Brittany Lamont was named president and CEO of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance in 2021. Prior to that Lamont, a vocal advocate for the local business and civic communities, was a vice president at the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. On this episode Brittany and Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon talk about her career in chambers of commerce and what motivates her. They also talked about what she looks for in leaders, her mentors and how she shapes the work culture at the LWRBA.

3 Takeaways:

1. (07:15) Be a servant leader, support your staff
2. (08:40) When you have a small team, you need to know what makes everyone click
3. (13:00) It is important to have a tribe that support each other

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Brittany Lamont, President & CEO, Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance

(02:50) What is the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance?

(04:00) Brittany’s career

(05:30) Leadership lessons and being able to learn from so many leaders

(07:05) Characteristics of good leaders

(08:10) What does servant leadership mean to you?

(11:40) Mentors and lessons you have learned

(16:00) Taking your ego out and listening to feedback

(17:45) LWRBA in 2025

Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more.

Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.

Michael Corley worked in health care and human resources for some 10 years before starting his own leadership consulting business, The Corley Co., in 2009. The Corley Co. works with nonprofit and some for-profit leaders, in addition to nonprofit boards on topics like creating engaged board members; bringing clarity to roles and responsibilities; and developing strategic focus areas. On this episode Michael and Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon talked about how he got into podcasting, the valuable lessons he learned from his father and other mentors and what he learned from getting laid off from a high-level corporate job.

3 Takeaways:

1. (08:30) Leadership is not that different in a for-profit versus nonprofit
2. (12:15) Great leaders have humility, make decisions, and communicate clearly
3. (15:10) Never burn a bridge

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Michael Corley, President of The Corley Company

(03:10) What is The Corley Company?

(05:20) Developing your ability to become a thought-partner

(06:20) About I501(c)You - The Podcast for Nonprofit Board Members

(08:15) What have you learned about leaders from your interviews on I501(c)You?

(10:20) Michael’s Career

(11:55) What are some good leadership characteristics?

(14:00) How do you handle setbacks?

(15:00) Mentors

(16:35) How do you overcome setbacks?

(19:40) The Corley Company in 2025

Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more.

Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.

Erika Donalds was a COO and CFO for financial services firms before shifting gears to education, first as a mom and later as an elected Collier County School Board Member. She’s since led and supported several innovative educational models, including one of the world’s first virtual reality schools, Optima Academy Online. On this episode Erika and Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon talked about the why behind her career change and why she has remained a leader in education transformation. They also talked about her mentors and the characteristics of top-flight leaders.

3 Takeaways:

1. (09:55) Have high expectations for your employees and team
2. (14:30) Decide what success is going to look like alongside your employees
3. (17:30) Look at the big picture when thinking about setbacks

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Erika Donalds, founder and chairman, Optima; education entrepreneur

(05:00) What is Optima Ed?

(06:45) Center for Education Opportunity

(08:00) Starting in Finance and leading to education

(09:30) What Erika learned about being a good leader working in finance

(12:00) How do you lead?

(14:05) What do you look for in leaders?

(16:10) How do you overcome setbacks?

(18:45) What is next for your organizations?

Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more.

Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.