TAMPA, FL – More than 500+ strong, Emerging Leaders of Tampa Bay draws young professionals ages 21 to 35 across all industries. No one industry has the exclusive, which is one of the reasons the program has grown exponentially from its infancy nearly 20 years ago, started as a byproduct of the Chamber’s legacy Leadership Tampa program.
“There are plenty of networking groups and organizations to connect with others in your industry, but this kind of access to professionals in everything from banking to biomedicine is another story,” said Brett Scafidi, 2023 Chair of Emerging Leaders. “Expanding your network is about more than cultivating future clients. Emerging Leaders has given me a support network of professionals I can brainstorm with, problem-solve, and do life with.”
Each year, participants say the mentor-protégé component started in 2006 is one of the most empowering and inspiring aspects of the program. Since the spring, 78 Emerging Leaders have been paired with seasoned professionals who will serve as their mentor for 2023. “The mentor-protégé component is a game changer for many of our young professionals, who connect with community leaders and industry leaders they may not have access to otherwise,” explains Michelle Ciudad-Real, Senior Director of Leadership Programs at the Tampa Bay Chamber.
In the last decade, hundreds of pairings have been made thanks to robust support from local business leaders who volunteer their time and talents. Mentors don’t just coach and encourage the young professionals they’re paired with. Emerge hosts more than 60 events each year, including networking events, engagements with community leaders, and volunteer opportunities at local non-profit organizations.
“Being able to connect with someone who was once in my shoes and has accomplished so much since then has given me a new perspective and has inspired me to start taking action on my goals,” said Haley Robinson, one of nearly 80 young professionals being mentored this year. “What makes this program so unique is the personal relationship you develop with your mentor. Whether we’re talking about professional pursuits, community causes, or just about life in general, I feel like I’m constantly learning something new from Cortney or something new about myself.”
Most recently, Robinson and her mentor, Cortney Young, enjoyed plenty of “Kodak” moments together on July 15. That’s when approximately 55 mentors and proteges traded in their business attire for t-shirts, shorts and gloves to help Feeding Tampa Bay. In the charity’s warehouse in East Hillsborough County, they inspected perishable and non-perishable foods for their expiration date and quality. The July heat was no deterrent to the mentor-proteges who helped sort and package 11-thousand pounds of food in 2 ½ hours. “Sharing this volunteer experience with my mentee, Haley, was highly memorable and allowed us to deepen our relationship as we connected over something we are both passionate about: community involvement,” said Young, who is a Doctor of Physical Therapy at Tampa General Hospital. “It was a wonderful feeling to know that we were collectively contributing to a positive impact on our community and combating food insecurity.” Her mentee, a benefits advocate in the insurance sector agrees. “From the first day of our pairing, Cortney and I have bonded over our shared passion for giving back to our community,” said Robinson, “So getting the opportunity to volunteer together was very special. Hearing how much food we were able to get packaged in 2 hours opened my eyes to how much we can accomplish when we take the time to come together for an important cause.”
For 2023 Vice Chair Mallory Kuba, these give-back moments and the leadership journey she’s witnessed in Emerge colleagues fuel her ideas and creativity for next year when she assumes her role as Chair. Her tenure coincides with the 20-year anniversary of Emerging Leaders. “The breadth and depth of our programming really allows our members to find their purpose and develop professionally and personally year after year. There’s something for everyone and always someone new to meet and something new to learn,” said Kuba.
It’s a rewarding experience mentors say goes both ways, inspiring many of these seasoned professionals to participate year after year. Robinson is not the first mentee for Young, “Throughout this mentor/protégé experience, it has been immensely rewarding to see my mentee, Haley, grow a heightened interest in nonprofit engagement, obtain opportunities, and develop key strategies to work towards her professional goals,” explained Young. ”It is an honor to be even a small positive influence in her journey as her mentor, allowing me to pay it forward in thanks to those who have also done the same for me.”
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