3rd Annual NWF Young Professionals Leadership Conference

Hosted by the Crestview Area, Destin, Greater Fort Walton Beach, Navarre, Niceville Valparaiso, and Walton Area Chambers of Commerce, the Young Professionals of NWF Leadership Conference will unite the area's strong Young Professionals groups to tap into the knowledge and expertise of community and business leaders.

This year's conference is themed Building Your Career. Attendees will enjoy discussions on developing in-demand skills, creating a strong personal brand, leveraging networking and community involvement, and building a career on service.

10:00 AM | Check-In & Coffee

10:30 AM | Welcome  

10:40 AM | Panel #1: Building Your Career Through Community Service
Panelists: Bernard Johnson,  FPL Regional External Affairs Manager for Okaloosa and Walton Counties
Mel Ponder, Northwest Florida State College President
Neko Stubblefield, Eglin Federal Credit Union Senior VP of Membership and Community Development

11:30 AM | Panel #2: Unlocking Career Growth - How networking & community involvement still give you the edge
Panelists: Christian Carlee, First National Bank Market President
Julie Cotton, Northwest Florida State College Chair of Hospitality & Tourism Management
Danica LaFaire, Fish Window Cleaning Franchise Owner

12:30 PM | Lunch Buffet

1:15 PM | Panel #3: Developing In-Demand Skills – Stay competitive in a rapidly evolving job market
Panelists: Michael Beedie, WM Gulf Coast Area Senior Manager of Government Affairs
Todd Jackson, HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital CEO
Dr. Cristie Kedroski, Northwest Florida State College Senior Vice President

2:15 PM | Cookie Break 

2:30 PM | Panel #4: Developing a Strong Personal Brand – Position yourself as a valuable professional in your industry
Panelists: Corey Dobridnia, Walton County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer
Cali Hlavac, Sassy Tangerine Creative Owner & Marketing Strategist

3:30 PM | Session details will be announced soon!

4:15 PM | Roundtable Q&A Questions that attendees have placed in the “parking lot” will be answered. Answers are encouraged from other attendees in the audience. 

4:30 PM | Closing Remarks

5:00 PM | Offsite Happy Hour