Both as a professional and as a lay leader, Bonnie M. Wise is dedicated to helping all members of her community.
As the county administrator for Hillsborough County, she oversees the daily operations of county government and oversees the execution of decisions made by the board of county commissioners. As the treasurer for TOP (Tampa Orlando Pinellas) Jewish Foundation and an overall mensch, Wise gives her time to secure the survival and success of Tampa Bay’s future Jewish community. Through her position with TOP, she helps promote philanthropy, financial stewardship and legacy giving to support the long-term sustainability of Jewish organizations and programs throughout the Tampa Bay region.
“Bonnie Wise is an amazing asset and contributor to TOP,” says Rochelle Walk, past chair and current Tampa community chair and board member, TOP Jewish Foundation. “She works through a complicated budget process with the three communities that sponsor and support TOP’s operations. She is also thoughtful and knowledgeable on all financial issues and tremendous insight to our board.”
Growing up in South Florida, Wise attended Jewish day school through ninth grade. It taught her the importance of education, community and tzedakah – core values that have remained central throughout her personal and professional journey. After attending graduate school at the University of Florida, Wise moved to the Tampa Bay area for a job opportunity.
“I met my husband here, raised my family here, built lasting friendships and became deeply involved in the community,” Wise says. “More than 30 years later, Tampa Bay is where I have built both my personal and professional life. It has been a wonderful place to live, work, volunteer and watch my family grow, and I feel fortunate to have been part of this community for so many years.”
Prior to her present position, Wise was chief financial officer for the City of Tampa and spent many years as an investment banker specializing in public finance, helping local governments fund infrastructure and community projects.
As a means of relaxation and giving back, Wise co-founded the nonprofit Dragons on the Green Mah Jongg, which raises funds for both Jewish and non-Jewish charitable organizations, a decade ago. Built around the principles of “friends, fun & philanthropy,” Dragons on the Green has introduced hundreds of people to the game. Together with her friend, Judy Serrapica, Wise teaches American Mah Jongg classes at the Shanna & Bryan Glazer JCC and other community locations.
Wise remains passionate about bringing people together, strengthening communities and creating opportunities for others to connect and make a difference. Over the years, she has volunteered in numerous leadership roles, including serving on the boards of Congregation Rodeph Sholom and Tampa Jewish Family Services, as well as several non-Jewish nonprofit and community organizations.
Even with her busy life, Wise always attends TOP committee and board meetings, Walk says. “Her leadership is invaluable. She’s so deserving of this menschy moment!”
JP: Why did you get (and stay) involved with the Jewish Community and the Tampa Jewish Federation?
BW: I grew up in a Jewish family and attended Jewish day school, so being part of a Jewish community has always been important to me. Those early experiences taught me the value of community, service and responsibility to others. In college, I was active in Sigma Delta Tau and held leadership positions within the sorority. That experience reinforced the importance of building community and helping others feel connected and included. Looking back, many of the values that guided me then continue to guide me today. When I moved to Tampa Bay, becoming involved in Jewish organizations was a natural way to build connections and give back. Over the years, those connections have grown into meaningful friendships and opportunities to help strengthen Jewish life for others. One of the reasons I am so committed to TOP Jewish Foundation is that it focuses on long-term sustainability for our Jewish community. Through philanthropy, financial stewardship and planned giving, TOP helps ensure that Jewish organizations will have the resources they need to serve future generations. I find it incredibly rewarding to help connect people with opportunities to support causes they care about while strengthening the institutions that are so important to our community. I stay involved because I believe strong communities are built by people who are willing to contribute their time, talents and resources to help others feel connected and supported.
JP: What do you get out of giving back?
BW: Giving back has enriched my life far more than I ever expected. I love bringing people together and helping create experiences that make people feel welcome and connected. Whether it’s through TOP, a volunteer project or teaching and organizing Mah Jongg events, there is something incredibly rewarding about watching relationships form and friendships grow. Mah Jongg has become much more than a game for me. Through our classes at the Shanna & Bryan Glazer JCC and other locations throughout the Tampa Bay community, as well as our charity tournaments, I have seen how a shared activity can bring together people of different backgrounds, create lasting friendships, and connect individuals to the broader community. Knowing that those events also help raise money for charitable causes makes the experience even more meaningful.
JP: What is your greatest strength and how does that help you when volunteering?
BW: I think one of my greatest strengths is bringing people together. Whether it’s connecting someone to a Jewish community program, introducing a new player to a Mah Jongg group, or organizing a charitable event, I enjoy creating opportunities for people to build relationships and find a sense of belonging. Most successful volunteer efforts aren’t the work of one person — they’re the result of many people contributing their talents. I enjoy connecting people, building teams and helping turn ideas into reality.
JP: What has volunteering taught you about yourself?
BW: Volunteering has taught me that I get the most satisfaction from helping others succeed and creating opportunities for people to connect. It has also reinforced something I learned throughout my professional career: meaningful change happens when people work together toward a common goal. Whether I was helping local governments finance important projects, serving the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County, working with TOP, or organizing charitable Mah Jongg events, the most rewarding accomplishments have always been the result of collaboration and community.
JP: What has volunteering taught you about your community?
BW: Volunteering has shown me how generous and caring our community truly is. Time and again, I have seen people step forward to support one another, contribute to important causes, and welcome newcomers. One of the most rewarding lessons has come through Dragons on the Green. What began as a charity Mah Jongg tournament has grown into something much larger. Through our tournaments, classes and other events, I have watched people who arrived knowing no one leave with new friendships, new confidence and a stronger sense of belonging. I have also seen how willing people are to support charitable causes when they feel connected to a community. Those experiences have reinforced my belief that relationships are at the heart of both philanthropy and volunteerism.
JP: What advice would you give people who are unsure about getting involved?
BW: Start small and say yes to one opportunity. You don’t need to make a huge commitment. Volunteering is one of the best ways to meet people, learn new skills, and feel connected to your community. Most volunteers will tell you that they received far more than they gave. The hardest part is simply taking the first step, and you never know where that first step might lead. Some of the most meaningful friendships and experiences in my life have come through volunteering.
This column recognizes outstanding volunteers whose dedication and commitment to the Gulf Coast Jewish community and community at large make a difference. We are expressing gratitude to the people who help in meaningful ways – by offering their valuable time and talents, maintaining a positive and inspiring attitude and remaining available and active – while motivating others to do the same.