Welcome to the IIBA® Tampa Bay website!

The Business Analyst (BA) role in today's organizations is becoming increasingly important.  Some might describe this role as the "bridge" between the IT organization and Business units, commanding fluency in both languages.  Business units rely on a BA to translate business goals and objectives into requirements, and IT staff rely on a BA to translate technical concepts and components into business language.  As the BA role gains prominence, the ongoing growth of Business Analysis practitioners is key.

President & Vice President (VP) Professional Development

Thea Soehen - CSPO

At the forefront of Business Analysis at The Cincinnati Insurance Companies, my role as a Senior Business Analyst melds my CSPO certification with a commitment to streamline processes and enhance system performance while making people’s lives better. 
Beyond technical competencies, my leadership at the IIBA Tampa Bay Chapter, where we've facilitated over 120 study groups, reflects my dedication to professional development and mentorship. The nomination as IIBA SE Region Volunteer of the Year underscores a career dedicated to empowering professionals and advocating for excellence in Business Analysis and Project Management.
 

Vice President (VP) Finance

Rich Layman - M.S.

Rich is a seasoned IT professional with a proven track record in Systems Analysis, Business Process Improvement, and Project Management. With over a decade of experience, he has successfully led initiatives that have driven significant cost savings, increased efficiency, and fostered a culture of innovation.

Armed with a Master's degree in Management Information Systems, Richard brings a strategic mindset to his role as Vice President of Finance at the IIBA of Tampa Bay FL. His expertise in data analysis, automation, and team development has empowered organizations to make informed decisions and achieve their goals.

As a dedicated member of the IIBA community, Richard is committed to sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and building a sustainable financial foundation for the organization.

He has been a member of IIBA since 2023

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Vice President (VP) Communications, Marketing & Membership

Clifford Gray - MCSE, MCSA, MCP

💥 20+ years of experience supporting the development, implementation, and administration of cutting-edge technology solutions critical to business operations with a focus on data activities. Specializing as a liaison between technical and non-technical teams to effectively communicate complex concepts, ideas and requirements.

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Vice President (VP) Digital Media & Emerging Technologies

Alicia Funderburk - M.A., PROSCI, LPM, RTE, POPM, CSSGB, CAF, CAL

Alicia Funderburk is an accomplished award-winning 40 Under 40 Professional with over 17 years of experience successfully leading, managing, and delivering Technology, Engineering, and Creative change initiatives across a range of industries including Professional Sports, Healthcare/Medical Devices, Entertainment, Broadcast Media, Creative Services, and Education.

Drawing from her distinctive professional background, she successfully uses her diverse skillset & professional industry experience to foster growth within teams, create comprehensive training programs, cultivate a collaborative team environment, enhance communication, & bridge the gap between technology, innovation, & creativity to propel businesses towards their strategic objectives & revenue targets.

She holds numerous professional certifications, has earned a Business Analysis Certificate from Duke University & has earned the Learning Experience Design Certificate from Louisiana State University.

Alicia has received numerous awards & honors for her unwavering dedication & commitment to giving back to the community. She actively volunteers and serves on the Board of Directors with organizations in Florida, North Carolina, & serves as an alumni mentor at LSU.

She has been a member of IIBA since 2018.

Vice President (VP) Technology

Esther Folorunso - MBA, CBAP

Esther Oluwabusayo Folorunso, MBA, CBAP, is an experienced and certified business analyst currently working as a Business Analyst in the US Higher Education Industry. She previously worked as a Semi Senior- business analyst in Andersen Nigeria serving clients in both the Public and Private Sectors with different growth levels (Start-ups, Growing, Maturing, and Declining) and in diverse industries (Financial Technology, Healthcare, Technology, Banking/Finance, Engineering, Oil and Gas, Retail, Manufacturing, Agriculture, and Advertising) 

She holds a bachelor's degree in Entrepreneurship/Business Management from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria, and an MBA in Management Information Systems from Fort Hays State University, Kansas, USA.  

