Sandy has dedicated more than 40 years to serving the Hillsborough County community, including a decade as Hillsborough County Commissioner for District 1 (2010–2020), where she was twice elected by her colleagues as Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners. Before joining the Commission, she served eight years in the Florida House of Representatives, becoming the first Republican woman to serve as Speaker Pro Tempore. Throughout her public service, Sandy championed economic development, transportation, workforce development, children’s services, mental health and substance abuse treatment, homelessness, opioid prevention, and human trafficking awareness. She also led efforts to strengthen early childhood education, improve nursing home care, expand hospital funding, and establish workforce development boards across Florida.
In addition to her elected service, Sandy has held leadership roles with CareerSource Tampa Bay and has been recognized by more than 30 organizations for her commitment to children, families, education, and community service. She helped found the Pace Center for Girls in Tampa Bay, spearheaded the campaign to build the Glazer Children’s Museum, and has supported organizations including Junior Achievement, Starting Right Now, Phoenix House, the Centre for Women, the Tampa Museum of Art, and Children’s Home Network, where she also serves as a Guardian ad Litem. Prior to public office, Sandy worked for a Fortune 500 company.
