Women of Distinction
Save the Date for Women of Distinction 2026
March 4, 2026 | Armature Works
Support the next generation of female leaders in 2026. Plan to join us on March 4 at Armature Works in Tampa for the 2026 Women of Distinction Awards Luncheon!
The Women of Distinction Luncheon celebrates extraordinary women who exemplify the Girl Scout Promise and Law as business, community and philanthropic leaders. Their courage, confidence, and character make them role models for Girl Scouts and all women, as they make the world a better place.
In its 34th year, this event is the longest running Women's History Month Celebration and attracts more than 600 business and community leaders across Tampa Bay.
Explore the Benefits of Sponsoring Women of Distinction
Make a meaningful impact for the girls in our community by supporting the Women of Distinction Luncheon. Review our Sponsorship Form.
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Angelique Lenox at alenox@gswcf.org.
Meet the 2026 Women of Distinction
Renee Dabbs, Woman of Distinction 
Renee Dabbs is a dynamic leader and mentor dedicated to helping others reach their full potential. After 16 years at Procter & Gamble managing a $220 million business and launching one of its first women’s leadership networks, she became COO of The Victory Group. She later founded Renee Dabbs, LLC, a consulting firm that helps organizations and leaders find clarity, strengthen teams, and lead with purpose.
Service has always been at the heart of Renee’s story. She has shared her leadership with many Florida organizations, including the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida. As founder of Women Empowering Women in Legislation and Leadership (WeWill Tampa Bay), she has helped hundreds of women gain the tools and confidence to serve in public office and community leadership roles.
Renee began her Girl Scouts journey as a troop leader for six years with her daughter Reilley, later chairing the Women of Distinction Committee twice and serving on the Board of Directors. Guided by her belief that “when one woman rises, she must turn and pull others with her,” Renee continues to pour into her community. She lives in Tampa with her husband, Brooks, and their daughters, Reilley and Regan.
Dr. Cynthia Johnson, Woman of Distinction
Dr. Cynthia Johnson serves as Director of Pinellas County Economic Development and Executive Director of the Pinellas County Economic Development Authority. Since joining the organization in 2000, she has led with vision and impact, creating the county’s Small Business Enterprise (SBE) program and advancing entrepreneurial and business development initiatives across the region.
A certified Master Economic Development Practitioner, Dr. Johnson manages a $12.2 million budget and a team of 33 employees. She holds degrees from Florida Memorial University and Nova Southeastern University, along with a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion certification from Cornell University. Her leadership has earned her recognition among the Tampa Bay Business Journal Power 100 for four consecutive years and honors such as Woman of the Year, Woman on the Move, Outstanding Women in STEAM, and the 2024 U.S House of Representatives, Congressional Citizen Award.
Dr. Johnson serves on the Boards of CareerSource Tampa Bay, the International Economic Development Council, and the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg. A dedicated community leader and mentor, she continues to champion inclusive economic development and equitable policy initiatives throughout Tampa Bay.
J. Denise Jordan, Woman of Distinction
J. Denise Jordan is the owner and president of LifeSpring Home Care of Tampa, a Medicare certified and CHAP accredited home health agency that provides in-home skilled nursing and therapy services to enhance the patient's health, quality of life, and peace of mind. Prior to owning her business, Denise held management and leadership positions of increasing responsibility in the utility industry, gaining over 25 years of experience in regulatory affairs, project management, process improvement, strategic planning, and business analytics. She has been recognized nationally for her managerial leadership as well as her project management skills.
Denise serves on HCA Florida South Tampa Hospital’s Board of Trustees and the Tampa Legacy Elder Fund Board of Directors. She is a lifetime Girl Scout, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated member and Athena Society member. She is a Leadership Florida alumna, Leadership St. Pete alumna, and inaugural council president of Girl Scouts of West Central Florida.
Jessica Muroff, Woman of Distinction
Jessica Muroff is one of Florida’s most recognized nonprofit and civic leaders, serving as Chief Executive Officer of United Way Suncoast. Through her leadership, the organization partners with more than 400 nonprofits across five counties, helping answer over 500,000 service requests annually and creating lasting impact across the region.
Jessica has built a legacy of change-making leadership, philanthropic goodwill, and community care. She serves as chair of the United Way of Florida board and collaborates nationally through the United Way Worldwide National Presidents Roundtable. Beyond her United Way role, she served as 2024–25 president of the Athena Society and co-chaired the Tampa Bay Partnership’s Housing Affordability Committee.
Before joining United Way Suncoast in 2019, Jessica led transformative change as CEO of Girl Scouts of West Central Florida and Frameworks of Tampa Bay. She holds a graduate certificate in strategic foresight from the University of Houston and both master’s and bachelor’s degrees from the University of South Florida.
Philanthropy remains at the core of her life’s work and purpose.
