Name: Nichelle (Nikki) Foster
LT Class Year: LT 2018
Company Name: The Mosaic Company - Community Investment Manager
Interviewed: Laura Frost and Amanda Jacobson
They met Nikki downtown at the Attic for a fun coffee visit. They talked growing up in a musical family, Olympics in Paris, 60% of US farmers use Mosaic crop nutrients, the Carter Center in Atlanta and more.
She reflected upon some memorable LT ‘18 class highlights and her professional journey…
- Named the LT GR’18, this class claims the unique distinction of being the most productive class ever with at least five (5) babies conceived or birthed during the class year!
- The class project of LT’18 class project supported the CDC of Tampa with a Prom-themed fundraiser. She hope the tradition will re-awaken in the years since it was paused during the pandemic.
- LT’18 was in Tallahassee during the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shootings in Parkland, FL. It was a tragic and palpable experience to see teenagers and parents mourning and the experience gave the class pause as many had never experienced a Tallahassee trip, particularly during breaking, horrific news. Newscasters from everywhere across the country were there and while there, Nikki briefly met Dan Harris, from Good Morning America who was covering the story.
- Nikki worked at Citibank for 17 years, has a background in customer service, HR, and internal engagement communications. She has been a long-time board member for the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce, who consistently looks for ways to engage the community.
- Nikki enjoys leading external partnerships for Mosaic with mission-driven organizations with focus on diversity and inclusion, food security, agriculture and water preservation.
- A recent project she champions is with Metropolitan Ministries in the Wimauma area which is a primarily migrant farming community.
- Mosaic employees look forward to the opportunity to serve and participate in service year-round including with Meals On Wheels of Tampa’s Adopt A Route program.
- Tell us, why LTA?
Leadership Tampa is a premiere leadership program in our area. It provides an opportunity to learn a lot about our community, how we can support it better as well as create an indelible connection with a group of people that traveled the journey with you. It’s a unique connection.
- Describe a time when the LTA experience impacted your life or career?
LTA connections opens doors. The other members of your class are leaders in the community and their organizations. If you need to find something, meet someone, accomplish something you can find it through your class or another LT alum! A small example of that was when I needed to meet someone at MacDill to start to develop a deeper relationship for recruiting opportunities.
- What is a LTA benefit you wish everyone knew about?
All of the above! But if I had to pick one, the insight and behind the scenes look at our community.
Fun Facts About You/Local Knowledge:
- Latest movie, book or both?
The last movie was “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas 30th Anniversary”. Why? – because that’s what you do when it’s Tuesday night, Halloween and you want to start a Halloween tradition with your grandson! And then, he gets to go trick or treating afterwards.
- Favorite spot to meet friends/colleagues for coffee, lunch or happy hour-----
Favorite lunch/dinner spot is currently Casa Santo Stefano! Love it! Food is great, service is consistently outstanding. Highly recommend it.
- For staycation in Tampa Bay, you like to……
My house, specifically, I love the time on my porch. Nothing more relaxing than watching the sunset over the pond, with a glass of something on the rocks.
- When out of town guests are visiting, you plan….
We take in the sites along the Riverwalk, try a new restaurant. I try to find something they wouldn’t have access to in their hometown. Last time family visited, we enjoyed Bay Rocket during its inaugural opening weekend.