ANA CRUZ

MANAGING PARTNER, BALLARD PARTNERS – TAMPA BAY OFFICE, TAMPA

Ballard Partners is one of Florida’s most influential lobbying firms, representing top-tier clients across industries. It has offices across the U.S. and abroad, including in Saudi Arabia, Istanbul and Tel Aviv. Cruz has led the Tampa Bay practice for nearly a decade. Prior to becoming a lobbyist, she worked in the Florida House and U.S. Senate and was executive director of the Florida Democratic Party.

EDUCATION: Attended the University of Tampa

FIRST JOB: At 15, I was a stock girl at Joy’s Shoe Salon in South Tampa. One afternoon, I served a Diet Coke to Mayor Sandy Freedman while she shopped. Not long after, she opened her reelection HQ next door. I walked in, curious and eager to volunteer. There was Bob Buckhorn — feet up, unlit cigar in hand — who gave me a stack of stamps and postcards. I was hooked. The campaign energy, the chaos and election night lights — it ignited something in me. I worked every one of Buckhorn’s races after that. He became mayor, and he’s been a lifelong friend ever since.

DREAM ALTERNATE CAREER: I’d be creative director of a luxe fashion house — curating bold looks, killer campaigns and front-row drama. Power dressing would be my platform, and every collection would have a story to tell. Politics, but make it couture.