From the Corner Office

Prioritizing trust and transparency with Nicci Bucher

Nicci Bucher was named CEO of the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg in late 2025. Prior to this role, Nicci spent 20 years in the YMCA network, most recently as COO of the YMCA of Central Florida, where she oversaw a $51.6 million operational budget. On this episode, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Nicci talked about her leadership styles and principles and how she creates a strong workplace culture through trust and transparency. They also talked about how she has overcome feelings of impostor syndrome, especially in the current stage of her career. 
3 Takeaways:
(08:45) Be authentic as a leader
(12:00) Buy into your team, you are not above doing something in the business
(17:30) Good workplace culture is trust and transparency
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing Nicci Bucher, President and CEO, YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg
(05:45) What is the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg?
(06:20) Starting her career at Department of Children and Families, and what did you learn from that time?
(08:30) Leadership style
(09:30) Leadership characteristic every leader should have
(10:15) Leadership influences
(12:50) Giving others autonomy
(13:50) Leadership lessons Nicci wishes she knew early
(15:40) Nicci’s transition to CEO role
(17:20) What is good workplace culture?
(18:30) Great leadership advice
(19:34) Dealing with imposter syndrome
(22:00) Growing in the role of CEO
(23:40) Looking forward to 2026
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.
 

Building a winning culture that sticks with Jake Haulsic

Jake Haulsic has some 15 years of experience in technology sales, with Velosio and Tribridge. He founded Trofeo, a fast-scaling cloud consultancy specializing in Microsoft Azure, in 2024. On this episode Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Jake talk about how he built his company, not only around product and service, but culture. He also talked about some early decisions at Troefo that helped shape its trajectory, and his mentors that have helped guide the business along the way. 
3 Takeaways:
(11:50) Leaders need to trust their employees
(12:40) The best leaders practice patience
(14:50) Every failure needs to be a learning opportunity
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing Jake Haulsic, Trofeo, founder
(02:55) What is Trofeo?
(05:10) Jake’s mentors
(06:50) What did you learn from Tony DiBenedetto?
(09:00) What does culture mean to you?
(11:40) Leadership characteristics
(12:20) Best leadership advice you have received
(13:15) What role does storytelling play in Trofeo’s growth?
(14:00) Resilience
(15:50) How do you want to be remembered as a leader?
(16:45) Trofeo in 2026
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.

Ruthless Focus and how to maintain it with Tom Hall

Tom Hall is a longtime advertising executive, with work across Florida and the Southeast. In addition to Tucker | Hall, a strategic communications firm with offices in Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando and Tallahassee, Tom launched Creative Seminars,  a prominent speaker series, which Adweek magazine acquired. On this episode Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Tom talk about the origins of the firm and how he and the team led it to national prominence. They also talked about Tom’s book, “Ruthless Focus" and the lessons he learned about leadership writing it. 
3 Takeaways:
(05:50) When in crisis, tell the truth, tell it all, and tell it right now
(13:30) Ruthlessly focus on what you do extraordinarily well
(15:10) Create an atmosphere where people can think their best
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing Tom Hall, Chairman, Tucker | Hall
(03:40) What is Tucker | Hall?
(05:30) What do leaders need to do when in crisis?
(06:40) Creative Seminars
(09:00) What did you learn from Creative Seminars
(11:55) Who does a good job advertising these days?
(12:55) Learning from “Ruthless Focus”
(14:30) Keys to leading a firm
(16:15) Leadership mentors
(19:15) How do you handle conflict as a leader?
(20:30) Starting the Florida Aquarium
(24:30) What is coming up in 2026?
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.

