Emerging Leaders of Tampa Bay just wrapped up its annual Aspire Series. This leadership development series provides a deeper framework of professional development skills for Emerge members selected to participate. Sponsored by USAA and Ice Cold Air, the Aspire Class of 2024 was comprised of 32 Emerge members. Aspire is among the exclusive offerings of the Emerging Leaders program at the Tampa Bay Chamber. The series continues to be an invaluable resource for young professionals seeking to enhance their leadership skills and foster positive change in the Tampa Bay business community. Each session of the Aspire Series has reinforced the commitment of the Tampa Bay Chamber to cultivate a generation of well-rounded, capable leaders ready to make an impact in their organizations and the broader community.
Session 1 & Session 2, titled Board Governance Part 1 and Part 2, were led by Charlie Imbergamo, CEO, Nonprofit Leadership Center and Maureen Butler, Executive Vice President of Vistra Communications and Mentor for the Nonprofit Leadership Center of Tampa. These sessions equipped attendees with the knowledge needed to effectively contribute to and lead within nonprofit organizations. Sponsored by USAA, these sessions provided an in-depth exploration of board governance, covering essential topics such as:
• Planning and conducting successful meetings
• The board’s responsibilities in financial oversight
• Navigating nonprofit financial statements
• Budgeting and cash flow management
• Understanding audits and IRS filings
Session 3, titled Executive Presence, was led by Cortney Young, Manager of Rehabilitative & Fitness Services,Tampa General Hospital. Participants walked away with practical strategies to elevate their professional presence and lead with authenticity. This session delved into the qualities and practices that contribute to a strong executive presence and included:
• Understanding the core concept of executive presence
• Identifying verbal and nonverbal communication skills that enhance leadership perceptions
• Strategies to build confidence and overcome imposter syndrome
• Exploring authentic leadership and what it truly means
Session 4 was a standout event focused on Performance Management & Conflict Assessment, featuring guest speakers George "Jody" Tompson, Professor of Management & Entrepreneurship, University of Tampa and presenter for Landit, Inc., along with Ashley Butler, Owner of Ice Cold Air, Franchisor of Ice Cold Air in Tampa Bay Region and Aspire Session 4 Sponsor. This final session of the Aspire Series equipped attendees with valuable insights into managing performance and fostering cohesive, high-performing teams. This session was designed to:
• Define performance management and its essential components
• Explore real-life applications for effective performance management
• Teach strategies for building successful teams
• Provide a comprehensive review of conflict assessment
