Message from Leadership Florida Chair, Beth Kigel
|
|
Dear Members,
I hope everyone’s New Year is off to a phenomenal start! It was a busy January and February for Leadership Florida as we held the mid-year Leadership Team retreat, class programs and regional events. We have received excellent feedback and input, and appreciate the high energy that all bring to our events!
During the Leadership Retreat, members were reintroduced to Leadership Florida’s amazing staff; heard mid-year reports on communications, fundraising and programming; brainstormed with fellow members on exciting new ideas; and discussed upcoming events such as the Annual Meeting, Gubernatorial and U.S. Senatorial Debates, and the London “but for” trip.
As your Chair, I continue to be truly inspired and recharged by all that is shared. Along with our CEO, Wendy and the Leadership Florida team, we can’t wait for all of you to experience the new and exciting things coming up in 2018 and beyond!
For this e-cast, we’d like to share two new processes that are active right now: 1)
online
awards nominations, and 2) the new Intent to Apply Form.
Nomination forms for the 2018 Leadership Florida Awards went live on the Leadership Florida website earlier this month. Please take a few minutes to review the award categories
HERE
, and consider nominating an individual or organization you believe best meets the criteria. The deadline for nomination submittals is approaching, so don't wait! Award recipients will be announced and celebrated at the 2018 Annual Meeting in Sarasota, June 14-17.
As you know, Leadership Florida is searching for highly qualified and diverse candidates to participate in our 2018-19 class programs. We have just released a new tool, the
Intent to Apply Form
found
HERE
. Please use this form to refer Floridians who you feel would be a perfect candidate for one of Leadership Florida’s class programs. We strongly suggest interested candidates also complete the form. While the Intent to Apply form is not required and is not the actual application for class membership, the collective information will assist greatly in focusing our recruitment efforts. We ask our members to please support its use.
In March, Leadership Florida’s formal class program application will go live on the website, so watch for that announcement!
There are so many wonderful things on the horizon for Leadership Florida, and I am grateful to be on this journey with you. Here’s to a fabulous 2018!
Sincerely,
Beth Kigel
Chair, Leadership Florida Board of Directors
|
|
Parkland: Message from Beth Kigel & Wendy Spencer
|
|
Leadership Florida Family,
On February 14, 2018, lives were changed forever. We are deeply saddened and heartbroken over the horrific shooting, which took place at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to the families, friends and loved ones impacted by this senseless act of hate. Everyone on the Leadership Florida team cares deeply for Broward County and all of our members, your family, friends and neighbors.
When tragedy such as this strikes, the first thing you think of is your family, and if everyone is safe. When news of the shooting broke our hearts stopped as we thought about the possibility of one of our Broward family members being affected by this horrible act. We want all of you to know, Leadership Florida is a family; we deeply care about the safety and wellbeing of each and every one of our members, as well as our fellow Floridians.
“When we meet real tragedy in life, we can react in two ways—either by losing hope and falling into self-destructive habits, or by using the challenge to find our inner strength” –Dalai Lama XIV
As always, your Leadership Florida family is here for you.
|
|
Connect Day in the Capital
|
|
The Leadership Florida Connect program executed its annual Connect Day in the Capital earlier this month, and it was a HUGE success! This unique event was an amazing opportunity for up and coming leaders to experience a taste of the
Leadership Florida Connect program
.
