

    (813) 574-0279

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    Zarna Martinez

    Events & Engagement Manager


    A big fan of Taylor Swift, mac and cheese, karaoke and themed parties.

    I avidly listen to a pop culture podcast called The Morning Toast.

    Tik Tok addict – I sometimes even speak in Tik Tok references!

    (813) 574-0279

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