The 2026 Annual Leaders Luncheon to End Overdose brought together more than 300 leaders from across Tampa Bay, each playing a role in shaping the future of recovery in our region.
From the opening moments to the final remarks, one theme was clear: progress is happening, but sustaining it will require continued collaboration and action.
Leaders like Mayor Jane Castor, Bemetra Simmons, and General Frank McKenzie (Retired) emphasized the importance of aligning leadership, policy, and community engagement to create lasting impact.
The event also honored two individuals whose leadership continues to shape recovery efforts across Florida. Senator Gayle Harrell was recognized with the David Pizzo Lifetime of Service Award for her longstanding commitment to behavioral health and substance use policy. Representative Michael Gottlieb received the Darryl Rouson Torchbearer Award for his advocacy and dedication to advancing recovery-focused legislation.
Equally powerful were the stories shared by individuals with lived experience, reminding us that recovery is not just a policy issue, but a human one.
These moments are what transform events into catalysts.
The luncheon was not the finish line; it was a starting point.
As Live Tampa Bay looks ahead, the focus is on translating this momentum into action by:
- Strengthening recovery-friendly workplace initiatives
- Expanding peer and community-based support systems
- Continuing to align policy with real-world implementation
- Building deeper partnerships across sectors
Momentum matters, but what we do with it matters more.