Volusia County Communities Cultivate the Next Generation of Civic and Business Leaders
Volusia County’s leadership pipeline doesn’t begin in a boardroom – it starts with people who want to better understand the place where they live and work. Chamber-led leadership programs help residents connect across industries, gain behind-the-scenes access to local decision-making, and step confidently into civic and business leadership roles.
These programs highlight Volusia County’s investment in people and how Greater Daytona helps newcomers and longtime residents find their place, purpose and professional footing. Initiatives in DeLand, Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach and Southeast Volusia are identifying and cultivating the next generation of leaders.
In This Article
Leadership West Volusia
Leadership West Volusia, a DeLand & Greater West Volusia Chamber and Stetson University partnership, builds regional leaders through themed seminars and field studies. Past participants have explored local infrastructure at the Volusia Sheriff’s Office, Halifax Health and Blue Spring State Park. The curriculum emphasizes professional branding, networking and community assets.
Leadership Daytona
Founded in 1981, the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Daytona program is one of Florida’s longest-running chamber leadership programs. It offers an 11-week experience blending leadership development with deep community exposure.
“The program’s goal is to develop informed, connected and engaged community leaders who understand the region’s assets, challenges and opportunities,” says Janet Kersey, executive vice president and COO of the chamber.
Participants move through themed immersion days focused on sectors such as economic development, education, health care, public safety and infrastructure, taking part in site visits and conversations with community leaders. The Chair’s Challenge capstone project tasks each class with addressing a real community issue. One recent project created Readers to Leaders, a countywide early literacy initiative that continues to grow.
Alumnus Amy Deahl, director of student union operations and events at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, joined the pandemic-impacted Class XL in 2020.
“Leadership Daytona definitely opened my eyes to the community,” she says, noting that the program helped her connect her nonprofit work with local resources and partners.
Her cohort developed the “Clearly More” marketing campaign promoting Daytona Beach and Volusia County as open for business.
“The program was an awesome experience to pull together everyone’s knowledge and skills,” Deahl says.
The relationships formed, Deahl adds, continue to shape her professional and civic life.
Leadership Ormond Beach
Launched in 2004, Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Ormond Beach program offers an eight-week program with experiential learning and classes capped at 20 participants. Participants attend half-day sessions exploring city government, economic development, public safety and local history.
“Graduates leave with stronger relationships, a deeper understanding of our community, and a greater capacity to lead and serve,” says Debbie Cotton, chamber president and CEO.
The Historical Tour Day introduces Ormond Beach’s heritage through guided tours and landmark visits.
For 2005 participant Nancy Cortez, a Realtor with Adams, Cameron & Co., that day was transformative. “I had lived in the area for 10 years and had no idea about the rich history of Ormond Beach,” she says. Two decades later, Cortez serves as a docent for the Ormond Beach Historical Society and Leadership Ormond Beach itself. She has also served as president of Ormond Beach MainStreet and remains involved with the chamber.
“It would be hard to find another citizen that is as involved as I am,” Cortez says, “and I do think the chamber and the leadership program have a lot to do with this!”
L.E.A.D. SEV
The Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce’s L.E.A.D. SEV program brings together emerging leaders from New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater and Oak Hill. The current 10-week format launched in 2021.
“What makes our program especially valuable in Southeast Volusia specifically is our tri-city landscape,” says Meredith Iannucci, the chamber’s business development and marketing director. “L.E.A.D. SEV brings these pieces together, building leaders who understand the full regional picture.”
Sessions explore economic development, public safety, environmental impact, education and workforce development.
For O.E. Burke III, owner and president of SudzUp Car Wash in New Smyrna Beach, Environmental Impact Day stood out, reinforcing why collaboration matters in a coastal community.
“I think it reinforced my decision to relocate to the area,” Burke says.
L.E.A.D. SEV showed him that local leaders share a commitment to thinking regionally while acting locally. Since graduating, Burke has served as chair of the chamber and on city task forces.
“Leadership matters, and time is of the essence to develop and work toward a vision for what Southeast Volusia will look like in the next 20 years,” he says.
Get to Know Greater Daytona Beach
Want to learn more about living and working in Greater Daytona, FL? Check out the latest edition of Livability Greater Daytona Region – Volusia County, Florida.