Tampa Sister Cities is pleased to announce that Deborah Wilkinson, Founder and President of Wilkinson Global Connections, LLC, has joined the Tampa International Diplomacy and Exchange Summit (TIDES) Operating Committee as Diplomacy and Protocol Lead.
Deborah serves as Chief of Protocol for the Mayor of the City of Tampa and the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners. She brings decades of experience in international diplomacy, protocol, trade missions, economic development, and global relationship-building to TIDES.
She also serves as Executive Director of the Tampa Bay Trade and Protocol Council, where she leads an initiative in close partnership with the Consular Corps and the regional business community to advance Tampa Bay as a premier international hub. The Council convenes the City of Tampa, Hillsborough County, the University of South Florida, the University of Tampa, Port Tampa Bay, Tampa International Airport, and Visit Tampa Bay.
In her role with TIDES, Deborah will help guide the summit’s approach to diplomacy, protocol coordination, international delegations, consular engagement, and the welcoming of global partners to Tampa.
Deborah’s international experience makes her especially well suited for this role. As Founder and President of Wilkinson Global Connections, LLC, she strengthens global diplomatic relationships, collaborates with American Chambers of Commerce, and supports regions and states in developing and executing international strategies, including both inbound and outbound trade missions.
Prior to relocating to Florida, Deborah served as Chief Development Officer for International Affairs for Broward County, where she established the county’s first International Desk by integrating protocol, international economic development, and state-level partnerships. She was also appointed by President Bill Clinton as Deputy Trade Representative for the Governor of the State of Washington, where she advanced international trade initiatives and executed Memoranda of Understanding with countries around the world.
“Deborah brings exactly the kind of diplomatic experience, protocol expertise, and global relationship-building leadership TIDES needs as we build a summit designed to connect Tampa with the world,” said Alfred Goldberg-Nemirovsky, President of Tampa Sister Cities. “Her leadership will help ensure that TIDES welcomes international delegations and global partners with the professionalism, coordination, and hospitality expected of a world-class city.”
Wilkinson Global Connections, LLC supports communities, organizations, and regions in strengthening international relationships, developing global strategies, and advancing economic and diplomatic opportunities. Through her work, Deborah has helped connect government, business, academic, and civic partners across borders in ways that align closely with the mission and ambitions of TIDES.
TIDES is being developed by Tampa Sister Cities to bring together leaders in international trade, diplomacy, education, innovation, sustainability, culture, and exchange. As Diplomacy and Protocol Lead, Deborah will work with the Operating Committee to help align the summit’s diplomatic engagement and delegation strategy with its broader mission of strengthening Tampa’s role as a global city.
