Florida Leadership Academy
Polish your professionalism. Elevate your leadership.
Today’s business leaders are emotionally intelligent. They can successfully coach teams, effectively manage stress, confidently deliver feedback and genuinely inspire others.
You’ll understand how they do it in the University of Florida Warrington College of Business’ Florida Leadership Academy. Open to 100 of the top sophomores, the Florida Leadership Academy helps you hone your professionalism and harness your leadership potential through personal reflection, engaging activities, inspiring speakers and real world application.
Ready to level up your professionalism and lead with confidence? Learn more about Florida Leadership Academy and how you can join.
What is the Florida Leadership Academy?
You’ll learn about Emotionally Intelligent Leadership from prominent industry professionals while putting theory into practice through a business case competition as well as community service opportunities.
For 10 Fridays each semester, you’ll join other top sophomores for a three-hour session led by an inspiring professional from a different sector. Assigned a mentor from the previous class, you’ll also develop a peer network — a group to consult with about your personal growth, academic goals, involvement opportunities and career objectives.
After graduating from Florida Leadership Academy, you have the opportunity to return as a mentor or Innovation Committee member in your junior year to further your leadership development while giving back to the next mentee class.
Career development
A strong leader, collaborator, and communicator: Job advertisements nearly always seek these attributes. The Florida Leadership Academy shows you how they build off each other and help you achieve your professional dreams.
Acquire transferable skills
Progress from initiator to idea-generator and ideal employee. You’ll practice core leadership competencies in hands-on activities integrated into every session and then on campus, around Gainesville, and eventually in your career.
Explore emotionally intelligent leadership
In sessions and with your peer network, you’ll analyze the behaviors of effective leaders and get situation- and industry-specific advice from professionals who steer their respective organizations. These examples give you the framework to gradually assume these qualities yourself.
Establish your network
Every leader turns to a mentor — and often acts as a mentor themselves. In addition to meetings with your peer group, Friday sessions include a networking luncheon to connect with visiting speakers, other mentors and mentees, advisory board members, sponsors, and UF alumni.
Professional polish
Professionalism — punctuality, attire, time management, and accountability — is the foundation of leadership and career success. Professional habits develop over time through intentional and consistent practice. The Florida Leadership Academy challenges you to put your best professional food forward each week over the course of one year, helping you become someone others will seek to emulate.
Career readiness
Activities, case competitions, and community involvement allow you to grow as a critical thinker, communicator, and problem solver and understand these skills as pillars of leadership.
Make your plan
Share your dreams and how you intend to achieve them while getting actionable feedback from your peer group and mentor.
Business ethics
“What’s the significance of this decision?” Leaders in the present routinely ask themselves this question, taking performance, their workforce, their community, and their industry into account.
Create your code of ethics
The standards a leader sets for themselves — honesty, integrity, transparency, and authenticity — become the standard they set for their organization and industry peers. Realizing your own leadership entails defining and adhering to your own values, and you’ll start to do that here.
Put your values into practice
Business simulations and discussions let you take note of how professionals establish their values and how their compass shapes organizational decisions, culture, relationships, and impact.
Civic engagement
Leaders look beyond themselves to lift up and enrich others’ lives. You’ll act upon this ethos as a mentor and by getting involved in the UF and greater Gainesville community.
Change maker in progress
The guidance you give encourages others to grow. As you advance in the program, you’ll help your mentees discover who they are as leaders and embrace your passions to spark change — be it on a Florida Leadership Academy committee or through community service.
Foundation for corporate responsibility
From creating jobs to conserving resources, businesses deliver a direct benefit to their immediate communities. Championing responsible leadership, the Florida Leadership Academy directs students to empower others on campus and throughout the Gainesville area.
Our partnerships
Florida Leadership Academy students searching for ways to get involved benefit from Warrington’s partnerships with GNV Bridge, GROW HUB and Project Makeover.
Who we are
Take a look at our current leadership pipeline in action! Beginning with our sophomore mentees who get to experience FLA for one academic year with the support of a mentor and fellow mentee group members each semester. After graduating from the program, mentees have the opportunity to strengthen their leadership as mentors or innovation committee members in their junior year. Finally, our members can steer the program’s direction in their senior year as a director or member of our advisory board.
The mentee class is composed of driven second-year students who participate in weekly sessions, attend socials, civic engagements, workshops, and alumni events. Mentees attend Friday sessions with their mentor groups, consisting of four to five mentees and one mentor with whom they will compete in the case competition. Mentees also have the opportunity to apply their leadership skills by serving on a committee.
