Linda Olson
About Linda Olson
Linda Olson is the Founder and President of Tampa Bay WaVE, a nonprofit organization supporting tech entrepreneurs, where she has worked since 2008. She has a background in finance and consulting, with previous roles at Total Web Concierge, WOMbeat!, and yet2.com, and has received multiple awards for her contributions to entrepreneurship and mentoring.
Work at Tampa Bay WaVE
Linda Olson has served as the Founder and President of Tampa Bay WaVE since 2008. Under her leadership, the organization has evolved significantly, transitioning from a meetup group to a recognized 501c3 nonprofit organization in 2011. Olson has been instrumental in securing funding, raising $18 million from various sources including sponsors, donors, and foundations to support the nonprofit's mission. The FirstWaVE Venture Center, launched during her tenure, offers a 16,000 sq/ft space dedicated to tech entrepreneurs in downtown Tampa.
Previous Experience
Before her role at Tampa Bay WaVE, Linda Olson founded and served as CEO of WOMbeat! from 2007 to 2012. She also worked as the Corporate Controller at yet2.com from 2000 to 2003. Her early career included a position as a Senior Consultant at Arthur Andersen from 1994 to 1997 and an internship as an Audit Intern at KPMG in 1992. These roles provided her with a solid foundation in business management and consulting.
Education and Expertise
Linda Olson earned her MBA from Columbia Business School, completing her studies in 2005. She also holds a Master of Accountancy (MAcc) from Florida State University, where she studied Accounting & Information Technology. Olson completed her undergraduate degree in Accounting at Florida State University in 1992. Her educational background equips her with strong analytical and financial skills, which she applies in her leadership roles.
Achievements and Recognition
Linda Olson has received several accolades for her contributions to the community and the field of entrepreneurship. In 2023, she was honored as a Women in STEAM by Girls Inc. of Pinellas. Additionally, she received the Angie Joseph Excellence in Mentoring award from the Tampa Bay Business Journal in 2022. Olson has also represented the U.S. as a delegate at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Bahrain in 2019 and Riyadh in 2022, showcasing her commitment to fostering entrepreneurship.
Key Initiatives and Programs
Under Linda Olson's leadership, Tampa Bay WaVE launched the FirstWaVE Accelerator program and the FirstWaVE Venture Center, which received a $1 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce in 2012. These initiatives aim to support tech entrepreneurs by providing resources, mentorship, and a collaborative environment to foster innovation and growth in the Tampa Bay area.