By: Susan Towler, Florida Blue Executive Director, CSR/Florida Blue Foundation; Chair of the Florida Chamber Foundation Board of Trustees
As we continue to promote the importance of the Florida 2030 Blueprint’s 39 goals in securing Florida’s future as a top ten global economic powerhouse, I am so proud of the efforts of our Foundation team to unite the right players in the business community for good to effect real change. The momentum is building and our team is consistently being asked to provide thought leadership throughout Florida via conferences, webinars, meetings, and countless calls. Below are some of my recent highlight picks of our Foundation team blazing the path on the road to 2030.
Uniting Florida’s Workforce Leaders on Securing Florida’s Talent – Feb. 9
Our Foundation’s EVP David Gillespie had the ears of a room full of Florida’s workforce leaders at the 2022 HR Florida State Council’s Legislative Conference. David discussed the Florida 2030 Blueprint, our previous and current workforce research efforts and how HR leaders can get involved with our most recent initiatives, the Florida Workforce Needs Study 2.0 and the Future of Work Florida, to help create America’s BEST workforce. Thank you to President Chad Sorenson and our partners at the HR Florida State Council for inviting our leadership to be a part of this timely event championing legislation to secure Florida’s talent.
If you haven’t taken the Florida Workforce Needs Survey 2.0- Part One, please be sure to do so by clicking here. The voice of our Board, partners and stakeholders must be included in this very important effort.
Florida 2030 Blueprint Goal Leader Florida Housing Coalition Initiates the Conversation on Taking the Lead in Ensuring Less Than Ten Percent of Floridians live in Housing Cost-Burdened Households – Feb. 14
In a recent Florida 2030 Blueprint Goal Leader Zoom discussion, Florida Housing Coalition President & CEO Jaimie Ross discussed their eagerness to partner with the Florida Chamber Foundation to reach local chambers and state business partners to move the needle on achieving their Florida 2030 Blueprint lead goal. This is our mission in motion, and personally, I love to see our goal leaders getting excited about how they can champion their goals and leverage partnerships throughout Florida’s footprint. A special thank you to Jaimie and the FHC team for their goal leadership and for taking the initiative to schedule this very important discussion.
If you would like to partner with the Florida Housing Coalition on achieving their Florida 2030 Blueprint lead goal or know someone who has a vested interest, please contact our Foundation EVP David Gillespie at dgillespie@flchamber.com.
Additionally, if you are interested in your company becoming a Florida 2030 Goal Leader or know of a company who would be a good fit, click here to learn more.
Securing the Future of Our Youngest Floridians – Feb. 15
The Florida Chamber Foundation team seemed to be everywhere I turned over the past few weeks. Kyle Baltuch was featured on the Children’s Movement of Florida’s latest “Bosses for Babies” webinar. This series, which has played host to Florida’s top business leaders, highlights the important efforts and practices underway throughout the state that support working families with young children. Kyle spoke on the efforts of the business community and the importance of implementing family friendly work practices to support the growth of Florida’s future workforce. I want to thank Children’s Movement of Florida, Madeleine Thakur and Board Trustee Vance Aloupis for their leadership in hosting a platform for this important conversation and partnership as the goal leader for kindergarten readiness for the Florida 2030 Blueprint Caucus.
Click here to watch the FREE webinar.
“Uniting the Business Community & Stakeholders to Create a Pathway to Prosperity for All: The Florida Prosperity Project,” ALICE Webinar – Feb. 17
The Florida Chamber Foundation had the spotlight in this recent 2022 ALICE Learning Community Webinar Series. The Florida Prosperity Project was selected to be highlighted in this national webinar series based on its impact in communities throughout Florida.
Panelists included our fellow Board Trustee Monesia Brown of Walmart (Prosperity Advisory Board Member), County-Level Prosperity Project Leader Commissioner Holly Davis of Citrus County, and Andry Sweet of Children’s Home Society (Prosperity Advisory Board Member). Ted Granger, Interim President & CEO of the United Way of Florida and our Chamber President, Mark Wilson, were facilitators.
Click here to watch the FREE webinar.
*Access Passcode: ^+UPl$13
If you are interested in partnering with the Florida Prosperity Project to close the gaps in your community, please be sure to reach out to our SVP of Equality of Opportunity Kyle Baltuch for more information at kbaltuch@flfoundation.org.
Supporting our Florida 2030 Blueprint Goal Leader Florida Philanthropic Network in Ensuring Florida has Increased Size and Impact of Non-profit and Philanthropic Sectors – Feb 19.
David Gillespie and Kyle Baltuch from our Florida Chamber Foundation team had the opportunity to present to Florida’s leading philanthropic leaders at the FPN Statewide Summit on Philanthropy on the importance of the Florida 2030 Blueprint and how data and analysis can support system change initiatives in all communities throughout Florida. I had the pleasure of attending the presentation first hand, and I am proud to say, it was extraordinarily well received. Speaking to a standing room only crowd, the value of the Florida Chamber Foundation’s mission, and the team’s passion for their work shined through. As we continue to unite the business and philanthropic community for good, it is comforting to know that our Foundation team is making a difference.
Thank you FPN President & CEO Ashley Dietz for inviting the Foundation to have a voice in sharing the importance of moving the needle to destination 2030 through philanthropic efforts.
If you would like to partner with Florida Philanthropic Network on achieving their Florida 2030 Blueprint lead goal or know someone who has a vested interest, contact please David Gillespie at dgillespie@flchamber.com.
Interested in becoming a Florida 2030 Goal Leader, click here to learn more.
If you would like to take advantage of the amazing thought leadership that we have at our fingertips through the Florida Chamber’s Speakers Bureau, click here.
I look forward to seeing you all at the next Board of Trustees meeting on June 27 that will be held in conjunction with the Florida Learners to Earners Workforce Solution Summit the next day. Be sure to register for the Solution Summit and RSVP for the Board meeting when the invite hits your inbox.
Thank you,
Susan