Leadership and History of USF WLP

The USF System Women in Leadership & Philanthropy program is the result of the efforts of two dedicated leaders: President Judy Genshaft and Mrs. Carol Morsani. These visionary women created a program focused on fundraising and education in order to enhance the educational and career choices available for women students, faculty and staff at the University of South Florida. The program's official launch was in May 2005 when community leaders from the Tampa Bay area gathered for a panel discussion featuring some of Tampa Bay's high achievers, including Susan Martinez, AJ Jemison, Rhea Law, Sue Zelenko and Judy Lisi.

 

 

Judy Genshaft, USF President and Founding Member

Judy Genshaft, PhD, was appointed President of the University of South Florida in July 2000. Prior to coming to USF, President Genshaft shaped similar programs at the State University of New York at Albany and The Ohio State University. Her commitment to women's issues and education is evident in her personal role as a WLP Founding Member.

 

 

Carol Morsani, Honorary Chair

Carol Morsani is one of Tampa Bay's most beloved and well-known philanthropists and community leaders. Carol and her husband, Frank, have made significant philanthropic contributions to USF, including a contribution that opened the Morsani Center for Advanced Healthcare on the USF Tampa campus in 2008.  Mrs. Morsani hopes to increase the number of Bay-area businesswomen and community leaders involved in WLP. In addition to offering scholarships for USF students and grants for women faculty, Morsani hopes to create opportunities to enhance members' knowledge of philanthropy.

 

Michele Norris, 2010-2011 Chair Michele Norris has more than 30 years of professional sales and leadership experience for such companies as Xerox, ADP, and Boise Cascade Office Products/OfficeMax. In the corporate environment, she has managed and led high performance teams of diverse generations. She currently serves as President of Navigen Leadership, LLC, a consulting firm that specializes in helping businesses navigate the generation gaps among their employees in the work place. Michele holds a BA in Business from USF. She is a long time volunteer giving back to her institution through such roles as: President of the USF Alumni Association's National Board of Directors; Board Member of the USF Foundation Board of Trustees; and Scholar Bull for the USF Athletic Association.

 

Founding Members

• Dore Beach, EdD
• Suzette Berkman
• Sharon Smith Blanchard
• Linda Blume
• The Honorable Betty Castor
• Cornelia Corbett
• Marty Couch
• Maureen Dunkel
• Keri Gawrych
• Judy Genshaft, PhD
• Leona Genshaft
• Anila Jain, MD
• Mona Jain. MD, PhD
• Muffy Longacre
• Kathleen Moore, PhD
• Carol Morsani
• Pamela S. Muma
• Michele Norris
• Vivien Oliva
• Nancy Schneid
• Elaine Fantle Shimberg
• Linda Simmons
• Anne Strozier
• USF Town and Gown
• Erika Wallace
• Vincent Zecchino, MD

Lifetime Members

• Ellen Daley, Ph.D.*
• Georgia Eddleman
• Nancy Harris
• Patricia Kruk, PhD*
• Jody Lynn McBrien, Ph.D.*
• The Honorable Sandy Murman
• Pallavi Patel, MD
• Linda Whiteford, PhD*
• Naomi Yavneh, PhD*
• Sue Zelenko

Director and Staff

Kelly E. Ritrievi, J.D.
Executive Director

 

*Indicates WLP Faculty Research Award Recipient, who receives Lifetime Membership status as part of the award recognition.