Jennifer Whelihan, Economic Development and Communication Professional with over 18 years experience, is known for her expertise in business consulting and entrepreneurship, as well as her diverse work in new media, and public, community, and government relations. Her exceptional background has led her to career positions as a television and print journalist, media director for the Florida House of Representatives, press secretary on political campaign work, communication director for a leading research facility and other non-profit organizations, certified business consultant for USF Small Business Development Center and currently adjunct instructor at The University of Tampa and Hillsborough County Economic Development Manager.

Jennifer is a proud Seminole and received her Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Media Communication and Master of Arts in Interactive and New Communication Technology degrees from Florida State University.

Jennifer was selected as the 2017 recipient of the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. She was honored to be recognized as a finalist in the Tampa Bay Business Journal 2015 BusinessWoman of the Year Awards. She currently serves as Board Member for Synapse Inc. and the Florida-Israel Business Accelerator (FIBA) and is a member of International Economic Development Council, Florida Venture Forum, TiE Tampa Bay, and Prospera TAC. Her leadership skills provided the opportunity to be nominated and selected for both Leadership Hillsborough 2007 and Leadership Tampa 2018. Most recently, Jennifer was an award recipient of the TBBJ 40 Under 40; as well as TiE Tampa Bay’s TiETAN Community Champion Award 2019.