President: Samantha Tallyn, Avocet International CPA's 

Samantha is the owner and president of Avocet International CPA's. Samantha is a native of Pensacola and has been in the St. Petersburg area for over 12 years. She has her master’s in accounting from St. Leo University and is a licensed CPA. Before joining the public accounting field, Samantha was in the banking industry. She has over 21 years of experience in the financial and accounting industry, working with various industries. Samantha is involved in her community through various organizations.

Immediate Past President: Jennie Sammur, CEO of Dabar & Associates/TP & JS Enterprises 

Jennie Sammur was born in Chicago, Illinois. She was raised in a multicultural household and lived in Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Puerto Rico, and Seattle. She has resided in the Sunshine State of Florida for over 17 years. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Barry University. She also has a master’s in urban and Regional Planning and a Community Development Certification from the University of South Florida. Jennie has significant expertise in Community Engagement, Economic Development Projects, International Trade, Community Development, and Government Affairs. She serves the Tampa Bay Community in various capacities. Jennie is a real estate broker who has been in the Real Estate industry for over 17 years. She owns and manages her real estate business, Dabar & Associates Real Estate.

Additionally, she owns and manages TP & JS Enterprises, LLC, providing business consulting services. She is also a seasoned economic development professional focused on international trade and foreign direct investment. In her role in economic development, she was responsible for helping local companies expand their global footprint, planning and executing trade missions and diplomatic-related activities, facilitating international trade events, and implementing foreign direct investment projects.  Jennie has been a TBOWIT member since 2019.

Treasurer: Allie Tschirhart, Warren Averett 

Allie Tschirhart joined Warren Averett in 2013 and is a Member in the Firm’s Tax Division. She has more than seven years of public accounting experience and is responsible for supervising and managing corporate, individual and partnership taxation, as well as business and individual tax consulting for her clients. Allie works with business owners to help their companies grow by minimizing their tax liability. She also provides tax planning and compliance services for S Corporations, Partnerships and C Corporation. Allie resides in Tampa with her husband.

Education: Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, Master of Accountancy with a Focus in Taxation, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL

Professional Affiliations:  American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Community Involvement, Humane Society of Tampa Bay, Member

Secretary: Claire Baumrucker, Visit Tampa Bay  

 Claire is the Multicultural Sales Coordinator for Visit Tampa Bay, working closely with local and national multicultural organizations looking   to host events in Tampa Bay. Born and raised in Port Richey, Fl (just about an hour north of Tampa Bay), Claire has always had an interest   in tourism and its impact on the economy and community, especially in Florida. 

 Claire graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business and earned her Master of     Arts degree in Political Science and Government from the University of West Florida. In her free time, she enjoys being out on the water   whether it's at the beach or boating! She's also a huge Tampa Bay Lightning fan and enjoys cheering on Florida State University sporting   events (Go Noles!)

VP of Marketing: Ashley Hears, Press PR + Marketing 

 With over a decade of experience in PR and marketing, Ashey Iaccarino brings a sharp strategic mind and a creative edge to everything   she does. She got her start at Tampa International Airport, where she built the Airport’s now nationally recognized social media brand   voice from the ground up — earning industry awards and setting a new tone for how airports engage with the public online.

 Now as Vice President at PRESS PR + Marketing, she oversees all client accounts, leads the account management team and helps steer   the agency’s day-to-day operations and growth. Known for her ability to mix smart strategy with humor and creativity, she’s deeply   involved in both the big picture and the small details that make campaigns successful.

 Ashley loves helping brands connect with people in ways that are real, thoughtful and often a little unexpected.

VP of Scholarship: Madison Lawson, SelectFlorida  

Madison Lawson is the Vice President, International Investment for SelectFlorida, the state-designated economic development organization. In her role, she runs the project management of foreign investment leads from initial inquiries to established Florida businesses through a statewide RFI process. In her previous position at Enterprise Florida, Madison served as the regional trade manager for the Tampa Bay area, providing export counseling to companies in 10 Florida counties. Her responsibilities included managing trade grants, promoting international trade shows and missions, and coordinating educational programs and events for Florida businesses interested in expanding internationally.

