Women in Tech Tampa Bay: Sheron Brown, Executive Director of Tampa Bay Healthcare Collaborative

In celebration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, Embarc Collective is excited to introduce you to Women in Tech Tampa Bay — a content series profiling women who are building at Embarc Collective and how they’ve built their careers.

Meet more women tech founders and investors across the state of Florida here.

Meet Sheron Brown, Executive Director of Tampa Bay Healthcare Collaborative.

What pivotal points in your career led to your current role?

Over the course of climbing my career ladder, I’ve experienced a break every 3–4 years. In 2007 it was a health issue, in 2012 I was laid off, and in 2016 I was laid off again. By the third break, I knew the universe was trying to show me something and it was time to pay attention. I decided to pause “climbing the ladder” and started health coaching, became a yoga instructor, doing speaking opportunities. That led me to organize a health and wellness conference at USF St. Petersburg in 2019. Then it hit me — I wanted to do work where I could bring people together to solve health inequities.

What do you wish you had known earlier in your career?

To know how to go with the flow — in my career and in life. You don’t have to struggle and hustle so hard, but instead, set clear intentions and work from your heart every day while paying attention to what the universe is putting in front of you. This is a much more joyful experience than simply climbing the ladder.

What communities, networks, or resources have helped you build in your career?

Leadership programs like New Leaders (during my time as a school Principal and Superintendent) and Leadership St. Pete (as a recent transplant to the region). In both instances, I built formative relationships and friendships that lastest beyond the term of the program. Another resource is to identify whatever keeps you grounded and go deeper in that in order to build a network with folks that moves you forward to your center. For me, that’s been through yoga instructor training and a philosophy school I visit annually in India.

What is one piece of tactical advice that you would give to another woman considering your career path?

Two that go hand-in-hand. First, no matter what you’ve accomplished, if you feel there’s a direction you’re being drawn toward, explore that. I spent 20 years in K-12 education before pivoting to health. When you look at everything you’ve done and the skills you’ve developed, think beyond the “role you were in” and know that the industry knowledge can be gained from books.

Second, create a clear vision for what you want in life, develop a plan, and then surrender and allow the flow of life to take you in the best direction. When you’re confused about where to go, step back and evaluate what the universe has put in front of you.

Connect with Sheron and follow Tampa Bay Healthcare Collaborative.

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