Taisha Edwin-Williams Earns Certified Community Leadership Practitioner (CCLP) Designation

Brandy Gottlieb

Senior Director of Marketing and Communications

Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce                                          

tampabaychamber.com

TAMPA, Fla. — (July 13, 2026) The Tampa Bay Chamber is proud to recognize Taisha Edwin-Williams, senior director of leadership programs for the Tampa Bay Chamber, for earning the Certified Community Leadership Practitioner (CCLP) designation through the Association of Leadership Programs (ALP). Edwin-Williams is the first woman of color in Florida and the second recipient in Florida to receive the designation.

 

The CCLP designation recognizes leadership program professionals who demonstrate mastery of the skills, knowledge and competencies needed to develop leaders, strengthen community engagement and foster meaningful connections that create lasting community impact. To earn the designation, candidates complete extensive coursework covering leadership theory and practice, community leadership development, program management and facilitation, culminating in a comprehensive certification exam.

 

For Edwin-Williams, the achievement represents both a professional milestone and a commitment to continuous growth in the field of community leadership development.

 

"Earning the CCLP designation has strengthened my understanding of the critical role leadership programs play in building vibrant, connected communities that make an impact. The experience provided valuable insights, practical tools and a national network of peers dedicated to developing leaders who can address complex community challenges,” said Edwin-Williams.

 

As senior director of leadership programs, Edwin-Williams oversees the Tampa Bay Chamber’s portfolio of leadership initiatives, including Leadership Tampa, Leadership Tampa Alumni, Emerging Leaders of Tampa Bay, and Collegiate Leadership Tampa Bay. The designation further enhances her ability to create impactful experiences that inspire, educate and connect current and future leaders throughout the Tampa Bay region.

 

Of the achievement, Edwin-Williams said, “This certification reinforces my commitment to excellence in leadership development and to ensure our programs continue to evolve to meet the needs of our participants and community. I look forward to applying what I've learned to strengthen our programs and expand their impact across Tampa Bay.

 

I share immense gratitude to the Tampa Bay Chamber’s executive team, my department team, Chamber members, LTA and community partners whose support and collaboration make the Chamber’s leadership programs successful.”

 

The Association of Leadership Programs launched the CCLP designation to provide community leadership professionals with advanced training and professional development opportunities. Since the program's inception, only a select group of leadership professionals nationwide have completed the required coursework and certification process.

 

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

 

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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