Anna Corman, President & Chief Executive Officer, Hillsborough Education Foundation

August 2026 —Invest: spoke with Anna Corman, president and chief executive officer of Hillsborough Education Foundation, about how the organization is strengthening student outcomes and educator support across Hillsborough County. “We have deepened our investments in several programs, with a major focus on early learning and literacy and on college and career readiness,” Corman said.

Over the past year, what changes have most impacted the Foundation, and in what ways?

Over the past year, we’ve sharpened our focus and deepened our investments in two areas we see as critical to long-term student success: early literacy and college and career readiness. We often refer to these as the “bookends” of a student’s journey—how they start and how they finish. By strengthening support at both points, we’re helping ensure students enter school ready to learn and graduate with a clear, confident plan for what comes next.

 We pride ourselves on being adaptable and responsive to the needs of our community, and that was especially evident following the 2024 hurricane season. We helped rally support around the school district and raised $1.3 million in about a month. Those funds allowed teachers to quickly replace damaged materials so students could return to learning, while also supporting educators and staff who experienced significant personal loss. As the immediate response stabilized, we transitioned back into our core work with a renewed focus on deepening our impact.

How is the Foundation supporting teacher recruitment, retention, and workforce readiness in county schools?

We work closely with Hillsborough County Public Schools and with community partners and employers to help students understand what jobs are growing in our region and what it takes to pursue them. That includes healthcare, technology, trades, and other in-demand fields. We support that through programs like SCOPE, our College and Career Center model at high schools, as well as mentorship, workshops, and other experiences that connect students to real pathways.

A big part of the work is listening to employers and community partners about what gaps they see and then finding practical ways to support the district in filling those gaps, whether that is through advising, exposure opportunities, or funding access.

Scholarships are a major lever. Last year, we awarded more than $1 million in scholarships to Hillsborough County students. That support is not limited to traditional college pathways. We also provide scholarships for trade and technical certifications and other alternative pathways because we know college is not the right fit for every student, and we want students to see multiple options as equally valid.

On teacher recruitment and retention, the shortage is real, and we need more people entering the profession. Part of our approach is helping current students see teaching as meaningful, purposeful work through the programs we run and the people they meet. At the same time, we focus on supporting teachers already in the classroom. Research shows new teachers are most likely to leave within their first five years, often because they do not feel supported, connected, or appreciated.

That is why we invest in recognition and practical support. We host the district’s largest teacher appreciation and awards gala, Excellence in Education, to celebrate educators doing amazing work. We also operate Teaching Tools Resource Center, a free teacher resource store where teachers can pick up classroom supplies at no cost, reducing out-of-pocket spending and reinforcing that the community is standing behind them.

What industry or broader trends are most shaping your strategy today?

Education and workforce needs are changing rapidly, and that requires us to keep listening and keep adapting. New industries emerge, credential requirements shift, and technology reshapes what students need to know to be successful. For us, that means aligning our career exploration tools, workshops, and advising with the high-growth sectors in our region.

It also means helping students build essential skills that transfer across industries, including communication, problem-solving, and digital literacy. We want to prepare students for the world they are entering, not necessarily the one we grew up in.

One example is our work with a local healthcare partner to provide field trips that expose high school students to diverse healthcare pathways beyond the roles most people immediately think of. In Hillsborough County, healthcare is a high-demand sector, and broadening students’ awareness of the full range of careers is one way to strengthen that pipeline over time.

How are collaborations with Tampa Bay businesses, school leaders, or civic organizations strengthening outcomes for students or educators?

Partnerships are essential to this work. No single organization can remove every barrier students face or build the full support system they need. When businesses, school leaders, and community partners come together, we’re able to align resources, scale what works, and expand access to opportunity. That collaboration allows us to support teachers more effectively, strengthen programs, and ultimately drive better outcomes for students across Hillsborough County.

A strong example is our CEOs in Schools program. It grew out of a desire to align the business community with education by giving leaders a direct window into what happens in public schools. In the program, local CEOs shadow a principal for a day. We just completed our seventh year, and more than 250 CEOs participate annually.

What comes out of that experience is meaningful. Business leaders better understand the realities, challenges, and opportunities inside schools, and principals gain a partner who can help connect resources, relationships, and real-world insight. Over time, that alignment leads to stronger collaboration and more sustained support.

What are the biggest challenges facing education-focused nonprofits today?

Funding pressures are always a challenge, and they can intensify when economic conditions tighten and philanthropic giving becomes more constrained. In those moments, it becomes even more important to build strong partner relationships, clearly communicate impact, and tell success stories backed by data.

Another challenge is ensuring we are collaborating rather than duplicating. There are many wonderful mission-driven organizations working in similar spaces, so we are intentional about coordinating with partners and sharing resources. Any time we are considering expanding a program or offering a new service, we want to be sure we are filling a real gap and adding value to the community.

Looking ahead, what are your key goals for the upcoming years, and how do you see the education landscape evolving?

A major priority for us has been the expansion of SCOPE. We established college and career centers at high schools, and that effort started through partnership with local businesses. We scaled the model to five high schools, and now, with the support of the school district, we are expanding it district-wide so every Hillsborough County high school has a dedicated college and career center.

That means students will have a central place to get consistent support, information, and resources as they plan their future, and it helps ensure access is not dependent on which school a student attends. We are excited to see that grow and to measure its impact over time.

We also expect continued and increasing need for scholarship support, especially for alternative pathways and technical training, as education costs and overall costs rise. We are seeing more students apply for scholarships, particularly first-generation students, and we want to keep expanding opportunities that help students pursue their goals.

Finally, we will continue emphasizing trades and technical pathways. We want every student to understand the range of career opportunities available and to feel supported in choosing the path that fits them best.