TAMPA, Fla., The Early Childhood Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County named Dara Shareef, a Board Member and Shareholder at Benchmark International, as an inaugural member of its Blue Ribbon Council. The newly formed council brings together business and community leaders to support early childhood education and strengthen outcomes for children and families across Hillsborough County.
The Coalition will formally announce the Blue Ribbon Council at its Education of Young Children Summit on September 24, 2026.
Shareef brings more than 25 years of experience in business, investment, and organizational leadership to the Council. His background includes a decade in venture capital, as well as senior executive and board roles. A longtime advocate for the connection between education, economic opportunity, and regional competitiveness, he views early childhood development as an issue that extends well beyond the classroom.
“Great communities are formed when community and business leaders engage with their citizenry long before they enter the workforce,” Shareef said. “The experiences and opportunities children have in their earliest years shape everything that follows: educational achievement, economic advancement, and ultimately the strength of our workforce and our region. I’m honored to join a group that values the voices of business leaders and ushers them into this important conversation.”
The Blue Ribbon Council deepens engagement between the Coalition and leaders throughout the Tampa Bay business and civic communities, elevating early learning as a key component of the region’s long-term economic and community development.
“The Blue Ribbon Council brings business and community leadership directly into the conversation about kindergarten readiness and the future of Hillsborough County,” said Dr. Fred Hicks, CEO of the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County. “We are grateful that Dara Shareef is lending his experience and perspective to this work as we strengthen the cradle-to-career connection between early learning, opportunity and our future workforce.”
“Dara understands that developing tomorrow’s talent begins long before a young person enters the workforce,” said Aakash Patel, Chair of the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County Board of Directors. “His business leadership and commitment to our community make him a valuable inaugural voice on the Blue Ribbon Council as we engage more leaders around the importance of early childhood education.”
“Business leaders spend a great deal of time talking about talent and how we attract it to Tampa Bay,” Shareef added. “We also have to talk about how we develop it in-house. That process starts early; much earlier than most of us think.”
Beyond his role with Benchmark International, Shareef has held leadership positions across investment, corporate strategy, and business development. He has also served as an educator and mentor to entrepreneurs and executives. He stays active in Tampa Bay’s business community and regularly speaks on business growth, leadership, capital markets, and mergers and acquisitions.
About the Early Childhood Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County
The Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County works to ensure children are ready for kindergarten by connecting families with high-quality early learning opportunities and supporting the professionals who educate and care for young children. The Coalition administers Florida’s Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) and School Readiness programs in Hillsborough County while partnering with families, early learning providers, businesses, and community organizations. Through these partnerships, the Coalition strengthens early education, supports working families, and helps build a strong cradle-to-career foundation for Hillsborough County’s future.
About Dara Shareef
Dara Shareef serves on the Global Board of Directors and is a shareholder of Benchmark International, a global mergers and acquisitions firm specializing in the sale of privately held businesses. His career spans more than 25 years in capital formation, venture investing, corporate leadership, and M&A. He speaks frequently and hosts Closing Remarks, a podcast that seeks to make the language of mergers and acquisitions more accessible to business owners, their families, and advisors.
About Benchmark International
Benchmark International is a global M&A firm that provides business owners with creative, value-maximizing solutions for growing and exiting their businesses. Benchmark International has handled over $14.2 billion in transaction value across various industries from offices across the world. With decades of M&A experience, Benchmark International’s transaction teams have assisted business owners with achieving their objectives and ensuring the continued growth of their businesses. The firm has also been named the Investment Banking Firm of the Year by The M&A Advisor and the Global M&A Network, as well as the #1 Sell-side Privately Owned M&A Advisor in the World by PitchBook’s and LSEG’s Global League Tables.