Acing the cold call and being a warm leader with Sinead Runyon

Sinead Runyon runs  Express Employment of Sarasota, which she founded in 2020 along with her mom, Josephine Carr. In 2024, she and her husband, William Runyon, opened a Made in the Shade window treatment, blinds and shades franchise in Venice. On this episode, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Sinead talk about her entrepreneurial mindset, what she learned from her mentors and how she resolves conflict as a leader. She also talked about the second business she launched while running the first business.   
3 Takeaways:
(11:15) The bus is moving forward, stop comparing yourself to others
(20:55) Good leadership is owning your mistakes
(23:00) Be there with your client
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing Sinead Runyon, co-founder of  Express Employment of Sarasota
(04:50) What is Express Employment Professionals - Sarasota?
(06:25) Door pulls
(08:20) Building up the stamina
(09:40) Leadership mentors and lessons
(12:40) Learning from other entrepreneurs
(14:50) Truly showing up for your clients
(16:45) Owning and fixing mistakes
(19:25) What is Made in the Shade?
(20:55) What is good leadership?
(21:55) Handling conflict
(24:30) What is coming up in 2026?
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.

Kick off 2026 with a dose of endurance with Ashley Ljesevic

Ashley Ljesevic has led marketing, sales, and development initiatives for a variety of organizations over the past decade, working in sports, travel and nonprofits, among other fields. She also has a podcast, the Endurance Diaries, which interviews athletes, artists, entrepreneurs and others to share stories of resilience. On this episode Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Ashley talked about striving for — and pivoting when necessary — for big goals and how she does that in her personal life. They also talked about the lessons she’s learned from Endurance Diaries guests.    
3 Takeaways:
(08:30) “Can you enter a process where there are no outcome goals attached?”
(12:45) What we see on the surface is not the full story
(17:30) When things are tough, focus on the next step
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing Ashley Ljesevic, Host of Endurance Diaries podcast
(04:50) Ashley’s 10x10 journey
(07:45) What is Endurance Diaries Media?
(11:45) Who have you learned from on Endurance Diaries?
(14:45) What is endurance to you?
(16:00) Overcoming adversity
(18:20) What leadership characteristic does every leader need?
(20:55) Imposter syndrome
(24:30) Endurance Diaries Media in 2026
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.

Consistent leadership through a complex time with Dan Lavender

Dan is the CEO of Moorings Park, a nonprofit senior living organization with three campuses in Naples. He has been with the organization for nearly 20 years, first as CFO. Before that he ran his own packaged delivery service small business in Ohio. On this episode Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Dan talked about how the concept of VUCA — leading through Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity — has helped make him a better leader and the organization stronger. They also talked about how Dan hopes his team sees him as a leader. 
3 Takeaways:
(05:30) Leadership is humility and professional will
(08:10) Mission driven organizations focus on the end result
(09:20) Separate success from leadership
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing Dan Lavender, CEO, Moorings Park
(03:15) What is Moorings Park?
(04:00) How did you get into senior living?
(05:10) What defines good leadership?
(07:20) Leadership influences
(08:45) Learning from residents at Moorings Park
(10:30) Decisions that shaped you
(11:35) Balancing short and long term wins
(13:40) Handling conflict
(14:40) Resiliency as a leader
(17:10) Your leadership style
(18:15) Moorings Park in 2026
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.

Cooking up brand loyalty and the power of storytelling with Eleni Gates

Eleni founded Gates Hospitality Group, which handles brand building, corporate communications, public relations and more for restaurants and other businesses, earlier this year. She was previously head of investor relations and corporate communications for East Manatee County-based First Watch Restaurant Group. On this episode Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Eleni talked about what she’s learned from some important hospitality mentors on company culture, motivating teams and more. They also talked about her big step in working for corporate brands to going out on her own and going back to school for her MBA.  
3 Takeaways:
(05:50) Be intentional about how you communicate with specific audiences
(16:00) A leader is never above any work in the organization
(17:00) Be a human, not the boss
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing Eleni Gates, Founder and Principal, Gates Hospitality Group
(04:00) What is Gates Hospitality Group?
(06:15) Starting at First Watch
(08:20) Working for Chris Tomasso
(09:30) IPO-ing with First Watch
(13:00) Dealing with imposter syndrome
(14:30) Learning from Ken Pendery
(17:25) What is good leadership?
(19:00) Leadership advice
(20:30) Learning from her parents
(23:00) Storytelling in leadership
(24:20) Gates Hospitality Group 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.

