A Message From Our President - October 2024

FEI Tampa Bay Members, Sponsors and Friends,

The last month has been difficult for the Tampa Bay area. We’ve endured two major hurricanes and many of us have lost our homes or cars and are playing catchup in the office after some time away. While we continue to put the pieces back together, I want to encourage you to take care of yourself. 

We’ve all experienced a range of emotions – from fear to grief, and even relief – and our minds and bodies need rest. Please make efforts to take care of your mental and physical health. If you have a team of employees under you, encourage them to do the same. 

It’s also important that we take care of each other. Many of our neighbors have lost everything, and dealing with insurance and contractors on top of a full workload is taxing. Above all, be patient with one another and lead with empathy and understanding. While many of us have returned to “normal” after the storms, our community is still hurting. 

If you are looking to help, organizations like Feeding Tampa Bay and Metropolitan Ministries are supporting our neighbors in the most need. For those seeking help, I’ve also compiled a list of resources: 

Temporary Housing | Hurricane Homes
Construction Resources | Disaster Contractors Network
Business Support | FloridaDisaster.biz
Mental Health Support | Disaster Survivor Resources

As you settle into your new normal, I hope to see you at an upcoming event. Our network of finance professionals is full of helpers and our chapter meetings are a great place to unwind and connect with others in the area. For a full list of upcoming events, visit our website. 

Sincerely, 

Shirley Risen
Chapter President