- Aarohi Bali
- Aayana Baid
- Abigail Lee
- Addison Mackert
- Alexander Macko
- Allison Giraldo
- Alma Rosen
- Alyssa Lowenfish
- Amanda Shimony
- Anthony Giallella
- Anvita Gutha
- Avery Hearshman
- Aydan Barry
- Ben Krinninger
- Brady Batz
- Brayden Bunn
- Brian Barr
- Brittney Andres
- Camila Labarca
- Carlos Condori
- Carly Austin
- Carson Huegerich
- Charlotte Hughes
- Chloe Manzo
- Claudia Cramer
- Cole Capuzzi
- Colton Swain
- Connor McGee
- Dalton Huller
- Daniela Souferian
- Davyn Shannon
- Daxton Martin
- Elle Czop
- Emilia Bechalany
- Emily Dashtaki
- Emily Matthes
- Emma Horncastle
- Erik Sandler
- Evon Tran
- Gabriella (Gabby) Ales
- Gabrielle Flannery
- Gavin Neumann
- Gia Patel
- Gino Schiano
- Grant Feldman
- Hailey Groff
- Heidi Lacombe
- Helen Chen
- Holt Schechtel
- Isaac Garonzik
- Jayden Thorne
- Jenna Fang
- John Rubbo
- Joshua Wiener
- Julia Shamosh
- Kashvi Desai
- Kaylee Yaw
- Kendall Kane
- Kyle Scharlau
- Lauren Berman
- Leah Paley
- Lia Prosperino
- Liam Astbury
- Lila Smejkal
- Lila Solie
- Lilianna Nunez
- Lily Jones
- Lisa Steinberg
- Lisa Yegorova
- Logan Bohn
- Lucas LaPrade
- Luke Ming
- Maddison Schapiro
- Madelyn Sands
- Madison Babb
- Madison Williams
- Margaux Cenac
- Mariana Casillas
- Mason Alexander
- Matan Fellows
- Matthew Goodman
- May McMahon
- McCoy Penland
- Meena Annamalai
- Meghan Lay
- Melina Fernandez
- Natalie Schwartz
- Nicole Cohen
- Nicole Mayo
- Nicole Rogoff
- Olivia Landstein
- Owen Mineau
- Raelyn Henson
- Raquel Tepper
- Rebecca Danon
- Reese Hoegler
- Riley Zhou
- Ross Virdin
- Sage Knaub
- Samantha Brown
- Samantha Yoel
- Sara Shorts
- Sienna LaPaglia
- Sophia Gartenlaub
- Stefen Cammarata
- Steven Dubin
- Tarini Popuri
- Trevor Lombardi
- Valentina Granda
- Vivienne McGaha
Mentors are juniors who graduated FLA and now facilitate the FLA experience for small groups of mentees. Mentors attend weekly sessions with their groups, providing guidance, encouragement, and resources to help them develop personally, academically, and professionally. Mentors also attend socials, civic engagements, alumni events, and workshops. Mentors are eligible to serve as Assistant Directors for one of the four committees, where they assist the respective directors in leading a committee.
- August Baier
- Benjamin Cabanas-Miller
Global & Cultural Intelligence AD - Caitlin Falkowski
- Colin Olcott
Recruitment AD - Jack Gilvary
- Janie Akers
Civic Engagement AD - Landry Kelley
- Madison Hatfield
Recruitment AD - Max Kaplan
- Meghna Kakodker
- Nicole Chen
- Olivia Hughes
Networking AD - Rahul Karpur
- Riley Mayforth
Marketing AD - Ryan Bomersbach
Recruitment AD - Saakshi Raina
- Sophie Roland
- Terren Smith
- Tess Turcu
Networking AD - Tristan Stavish
The innovation committee is a team of juniors who graduated FLA and now strive to ignite change within the program. Innovation focuses on internal communication and projects that provide all FLA members with opportunities for professional and personal growth during their journey. Innovation projects include the mentee and alumni newsletters, our Microsoft Teams dashboard and directory, the mentor retreat, and workshops.
