Ashley has been in the nonprofit sector in Florida for a decade or so, working for the United Way Suncoast and the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, among other entities. She was named president and CEO of the Florida Philanthropic Network, which works with foundations statewide in research, education and public policy, in 2020. On this episode Ashley talks about how she got into nonprofits, why she puts an emphasis on collaborative leadership and what she looks for in leaders. And listen for her stories about working and earning a master’s degree in Australia.

3 Takeaways:

1. (11:40) What is the “why” of the people you serve?
2. (14:40) Lead with humor, leave your ego at the door
3. (15:50) Collaboration moves at the speed of trust

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Ashley Dietz, President and CEO, Florida Philanthropic Network

(07:00) What is the Florida Philanthropic Network?

(09:10) Ashley’s career before FPN

(11:25) Knowing your “why”

(13:25) What do you look for in leaders?

(15:50) Collaboration moves at the speed of trust

(18:15) Learning from mentors

(20:30) Dealing with setbacks

(22:10) What is coming up the rest of 2025?

Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more.

Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.

Jamie founded Growing Your Team in 2018 after working for a decade or so in the marketing field. Growing Your Team helps other companies, mostly small businesses, not only hire the right people but find the right position for that new employee. On this episode Jamie talks about the challenges — and freedom — in starting Growing Your Team (with a pivot after she founded a different company) and how that’s made her a better leader. She also talks about leadership lessons she’s learned from working with small business owners and some of the secrets to hiring ‘A’ level employees.

3 Takeaways:

1. (12:10) Take the time to actually analyze the problem, is it real or is it in your head?
2. (20:15) Do not hire off a resume, hire off the conversation
3. (23:30) Great leaders have a ‘people first’ mentality

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Jamie Van Cuyk, Founder of Growing Your Team

(04:50) Jamie’s career arc

(09:45) How Jamie started Growing Your Team

(11:10) Mindset for becoming an entrepreneur

(15:30) Hiring process for a small business

(21:30) Interviews

(22:20) Onboarding

(23:15) Good leadership characteristics

(24:40) Leadership advice

(30:00) Growing Your Team in 2025

Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more.

Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.

Brandon has been in banking in Southwest Florida for 15 years, joining Orlando-based Cogent in 2020. He started his career in his native Louisiana, working for IberiaBank in Baton Rouge and since coming to the Naples-Fort Myers market he’s become a go-to leader in the business and civic community.

On this episode Brandon talks about the lessons he learned from navigating the 2008-09 recession as a young banker, and how that frames his leadership style today. He also talks about the value in transparency in holding people accountable, and how he maintains a positive workplace culture.

3 Takeaways:

1. (12:50) Invest in your people and train them well
2. (19:15) If it were easy, everyone would be doing it
3. (19:40) There is never failure unless you stop trying

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Brandon Box, Market President, Southwest Florida, Cogent Bank

(05:00) How Brandon got into banking

(07:30) Learning from 2008-2009 recession

(09:20) What makes Cogent different?

(12:30) How do you build teams?

(14:00) Characteristics of good leaders

(15:15) Balancing personability and leading

(17:00) Mentors and lessons

(18:40) How do you handle setbacks?

(21:50) Cogent Bank in 2025

Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more.

Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.