Tampa Sister Cities is pleased to announce that Ivonne Alvarez-Howard has joined the Tampa International Diplomacy and Exchange Summit (TIDES) Operating Committee as Cultural Programming Lead.
Ivonne is a Professional Real Estate Broker serving the Tampa Bay area, with extensive experience in marketing, sales, client advocacy, and community engagement. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education and spent 18 years as a teacher, an experience that strengthened her communication skills, commitment to service, and dedication to honoring her Hispanic heritage.
Born in Barranquilla, Colombia, Ivonne migrated to the United States with her family at a very young age. Her personal story has shaped her strong appreciation for cultural connection, international collaboration, and the role that heritage plays in building bridges between communities.
In her role with TIDES, Ivonne will help lead the summit’s cultural programming, supporting events and experiences that celebrate Tampa’s international communities, sister city relationships, global traditions, food, music, art, literature, and cultural exchange.
Ivonne is an active community leader serving as a Board Member of Tampa Sister Cities and Provisional Director of the Tampa–Barranquilla Committee. She also serves as Chair for the Pinellas County Region of the Tampa Bay Latin Chamber, Chair of the Relationship Builders networking group for the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, and Area Director for Suncoast NPI.
“Ivonne brings the cultural pride, community relationships, and personal understanding of international connection that TIDES needs as we build a summit designed to connect Tampa with the world,” said Alfred Goldberg, President of Tampa Sister Cities. “Her leadership will help ensure that TIDES is not only a conference about global engagement, but also a celebration of the people, cultures, and communities that make Tampa an international city.”
Ivonne is passionate about serving the community and is a dedicated advocate for programs that support families and children, actively donating and fundraising for these causes. She is committed to building meaningful relationships that foster economic and cultural growth.
TIDES is being developed by Tampa Sister Cities to bring together leaders in international trade, diplomacy, education, innovation, sustainability, culture, and exchange. As Cultural Programming Lead, Ivonne will work with the Operating Committee to help create experiences that reflect Tampa’s diversity, strengthen cultural understanding, and celebrate the city’s growing global identity.