- Adriana Roth
Book Club, Marketing AD - Alayna Pearson
Newsletters - Alexandra Mancuso
Intramural Sports - Alexandrea Tzelepis
Leadership Training - Amelia Whipple
Leadership Training - Angelina Yao
Workshops - Cailyn Puig
Technology - Carter Mui
Corporate Relations - Danielle Swenson
Book Club - Ella Gibson
Corporate Relations - Gianna Guerrero
Newsletters, Global & Cultural Intelligence AD - Hallie Goldstein
Corporate Relations - Janey Jones
Workshops - Julia Levi
Corporate Relations - Lila Evans
Workshops - Marianna Innocenti
Newsletters - Max Sard
Intramural Sports - Maya Kunis
Newsletters - Maya Richards
Leadership Training - Mysha Khan
Leadership Training, Civic Engagement AD - Riav Gavadin
Workshops - Sebastian Lescher
Intramural Sports - Stella McLaney
Technology - Tyler Tyson
Technology, Administration AD
FLAAB members are graduates of FLA who have given back as mentors or Innovation members during their junior year and now serve as a resource to younger members of the program. FLAAB members share their wisdom and experiences, and some coordinate a project within the program.
- Abby Kloss
General - Alyssa Abraham
General - Ava LaRocco
General - Ava Mariani
General - Avery Thieman
Project Manager of Leadership Training - Bella Castagnola-Blaikie
Project Manager of Newsletters - Cooper Beard
General - Ella Zucchero
General - Haley Randolph
General - Isobelle Evjen
General - Jackie Marks
Project Manager of Book Club - Jaliyah Brown
General - Jillian Cranney
Project Manager of Insight Sessions - Jordan Birnbaum
Project Manager of Warrington Welcome Professional Development Summit - Joseph Gonzalez
Project Manager of Intramurals - Julia Scarton
FLAAB Chair - Justin Hall
Project Manager of Insight Sessions - Mason Silverstein
General - Mell Vigoa Campa
Project Manager of Warrington Welcome Professional Development Summit - Michael Iacono
General - Morgan Schneider
Project Manager of Workshops - Priya Patel
General - Ryan Moye
Project Manager of Think Tanks - Shane Allicock
General - Skylar Bons
General - Stephany Arias
Project Manager of Technology - Virginia Broughton
Project Manager of Corporate Relations
Directors are graduates of FLA who have given back as mentors or Innovation members during their junior year and selflessly dedicate their senior year to managing major components of FLA’s programming while leading their respective committees.
Chief of Staff
Our Chief of Staff oversees all aspects of the program and strives to create an impactful experience for every student in FLA by encouraging members to maximize their growth and leave a positive mark on FLA, Warrington, and UF.
Director of Innovation
Our Director of Innovation spearheads novel projects and resources designed to continuously improve FLA.
Director of Networking
Our Director of Networking hosts fun social events that help connect members and build a FLAmily culture, as well as alumni events to foster professional relationships between current and past members of the program.
Director of Marketing
Our Director of Marketing upholds and communicates the FLA brand while supporting all programming through engaging content creation.
Director of Civic Engagement
Our Director of Civic Engagement provides intentional opportunities for members to give back to the local Gainesville community and practice servant leadership.
Director of Recruitment
Our Director of Recruitment strives to attract a diverse class of aspiring leaders by generating awareness of and enthusiasm for FLA through broad outreach and events.
Director of Global Cultural Intelligence
Our director of Global Cultural Intelligence ensures our members are educated and well-versed on international practices and opportunities in the business world through engaging events and collaborative initiatives.
Committees
Make your voice and views heard as you develop key initiatives for and promote the Florida Leadership Academy. Participating in a committee allows you to oversee projects, act on new ideas, and forge important ties with your peers and the program’s leaders.
Please note: Committee recruitment is a selective process within FLA that occurs in the summer after FLA induction. Mentees can apply and interview for a spot on one of four committees.
Strengthen the “FLAmily” culture by creating opportunities for current and past members to connect on a personal level. You’ll organize fun and purposeful relationship-building events that bring morning and afternoon session participants together. Plus you will invite and host members of our extensive alumni network on campus to talk about their careers, post-graduation experiences, and the impact of FLA on their journey.
Current members: Sara Molloy, Lola Plasencia, Melissa Garcet, Hallie Goldstein, Amelia Whipple, Olivia Martinez, Olivia Hughes
Foster our community partnerships while practicing servant leadership around campus. You’ll manage and strengthen relationships with GROW HUB, GNV Bridge, and other organizations while honing skills in problem-solving, communication, and project management.