This exclusive event brought together more than 100 of Florida’s top emerging leaders and key stakeholders, and provided access to premier education centered on Florida government and major issues facing the state. Attendees were engaged and inspired by Florida leaders during the program and experienced some phenomenal activities, such as:
- A private tour of The Grove
- Exclusive reception at the Governor’s Mansion
- VIP Dinner
- Dynamic speakers
- Informative panels
- A full day spent visiting Florida’s most influential decision-makers
- And more!
|
|
Leadership Florida would like to extend a special thank you to Samantha Sexton, Leadership Florida Connect V, for chairing this event. Samantha, we are so appreciative of the amazing job you did in putting this together.
|
|
Thank you to our presenting sponsor, Office Depot, as well as all of our other sponsors!
|
|
Carlos Orta
Leadership Florida Cornerstone Class XV
This month, we recognize one of our amazing Leadership Florida members, Carlos Orta! As Vice President of Corporate Affairs for the Carnival Corporation, Carlos provides leadership and oversight of state, local and international affairs; community relations; public affairs; and diversity and inclusion. As a member of Leadership Florida for over 20 years, Carlos has been involved on so many different levels. His most current leadership role is serving as co-chair of Leadership Florida’s exclusive London “but for” experience happening at the end of this year. We reached out to Carlos with some unique questions to learn a little more about him on a personal level.
What is your favorite virtue?
Goodness.
What are your favorite qualities in a man/woman?
Integrity, empathy, passion and imagination.
What do you appreciate the most in your friends?
Their loyalty and unconditional love.
What is your idea of happiness?
I have two: The extrovert in me likes being surrounded by close friends and family. The introvert in me likes being on a beach, by myself, listening to great music and hearing the waves crash.
Who are your heroes in real life?
My mom, my grandmother and my wife.
What reform do you admire the most?
It has not happened yet: Gun control/reform.
If you could request a natural talent to be gifted with, what would it be?
Singing.
What words or phrases do you most overuse?
"That's awesome" or "You're awesome" I am an 80's kid after all.
What is your greatest achievement?
I am a cancer survivor (two bouts in my late 20's/early 30's) and recently survived a heart attack (fall, 2015).
What is your favorite motto?
It is what it is!
|
|
Dr. Noemi Coltea
Leadership Florida Connect III
|
Sophia Wisniewska
Leadership Florida Cornerstone XXXIV
|
Lawrence Lyman
Leadership Florida Connect IV and BOD Member
|
|
Roberto Torres
Leadership Florida Connect VIII
|
Kyle Evans
Leadership Florida Connect VII
|
Clifford Walters
Leadership Florida Cornerstone XII
|
|
- Dr. Noemi Coltea, Leadership Florida Connect III, received the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Florida’s Young Philanthropist Award
- Roberto Torres, Leadership Florida Connect VIII, was recognized in the Tampa Bay Times’ list of “The Most Intriguing People of Tampa Bay for 2017”
- Sophia Wisniewska, Leadership Florida Cornerstone XXXIV, was recognized in the Tampa Bay Times’ list of “The Most Intriguing People of Tampa Bay for 2017”
- Kyle Evans, Leadership Florida Connect VII, his company REDCON Solutions Group has been named to the GrowFL’s Companies to Watch list
- Lawrence Lyman, Leadership Florida Connect IV and BOD Member, has been recognized by the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce as the volunteer of the year
- Clifford Walters, Leadership Florida Cornerstone XII, received the inaugural Robert P. Bartz Award for outstanding leadership
|
|
Promotions/New Employment
|
|
Erin VanSickle, Leadership Florida Connect VI, has joined the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation as its new Deputy Chief of Staff. Congratulations, Erin!
|
|
Patricia Rosello, Leadership Florida Cornerstone XXV, has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer for Baptist Hospital of Miami, where she has worked since 1997. Congratulations, Patricia!
