The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the graduation of Leadership Lakeland Class 42, a dedicated group of local leaders ready to shape Lakeland’s future. Graduates celebrated at RP Funding Center with more than 150 alumni, friends, and family.
Leadership Lakeland is an annual program designed to identify leadership and enhance existing leadership in our community. Will Link, Attorney at Reed Mawhinney & Link, served as Chair of Class 42.

“Serving as Chair for Leadership Lakeland Class 42 was a powerful reminder of what this program does at its best,” said Link. “It connects talented professionals to the people, institutions, and challenges shaping our community. Over the course of the year, I watched this class grow as they stretched their perspectives, built relationships, and stepped into service with purpose. It’s been an honor to walk beside them.”

Link also added, “Class 42 is, undisputedly, the best class in the galaxy, and I’m confident their impact on Lakeland will be felt for years to come. After all, 42 is the answer to the great question. I’m excited to see what this class goes on to answer for our community.”

Class 42 participated in a series of monthly meetings, where they gained valuable insights about Lakeland through experiences that will empower them as they lead across the Lakeland community. Graduates of class 42 include:

● Kristin Aiken, President & CEO, Achievement Academy
● Kevin Albaum, Shareholder, Clark, Campbell, Lancaster, Workman & Airth, P.A.
● Andrea Anderson, REALTOR®, S&D Real Estate Services
● Erin Avella, Category Manager - Corporate Purchasing, Publix Super Markets, Inc.
● Sarah Betzer, FVP / Human Resources Director, Bank of Central Florida
● Michelle Boley, Owner, Boley Insurance GEICO Local Office
● Paige Campbell, Quality & Risk Director, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP
● Gretchen Ceranic, Vice President, Success by 6, United Way of Central Florida
● Katie Elaine Clements, Owner / Operator, Kid Cafe, LLC
● Angel Davis, President, Junior League of Greater Lakeland
● Jason Davis, Chief Estimator, GMF Steel Group
● Dr. Joseph Demidovich, III, Attending Physician, Lakeland Regional Health
● Brent A. Elliot, Chief Financial Officer, Highland Homes
● Emily Crain Evans, Senior Associate Attorney, GrayRobinson
● Araceli Gauna-Scattolini, Chief Executive Officer / Owner, Atala Counseling
● Roberto Hernandez, Deputy City Manager, City of Lakeland
● Andrew Howard, Director of Athletics & Dean of Wellness, Florida Southern College
● Tanya Susan Jooste, Learning Operations Manager, Amazon Air – KLAL
● Terrie Lobb, Owner / President, TLC Catering
● Audrey Mason, Director of Operations, Double M Aviation
● Eric Michaels, Marketing and Event Director, Lakeland Downtown Development Authority
● Marilyn Paul, Executive Director, Options for Women Pregnancy Health Clinic, Inc.
● Mark Shapiro, AVP, Residential Lending Officer, Citizens Bank and Trust
● Bruce Duncan Phillips, President, Crowder Bros. Ace Hardware
● Lee Valadez, VP / Area Manager, MIDFLORIDA Credit Union
● Dr. Guillermo O. Vasquez, Internal Medicine Physician, Watson Clinic LLP
● Victoria Alexa Wagner, AVP OH & Chief Operating Officer, Orlando Health
● Kelley Christopher Wilson, Financial Advisor, CPS Investment Advisors

The Chamber is now working towards welcoming its next class of community champions. Leadership Lakeland Class 43 will begin later this year, continuing the program’s tradition of empowering individuals with the knowledge, connections, and confidence to lead across Lakeland. Class 43 Chair, Jennifer Adams, Jennifer Adams, SVP | Professional and Community Banking Service Leader at Bank of Central Florida, looks forward to her experience as Chair.

​“Leadership Lakeland is built on a strong foundation of opportunities designed to promote collaboration, service, and shared purpose.  Serving as Chair Elect of Class 42, under the direction of Chair Will Link, was an honor, and I look forward to taking the energy and passion he brought to the program and pouring it into Class 43.”

