Career Coaching and Executive Leadership – A Virtual Roundtable and Panel Discussion

The Florida LTAP Center is pleased to partner with the American Public Works Association (APWA) Florida Chapter to bring you this webinar.

Organizations have long invested in top-down leadership training for the highest-ranking members of the team. By doing it this way, agencies traditionally miss a critical opportunity to cultivate leadership at all levels within an organization. Accepting that most individuals are tasked with leading in some capacity while simultaneously answering to the managers who outrank them, can help steer the paradigm shift.

This session will explore how to navigate the politics of leadership both when you are and aren’t the boss or manager. Come and learn about the critical skills of distinguishing between power and authority to avoid common pitfalls. Ask our industry experts about how to make your mark and be persuasive even when you are carrying out the visions and decisions of those above you. Secondly, for the aspiring managers, learn what leadership soft skills and executive mantras are likely to help get you climbing that management pyramid.

This webinar is provided at no cost and will award a certificate to those fully attending and completing the webinar. Professional Development Hours (1.5 PDHs) will be provided to those that request these during registration.

Please note – space for this webinar is limited, and Florida local agencies are being given priority!

By attending this session, participants will:

1. Learn to identify the objectives and goals that are the top priority for your organization, even when/if the manager is being unclear or the words don’t match the action.
2. Develop skills to influence and guide decisions in an organization without hurting your position or career.
3. Understand the power dynamics in an organization to allow you to develop a plan in getting your ideas implemented and approved.

Panelist Bios:

Marcela C. Millett, Strategic Planning & Performance Management Division, Palm Beach County, FL: Ms. Millett has worked for Palm Beach County for almost 15 years, gaining her experience from various departments, such as Community Services, Court Administration, Risk Management, and now with the Office of Financial Management and Budget within the Division of Strategic Planning and Performance Management. Marcela is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, National & International Certified Counselor and Master Certified Addictions Professional. She has a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt and is a Certified Career Coach. Marcela continuously looks for opportunities to improve processes, how to use metrics to drive sound decisions, and increase staff development. As the Senior Analyst for the County’s Strategic Planning and Performance Management efforts, Marcela assists over 30 departments in creating their strategic plans and identifying their key performance indicators while ensuring they are in alignment with the County’s Vision, Mission and Strategic Priorities. Not only has Marcela worked in local government, but she has years of experience in the private sector, where she worked as the Clinical Director for an outpatient substance use rehabilitation center, where she created, implemented and assessed several programs utilizing best practices in the field. Through her extensive network, Marcela continues to collaborate with various entities and partners to ensure that Palm Beach County residents and employees have all the resources they need to thrive. Marcela has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Florida Atlantic University and a Master of Science Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University. Marcela is fluent in 4 languages and loves traveling the world with her family!

Sandy Benz, Florida, Leadership and Team Coach, Benz Team Solutions, Florida: As a leadership/team coach and facilitator, Sandy Benz partners with organizations as they transform work environments that inspire the best in people. Areas of focus include the “people side of change”, collaborative/adaptive thinking, emotional intelligence, communication, and conflict resolution. Sandy has worked with public and private employers, including 22 years at Sarasota County Government in leadership and team development, enterprise-wide employee engagement, and change/transition management roles.  During that time, she co-designed the County’s Academy of Leadership Excellence (ALE) that has continued for over 15 years and created a 360° leadership competency assessment based on organizational values. Additionally, she was awarded Case Study for Transforming Local Government (TLG) and co-presented her case study at a TLG Annual Conference. With a Master’s in Adult Education and a Bachelor’s in Business Management, Sandy is an ICF and Board-Certified Executive Coach (ACC & BCC), and a Certified Practitioner with ProSci® Change Management, Genos® Emotional Intelligence, Everything DiSC® Situational Mindsets® and Working Genius®. She works with senior leaders, mid-level managers, newly promoted managers, and intact leadership teams design and facilitate customized webinars, workshops and retreats; coach executives, senior leaders, managers and intact leadership teams; and administer assessments to help clients identify coaching goals and progress. Sandy lives in Sarasota, Florida and meets with clients throughout the U.S. via online webinars and coaching sessions. She is also willing to travel for in-person retreats and workshops.

Matt Campbell,  Business Support Manager, Development Services Administration Department, Pasco County, Florida. Matthew Campbell is currently the Business Support Manager for Pasco County, Florida in their Development Services Administration Department. In this role he serves as County’s executive liaison between large scale developer interests and the county administration. He is the former Chief Executive Officer for the Town of Kenneth City, Florida. From 2013 thru April of 2021, he has served as the first official Town Manager for Kenneth City. As Town Manager, he was responsible for most of the day-to-day administrative operations of the municipality, including supervision of all city departments and staff, directly and through department heads; preparation, monitoring and execution of the Town budget; serving as the main technical advisor of the elected Town Council on overall government operations, policies, and public relations; and additional duties that were assigned by the Council. Matthew is a graduate of Georgia State University. He is an active member of International City Managers Association (ICMA), Florida City County Managers Association (FCCMA), and serves as President Elect for Leadership Pinellas. His previous roles include Assistant to the City Manager and Director of Planning & Development / Zoning Administrator for the City of Dunedin, and Senior Planner with Hillsborough County.

Moderator Bio:

Addie Javed, APWA FL Leadership & Management Committee Chair and Development Manager, Mott MacDonald: Addie Javed is a former Municipal (City/County) Engineer and Public Works Director, nationally recognized by the Engineering News Record (ENR), National Civil Engineering News Magazine and Florida City and County Management Association (FCCMA). He has more than 27 years of technical, administration, management and supervisory experience leading diverse teams and managing multiple Capital Improvement projects and programs. Mr. Javed has strong background in Public Works, Environmental Management, Utilities, Infrastructure, Asset Management, Sustainability, Solid Waste and Sanitation, Strategic Planning and Performance Measures, Emergency Response and Operations, Operations and Maintenance, Community development and Legislative policy making. At Mott MacDonald, as the Client Success Manager he is the Account Executive and has oversight of the Florida based projects, and as a Public Works and Administration subject matter expert supports project teams nationwide.