Madison’s background in international economic development began at the Tampa Bay EDC as the international business manager for the local organization as well as the manager for the regional trade and investment promotion partnership known as Global Tampa Bay.

With a master’s degree in International Development and Emerging Economies from King’s College London and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tampa, Madison has a depth of knowledge in international business and a personal connection to the Gulf Coast of Florida. While receiving her graduate degree, Madison worked at Catholic Relief Services to promote innovative technology in international development projects. At the University of Tampa, Madison researched the informal economy in Cusco, Peru, and founded a social enterprise project in northern Ghana. Madison is a Saint Petersburg, Florida resident, where she enjoys fishing, paddle boarding, and spending time at the beach.

VP of Membership Management: Brittany Tillar, CERTUS 

 Brittany Tillar is a Certified Public Accountant with more than a decade of experience in full-cycle accounting, financial reporting, and   internal controls across both Big 4 public accounting and industry roles. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University   of South Florida and maintains an active CPA license in the state of Florida. 

 A capable manager of both people and processes, she has demonstrated consistent leadership in improving operational accuracy,   efficiency, and compliance. Highly motivated, collaborative, and quick to learn, Brittany is committed to adding value in every environment   she joins.

VP of Membership Engagement: Diana Mroue, SelectFlorida 

 

 Diana Mroue serves as a Regional Trade Manager and ICT Sector Specialist for SelectFlorida, specializing in export promotion,   international market strategy, and stakeholder engagement. With extensive experience in trade policy, global business development, and   sector-focused initiatives, she is known for helping companies navigate new markets and build meaningful international connections.   Diana is excited to contribute her expertise to the TBOWIT Board and support the growth and advancement of Florida’s women in trade.

Director of Innovation & Internship: Anique De Nadai, ORBCOMM  

 Anique is an international business and partnerships professional with over a decade of experience supporting global growth across   technology-driven industries. 

 Born and raised in Brazil, she brings strong ties to both Latin American and U.S. markets, leveraging cultural fluency and regional insight   to support cross-border expansion and international collaboration. She currently serves as Partner Account Manager for the Americas at   ORBCOMM, driving strategic partnerships and market growth across the region.

 Her career has focused on building scalable partner ecosystems, strengthening international channel programs, and advancing market   development initiatives.

     Anique holds a Bachelor in International Relations (2011) and an MBA in International Trade (2014).

Trade & Protocol Liaison: Deborah Wilkinson, Wilkinson Global Connections  

 Deborah Wilkinson is the Executive Director of the Tampa Bay Trade and Protocol Council.  The Council was restructured to work closely   with the Consular Corps and business community in promoting and developing the Tampa area as an international hub.  The Council is   comprised of the Mayor of Tampa and Hillsborough County.  Ms. Wilkinson coordinates with other international organizations to leverage   the strength of Tampa in cultivating education, business and culture that includes, Universities, Port, and Airport..

 Ms. Wilkinson also is the Founder of Wilkinson Global Connections, LLC that represents the Tampa Bay Trade & Protocol Council and   implements branding and strategizing with several counties, cities and States.  She works closely with the U.S. State Department, U.S.   and Local Department of Commerce, U.S. Economic Development Agency, FEMA and private entities on policy with Lion’s Eye Institute   and Shumaker, Loop and Kendrick.

