Palm Beach Gardens Lving - April 2026

12 PA L M B E A C H G A R D E N S L I V I N G | A P R I L 2 0 2 6 Building Tomorrow’s Workforce Today BUSINESS PROFILE N ot long ago, I sat with a local employer who said something that stuck with me. “We’re growing,” they told me. “The opportunity is here. I just need to know the talent will be here too.” That conversation wasn’t unique. I hear versions of it every week. Across Palm Beach County, businesses are expanding, innovating, and investing. But alongside that growth is a shared concern: how do we ensure the next generation of professionals is prepared and chooses to build their future right here at home? Workforce development isn’t just a business issue. It’s a community issue. It’s about whether our students see opportunity here. It’s about whether our employers feel supported, and ultimately, it’s about whether our region moves forward together. That’s why the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce is launching Collegiate Leadership Palm Beach. This initiative was born from a simple belief: we cannot wait until graduation to introduce students to the workforce. If we want to retain talent, we must engage early. - By Noel Martinez, Chair, Florida Association of Chamber Professionals; President & CEO, Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce - - Photos provided by Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce - Collegiate Leadership Palm Beach connects college students directly to the industries driving our regional economy. Through curated site visits, industry panels, and direct interaction with hiring employers, students gain firsthand exposure to healthcare, technology, hospitality, finance, marine industries, advanced manufacturing, and more. But exposure alone isn’t enough. Today’s employers consistently tell us they are looking for emerging professionals who understand workplace expectations, can communicate effectively, think critically, and lead with confidence. That’s why this program emphasizes both hard and soft skill development, from budgeting and interviewing to professional presence and leadership growth. We are not just informing students. We are preparing them. And we are not doing it alone. Collegiate Leadership Palm Beach is led by a dedicated task force co-chaired by Corey Sabin and Palm Beach County Commissioner Maria Marino, whose leadership exemplifies the