![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Changemakers-2026-4628-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/p>\nEducation, business and community leaders came together Wednesday at the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park to recognize four individuals who have made a difference in the Tampa Bay area.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For Pinellas Education Foundation CEO Kim Jowell, the ninth annual ChangeMakers Breakfast was an opportunity to celebrate the nonprofit\u2019s 40th anniversary and multi-generational legacy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOur work doesn\u2019t get done without partners and people in the community who care about education,\u201d Jowell explained to the Catalyst. \u201cFor us, it\u2019s very important to take the time to recognize those who give back and invest in our students.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Established in 1986, the Pinellas Education Foundation is dedicated to \u201cenhancing educational opportunities, supporting students and fostering community growth,\u201d according to the organization\u2019s website. The nonprofit, which runs the Enterprise Village economic education program in partnership with the Gus A. Stavros Institute, collaborates with a variety of organizations including Pinellas County Schools.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
From left, Pinellas Education Foundation CEO Kim Jowell and Pinellas County Schools Superintendent Kevin Hendrick at the Wednesday event.<\/p>\n
At the Wednesday event, Ellen Truskowski received the Impact & Innovation Award. Truskowski is Pinellas County Schools\u2019 director of federal programs and special projects. She has played an instrumental role in the Closing the Gap initiative,<\/a> which focuses on research-driven strategies to address gender achievement gaps. Through the program, teachers are learning how to change learning environment practices to create a more inclusive experience for all students.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe are really invested in early learning and literacy and getting students reading on level before they hit third grade,\u201d Jowell added. \u201cWe also are invested in getting more students to be able to successfully complete Algebra 1 by 9th grade.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Bobby Coston Jr. received the ChangeMaker Award. Prior to earning a bachelor\u2019s degree from Florida A&M University and a master\u2019s degree in educational leadership from Stetson University, Coston experienced the impact of the Pinellas Education Foundation firsthand. He participated in the Take Stock in Children <\/a>program, which provides students with mentorship, college readiness coaching and college scholarships.\u00a0<\/p>\n Coston was named a Top 10 finalist for the 2025-26 Pinellas County Schools Teacher of the Year. Currently, he is the assistant principal at Lealman Avenue Elementary.<\/p>\n \u201cReceiving this award is incredibly meaningful to me because my story is deeply connected to Pinellas County,\u201d Coston explained to the Catalyst. \u201cI grew up in St. Petersburg and attended Pinellas County Schools from elementary school through graduation from Boca Ciega High School.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe Foundation represents what can happen when a community intentionally invests in its young people, \u201d he continued. \u201cSomeone invested in me, believed in me and helped expose me to opportunities that contributed to where I am today. That is a major reason I feel such a responsibility to do the same for the students and families I now serve.\u201d<\/p>\n