TAMPA, Fla. (Oct. 29, 2025) - Tampa Bay Chamber Vice President Michelle Ciudad Real has become the first professional in Florida — and the 43rd in the United States — to earn the prestigious Certified Community Leadership Practitioner (CCLP) designation.
The designation, issued by the Association of Leadership Programs (ALP), recognizes professionals skilled in guiding community members toward meaningful connection, collaboration, and engagement with one another and the broader community.
“I’m both humbled and honored to receive this designation,” said Ciudad Real. “This recognition reinforces the importance of investing in people who drive meaningful change within their communities. At the Tampa Bay Chamber, we believe that when individuals are empowered to lead, our entire region grows stronger. I’m grateful to the Association of Leadership Programs for this opportunity to continue advancing the impact of community leadership in the Tampa Bay area.”
As part of the Chamber’s executive team, Ciudad Real oversees member engagement initiatives annually serving approximately 1,400 member companies and more than 9,800 employees in the Tampa Bay area. Previously, she served as the Chamber’s senior director of leadership programs and was named one of the nation’s Top 40 Under 40 Emerging Leaders in the chamber industry.
About the Association of Leadership Programs
The Association of Leadership Programs (ALP) enhances the effectiveness of leadership programs and professionals. With more than 300 members, ALP is active in 45 states, and has international presence in Canada, Australia, and Germany. For more information, visit alpleaders.org.
About the Tampa Bay Chamber
The Tampa Bay Chamber has been serving the region since 1885. A not-for-profit membership organization, it currently serves approximately 1,400 member companies of all sizes and industries. Among the top 2% of chambers in the nation with a five-star rating by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Tampa Bay Chamber is recognized by business, government, education and community leaders as the leading advocate for the business community in the Tampa Bay area.
For more information on the Tampa Bay Chamber visit www.TampaBayChamber.com
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