14 Feb Member Spotlight: Alizza Punzalan-Randle
I serve as the Chief Development Officer of the St. Pete Free Clinic (SPFC), which changes lives with compassion and respect, by providing health care, nutritious food, recovery housing, and education for our neighbors in need. A role I have held since February 2021, I am responsible for leading strategic fund development for the organization, leadership of the development team, and compliance with development policies.
Whether earning a paycheck or volunteering my time, I have had a satisfying 25-year career in the non-profit sector. My journey has spanned social services, pediatric health care, higher education, public broadcasting, visual and performing arts, and racial and social justice. Just prior to SPFC, I served as the CEO of the Knoxville, Tennessee, affiliate of a multicultural women’s organization for two years.
I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Rhodes College in Memphis, where I learned that jazz and the blues are best experienced when consuming the tastiest soul food and barbeque east of the Mississippi River! After school, I sold Steinway & Sons pianos, performed as a professional accompanist, and put my non-profit toe in the water as the Director of Public Relations for the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. I am no stranger to the Free Clinic, where I served as Director of Resources in the early 2000’s. Community and media relations have weaved in and out of my positions at WUSF Public Broadcasting, Eckerd College, and Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.
It is reassuring to know that servant leadership, meaningful connections, community engagement, collaborative convening, and catalyzing ideas is not only reflected in my career path, but also in the personal relationships I have developed through community initiatives over the years. In service as a board member, advisory council member, and/or front-line volunteer, several organizations have contributed to my growth, advanced my thinking, and taught me invaluable life lessons. They deserve a shout out: BPW/St. Petersburg-Pinellas (2014-15 local president), BPW/FL (2017-19 state president), Community Tampa Bay, Creative Clay, Leadership St. Pete (Class of 2003), Leadership Knoxville (Class of 2020), Pinellas County Urban League, Rotary Club of St. Petersburg, the South St. Petersburg Community Redevelopment Area Citizen Advisory Committee, St. Petersburg Chamber, Suncoast Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Tampa Bay Public Leadership Institute, YWCA of Tampa Bay, and the YWCA USA National Coordinating Board.
My priorities and hours in the day have shifted to raising two daughters, practicing anti-racism so that they feel pride in their biracial heritage, shaping their futures as brave women and strong leaders, calling my parents at least twice a week, and exchanging ridiculous texts with my sister multiple times daily. Laughing loudly, reminiscing, and active storytelling with close female relatives and friends is a welcome beginning to my day or end to my evening. As for my husband, we still yearn for that elusive date night!