Cancer affects every community, touching families, friends, colleagues, and neighbors in deeply personal ways. For Peoples Gas, supporting efforts that address its impact reflects a shared responsibility to care for one another. In that spirit, Peoples Gas president and CEO Helen Wesley has been named the 2026 Executive Chair for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Tampa Bay, one of the region’s largest and most impactful breast cancer awareness and fundraising events.
Presented by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa, the annual walk brings together thousands of participants to honor survivors, remember loved ones, and take collective action to help end breast cancer.
Leading With Purpose
As executive chair, Helen will help guide corporate and community engagement efforts across Tampa Bay, encouraging participation, fundraising, and awareness in support of the American Cancer Society’s mission to end cancer as we know it, for everyone.
Her appointment follows a historic 2025 season for Making Strides that raised more than $1 million, making it the top Making Strides event in Florida and sixth nationwide. More than 30,000 participants and 614 teams came together at Raymond James Stadium, a display of hope, remembrance and action.
“Extensive research shows prevention and early detection save lives. Screenings, preventive care, physical activity, and mental wellbeing all play a vital role in reducing risk and improving outcomes, and Making Strides elevates the importance of each of these efforts. This movement reminds us that caring for ourselves and supporting one another is not optional, it is essential to creating healthier futures. Cancer impacts everyone, touching families, friends, colleagues, and, for many, their own personal journeys. Through our participation in Making Strides walks across the state, the Peoples Gas team comes together with purpose to support one another and the communities we serve, and that is what makes this movement so meaningful to us,” said Helen.
A Shared Commitment From Our Team
Peoples Gas team members are deeply committed to giving back, and cancer is a cause that has touched everyone in some way. Over the years, team members across the company have supported Making Strides through participation and fundraising, reflecting an ongoing commitment to awareness, prevention, and support.
As president and CEO of Peoples Gas, Helen leads a diverse team that delivers natural gas to more than 500,000 customers across Florida. The statewide presence keeps Peoples Gas closely connected to the communities it serves, a perspective she brings to her role with Making Strides.
“Helen’s leadership, passion, and connection to our community make her the perfect person to guide this next chapter,” said Lindsey Langley-Liboreiro, Senior Executive Director, Southwest Florida, American Cancer Society. “Coming off a record-breaking 2025 season, we are building incredible momentum, and with Helen at the helm, we are poised to make an even greater impact in 2026. Her commitment to engaging local businesses and inspiring our community will help us continue funding lifesaving research and providing critical support to those facing breast cancer.”
Get Involved
To learn more, get involved, or start a team, visit MakingStridesWalk.org/TampaBayFL.