Pinellas Education Foundation Marks 40th Anniversary, Honors 2026 ChangeMakers

Annual breakfast celebrates four decades of community impact and recognizes leaders making a lasting difference for students and public education

LARGO, Fla. – Forty years after business and community leaders came together with a vision to strengthen public education, Pinellas Education Foundation celebrated four decades of impact Wednesday at its ninth annual ChangeMakers Breakfast.

Business, education, and community leaders gathered at the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park to celebrate progress being made for students across Pinellas County and recognize three individuals whose leadership and commitment exemplify what it means to be a ChangeMaker.

“Meaningful change happens when a community believes that student success is a shared responsibility and essential to a strong, thriving community,” said Kim Jowell, Chief Executive Officer of Pinellas Education Foundation. “Our work is made possible through our partnerships with the businesses, donors, and community members who continue to come together to create greater opportunities for students. The honorees we celebrated today embody that spirit of collaboration and commitment and demonstrate the many ways individuals can make a meaningful difference in the lives of students.”

Impact & Innovation Award – Ellen Truskowski

Ellen Truskowski, Pinellas County Schools Director of Federal Programs, received the Impact & Innovation Award for her leadership in creating innovative learning opportunities and strengthening professional learning for educators across the school district.

Her work through the Closing the Gap initiative has helped educators better understand and respond to the way students learn, including the use of gender-differentiated strategies to strengthen student engagement and achievement. What began locally has continued to grow, with the work gaining attention beyond Pinellas County and creating opportunities for educators to learn, collaborate, and bring new strategies back to their classrooms. The impact can be seen in the educators themselves. One veteran teacher with 30 years of experience described the professional learning as the best she had experienced in her career.

ChangeMaker Award – Bobby Coston, Jr.

The ChangeMaker Award was presented to Bobby Coston, Jr., whose journey represents the

impact that opportunity, encouragement, and education can have on a young person’s life.

As a former student who benefited from Pinellas Education Foundation’s programs, Bobby is a Pinellas County Schools graduate who earned his bachelor’s degree from Florida A&M University and later a master’s degree in educational leadership from Stetson University.

He returned to Pinellas County Schools to serve students in the same community that helped shape him. He worked in roles from paraprofessional to educator and school leader. Bobby was named 2025-26 Teacher of the Year and Top 10 Finalist; he now serves as assistant principal at Lealman Avenue Elementary.

Champion of Education Award – Bob and Kay Dillinger

Bob and Kay Dillinger were honored as recipients of the Champion of Education Award. This recognition was created to honor extraordinary commitment that has made a lasting impact in our community. It recognizes more than a single contribution or accomplishment; it celebrates a sustained commitment to students and public education.

Together, Bob and Kay Dillinger founded the Beth Dillinger Foundation in memory of their daughter, Beth, transforming their love for her into a legacy of compassion for others. The Beth Dillinger Foundation has supported Pinellas Education Foundation for over 17 years. Their support has funded 360 Take Stock in Children students, providing them with mentorship, college readiness coaching, and college scholarships.