From farming to framing the Tampa Bay region’s economic future with Yvonne Fry

Yvonne is the founder and CEO of Workforce Development Partners, a nonprofit in the Tampa Bay region that connects high school students with trades and other companies. She’s also an entrepreneur, who has started and grown a branding company and talent agency, among other firms, and a dedicated and visible economic development cheerleader for the Tampa Bay region, especially east Hillsborough County and Plant City.  

Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Yvonne talked about how her work ethic was shaped by growing up on a farm and the lessons she learned as a child about leadership, resilience and integrity. 

3 Takeaways:

1. (05:00) Soft skills are so important in upcoming members of the workforce
2. (17:00) Integrity is the most important characteristic of leadership
3. (19:13) Everything is done through a team

Timestamps:

(00:00) This episode is sponsored by Kerkering Barberio

(00:30) Introducing Yvonne Fry, CEO of Workforce Development Partners

(01:00) The genesis of this program and the benefits

(05:45) Growing up on a farm and finding this career

(10:20) Standout projects

(13:35) Leadership advice

(16:40) Characteristics of leadership

(19:45) Setbacks

(23:30) Looking forward to 2025

(25:30) Rapid fire questions

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