Current members: Jonah Sacher, Mason Silverstein, Alyssa Abraham, Jordan Birnbaum, Julia Levi, Benjamin Cabanas-Miller, Mysha Khan, Janie Akers, Kate Adams, Nicole Gheiler, August Baier, Jack Gilvary
Lead our organization’s promotional strategy by managing our online presence and on-campus image. You’ll creatively document events, manage our social media accounts, develop outreach and promotional content, and design our program’s marketing materials and merchandise.
Current members: Angelina Fentress, Skylar Bons, Sophia Caram, Adriana Roth, Ella Papanikolaou, Kaycie Peppelman, Maya Kunis, Tess Turcu
The recruitment committee shapes the future of the Florida Leadership Academy by identifying and engaging the next class of mentees. Members design and lead recruitment events, build outreach strategies, and promote FLA’s brand across campus to attract motivated, high-potential students. The committee also engages the larger Warrington community by orchestrating four major recruitment events, overseeing the spring interview cycle, and connecting with prospective participants.
Current members: Mallika Baweja, Enslie Lloyd, Jillian Cranney, Kyle Silvestain, Sebastian Lescher, Nicole Chen, Siddharth Kumar, Sophie Roland, Landry Kelley, Ryan Bomersbach
The global and cultural intelligence (GCI) committee helps FLA members develop into thoughtful, globally minded leaders that employers seek to hire by building cultural awareness, adaptability, and empathy. Global and cultural intelligence is the ability to engage individuals from diverse cultural and social backgrounds by understanding different norms and practices and navigating intercultural environments with sensitivity and respect. This committee brings a global perspective to everything that happens in FLA and works to build an organization where all members feel connected to the wider world.
Current members: Meghana Reddy, Raisa Rahman, Chloe Fan, Terrence Smith, Jade de Bem Fleury, Pablo Fernandez Montoya, Mana Fisher
What is emotionally intelligent leadership?
FLA uses principles from the Emotionally Intelligent Leadership model developed by Marcy Levy Shankman, Scott J. Allen, and Paige Haber-Curran. EIL consists of three overarching facets and 19 capacities that equip individuals with the knowledge, skills, perspectives and attitudes to achieve desired leadership outcomes.
Emotional self-perception: Identifying emotions and their influence on behavior. Emotional self-perception is about describing, naming and understanding your emotions. Emotionally intelligent leaders are aware of how situations influence emotions and how emotions affect interactions with others.
Emotional self-control: Consciously moderating emotions. Emotional self-control means intentionally managing your emotions and understanding how and when to demonstrate them appropriately. Emotionally intelligent leaders take responsibility for regulating their emotions and are not victims of them.
Authenticity: Being transparent and trustworthy. Authenticity is about developing credibility, being transparent and aligning words with actions. Emotionally intelligent leaders live their values and present themselves and their motives in an open and honest manner.
Healthy self-esteem: Having a balanced sense of self. Healthy self-esteem is about balancing confidence in your abilities with humility. Emotionally intelligent leaders are resilient and remain confident when faced with setbacks and challenges.
Flexibility: Being open and adaptive to change. Flexibility is about adapting your approach and style based on changing circumstances. Emotionally intelligent leaders seek input and feedback from others and adjust accordingly.
Optimism: Having a positive outlook. Optimism is about setting a positive tone for the future. Emotionally intelligent leaders use optimism to foster hope and generate energy.
Initiative: Taking action. Initiative means being a self-starter and being motivated to take the first step. Emotionally intelligent leaders are ready to take action, demonstrate interest, and capitalize on opportunities.
Achievement: Striving for excellence. Achievement is about setting high personal standards and getting results. Emotionally intelligent leaders strive to improve and are motivated by an internal drive to succeed.
Displaying empathy: Being emotionally in tune with others. Empathy is about perceiving and addressing the emotions of others. Emotionally intelligent leaders place a high value on the feelings of others and respond to their emotional cues.
Inspiring others: Energizing individuals and groups. Inspiration occurs when people are excited about a better future. Emotionally intelligent leaders foster feelings of enthusiasm and commitment to the organizational mission, vision, and goals.
Coaching others: Enhancing the skills and abilities of others. Coaching is about helping others enhance their skills, talents, and abilities. Emotionally intelligent leaders know they cannot do everything themselves and create opportunities for others to develop.
