Leadership Lakeland Welcomes Class XLI

With more than 100 Leadership Lakeland Alumni and friends in attendance at Thursday’s Opening Reception at Springhill Inn & Suites, Class XLI Chair, Palemeschia “Pal” Powell (Class XXIX, Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum at Florida Southern College) introduced the 30 members of Leadership Lakeland Class XLI. Will Link (Class XXXI, Reed Mawhinney and Link.) will be serving as Chair-Elect.
 
“My Leadership Lakeland experience was so meaningful, and I’m still connected to many of the organizations and people I encountered during my year,” said Pal Powell. “I’m proud to continue those traditions with a new class of leaders.”
 
Congratulations to the class members:
Tayler Baldick, Director of Community Engagement & Human Resources, Stuart's Plumbing
Chanel Dedes Bellotto, President, Skate World
Diana Braswell, Partner | Physician Laboratory Director | Dermatopathologist, Watson Clinic
Kylia L. Carswell, Director of Family Engagement, Polk County Public Schools
Coady Cheek, VP Professional Relationship Manager, Bank of Central Florida
Katie Worthington Decker, Senior Vice President, Lakeland Economic Development Council
John Demming, Director of Safety, Security & Emergency Management, Lakeland Regional Health
Takiyah Nicole Dixon, Director, Lakeland Chamber of Commerce
John F. Doran, Executive Director, Publix Super Markets Charities
Christopher Heath Frederick, Director of Public Works, City of Lakeland
Cindy Glover, Editor, LkldNow
Chris Hammond, Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager, Allen & Company
Eric J. Jackson, Financial Advisor, CPS Investment Advisors
Matt Keen, Associate Attorney, Peterson & Myers, P.A.
Cheryl Lee Kimball, Police Captain, Lakeland Police Department
Guy Eber LaLonde, III, Owner, Lakeland Moonwalk/Under One Tent Events
Ashley Loute, Vice President of Assets, Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County
Lindsey Martin, Assurance Manager, CliftonLarsonAllen
Arden Mitchell, Director of Admissions, Florida Southern College
Nathaniel Pearson, Dean and Professor, Southeastern University
Ryan C. Rogers, SVPII/Regional Manager, MIDFLORIDA Credit Union
Landon Joseph Schneider, Associate Attorney, Reed Mawhinney & Link
Jacob Michael Schner, Sales and Leasing, The Ruthvens
Brandon Silk, Commercial Insurance Advisor, Brown & Brown
Mary Terry, Director of Operations, Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine
Haley Lynn Tonge, Trust & Wealth Advisor, Citizens Bank & Trust
William M. Wainwright, Director of Housing, Parker Street Ministries
Kelsey Elmhorst Wesche, Marketing & Project Coordinator, Rodda Construction
Heather Willis, Major Account Executive, Boring Business Systems
T.J. Wright, Chief Operating Officer, YMCA of West Central Florida
 
Together, these class members will complete a rigorous schedule of monthly day sessions from October through May. Each session features hands-on experiences that engage class members in all aspects of Lakeland and Polk County.
 
Leadership Lakeland is an annual program designed to identify leadership and enhance existing leadership in our community. 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.