Written By: Calvin Pham, University of South Florida, CL '27
What attracts companies to Tampa? How do finance professionals build trust with clients? And what skills will matter most in an AI-driven future?
These questions and more were discussed on October 2, 2026, as the Tampa Bay Chamber's Collegiate Leadership Class of 2027 participated in Finance Day. Through visits to Visit Tampa Bay, CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen), and Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay, we gained insight into the industries, decisions, and relationships that shape our region and our financial futures.
The day began with Emiliann Palermo, Fair Economy and a CL '22 alum. Through an interactive stock market activity, we evaluated whether various scenarios would be “bullish” or “bearish” for a company's stock. At the end, many students admitted they were influenced by others' responses, and so Palermo introduced anchoring bias, reminding us of the importance of critical thinking and informed decision-making.
After a tour of Visit Tampa Bay and learning of their work in increasing tourism in the region, we heard from Mitchel Allen, Tampa Bay EDC and Joshua Pardue, JPRE Development. Through discussions and case studies, we learned how Tampa competes for businesses by showcasing talent, quality of life, infrastructure, and opportunity. We also explored major regional developments, including investments at the Port of Tampa Bay, Tampa International Airport, and Gasworx. Pardue shared lessons from commercial real estate, encouraging us to learn from mistakes and remain resilient. One quote that stood out was, "Made that mistake once, won't make it again."
Later, we joined an Accounting and Insurance Panel featuring Christy Sesser, USAA, Brett Scafaldi, PrimeGroup Insurance, and Allison Casaceli, EY. Their advice centered on initiative, communication, and continuous growth. Sesser encouraged us to say "yes" to opportunities and strive to be "the very best at what you're doing," while the panel reinforced the value of networking and stepping outside our comfort zones.
After lunch, Stacy Miller, BayView Financial Planning, led a discussion on personal finance, covering spending, credit, insurance, investing, and retirement planning. She said if there is one thing you get out of today it should be this: financial literacy is a personal responsibility.
In the afternoon, Olivier Millour and Stephanie Docsol welcomed us to Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay, where we then participated in the Finance Park Simulation. By managing housing, transportation, healthcare, and other expenses through assigned financial profiles, we experienced the real-world tradeoffs involved in budgeting and financial decision-making.
The day concluded with a Banking and Finance Panel featuring Mateo Arango, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, Jennifer Galley, Achieva Credit Union, and Mallory Kuba, Bank of Tampa. Arango shared his journey from bank teller to wealth management, while Kuba and Galley emphasized the importance of mentorship, networking, and continuous learning. Although technology and AI continue transforming financial services, the panelists agreed that communication, critical thinking, adaptability, and relationship-building remain invaluable skills.
Finance Day demonstrated that whether in economic development, real estate, banking, insurance, or financial planning, success is built through learning, strong relationships, and taking initiative.
Thank you to our Day Chairs, Holly Markham, Chief Retail Officer at Achieva Credit Union, and Emma Tomlin, Chief Financial Officer at Gulf Shores Realty, along with all of the speakers who invested their time and expertise in the Collegiate Leadership Class of 2027. Their lessons will continue to guide us as future leaders in the Tampa Bay community!