Tampa Chamber Women of Influence 2025 | Sarah Thomas at the JW Marriott

We had the honor of photographing this year’s Tampa Chamber Women of Influence luncheon at the JW Marriott in downtown Tampa—and what an incredible afternoon it was! The ballroom was packed with hundreds of inspiring women (and men!) gathered to connect, celebrate, and hear from this year’s keynote speaker, Sarah Thomas.

Before the keynote each year the Dottie Berger MacKinnon Woman of Influence Award is given out honoring a woman who has made a lasting impact in the Tampa Bay community through her leadership and service. This year’s recipient was Dotti Groover-Skipper—a truly deserving honoree whose dedication to advocacy against human trafficking and the founder and CEO of HeartDance Foundation,

Sarah made history as the first female official in the NFL, and her story of grit, perseverance, and quiet strength left the entire room in awe.

She shared how her journey started not with the goal of breaking barriers, but with her love of sports and an unwavering commitment to doing what she loved—regardless of how many times she was told “no.” From officiating high school games while raising her kids, to climbing the ranks in college football, Sarah’s path was anything but easy. She spoke about showing up, staying ready, and never letting being the “first” define her or hold her back. Her mantra? “Just keep showing up.”

It was a powerful reminder that breaking glass ceilings isn’t always loud—it’s often about consistency, humility, and knowing your worth even when others don’t see it yet. A quote she shared that I really love was - “A successful person is someone who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others have thrown at him or her.” - David Brinkley

We also loved capturing all the little moments throughout the event—the handshakes, the hugs between longtime friends, and the moments of laughter during networking before lunch. The JW Marriott provided a beautiful, modern backdrop for the occasion, and the energy in the room was electric.

Huge thanks to the Tampa Chamber for putting on such a meaningful event and continuing to spotlight and support the women who are making a difference in our community.

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