Speros Welcomes Hannah Mae Merten as Executive Director of Strategy

Merten brings a decade of experience in economic development, public policy and urban development

TAMPA, Fla. – Speros, a 775-acre innovation campus and subsidiary of Moffitt Cancer Center, today announced that Hannah Mae Merten has joined as executive director of strategy and chief of staff. Merten joins Speros after nearly a decade in real estate, particularly in directing place-based investments as a tool for economic development. In her new role, she will oversee real estate, economic development and placemaking initiatives for Speros. Merten will steer strategy as Speros evolves into a campus aimed at connecting partners and people committed to cancer research and cures.

Prior to joining Speros, Merten served as a key deputy within Bedrock Detroit, the largest investor in Detroit's urban redevelopment, and Rock Ventures, the family office of impact investor and Rock Companies Chairman Dan Gilbert. Merten’s portfolio at Bedrock Detroit focused on real estate and economic development with the goal of generating an innovation economy for Detroit’s future. Beyond her time in Detroit, Merten brings a wealth of cross-sector experience in public-private partnerships, housing policy, infrastructure investments and economic development in underserved markets.

As chief of staff and key execution partner to Speros President Josh Carpenter, D.Phil., Merten will lead efforts to develop Speros into a research and development hub that contributes to the prevention and cure of cancer while creating new economic opportunities in the Tampa Bay area and throughout Florida. Merten will direct people-centric economic development strategies and oversee the execution of tactical programs for Speros as it continues its expansion.

“Hannah Mae’s unique experience in economic development, public policy and strategic leadership, and her track record of forging meaningful relationships with public, private and philanthropic stakeholders, will be critical to the growth and success of Speros,” said Carpenter. “We are excited to have her on board to help us build a campus, team and partnerships that will make it all possible.”

Merten most recently completed a joint master’s program at Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School of Government, earning degrees in business administration and public policy. Merten began her career at DaVita in her hometown of Denver, Colorado, where she attended the University of Denver as a Boettcher scholar.

“I’ve been very lucky in my career to work at the intersection of impact and real estate,” said Merten. “Speros is a rare opportunity to create a campus designed around people while simultaneously establishing a dynamic innovation hub that will shape the future of the Southeast. I am proud to do this work within Moffitt’s mission to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer.”