Dr. Kimberly Rankin

Director, Tampa Bay Women’s Business Centre

Dr. Kimberly Rankin is an accomplished entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Civilian Success Pathways, a training and consulting firm dedicated to empowering veterans and working adults through career transition programs, leadership development workshops, and skills-based coaching. 

Her entrepreneurial mindset is matched by deep experience in organizational transformation. Most recently, Dr. Rankin served in a senior leadership role with a federal government contractor, where she was selected to restructure and lead a national IT training division supporting a large government agency.

In addition to leading her own company, Dr. Rankin has spent more than two decades as a professor and global business advisor, teaching entrepreneurship, management, and business strategy at universities nationwide. She has helped design curricula and training systems that support startups, public institutions, and private organizations, reinforcing her passion for developing confident, capable leaders.

Dr. Rankin holds a Doctorate in Business Administration, magna cum laude, from California Southern University, an MBA from the University of Redlands, and a B.A. in Organizational Leadership from Vanguard University. She is also the author of published work on hiring women in STEM environments and holds multiple certifications in agile project management, systems engineering, and leadership.

Marisol Adkins

Program Coordinator

Marisol Adkins is the Program Assistant for the Tampa Bay Women’s Business Centre, bringing more than 20 years of experience across finance, human resources, accounting, and executive administration. Her diverse background allows her to support programs, clients, and leadership with a strong understanding of both operational and administrative excellence.

Marisol began her career in accounts payable, where she spent over 13 years building a solid foundation in financial processes and organizational systems. She later transitioned into human resources and benefits administration, overseeing new hire onboarding, supporting executive leadership, and training administrative staff on SAP systems.

She continued her professional growth as an Executive Administrator to a Chief Financial Officer, working directly with C-suite leaders and Boards of Directors within a large organization. This role strengthened her expertise in executive coordination, confidential communications, and high-level operational support.

In addition to her corporate experience, Marisol is also an entrepreneur and former small business owner, having launched her own business as an independent sewing pattern designer. She holds an Associate of Science in Business Administration and Entrepreneurship from Hillsborough Community College and brings both professional and entrepreneurial insight to her role supporting women entrepreneurs across the Tampa Bay region.