Scott Bowne, CFO & Broker at Compass Mortgage, will serve as Class 43 Chair-Elect.

About Leadership Lakeland
Established in 1983 by the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Lakeland is an annual program designed to identify leadership and enhance existing leadership in our community. Leadership Lakeland does not take public policy positions or advocate any individual viewpoint. The program unites leaders from diverse backgrounds and perspectives to improve their ability to lead effectively, offering its members a broad range of experiences and insights about the community, its people, its needs, and its services.

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.

The Lakeland Chamber, alongside more than 300 organizations, has signed onto a coalition letter addressing Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House, and Steve Scalise, Majority Leader, both of the U.S. House of Representatives.

The letter's purpose is to strongly support H.R. 1163, the Prove It Act of 2025, and urge the House of Representatives to consider and pass this important legislation to strengthen the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) and bolster the voice of small business in our nation’s capital.

Read more about the Prove It Act of 2025 below.

Stahl & Associates, a Higginbotham Partner since 2023, is a full service insurance and risk management firm serving businesses throughout the community. Backed by the national resources of one of the largest employee owned insurance brokerages, our local Lakeland team shares expertise into how employee wellness, safety, and risk management work together to help control insurance costs.

When local business owners think about employee wellness programs, they often associate them with attracting and retaining good employees. While that is certainly important, wellness initiatives can also play a meaningful role in helping control insurance costs across both employee benefits and business insurance programs. When workforce health, safety, and risk management work together, the benefits extend well beyond the HR department.

Healthier employees generally experience fewer chronic conditions, lower stress levels, and fewer preventable injuries. From an employee benefits standpoint, this can help reduce medical and disability claims and improve overall productivity. Preventive care, early intervention, and access to mental health resources can make a significant difference in helping employees stay healthy and engaged at work.

Wellness also plays an important role in workplace safety and liability. Fatigue, stress, and untreated health conditions can increase the likelihood of accidents, whether in an office, on a job site, or on the road. Employees who feel supported and are physically and mentally well are more likely to follow safety procedures, stay alert, and avoid costly mistakes that can lead to workers’ compensation or liability claims. Over time, this can positively affect a business’s insurance experience and overall risk profile.

Wellness programs do not have to be complicated or expensive to be effective. Many local businesses find success with practical initiatives such as:
· Preventive health screenings and flu shot clinics
· Access to mental health and employee assistance programs
· Ergonomic assessments and injury-prevention training
· Fitness or walking challenges and nutritional education
· Fatigue management and substance abuse awareness programs

The greatest impact comes when wellness is part of a broader approach to employee safety and business risk management. When employers look at wellness, safety, and insurance together, they can identify trends and address issues before they turn into major claims or disruptions.

At Stahl & Associates, a Higginbotham Partner, we help local businesses take this connected approach. By bringing together employee benefits consulting and property and casualty insurance expertise, we help employers better understand how workforce health, safety practices, and insurance performance are related. This allows businesses to make more informed decisions that support both their employees and their long-term stability.

This coordinated approach can also support better outcomes with insurance carriers. Insurers consider both loss history and risk controls when evaluating coverage and pricing. Businesses that demonstrate commitment to employee well-being, safety training, and proactive risk management often present a stronger overall risk profile, which can contribute to more stable insurance costs over time.

Beyond insurance considerations, investing in wellness helps build stronger workplace culture. Employees who feel valued and supported are more likely to stay with their employer, participate in safety programs, and contribute positively to the organization. For small and mid-sized businesses in our community, retaining experienced employees and maintaining consistent operations is critical to long-term success.

For Chamber members, the takeaway is simple: employee wellness is not just an HR benefit, it is part of running a healthy, sustainable business. Even small steps toward improving wellness and safety can lead to meaningful improvements in employee satisfaction, productivity, and risk management.
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To learn more or discuss employee benefits, contact Jay Skelcher-Maxwell, Consultant, Employee Benefits at Stahl & Associates in their Lakeland office: [email protected] / (863) 250-8546