Leading to win and doing what you say with AG Lafley

AG Lafley is the former CEO of consumer products giant Procter & Gamble, where he ran the company for 15 years over two different tenures. Since retiring and moving to Sarasota, he has worked with small businesses and nonprofits, and also led the development and operations at the Bay Sarasota. On this episode Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and AG talked about how he overcame difficulties and challenges at P&G, and why leading with a customer-first mindset, even in such a large organization, was a priority. They also talked about why it was important for him to be a “say do” leader.  
Key Takeaways:
(05:30) Crisis is opportunity
(05:45) Leadership is not genetically determined, it can be built
(12:35) Great leaders take accountability and create accountability
(17:30) Leadership is a navigation job
(19:40) Know yourself, be yourself, and play to your strengths
(20:40) Understand the art of going slow to go fast
(21:20) Leadership is thinking, decision making, and doing
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing AG Lafley, retired CEO, Procter & Gamble; founding CEO, The Bay Park Conservancy 
(05:00) Keys to being a great leader
(06:30) Seizing leadership opportunities early in life
(09:00) Becoming CEO of Procter & Gamble
(12:00) Decisions made in the first 100 days of being CEO
(17:15) What is leadership?
(19:25) Leadership advice
(22:00) Learning to ‘go slow to go fast’ from the Japanese
(27:45) AG’s leadership legacy
(31:30) What is coming up at Bay Park Conservancy?
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.

How to go your own way — and do it with purpose — with Darla Bonk

Darla has more than 20 years of experience in everything from corporate sales and operations to leadership development. She currently runs Darla Bonk Consulting, and, with her husband, Architectural Metal Flashings. Two more biographical nuggets: She’s a Fort Myers city councilwoman and she hosts a weekly podcast, “On Your Way.” On this episode, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Darla talked about her diverse and winding career, what she learned from her parents about leadership — who have been married for 70 years — and how the power of being intentional in all her communications has helped be a better leader.
3 Takeaways:
(08:15) Listen for cues to get consensus
(14:00) Leaders need the ability to pivot
(15:30) Communication is everything
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing Darla Bonk, CEO and founder, Darla Bonk Consulting
(07:45) What did you learn about leadership being on the City Council?
(10:15) Learning from leaders in Darla Bonk Consulting
(11:30) Growing up as Darla Bonk
(13:50) What do you look for in leaders?
(15:25) Leadership advice
(16:00) Storytelling in leadership
(17:00) Balance short term wins and long term planning
(18:10) Imposter syndrome
(19:00) Lessons from her parents
(20:45) Darla’s leadership legacy
(21:30) Darla Bonk in 2026
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.

Big swings and leading with a big heart with the Baltimore Orioles’ Jennifer Grondahl

Jennifer Grondahl has been with the  Baltimore Orioles since 2018, splitting her time between Maryland and the team’s spring training home in Sarasota.  Prior to the Orioles, she was president of the YMCA Foundation of Sarasota; founded and ran a marketing and events company in Sarasota; and was the executive director of the American Cancer Society. On this episode, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Jennifer talked about her passion for cooking, mistakes she’s learned the most from, overcoming Imposter Syndrome leading with love, her mentors — and notably, her passion for cooking. 
3 Takeaways:
(13:45) Every leader needs humility
(14:45) Take feedback
(17:40) Communication is the key to everything
Timestamps:
(00:00) Jennifer Grondahl, Senior Vice President of Communications, Baltimore Orioles 
(06:00) What have you learned from David Rubenstein?
(08:35) Jennifer growing up
(09:50) Jennifer’s career trajectory
(11:05) Learning from mistakes
(13:30) What does every leader need?
(17:40) How do you handle conflict?
(18:50) Handling imposter syndrome
(21:50) Leadership advice
(23:00) What is coming in 2026?
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.