Meet Our Team
Meghan O'Keefe, Executive Director
Meghan brings a business development and marketing background to Tampa Bay Tech with having worked in a variety of industries from non-profit to manufacturing and everything in between. Meghan has been living in Tampa Bay for over eleven years and has been passionate about being a community connector and bridging the region together.
Prior to joining Tampa Bay Tech, Meghan was with the St. Petersburg Economic Development Corporation leading the charge in bringing businesses and companies to the city of St. Pete to help advance the local economy and community. She received her Bachelors of Arts degree in Communications from John Carroll University where she also played soccer all four years.
When she isn’t working or playing pickleball, Meghan enjoys spending time with organizations like Where Love Grows, Truth North Society and Masterminds Tampa Bay, helping to make a difference and creating a better community for everyone.
Jamie Hess, Communications & Operations Manager
Jamie is a dedicated professional with a diverse range of experiences and a passion for communication, event, and organizational management. Before joining Tampa Bay Tech, Jamie spent six years working in higher education, specifically at the University of South Florida, as an HR Coordinator for their Information Technology department.
Jamie holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of South Florida, earned in 2015. In 2020, driven by her love for learning, Jamie pursued further education and completed coursework towards a degree in Interior Design.
Outside of work, Jamie finds joy in singing and performing, as well as caring for her two cats, Peter and Pan. She also actively practices yoga, finding solace and balance through this ancient practice.
Kim Vogel, MA, ECM, Program Manager
Kim Vogel is a dynamic workforce development leader who excels at connecting talent with opportunity across Tampa Bay’s technology ecosystem. With key roles including VP of People and Community Development at CodeBoxx, where she pioneered technology training programs bridging critical skills gaps, and Chief Strategy Officer at Economic Impact Catalyst, where she strengthened regional talent pipelines through innovative initiatives, Kim has consistently demonstrated her ability to unite employers, educational institutions, and diverse talent pools. Her experience as Talent Acquisition Lead at The Penny Hoarder and VP of Entrepreneurial Advancement at the St. Pete Chamber of Commerce further equipped her with deep insights into both employer needs and talent development pathways.
As a Certified Entrepreneurial Mindset Practitioner and active community leader, Kim brings a unique combination of strategic vision and hands-on implementation expertise to workforce development initiatives. Her service on the Advisory Board for the USF Nault Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, coupled with her Leadership St. Pete experience, has established her as a respected connector within Tampa Bay’s business, education, and government sectors. Kim is passionate about creating sustainable talent ecosystems that enable individuals to discover and leverage their unique strengths while addressing the evolving workforce needs of Tampa Bay’s growing technology sector.