Invest: Tampa Bay leadership summit to spotlight healthcare
Writer: Andrea Teran
July 2025 — On Tuesday, August 26, the Tampa Bay business and healthcare community will come together at the Shanna and Bryan Glazer Jewish Community Center from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. to celebrate the launch of the latest edition of Invest: Tampa Bay.
The annual event marks the release of caa’s signature economic report, diving deep into the opportunities, challenges, and collaborative leadership shaping one of Florida’s fastest-growing metro areas.
This year’s Leadership Summit will focus on Tampa Bay’s rise as a global healthcare hub, and what that transformation means for the region’s real estate market, workforce pipelines, and long-term economic outlook. The conversations will bring together voices from across healthcare, education, architecture, law, and government, highlighting how sectors are working together in new and meaningful ways to meet the region’s rapid growth.
“We’re so proud to return to Tampa Bay for this year’s summit,” said Abby Lindenberg, founder and CEO of caa. “The energy in this region is real. But what’s more impressive than the growth itself is the way leaders are thinking about it: deliberately, collaboratively, and with a real sense of purpose. That’s exactly what this summit is about — hearing directly from the people making it all happen.”
The afternoon kicks off with the panel, “Future-proofing Health: What Tampa Bay’s Rise as a Global Healthcare Hub Means for Communities, and the Role of Innovation in Meeting Greater Demand.” The conversation will explore how local health systems are expanding access, integrating technology, and planning for what’s next in patient care. Temple Terrace Mayor Andy Ross will open the session, with Phillip Dingle, managing partner of HealthEdge Investment Partners, moderating. Panelists include Jonathan Fleece of Empath Health and Linda Ward of Gulfside Healthcare Services.
The second panel, “Intersecting Interests: Why Tampa Bay’s Healthcare-Real Estate Alignment Is Key to Overcoming Challenges, from Regulations to Infrastructure,” brings together leaders from healthcare development, architecture, and law to unpack the regulatory hurdles and investment opportunities shaping Florida’s healthcare infrastructure. From permitting and zoning to long-term facility planning, the conversation will shine a light on what it takes to bring modern care delivery to life in a high-growth market. The panel will feature Sean Williams, founder and principal architect at Carbon Design & Architecture; Chriss Papayannis, vice president of advisory at Realty Trust Group; and Brannen Edge, president and CEO of Flagship Healthcare Properties. Tirso Carreja, partner and co-chair of the Business Litigation Practice Group at Shutts & Bowen LLP, will moderate. The session is presented in partnership with City National Bank.
The final discussion of the afternoon, “Team Effort: Why Healthcare and Higher Education Are Collaborating Like Never Before, and the Programs Needed to Prepare a Workforce Facing Near-Term Disruption,” will explore how Tampa Bay’s academic institutions and healthcare systems are teaming up to address critical workforce shortages and evolving skill demands. As the healthcare landscape changes, so too must the training and credentialing programs that support it. The panel will include John Couris of Tampa General Hospital, Eric Hall of Pasco-Hernando State College, AdventHealth’s David Ottati, and Angela Falconetti of Polk State College, offering insight into how regional partnerships are helping to close talent gaps and future-proof the workforce. Jim Shimberg, partner at Shubin Law Group and The Euclid Group, will moderate the discussion, with opening remarks from Ray Ferrara, founder and executive chair of ProVise Management Group.
As always, the summit isn’t just about the panels. It’s a rare moment for connection — across industries, across institutions, and across generations of leadership. Nearly 200 public- and private-sector guests are expected to attend this year’s in-person event. Click here to learn more.
About caa & Invest: Tampa Bay
caa is an integrated media platform that produces in-depth business intelligence through its annual print and digital economic reviews, high-impact conferences and events and top-level interviews via its video platform, Invest:Insights.
Invest: Tampa Bay is an in-depth economic review of the key issues facing the Tampa Bay economy, featuring the exclusive insights of prominent regional leaders. Invest: Tampa Bay is produced with two goals in mind: 1) to provide comprehensive investment knowledge on the region for local, national and international investors, and 2) to promote the region as a place to invest and do business.
The report conducts a deep dive into the top economic sectors in the region, including technology, real estate and construction, infrastructure, banking and finance, healthcare, education, and tourism. The publication is compiled from insights collected from more than 200 economic leaders, sector insiders, political leaders and heads of important institutions. It analyzes the leading challenges facing the market and uncovers emerging opportunities for investors, entrepreneurs and innovators.
For more information, please contact:
Shain Collins
Senior Executive Director
786-598-7526