She presently serves on the Board of the IIBA Tampa Bay Florida Chapter, is a speaker on everything business analysis and Change, and has authored articles published in BA Times, Business Day, ThisDay, The News Guru, Guardian Newspapers, The Nigerian Tribune, and the Punch Newspaper. 

Director, Emerging Professionals

Kennedy C. Davis - ECBA

Kennedy is a solutions-driven business support specialist with over 3 years of experience in client-facing roles across the technology, insurance, and HR industries. Throughout their career, they have been recognized for their ability to navigate complex challenges, streamline business processes, and foster strong relationships with clients and stakeholders. While at The Jacobson Group, Kennedy played a key role in driving $45.9M in department revenue in 2023 by connecting clients with top-tier talent and providing insights that shaped hiring strategies.

With a knack for identifying client needs and delivering tailored solutions, Kennedy has built a reputation for excellence in recruitment, process improvement, and market analysis. They have a passion for efficiency, innovation, and creating a positive client experience, and their expertise spans business process oversight, talent sourcing, and cross-functional collaboration. As they continue to grow in their career, Kennedy is eager to take on more strategic roles that allow them to combine their business acumen and analytical skills to create even greater impact.

With a Bachelor of Science in Communications from the University of Florida and an Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA), Kennedy is well-equipped to transition into a more analytical capacity, focusing on efficiency, problem resolution, and driving long-term success for organizations."

Board Member at Large

Hari Prasad Josyula - PMP, CSPO, PSPO, SAFe POPM

Hari Prasad Josyula is a seasoned Business Analysis and Product Management professional with over 15 years of experience in the Banking, Financial Services, and FinTech industries. Currently serving as the Lead Product Analyst at Dow Jones, he provides strategic guidance in functional analysis, process advisory, and product development. Hari has successfully driven digital transformation initiatives and led the development of advanced financial products, addressing industry challenges with innovative solutions. Hari holds three Master’s degrees—in Business Administration, Sciences, and Operations Management—which, combined with his deep expertise, enable him to deliver impactful results across requirements management, process analytics, data analysis, enterprise solutions, and software development. His leadership has fostered seamless cross-functional collaboration, achieving win-win outcomes for stakeholders. Hari’s dedication to continuous learning is reflected in his certifications, which include PMP, CSPO, PSPO, SAFe POPM, SAFe 6.0, and Scrum. Hari serves as the Vice President for International Project Management Association (IPMA) USA Member Association. Hari is focused on promoting industry best practices and foster innovation in today’s dynamic business environment.
 
 

Board Member at Large

China Thomas - MBA, PMP, PMI-ACP, PAL, PSM, PSPO, SSYB

As a business consultant and project management expert with over a decade of leadership experience across diverse industries, including public safety, education, multimedia and technological advancement, China offers tailored advisory services and insights to help organizations navigate challenges and change management. Equipped with strategic vision, operational excellence, innovative resolution, and process optimization, China specializes in customizable actionable plans, measurable results and organizational productivity enhancement.
 

Board Consultant

Robert Churchill - CBAP, PMP, CSM, CSPO, A-CSD

Robert P. Churchill (CBAP, PMP, CSPO, CSM, A-CSD, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt) has combined mechanical and software engineering skills to build and use continuous and discrete-event computer simulation systems for over thirty years. He has served in a vendor or consultant role in every life-cycle phase in the fields of pulp and paper, nuclear power, document imaging, insurance, metals, HVAC, inspections, medical practices, security, evacuation, emergency response, logistics, and maintenance and reliability. He’s been a developer, architect, field engineer, data collector, IV&V agent, manager, and analyst on desktop, networked, and high-performance computing (HPC) platforms. He has built real-time, interactive, and fire-and-forget systems for analysis, design, process improvement, industrial control, operations research, and operator training.