Jones joins 50 professionals from across Tampa Bay in the region’s premier leadership development program.
TAMPA, Fla. – The Law Office of Lisa B. McLean, Public Defender, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit (PD13) is pleased to announce that Dee Jones, JD, PhD, Chief of Policy, has been selected for the Tampa Bay Chamber’s Leadership Tampa Class of 2027, making her the first person in the office’s history to be accepted into the program.
Jones is among 50 professionals selected from a competitive pool of applicants to join the 56th class of Leadership Tampa, one of the nation’s earliest and most respected leadership initiatives. Now in its 56th year, the program is presented by the Tampa Bay Chamber in partnership with the Tampa Bay Business Journal and is recognized as the third oldest program of its kind in the country, having launched in 1970.
Over the course of the program year, Jones will join fellow class members, representing organizations across business, government, health care, education and the nonprofit sector, in class days, retreats and discussions with civic and business leaders focused on the issues shaping Tampa Bay’s future. The Class of 2027 is chaired by Dr. Shadel Hamilton, President of Ultimate Medical Academy’s Clearwater Campus, with Gina Dew, Project Director at HNTB, serving as vice chair.
“Dee’s selection to Leadership Tampa reflects the caliber of leadership she brings to this office every day. Her ability to build relationships across sectors and translate policy into real impact for the people we serve is exactly the kind of perspective this program is designed to develop, and exactly what makes her such an asset to PD13,” said Lisa B. McLean, Public Defender for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit.
As Chief of Policy at PD13, Jones leads the office’s legislative and policy engagement, community partnerships and internal leadership development initiatives. She also holds certifications in emotional intelligence, change management, conflict management, crucial conversations and executive coaching.
“I am deeply honored to join the Leadership Tampa Class of 2027 alongside so many accomplished leaders from across our region. This opportunity allows me to bring an even broader perspective back to PD13 and to the communities we serve, and I am grateful to Public Defender McLean and my colleagues for their support,” said Jones.
About Leadership Tampa
Leadership Tampa is a program of the Tampa Bay Chamber, which has served the region since 1885 and holds a five-star rating from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
About the Law Office of Lisa B. McLean, Public Defender, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit
Ms. McLean is a seasoned trial attorney and respected justice leader who oversees one of the largest public defender offices in Florida, representing tens of thousands of individuals annually while advancing innovative, data-driven approaches to public safety, equity, and operational excellence.
Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law since 2009 and AV-rated by peers and judges, Ms. McLean brings more than three decades of trial experience and is widely recognized for her collaborative leadership and strategic vision. She currently leads an office of approximately 220 employees, including nearly 120 attorneys, with a focus on ethical advocacy, fiscal stewardship, responsible use of technology, and forward-thinking reforms that strengthen trust in the justice system.
Media Contact:
Kim Hindman, Chief Assistant
Law Office of Lisa B. McLean, Public Defender, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit
813-272-5980 | [email protected]
