Polk Young Professionals Award Recipients Include EMERGE Lakeland Members

Last week I had the privelege to attend the Polk Young Professionals Awards, an event coordinated by EMERGE Lakeland, ENDEAVOR Winter Haven and ENGAGE Bartow.

From open nominations, each group identified one finalist in three award categories: Emerging Leader, Legacy Builder and Philanthropic Champion.
EMERGE Lakeland's finalists were:
Emerging Leader: Kaleigh Avian (MIDFLORIDA Credit Union)
Legacy Builder: Erin Avella (Publix Super Markets, Inc.)
Philanthropic Champion: Cherish Welch (MIDFLORIDA Credit Union)

2024 Polk Young Professionals Emerging Leader Award
This award recognizes a young professional who has dedicated time and expertise to make a positive impact on the community through professional development and service to others.

• Individual age 21-30
• Demonstrated progressive leadership responsibility in profession/career
• Demonstrated progressive leadership responsibility in volunteer organization(s)
• Clearly exemplifies excellence, creativity, and initiative

2024 Recipient: Savannah Winstanley (City of Winter Haven)

Polk Emerging Leaders Legacy Builder Award
This award recognizes a young professional who has dedicated time and expertise to make a positive impact on the community and now demonstrates attention to building up the next generations of emerging leaders.

• Individual age 31-42
• Demonstrated progressive leadership responsibility in profession/career
  Demonstrated progressive leadership responsibility in volunteer organization(s)
• Clearly exemplifies excellence, creativity, and initiative
• Clearly serves as a role model for future leaders both personally and professionally

2024 Recipient Erin Avella (Publix Super Markets, Inc.)

2024 Polk Young Professionals Philanthropic Champion Award
This award recognizes a young leader who is dedicated to service within Polk County.

• Individual age 21-42
• Demonstrated dedication of time and expertise to volunteering and philanthropy
• Demonstrated positive impact on volunteer organization(s)
• Clearly exemplifies excellence, creativity, and initiative

2024 Recipient Cherish Welch (MIDFLORIDA Credit Union)

Congratulations to all the finalist and award recipients - and thank you for your work to make our community thrive!