A product of Tampa’s public schools, Representative Jackie Toledo graduated from Gaither High School and was awarded an academic engineering scholarship to the University of South Florida from the Latino Scholarship program. Receiving her degree in Civil Engineering in 2000, Jackie became a Licensed Professional Engineer working on several transportation plans in the Tampa Bay area, including master plans for the University of South Florida and Hillsborough Community College, as well as Hillsborough County’s Long Range Transportation Plan, the Florida Aviation Systems, and the 2012 Olympic bid process.

Recognized professionally as a Professional Traffic Operations Engineer (PTOE) and the recipient of the 2002 Florida State Institute of Transportation Engineer of the Year, Rep. Toledo has made great strides in her field while also staying active in the Tampa community. In 2010, Jackie opened up her own business, a children’s performing arts program – Tampa Creative Camps (TCC), which focused on building self-confidence in children through the arts. Then in 2011, she established a scholarship program at USF to offer others the opportunity that she was afforded.

Elected to the State House of Representatives for House District 60 in 2016, Jackie’s greatest accomplishments thus far in Tallahassee have included a ban on texting and driving, raising the age for purchases of tobacco and nicotine products to 21, and most recently her human trafficking bill that expands the definition of human trafficking and puts teeth in the law to ensure prosecution of traffickers. Additionally, she has fought to restore mental health funds for Crisis Stabilization Unit beds and has provided input on many transportation-related projects and issues across the state. Another priority has been elevating issues of pharmacy reform to lower healthcare costs.

Apart from the great pride Rep. Toledo takes in her professional accomplishments and community involvement, her greatest joy is found in raising her five children, ranging in ages 10-21.