Isay Gulley

Isay Gulley

MEMBER

Mrs. Isay M. Gulley, a native of Alabama, moved to Clearwater at age 13 following her mother’s death. She attended the Pinellas County school system and began volunteering in her community at age 15, later becoming employed. She is married to Donald Gulley, Sr., and together they have four children—Donald Jr., Michelle, Loretta, and Donna—as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Gulley’s career includes 22.5 years in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, from which she retired in July 1999. She also worked for Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (CNHS) for 41 years, starting in 1980 and retiring in 2021. During her tenure, she played a pivotal role in developing programs to assist families with housing, economic development, and consumer education. Under her leadership, CNHS constructed over 270 new affordable homes in Pinellas County, focusing on areas such as North and South Greenwood in Clearwater and the Union Academy neighborhood in Tarpon Springs. These efforts generated over $21.6 million in reinvestment activities in these communities.

In 2001, Mrs. Gulley spearheaded a partnership to change ownership of the Greenwood Apartment complex in Clearwater’s lowest-income neighborhood. This effort led to the complex’s redevelopment, stimulating over $20 million in reinvestment activities and providing improved affordable rental housing in the North Greenwood community. Key partners in this initiative included Bank of America, the City of Clearwater, NeighborWorks America, Pinellas County, and others.

Mrs. Gulley received three gubernatorial appointments from the late Governor Lawton Chiles, each for four-year terms:

Affordable Housing Study Commission for the State of Florida
State of Florida Economic Development/Trade Board
Commission of the Pinellas County Housing Authority
She has been active at local, state, and national levels, serving on numerous boards and committees. Throughout her career, she has received many notable awards and recognitions.

  • The Rotary Club of Clearwater
  • The Performing Arts Center/Ruth Eckerd Hall
  • The Boy Scouts of America
  • The Clearwater Arts Foundation
  • City of Clearwater Community Relations Board
  • Clearwater High School Adult Education Advisory Board
  • National Neighborhood Housing Network Board (National Level)
  • State of Florida Federation of Community Development Corporations Board
  • Senior Services Board
  • Willa Carson Health and Wellness Center
  • Low-Income Housing Advisory Board
  • Prospect Tower’s Board
  • Morton Plant Mease Hospital Board of Directors
  • The NAACP
  • City of Clearwater Enterprise Zone Board
  • Pinellas College Fund Advisory Board
  • Community Pride Day Care Center Board
  • NeighborWorks America Advisory Committee on Race, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (Washington, DC)
  • Pinellas Community Foundation Board (current)
  • Student Advisory Committee (SAC) – Pinellas High Innovation

PLUS MANY MORE AFFILIATIONS along with the notable achievements:

  • First female in Pinellas County to have a Head Start School named after her, located in North Greenwood, Clearwater
  • Received in 2022 Trailblazing Women Award from the Clearwater Historical Society
  • Received Key to the City of Clearwater in gratitude from the City upon retirement for a life of service and impact within the City
  • Nominated in 2006 for the Congressman Michael Bilirakis Award
  • Named Bay Area Reserve Coast Guardsman of the Year in 1989
  • Received Humanitarian of the Year Award in 2004
  • Received Service to Mankind Award
  • Received the Community Development Award for Innovation from the State of Florida in 2002
  • Received the Dr. Martin Luther King Brotherhood Award in 1995
  • PLUS TOO MANY MORE AWARDS TO NAME
  • State of Florida Women Hall of Fame by former recognition
  • Mrs. Gulley’s personal goal has always been to SERVE OTHERS AND BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION AND NOT PART OF THE PROBLEM. In addition to her other employment opportunities, she has been an entrepreneur several times, owning her own businesses within Pinellas County. Currently, she is a licensed consultant owning IMG CONSULTING, while donating a lot of her consulting time and skills for good causes.