Advisory Council Member: Christyna Doege, Port Tampa Bay  

Christyna Doege (Day-gee) has spent her career in the maritime shipping industry and is currently the Client Engagement Manager for Port Tampa Bay. The width and depth of her experience is impressive honed through her time with steamship line - CP Ships, terminal operator - Ports America, and port authority - Port Tampa Bay both in the real estate and business development departments. Christyna holds a Master’s in International Logistics Management from Maine Maritime which compliments her Maritime Port Executive certification from the International Association of Maritime and Port Executives as well as her Certified Global Business Professional certification from NASBITE. Christyna started her career in the international realm after studying international business at Stetson University including a year in France and after university living in southern China. Passionate about learning, volunteering and growing others, Christyna is a Distinguished Toastmaster, past president of TBOWIT, founder of Women Move Cargo – Port Tampa Bay, and past multi-year chair of the Port Tampa Bay Anchor Ball raising money for two deserving maritime charities.

Advisory Council Member: Devon Barnett, INtention  

 Devon is an experienced business development professional who has dedicated her career to growing Tampa Bay’s economy over the     last decade.

 As the former Senior Manager, Business & Market Intelligence at Tampa International Airport (TPA), Devon served in both an internal   consultative role managing research driven insights across the organization as well as an external role working with customers and   community stakeholders to develop real-time actionable market intelligence pivotal in building Tampa Bay’s economy through air service   development. 

 Prior to joining TPA, Devon was the Senior Economic Development Manager at the Pasco Economic Development Council, where she   was responsible for business retention and expansion, international business development and workforce development within Pasco   County. She was also the Pasco representative for the regional alliance, Global Tampa Bay, an organization dedicated to increasing   international trade and foreign direct investment in Tampa Bay.

 Before transitioning to economic development, Devon’s career began in the hotel industry during her early college days in Tallahassee.   After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Recreation & Leisure Services Administration from Florida State University with a      concentration in Travel & Tourism and double minors in Business & Communications, she continued to serve the tourism industry in both leisure and business travel sales in Tampa.

Devon served as President of the Tampa Bay Organization of Women in International Trade (2020-2022) and is also a graduate of both Leadership Pasco’s Class of 2017 and the Florida TaxWatch Citizenship Institute’s Class of 2018.

Advisory Council Member: Ruth Buchanan, BMI - Buchanan Management, Inc.  

 Ruth Buchanan is an internationally recognized economic developer by the International Economic Development Council with more than   20 years’ experience successfully helping companies attain their expansion and growth plans. She is a renown manufacturing advocate, a   successful facilitator of P3 deals, a redevelopment finance expert, and a published writer.

 She was most recently awarded the 2025 Site Selectors Guild Ady Scholarship and is a fellow of the MEP National Network as facilitated   by America Works.

 Having earned her MBA at the International University of Japan in the bucolic and beautiful snow country of Japan, her international   business degree conferred through a cooperative programming between Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth and Alliance Manchester   Business School in the UK, Ruth has a deep appreciation of the importance of international trade and the work involved in ensuring US   companies are armed with the right tools in today’s competitive global marketplace.

 She is currently serving as FloridaMakes’ Business Development Director helping strengthen the manufacturing industry in today's   technology-driven economy. Prior to this role, she was GrowFL’s Vice President of Business Development. She is passionate in her role   as an ecosystem builder and a growth advisor to Florida’s advanced manufacturing companies.

Advisory Council Member: Gabrielle Mandel, ISC2  

 Gabrielle Mandel is Senior Manager of Global Recognition at ISC2, where she leads initiatives to strengthen the global cybersecurity   workforce. She collaborates with academia, government, industry associations and utilities to align cybersecurity credentials, ensuring a   stronger and more resilient global cybersecurity community.

 Previously, Gabrielle served at the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), where she led infrastructure initiatives across Latin   America spanning transportation, energy, water, health and telecommunications. As Country Manager for Latin America & the Caribbean,   she spearheaded flagship partnerships, including the U.S.–Brazil Aviation and ICT partnerships that advanced regional infrastructure and   promoted U.S. exports through strategic collaboration.

 Earlier in her career, she managed energy partnerships across Africa, Latin America and the Indo-Pacific with the U.S. Energy   Association. She holds a Master’s in International Relations and Development from the George Washington University and is fluent in   Portuguese and Spanish.