Destin, Fla., May 12 – On May 8, the Destin Chamber celebrated the graduation of 13 business professionals from its 16th Destin Forward class. During the event, the prestigious Destin Forward Leadership Award, chosen by class vote, was presented to Allyson Anger of Home2 Suites by Hilton.
Destin Forward, a community education and leadership program, was created to help find and educate future city and business leaders. After a retreat in August, the class spent the next eight months touring and learning about Destin’s waterways, tourism industry, arts & culture, non-profits, environment, city programs and services, economic development, and military. With the graduation of this class, the total number of program alumni is now 266.
Class requirements included attendance at several Chamber and civic functions, as well as a group project that created a lasting impact on the City of Destin. The class chose to preserve and promote the history and heritage of the World's Luckiest Fishing Village through the creation of an interactive audio trail around Captain Leonard Destin Park.
Graduates of the Destin Forward Class of 2025 include Allyson Anger, Home2 Suites by Hilton; Gretchen Evans, Destin Chamber; Kyle Hastings, Alvarez & Marsal; Alisha Hurwood, Hand Arendall Harrison Sale LLC; Tony Kent, Destin Water Users, Inc.; Patrick McAllister, PattyMac Consultancy & Project Services, LLC; Anthony McKinney, Jr., Stepping Stones Early Learning Academy; Sarah Miller, Locks On The Docks LLC; Madi Maldonado, Scenic Stays; Graham Pearce, Okaloosa County Sheriff Office; Bailey Rathmann, Own, Inc.; Jennifer Welner-Hooven, Community Bank; and Springer Williams, First National Bank.
Four class members, chosen by class vote, will join the Destin Forward Advisory Board for a 3-year term, where they will help steer the program for future classes. Those chosen include Allyson Anger, Alicia Hurwood, Bailey Rathman, and Springer Williams.
Applications are now available for the Destin Forward Class of 2026. For more information about the program, please call (850) 837-6241 or email mail@DestinChamber.com.
The Destin Forward Class of 2025 celebrates its graduation on Thursday, May 8, during a reception at The Resorts of Pelican Beach.
Allyson Anger (left) of Home2 Suites by Hilton accepts the Destin Forward Leadership Award from 2025 Chamber Chairman Jenni Brunson of Okaloosa Gas. The award was chosen by class vote.
