The Chair of the Women’s Business Council, Sylvia Blackmon‑Roberts (Southeastern University), welcomed guests and offered a powerful invocation, setting the tone for an afternoon rooted in purpose and possibility.

​The sun smiled through the windows of the Junior League of Greater Lakeland building as the doorways embraced attendees who gathered in a space where so many women have gathered before. Constructed in 1927, the Building has long been a place where Lakeland women have organized, learned, and led. When the event began, the space itself seemed to listen.

Call it chit chat if you want, but when women gather and speak openly, it becomes something much greater. It becomes Real Talk. Our panelists included: Moderator, Amy Wiggins (Lakeland Chamber), Pamela Mutz (Dozen Family LLC.), Deidra Joseph (City of Lakeland), Kay Fields (Girls Inc. / Polk County School Board Member), The Honorable Judge Brenda Ramirez (Florida's 10th Judicial Circuit Court), Michelle Netwal (Bank of Central Florida), and Beatrice Dela Pena (GEICO). They spoke candidly about the fears, challenges, and successes that have defined their leadership journeys. Through sharing their stories, their successes all circled back to the importance of mentorship from others who believed in them, opened doors, and offered them opportunities at just the right moment. They reminded women unsure of themselves that leadership is not about perfection, it’s about honesty, resilience, and showing up.

Following the panel discussion, Alisha Martin of Suncoast Credit Union took the stage with her keynote, “From Bankruptcy to the Boardroom.” Her story captivated the room and echoed the same themes of vulnerability and grit. She spoke about difficult topics with humorous clarity like choosing courage, rebuilding herself, again and again, and about the unexpected places strength can come from. Her inspiring message complemented the panel’s discussion and significantly deepened it. All of it, from the stories, the candor, the laughter, and the quiet nods of recognition, felt right at home in a building that has held generations of women learning from one another. As the luncheon drew to a close, a simple truth lingered; none of these women got where they are today alone. Someone believed in them, encouraged them, and helped them grow.
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It seems that whether guiding an individual or supporting local business, growth often starts with one investing in another’s potential. That same spirit continues to shape Lakeland today, and The Chamber’s investment in the business community, while not mentorship in the traditional sense, believes in providing resources and opportunities to help businesses succeed.

Thank you to our Master of Ceremonies, Patricia Uiterwyk, owner and operator of Venue Salon  and member of the Women’s Business Council, for her voice and commitment.

Thank you to our generous sponsors -
Presenting Sponsor - Lyndsay Health
Lunch Sponsor - Bank of Central Florida
Goody Bag Sponsor - SUN ‘n FUN | Aerospace Center for Excellence
Giveaway Sponsor - Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital
In-Kind Sponsors: Strong Souls - Venue Salon - Your CBD Store | SunMed - Healing Glow Juices

We kindly thank the volunteers from the Women’s Business Council for their time and dedication in supporting this inaugural event.

Thank you to the event's photographer, CatDave Productions.
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About the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce
The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce serves as the Catalyst for business success, Convener of leaders and influencers, and Champion for our thriving community. Its vision is to be the premier catalyst for the advancement of Lakeland’s economic growth and enhancement of quality of life.

About the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce Women’s Business Council
The Women's Business Council was established to cultivate a community in Lakeland, Florida, where women in business are united by a shared purpose: to excel, uplift, and leave a lasting impact. Through mentorship, collaborative networking, and targeted skill enhancement, this council aims to empower women to navigate the business world confidently. By fostering a culture of resilience, innovation, and positive change, this council seeks to create a legacy of influential women who drive economic growth, inspire progress, and lead with purpose in the Lakeland community.

For more information on the Women’s Business Council, reach out to Dr. Takiyah Dixon, Director of Business Resources, at [email protected].

Every entrepreneur has a story to share about their journey pursuing growth. Whether they’ve just opened or been in business for years, that journey requires building relationships. When business owners focus on building relationships, there is a drive that stems from serving others more than simply selling a product. As relationships grow, the community grows and there is a greater potential for long-lasting impact. This is why Bank of Central Florida focuses on relationship banking.

Bank of Central Florida provides a personalized financial experience where proposed solutions are based off the client’s business and its goals. The application of relationship banking is reflected in three different stages: establishing trust and support, collaborating strategically, and guiding the client towards growth and success.

When a new relationship begins, a banker will start with one main question “how can I connect and help this client?” Being attuned first to understanding what the client needs fosters trust. Developing a strategic plan to achieve financial goals can be a complex process, and it is difficult to know how to move forward without understanding what a client needs.

One of Bank of Central Florida’s clients, Automotive Development Group (ADG), experiences the relationship banking difference every day. Accounting Manager Olivia Urker describes that Bank of Central Florida wants to know about the personal lives of their clients, and she feels that working with Bank of Central Florida feels like working with family, which she believes is the feel they have at ADG. Having a banker who understands a client and gets to know them is essential to a client’s financial journey.

With a trusted banker, a business owner can move into the second stage of relationship building where the banker and the business owner can collaborate on how they can achieve their financial goals. This strategic partnership requires a great amount of care and dedication. One of the ways bankers show they care is by simply returning phone calls. Communication can be critical to business deals and time-sensitive decisions. Bank of Central Florida knows the commitment it takes to advance towards growth and financial success as a team: it requires the pursuit of going beyond transactions and embracing new opportunities at every turn.

Once a banker establishes trust and develops a strategic financial plan, the banker can guide the client to propel towards growth. Even though the journey to growth can be challenging, having a partner who has the expertise to surpass many obstacles can be the difference between a business’s success and achieving it. 

Over the years, Bank of Central Florida’s CEO and Chairman of the Board Paul Noris is encouraged by the work of the Bank’s team helping clients on their financial journey. “I can remember several clients who have come back to me over the years and said, ‘Paul it’s really the relationship with our company and the allocation of capital back to us that allowed us to accomplish what we accomplished.’ And that really makes a difference for me and it really makes a difference to our employees as well.” He explains “The knowledge that we can help a client go from small to large, or to continue to grow is really core to what we want to be doing.”
At the end of the day, the journey of relationship banking is about establishing trust, building strong partnerships with the right expert, and being a guide to clients. Whatever your banking needs may be, the Bank of Central Florida team is ready to serve local businesses in Polk and Hillsborough County.

For more information, visit the Bank of Central Florida website and connect with a banking expert. 

Click here to learn hear from Bank of Central Florida from CEO and Chairman of the Board Paul Noris about The Reward of Helping Small Businesses Grow.

​Written by Bank of Central Florida, Member FDIC