Robyn Ostrem, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, was the featured speaker at the Tampa Bay Chamber’s recent Circle of Influence event. Ostrem, who began her role 11 weeks ago, discussed her professional journey in nonprofit leadership. She previously developed programs for Big Brothers Big Sisters in Illinois and led a significant expansion at a YMCA, where she helped raise $18.2 million and increased the facility’s size threefold. In 2019, she moved to Tampa Bay to serve as Senior Vice President of Operations at the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA before returning to focus on youth mentorship.
During her remarks, Ostrem spoke about the role mentorship has played in her career and highlighted mentors who influenced her leadership approach. She also shared her personal experience with breast cancer after being diagnosed in May 2024. As she nears her final treatment on October 30 during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Ostrem emphasized the importance of regular mammograms and self-examinations. She noted that an abnormal result came just five months after a normal screening. This health challenge reinforced for her the value of seeking help and supporting others facing similar struggles.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay operates across nine counties with a staff of 65 and an annual budget of $6.2 million, making it one of the largest agencies in its network nationwide. Currently, there are about 1,000 children waiting for mentors in the region. The organization also manages 21 School-to-Workplace programs that offer practical learning experiences for young people.
Ostrem encouraged those attending to consider volunteering or helping recruit new mentors, stating that mentoring requires only about ten hours per month and can involve everyday activities like hiking or attending sports events. She stated: “Mentorship changes lives, and it takes a village to fulfill this mission.”
More information about volunteering opportunities is available at https://bbbstampabay.org/be-a-big/.
