About / Leadership
Leadership
Leadership
The St. Petersburg Foundation builds capacity at the organizational and community level for social impact. It is governed by its Board of Directors.
Board of Directors
Joe Hamilton
Board of Directors
Joe Hamilton is co-founder of the St Petersburg Group which started the St Pete Catalyst, St Petersburg Foundation and St Petersburg Press. He is Head of Network for Cityverse and leading the reimagining of the St Petersburg Science Center.
Irv Cohen
Board of Directors
Irv Cohen spent over thirty years as an executive for the Wall Street banks and large private conglomerates, including a position as a senior executive with JP Morgan where he relocated 2500 high-paying jobs to the Tampa Bay area. Irv now lends his wealth of knowledge and expertise to multiple high-impact organizations including SeedFunders, Social Venture Partners and the St. Petersburg Group.
Julie Mastry
Board of Directors
Julie Mastry brings more than five decades of distinguished service to Pinellas County, with a career defined by leadership in public education, philanthropy, and the arts. A lifelong community steward, her work has touched every corner of the county — from Palm Harbor to the Skyway Bridge. Julie built her career in education from the classroom up, serving as a teacher and Assistant Principal at Lakewood High School before ascending to the principalship at both St. Petersburg and Countryside High Schools. She ultimately made history as the first female Superintendent of Pinellas County Schools, leading one of the 27th largest school districts in the nation. In that role, she held accountability for a combined student body and workforce of nearly 150,000 individuals, overseeing district operations, strategic initiatives, and an extensive portfolio of real estate holdings and transactions. Her commitment to the community extends well beyond education. Julie has served on a distinguished roster of boards throughout her career, including St. Anthony’s Hospital, Chi Chi Rodriguez Academy, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, the Juvenile Welfare Board (JWB), R-Club, and The Celma Mastry Ovarian Cancer Foundation.
Team
Becca McCoy
Lealman Community Navigator
Becca McCoy is a St. Pete native, honored to return to serve her hometown in this meaningful way. She comes back to the area after four years in Atlanta, where she served as Marketing and Communications Coordinator of Blue Heron Nature Preserve, Secretary of the Board of Directors for Smyrna Arts Council, and contributing writer/photographer for Smyrna Vinings Lifestyle Magazine. She is passionate about interpersonal relationships, placemaking, and the integration of the Arts for healthy communities. In her other life, she is co-owner of Leafmore Studios, a creative small business, along with her husband, artist Justin Groom.
Keara McGraw
Director of Development and Engagement
Keara McGraw is the Director of Development and Engagement at the St. Petersburg Foundation, where she oversees strategic communications, grant writing, and community engagement initiatives. She also serves as Program Manager for Social Venture Partners Tampa Bay, leading the annual Fast Pitch competition and building connections between donors, volunteers, and nonprofit leaders. Keara holds certificates in Leadership Development and Grant Writing from the Nonprofit Leadership Center of Tampa Bay and currently serves as Board President for both Big Pine Academy and the Key West Track & Field Club. She’s passionate about community development, capacity building, and creating meaningful impact through collaboration.