|
|
Appointments & Selections
|
|
Sabeen Perwaiz Syed
Leadership Florida Connect VIII
|
Ashley Barnett
Education III
|
Andrew Fay
Leadership Florida Connect IV
|
|
Sean Pittman
Leadership Florida Cornerstone XXI
|
Dave Aronberg
Leadership Florida Cornerstone XXVI
|
B. Ben Dachepalli
Leadership Florida Cornerstone XXXI
|
|
- Sabeen Perwaiz Syed, Leadership Florida Connect VIII, has been appointed by Governor Rick Scott to the Commission on Community Services
- Sean Pittman, Leadership Florida Cornerstone XXI, has been installed as the 80th President and Chair of the Orange Bowl Committee
- Ashley Barnett, Education III, has been appointed by Governor Rick Scott to the Polk State College District Board of Trustees
- Dave Aronberg, Leadership Florida Cornerstone XXVI, has been selected to lead a national initiative on opioid abuse
- Andrew Fay, Leadership Florida Connect IV, has been appointed by Governor Rick Scott to the Florida Public Service Commission
- B. Ben Dachepalli, Leadership Florida Cornerstone XXXI, has been elected as Chairman of the Board for the Indo-US Chamber of Commerce
|
|
Thank you to our Day of Service Sponsors for helping us come together to better our communities!
|
|
Thank you to all the regions who hosted an amazing Day of Service event this year! This was our second annual statewide Day of Service, and we were thrilled to see so many regions getting involved and improving nearby communities. Leadership Florida is extremely proud of the Day of Service initiative, which was originally started by the Connect program, and later expanded to the full membership. Thank you again to all the members and regions who participated this year, you really made a difference.
|
|
Leadership Florida Job Board
|
|
Send us your company’s job openings! Leadership Florida would like to help your company secure rock star talent to join your team. As members send us word of exciting new available positions, we will be posting them to our website, promoting them on social media and sending them out in our monthly E-casts. We hope you enjoy this added membership benefit.
The Florida Education Foundation is hiring! Currently, the Foundation is looking for an Executive Director to join its team. Visit our Job Board
HERE
to view the position description.
|
|
Leadership Florida Education Class III
|
|
Leadership Florida Education Class III
Leadership Florida Education Class III met for the third time in Orlando at the end of January. Class members focused on best practices and proactive steps to improve the classroom and institutional climate as it relates to racial, gender and socioeconomic inequities in education settings; and learned how instructional leaders’ decisions can be leveraged to improve school culture and student outcomes at the classroom level. Educators heard from amazing speakers, executed classroom visits and experienced a “but for” dinner and bowling event at Disney Downtown.
Speakers Included:
- Tequilla Banks, Executive Vice President, TNTP
- Rachel Etienne, Student Achievement Partners
- Dr. Jesus Jara, (Leadership Florida Education Class I), Deputy Superintendent, Orange County Public Schools
- Dr. Kathy Shuler, Associate Superintendent School Transformation Office, Orange County Public Schools
- Tashanda Brown-Cannon, Executive Area Director, Orange County Public Schools
Member Quotes:
“Greatest professional learning session to date. We discussed pressing cultural and national discomforts that are real and must be addressed.”
“This has been another phenomenal experience! I rely on the expertise and support of my cohort members as I work through “productive frustration”.”
The fourth and final Education program session happened last week in Tallahassee. Stay tuned for the final program update next month!
Thank you to our sponsors for helping make the Leadership Florida Education program possible!
|
|
Leadership Florida Connect Class VIII
|
|
Leadership Florida Connect Class VIII
Leadership Florida Connect Class VIII was in Florida’s State Capital for its third session this month. The program took place in conjunction with Connect Day in the Capital, allowing members to gain knowledge on Florida’s legislative process, increase understanding on key issues affecting the state, met top decision makers, and more. They also experienced informative speakers and panel discussions covering everything from what it means to be a lobbyist to Florida’s water crisis to new innovations coming to the state. It was truly a wonderful experience.
Speakers, Moderators and Panel members included:
- Paloma Rambana, Founder of “Fund the Gap”
- Commissioner Brecht Heuchan, Founder and CEO of ContributionLink
- Representative Erin Grall, Florida House of Representatives, District 54
- Representative Kristin Jacobs, (Cornerstone XXXV), Florida House of Representatives, District 96
- Gus Corbella, (Cornerstone XXXIV), Senior Director of Government Law & Policy Practice for Greenberg Traurig
- Tim Meenan, Managing Shareholder, Meenan, P.A.
