FGNW NEWS

Leadership Northwest Florida Director Graduates from Statewide Leadership Program

Posted: June 18, 2026

Florida’s Great Northwest (FGNW) is proud to announce that Kasey Killebrew, Director of Strategic Initiatives, has graduated from Leadership Florida’s prestigious Connect Class 15. Killebrew was formally recognized alongside fellow emerging leaders from across the state at Leadership Florida's Annual Meeting in Orlando. 

Leadership Florida is the statewide premier leadership program, purposefully designed for ultimate impact. The initiative brings together a select, diverse group of top-tier professionals to deepen their understanding of Florida's unique challenges and opportunities while fostering powerful, collaborative networks across regions. 

As a driving force behind investor relations and forward-thinking growth strategies for Florida's Great Northwest, Killebrew’s completion of this rigorous program further amplifies the organization's regional impact and influence across its 13-county footprint. Crucially, Killebrew also oversees FGNW's own highly successful Leadership Northwest Florida program. With Class IV officially graduated, the regional initiative is moving right into its annual application cycle to select the incoming leaders for Class V. 

"Participating in Leadership Florida Connect Class 15 has been an incredible honor and an inspiring experience," said Killebrew. "Learning alongside dynamic leaders from across Florida reinforced my belief in the power of collaboration, service, and investing in people. True leadership development creates lasting ripple effects within our communities, and I am grateful to bring these insights and connections back to our work at Florida's Great Northwest. It perfectly aligns with our mission as we continue supporting and empowering leaders throughout Northwest Florida." 

For more information about Leadership Florida, visit https://www.leadershipflorida.org/.

About Florida’s Great Northwest, Inc. 

Florida’s Great Northwest is the regional economic development organization for the 13-county region of the Florida Panhandle. The organization's purpose is to promote Northwest Florida for economic growth and diversification, to advocate for economic development issues that affect the region, and to collaborate to improve regional competitiveness. Beyond our beaches, Northwest Florida offers business competitive, bottom-line advantages in workforce training, upgraded infrastructure, access to a host of defense assets, and a diverse base of industries that already call the region home. For more information, visit www.floridasgreatnorthwest.com.