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8137795591
mattie.velasco@openforumstrategy.com
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About Us

Meet our Founder

Founder & Principal

Mattie Velasco

Mattie Velasco is a dynamic government relations professional & strategist specializing in creative solutions. Certified in Project Management & Lean Six Sigma, Mattie graduated from St. Petersburg College with her Bachelors in Healthcare Administration.

Pursuing her Masters in Public Administration, Mattie possesses a wealth of experience in consensus building, collaborating with elected officials across local, state, and federal levels, in addition to leaders within both public & private sectors. With a keen strategic insight, Mattie adeptly communicates & addresses pressing issues.


Her unique approach to developing impactful initiatives is rooted in coalition building, grassroots relationships, & community organizing. By elevating voices within the communities she serves through round tables, open forums, fundraising receptions, & community needs assessments, Mattie fosters meaningful change.

With an expertise spanning organizational development, enhancing stakeholder portfolios, appropriations, strategic communications, public engagement, legislative analysis, government relations, & comprehensive bill tracking & monitoring, Mattie is your ally in achieving your goals through a systems oriented approach & commitment to positive transformation.

Organizations & Memberships


Program Advisory Board:

  • Law Enforcement Against Drugs & Violence
  • Wired BioHealth
  • Faith Therapy

 

Member of:

  • Pinellas County Opioid Task Force
  • 13th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office & Spring of Tampa Bay's Coordinated Community Response Domestic Violence Task Force

 

  • Policy Advisory Board – Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce
  • Emerging Leaders of Tampa Bay
  • Transportation Committee – Tampa Bay Chamber
  • Aspire Leadership Program - Tampa Bay Chamber

 

  • St. Petersburg College Alumni Association


Awards & Recognitions

Awards:

  • 2023 Advocate of the Year
         Floridians for Recovery
  • 2022 “You Go, Girl!” Award
         Dress for Success, recognition from Mayor Jane Castor


Academia:

  • St. Petersburg College Apollo Award Finalist
  • President Williams Alumni Excellence Award
  • Hites Scholar, one of only ten nation-wide
  • All-Florida Academic Award
  • VP of Leadership & Scholarship - Phi Theta Kappa
  • Coca-Cola Gold Scholar Award, one of only 12 state-wide
  • Student Government Association:
    Outstanding Student of the Year Award


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