Why Lorraine is a big deal: She started as a volunteer in 1993 (there were no full-time employees) when the agency operated out of a small room in King of Peace Metropolitan Community Church. She first worked to turn around a failing bookstore. When it began providing HIV services, it had half a case worker.

Now, the leader at Metro Wellness oversees a more than $20 million budget and 170 employees in seven Tampa Bay area locations. It provides essential health and wellness services to the LGBTQ+ community. It has evolved and expanded exponentially in the last few years, growing its primary care and behavioral health offerings to seniors, youth and the transgender community.

At its flagship St. Petersburg location, Lorraine is overseeing a major expansion. For years, Metro has been in 18,000 square feet of a building where it was a tenant. But it bought the building in 2016 and once a renovation is complete next January, it will utilize 47,000 square feet to expand its medical facility and community center. Metro is one of the largest HIV/AIDS service organizations and nationally known LGBTQ+ community centers. Lorraine says, at age 62, she’s focusing more on mentorship at this point in her career.