Posted: May 12, 2025
Sandestin, Fla. – At a closing retreat and graduation ceremony on May 9, 2025, Florida’s Great Northwest (FGNW) Foundation honored its new graduates from Leadership Northwest Florida, a regional collaboration program focused on community, content, and connection. Seventeen distinguished leaders from across Northwest Florida participated in the program, fostering a deeper understanding of the region’s diverse landscape.
Class participants were immersed in a seven-month educational program that offered a holistic view of the conditions, challenges, and opportunities shared throughout Northwest Florida. The program focused on the areas of Business Vitality, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Infrastructure, Talent, and Quality of Place.
Ruthie Noel, Executive Director of Achieve Escambia, was selected to participate in Class III of the Leadership Northwest Florida program and elected to serve as the Class President. "Growing up in rural Northwest Florida, I didn’t fully realize the depth and diversity of our region,” said Noel. “Participating in this program has allowed me to get reacquainted with the unique communities we visited and gain a clearer picture of the challenges and opportunities we all face together. Recognizing our shared goals and interdependence isn’t just a take-away from the program; it’s a lens through which I now view my daily life and work.”
Another participant, Brent Hargett, Vice President, Compliance & Public Policy at Navy Federal Credit Union, shared a similar experience with the Leadership Northwest Florida program. “Gratitude is the first word that comes to mind when I reflect on my Leadership Northwest Florida experience,” said Hargett. “I’m grateful for the dedication of Florida’s Great Northwest team, all the organizations that hosted our class sessions, the opportunity to develop lasting friendships, and the wisdom that so many talented speakers imparted. My classmates have unlimited potential, and I am excited to see how they will impact our region in even greater ways in the future.”
Congratulations to all the graduates from Class III of Leadership Northwest Florida:
Those interested in applying for Class IV or learning more are encouraged to attend an informational webinar on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. The session will provide an overview of the program, key dates, and insight into the application process. Visit this link to register. Call for applications for the next Leadership class will be this summer. Visit FGNW: Leadership Northwest Florida or contact Kasey Killebrew at 334-790-4557 or kkillebrew@fgnw.org for additional information.
For Northwest Florida to continue to compete, diversify, and thrive, it will take informed, dedicated leaders who understand the complex and competitive environment of economic transformation. Leadership Northwest Florida is designed to be an educational program for professionals in all industry sectors desiring to grow their knowledgebase, network, and skillset in the 13-county region of Florida’s Great Northwest footprint. This experience will ultimately result in the long-term influence of the leadership graduates for the betterment of Northwest Florida.
Florida’s Great Northwest is the regional economic development organization for the Florida Panhandle. The organization was created to promote Northwest Florida for economic growth and diversification, advocate for economic development issues that affect the region, and collaborate to improve regional competitiveness. The organization accomplishes this in partnership with the state and local economic development organizations, rural regional economic development organization, utility partners, private sector businesses, local government, higher education institutions, workforce boards, and community leaders.