- Ellen Anderson, Director of Government Relations, Community Health Systems
- Marion Hoffman, (Cornerstone XVI), Associate Vice President, Government Relations, University of Florida
- Darrick D. McGhee, Sr., Vice President Government Relations, Johnson and Blanton Government Relations
- Dustin Daniel, (Connect VI), Chief of Staff to Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum
- Thomas Martinelli, Head of Public Policy in Florida, Airbnb
- Brad Swanson, President and CEO, Florida Internet and Television
- Lucas Lindsey, Ecosystem Builder, Domi Station-Florida State University
- Jessica Lowe-Minor, Executive Director, Institute for Nonprofit Innovation and Excellence
Member Quotes:
“The water presentation was the best! The presenter was able to convey complicated concepts and keep us interested”
“The bonds that have been forged with my classmates are incredible and will be lasting! Learning about their backgrounds and issues that mean most to each of them, as well as their different perspectives have provided me a better understanding and view on issues that I was once stern on my position.”
Upcoming Connect Session Dates:
- Miami—The Conrad, April 12-14, 2018
- Sarasota—Ritz Carlton (Annual Meeting), June 14-17, 2018
Thank you to all of our amazing sponsors for helping us make the third session for Connect Class VIII so special!
|
|
Leadership Florida Cornerstone Class XXXVI
|
|
Leadership Florida Cornerstone Class XXXVI
Leadership Florida Cornerstone Class XXXVI held its third session in St. Petersburg in January. Members learned from the best and brightest speakers as discussions were centered on important issues dealing with poverty, race, income inequality, St. Petersburg revitalization efforts, and so much more. There were so many “but for” experiences during this session, some of which included a trip to the Dali Museum, receptions at “The Deuces,” and a special dinner at the Manhattan Casino.
Speakers Included:
- Hedrick Smith, Pulitzer Prize-winning former New York Times Reporter and Editor
- Yolanda Pourciau, Speaker, Trainer, Facilitator and Professor
- Mayor Rick Kriseman, St. Petersburg
- Nathan Schwagler, Co-Director of The Dali’s Innovation Lab, Lead Program Designer and Executive Facilitator
- Dr. Ruby Payne, Author, “A Framework for Understanding Poverty”
- Neil Phillips, (Education Class I), Co-Founder of Visible Men Academy
Member Quotes:
“Yet another awesome experience. I came into it somewhat tired and sleep deprived from a really hectic few weeks, but left refreshed, renewed, and re-engaged.”
“Great. As always!”
Upcoming Cornerstone Session Dates:
- Tallahassee—Hotel Duval, February 28-March 2, 2018
- Miami—The Conrad, May 9-12, 2018
- Sarasota—The Ritz-Carlton (Annual Meeting), June 14-17, 2018
A Special Thank you to Adrienne Morgan, Leadership Florida Connect V and Randall Reid, Leadership Florida Cornerstone XXIV, along with all of our other sponsors for sponsoring the third session for Cornerstone Class XXXVI!
|
|
- Thursday, March 1, 2018: Northwest Region welcomes Cornerstone Class XXXVI to Tallahassee (Click HERE to view the invitation)
- Friday, March 9, 2018: Southwest Region Farm to Table and Beyond! (Click HERE to view the invitation)
- Thursday, March 22, 2018: West Central Regional Recruiting Event (Click HERE to view the invitation)
- Tuesday, March 27, 2018: Gold Coast Region's An Evening with Laila Ali (Click HERE to view the invitation)
|
|
Leadership Florida's New Regional Facebook Groups are now open for you to join!
We ask that each of you go to your regions Facebook group and request to join right now. Being a member of your regions Facebook group allows you to know the latest and greatest happenings within your region, and helps you stay engaged. We want to make sure you are always in the know, so join now!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
