Leadership Jax

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Members of the 2025-2026 Leadership Jacksonville Board participated in the annual Board Orientation and Refresher on 8/1. The LJ Board is committed to educating, connecting and inspiring the future leaders of our city and beyond!

The LJ Team enjoyed an all-day retreat on July 31 as we planned for our upcoming year and make moves towards our bold strategic plan. Get ready for a strong year of engagement, activation and growth! Alumni member Nemiah Rutledge (LJ 2021) joined us for a 30-minute "deskercise".

Attention Leadership Jacksonville Alumni members! Help support the future leaders of Northeast Florida and renew your annual $100 dues payment today! Login into the new Alumni Portal to pay: secure.leadershipjax.org/login

CEO Gracie Simendinger and VP of Programs Nicole Bryan attended the 2025 Association of Leadership Programs (ALP) National Conference in Fort Worth, TX from July 21-24 engaging more than 200 leadership professionals from across the country.

"Meeting and connecting with new people who are doing great work in the community." - just one of many aspects our Alumni members enjoy about the Leadership Connect gatherings! Sign up: leadershipjax.org/leadership-con…. To host: email manisha@leadershipjax.org.

We're excited to announce that Dr. Barbara Darby has been named the 2025 Nina Waters QEA Champion. A visionary leader in public education, she’ll be honored at #EDTalksJax this September. Join us to celebrate her legacy + explore the future of learning. 🔗 ow.ly/6Bjo50Wr6Ka

Join us in celebrating! LJ is thrilled to be the Corporate Business of the Year Award recipient from The Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville. The 48th Annual Arts Awards will take place on Saturday, September 5 at the Florida Blue Conference Center: lnkd.in/eTPBcMua

A special invitation! LJ has been selected to join Leadership Berlin to embark on a learning journey with alumni from across the U.S. in Berlin and Munich from 9/14-9/20. To register: survey.lamapoll.de/Berlin-Leaders…. For info: email Manisha Joshi: manisha@leadershipjax.org

We would like to welcome the new 2025-2026 LJ Board Members: Nelrae Pasha Ali (LJ 2022), Mallory Born (LJ 2025), Jarret Dreicer (LJ 2017), Karen Feagins (LJ 2016), David Johnson (LJ 2024), Chris Kennelly (LJ 2016) and Marlo Zarka (LJ 2020) who will each serve a three-year term.

Have you added LJ Connect to your summer calendar? Join your fellow Alumni members at a Leadership Connect gathering - openings are as early as this Wednesday! Sign up: leadershipjax.org/leadership-con… To host, email Manisha Joshi at manisha@leadershipjax.org.

Eight years ago today, one of Jacksonville's greatest community advocates, and the key figure in our organization's history, passed away. 📍Learn about Bill and his legacy: jacksonville.com/story/news/201…

Today is a day of reflection and hope in honor of Juneteenth.

The LJ Board of Directors enjoyed its Annual Meeting on 6.16 at The River Club. 2024-2025 Board President Cynthia Griffin (LJ 2011) shared reflections on the past year and welcomed Will Smith (LJ 2011) as the 2025-2026 Board President.

Members of New Leadership Summit (NLS) 2025 and the NLS planning committee came together for a social and tour of The June social club on June 11.

LJ is hiring! We are looking for a new Programs Manager to join our growing team. This individual will work with Vice President of Programs Nicole Bryan and Events and Logistics Coordinator Natalia Lupas to plan and execute all LJ program days. Visit our LinkedIn page to apply.

On this day, eight years ago...Alumni members enjoyed connecting with each other and they still are today! Create new friendships and reconnect with fellow classmates: leadershipjax.org/leadership-con… To host a LJ Connect Gathering, email Manisha Joshi at manisha@leadershipjax.org.

Congratulations to the 10 YLJ 2023 Alumni members who each received a college scholarship at the 29th annual @MeninakJax Scholarship Awards Luncheon on May 19. Thank you to the Meninak Club of Jacksonville for providing $30,000 in scholarships this year!

What a fantastic evening! On May 22nd, Celebration 2025 brought together more than 325 alumni members and guests to celebrate Honorees Giselle Carson, Nat Ford, Sr. and Kristin Keen. More than $151,000 were raised! Thank you to all of our sponsors for their generous support.

On this Memorial Day, Leadership Jacksonville would like to honor and pay tribute to the brave men and women who served our nation with unwavering courage and selflessness. Their dedication and service to our country is an inspiration to all of us.