Capitalizing on difference: Benefitting from multiple perspectives. Capitalizing on difference means recognizing that our unique identities, perspectives, and experiences are assets, not barriers. Emotionally intelligent leaders appreciate and use difference as an opportunity to create a broader perspective.
Developing relationships: Building a network of trusting relationships. Developing relationships means creating meaningful connections. Emotionally intelligent leaders encourage opportunities for relationships to grow and develop.
Building teams: Working with others to accomplish a shared purpose. Building teams is about effectively communicating, creating a shared purpose, and clarifying roles to get results. Emotionally intelligent leaders foster group cohesion and develop a sense of “we.”
Demonstrating citizenship: Fulfilling responsibilities to the group. Citizenship is about being actively engaged and following through on your commitments. Emotionally intelligent leaders meet their ethical and moral obligations for the benefit of others and the larger purpose.
Managing conflict: Identifying and resolving conflict. Managing conflict is about working through differences to facilitate the group process. Emotionally intelligent leaders skillfully and confidently address conflicts to find the best solution.
Facilitating change: Working toward new directions. Facilitating change is about advancing ideas and initiatives through innovation and creativity. Emotionally intelligent leaders seek to improve on the status quo and mobilize others toward a better future.
Analyzing the group: Interpreting group dynamics. Analyzing the group is about recognizing that values, rules, rituals, and internal politics play a role in every group. Emotionally intelligent leaders know how to diagnose, interpret, and address these dynamics.
Assessing the environment: Interpreting external forces and trends. Assessing the environment is about recognizing the social, cultural, economic, and political forces that influence leadership. Emotionally intelligent leaders use their awareness of the external environment to lead effectively.
How to apply
Leaders don’t just emerge — they’re cultivated, refining their approach one experience at a time. Applying to the Florida Leadership Academy lets you embark on this pursuit now, so you graduate with a strong, workforce-ready leadership foundation.
FLA is a transformational program that requires a significant investment of time and energy. Selected mentees must be able to commit an average of five hours per week in their Fall and Spring semesters.
- Attend 10 engaging Friday sessions and lunches each semester (three hours per week).
- Meet individually with your mentor, our program director, and FLAAB members.
- Participate in one Social and one Civic Engagement event each semester.
- Participate in one Workshop and one Alumni Event in separate semesters.
- Apply developed leadership and professional skills in a Fall case competition.
- Attend our Spring Graduation and Induction Ceremony.
Applicants must meet all listed eligibility criteria by the date and time applications close. Applications that fail to meet one or more criteria will not be forwarded to the selection committee for review. By submitting an application, applicants agree to release their academic records and discipline records to the selection committee.
- 3.0 UF GPA
- Business or accounting major
- Entering sophomore year upon application
- Be on campus for the Fall and Spring semesters of your sophomore year
Each eligible applicant will be reviewed and scored by a selection committee consisting of Heavener staff members and FLA Advisory Board members. This criteria will be used to score applicants:
- Academic excellence
- Demonstrated leadership initiative
- Commitment to personal and professional development
- Compelling and professional application materials
Applications for FLA Class XXIII open on January 13, 2026 and close on February 17th at noon. If you have further questions regarding the application process after reviewing the following, please reach out to Mallika, our Director of Recruitment.
In this application, you will be asked to upload a screenshot of your resume in VMock, with required elements showing. Follow the VMock instructions now so your screenshot will be ready for uploading.
Applications open January 13th.
Interested in joining FLA? Stay tuned!
Recruitment events for Mentee Class XXIV will be announced in August 2026, and applications will open in Spring 2027.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact our Director of Recruitment Derya.
Meaningful experiences
“You may have joined FLA for the professional development and opportunities it offers — but it’s the people who will make every bit of your time and commitment truly worth it. The friends, supporters, and mentors you meet will be in your corner for life. They’ll push you to grow and remind you of your ‘why’ when things get tough.”
Angelina Fentress (BSAc ‘26)
“Step out of your comfort zone! Be comfortable with the uncomfortable — because that’s truly how you grow. Take initiative, put yourself out there, and don’t be afraid to start conversations. Network and build friendships with every level of FLA; everyone genuinely wants to meet you and be there for you.”
Mallika Baweja (BSBA ‘26)
Upcoming recruitment events
Attend our upcoming events to get to know the FLAmily while learning more about FLA and the application process!
Contact us
Lisa D’Souza
Program Director & Advisor
Director, Leadership & Experiential Programs
352-273-0165
Email Lisa