Former Tampa Mayor and Big Brothers Big Sisters CEO Pam Iorio receives mentoring honors at BusinessWoman of the Year
The two-term former Tampa mayor epitomizes the spirit of the award. Pam Iorio, former Tampa Mayor and Big Brothers Big Sisters CEO, has been awarded the 2024 Angie Joseph Excellence in Mentoring Award for her outstanding mentoring efforts. The award is named after the former Business Journal marketing director and recognizes businesswoman who has stood out in mentoring others. Iorio served as mayor from 2003 to 2011 and was the youngest to win a seat on the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners at 26. After leaving the mayor's office, Iorio wrote a book, "Straightforward: Ways to Live & Lead," which shares the skills required for leaders. She also serves on numerous boards of directors.
Published : 4 weeks ago by Alexis Muellner in Business
Pam Iorio has received the 2024 Angie Joseph Excellence in Mentoring Award, named after the former Business Journal marketing director, recognizing a businesswoman who has stood out in mentoring others.
“I thought she was an incredible human,” Iorio said. “Having an award that bears her name is an honor.”
The two-term former Tampa mayor epitomizes the spirit of the award. She served in the top city role from 2003 to 2011. Earlier in her career, she was the youngest to win a seat on the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners. She was 26 when she was first elected. As mayor, Iorio led the early transformation of Curtis Hixon Park and laid the groundwork for the Tampa Riverwalk.
After leaving the mayor's office, Iorio wrote a book in 2011, “Straightforward: Ways to Live & Lead,” which shares the skills required for leaders, and was happy doing public speaking and enjoying herself.
Now 10 years ago, Iorio got an unexpected call from former Bloomin' Brands CEO Liz Smith, who sat on the board at the Dallas-based Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. The national organization was struggling and needed a CEO.
At first, she thought she wasn't qualified. Then she remembered the words of one of her mentors, legendary politician Fred Karl.
"He always said to me, cherish your years of significance, and if someone asks you to serve, say yes,'" she said. She realized she was being asked to serve because the organization needed someone to step in.
"I may not have that specific experience, but I do have the experience of running an organization and can take a fresh look at the problems."
In year two, the organization moved to Tampa from Dallas and two years turned into seven.
The experience reinforced to her the power of mentoring. That is BBBS’ entire model, one-on-one mentoring, and its power to change lives.
“It causes you to think back on your own life when you realize that your journey has not been singular,” she said. “Everyone has people you look up to, who you go to for advice and lift you when you're down.” A critical component of strong mentoring is good listening, she said, and trust. “The people in my life who have been my mentors have been very trusted friends.”
Another notable aspect of mentoring for Iorio is that sometimes she’s impacted someone without awareness. She recently ran into 2024 TBBJ BusinessWoman of the Year honoree Julia Mandell, a former city of Tampa attorney and colleague, and now a real estate and land use section chair and shareholder, GrayRobinson PA.
“She came up to me and said, ‘You've always been my mentor; my career wouldn't have happened without you,’” All these years later, Iorio had no clue.
“If you're in a leadership position, you're probably a mentor to people, and you don't even know it.”
Iorio also serves on numerous boards of directors, including Tampa Electric Co., and the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Charitable Foundation.
Topics: Business Leaders