Evita Jackeline Garcia, Woman of Promise
Evita Jackeline Garcia is a master’s student in Environmental Science and Policy and Senior Researcher at the University of South Florida. Her research explores the intersection of environmental justice, community health, and sustainable land use, with a focus on empowering marginalized communities through equitable policy and grassroots engagement.
A former District Aide in the Florida House of Representatives, Evita now collaborates with organizations like the Sierra Club and Tampa Bay Latin Chamber of Commerce to advance community-based sustainability initiatives. She is a recipient of the Athena Society’s Phyllis P. Marshall Career Assistance Grant, the USF Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement’s Pillar in the Community Award, and is a USF Women in Leadership & Philanthropy Scholar, committed to advancing inclusion, mentorship, and environmental stewardship.
Dr. Judy Genshaft, Woman of Distinction Hall of Fame Inductee
Dr. Judy Genshaft served as President of the University of South Florida System from 2000 to 2019, leading a historic era of growth and achievement that elevated USF to national and international prominence. Under her leadership, USF earned the elite designation of Preeminent State Research University and membership in the Phi Beta Kappa Society. In 2019, the Judy Genshaft Honors College was named in recognition of her transformational leadership and philanthropic support.
Throughout her career, Dr. Genshaft has been a driving force in economic and community development across Tampa Bay, serving as chair of the Tampa Bay Partnership, The Tampa Bay Chamber, and the Tampa Bay Economic Development Corporation. Nationally, she chaired the American Council on Education and made history as the first woman to chair the NCAA Division I Board.
A celebrated leader in higher education and philanthropy, Dr. Genshaft has received countless honors, including Outstanding Floridian, Tampa Bay Business Hall of Fame, and USF WLP Lifetime Achievement Award. She continues to serve her community through board leadership with the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, and the Tampa Bay Economic Development Corporation. She and her husband, Steve, proudly support programs advancing education, the arts, and community wellbeing across Tampa Bay.
Meet the 2026 Women of Distinction Honorary Chairs
Dr. Moira Burke, 1992 Woman of Distinction – Physician and Retired
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force Reserves
Dr. Moira Burke grew up near Buffalo, New York. After graduating from Vassar College, she earned her medical degree from the State University of New York and completed her surgical training in Philadelphia. In 1975, she moved to Tampa, becoming one of the first women in surgical practice in the area.
Following 32 years in private practice, she was recruited to teach cataract surgery to ophthalmology residents at the Morsani College of Medicine, where she served as a clinical professor in the Department of Surgery. Over the years, she received the Excellence in Surgical Teaching award five times—an honor that was eventually renamed in her recognition.
Now retired from both medicine and her role as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, Moira remains active in community affairs, where she has held numerous positions of responsibility and received many honors. She enjoys a variety of hobbies, but most of all, she’s crazy about her grandchildren.
Veronica Cintron, 2022 Woman of Promise – Vice President of Marketing,
Communications and Strategy at Tampa International Airport
Veronica Cintron joined Tampa International Airport in April 2020. As Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Strategy, she oversees all internal and external messaging and strategic branding for America’s Favorite Airport. Before joining TPA’s award-winning Communications and Marketing teams, she was Spectrum Bay News 9’s primary weekday evening anchor for 10 years. Her work earned six Suncoast Chapter Emmy awards, Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists awards, and Society of Professional Journalists Sunshine State awards.
Veronica serves on The Florida Aquarium Board of Directors and is a member of the University of South Florida’s Zimmerman School of Advertising and Communications Advisory Council. She is Vice-Chair of the Marketing & Communications and Customer Experience Steering Committee for Airports Council International North America and a member of the London-based Royal Aeronautical Society.
She is a 2022 Tampa Bay Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 honoree, the 2022 Girl Scouts of West Central Florida Woman of Promise, and a member of the Athena Society and the Tampa Bay Women’s C-Suite Group. Veronica graduated from the University of South Florida and lives with her husband and 10-year-old daughter in Tampa.
Dr. Tonjua Williams, 2020 Woman of Distinction – President of St.
Petersburg College
Dr. Tonjua Williams is a nationally recognized leader in higher education and the President of St. Petersburg College (SPC). With a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Barry University and more than three decades of academic leadership, she is known for driving innovative solutions and championing student success.
Since becoming SPC’s president, Dr. Williams has strengthened the College’s fiscal health, improved graduation and retention rates, and expanded workforce pathways aligned with industry needs. Her strategic leadership led to SPC being named a top producer of Fulbright Scholars and achieving national rankings in online education and veteran support.
Dr. Williams has been recognized among Florida Trend’s “Florida 500”, Tampa Bay’s Power 100, and the Inaugural Tampa Bay Titan 100, and was the 2024 recipient of the Community College Baccalaureate Association’s Pioneer Award.
She has served on numerous local, state, and national boards, including the AVID National Board of Directors, American Association of Community Colleges, Florida Council of 100, and the Florida Chamber Foundation Board of Trustees.
Thank you to our 2026 Sponsors:
Distinguished Sponsor:
Marion Rich
Honored Sponsors:
Media Sponsor:
