Cultivate, Navigate, and Elevate Leadership Roles
Friday, September 6, 2024
Uma Sarmistha, Ph.D.
Senior Planner, City of Newberry
Adjunct
Faculty, University of Florida
Uma Sarmistha, Ph.D. - Moderator
Senior Planner, City of Newberry
Adjunct Faculty, University of Florida
Over 10 years of experience
Publish Author : Transnational Immigrants: Redefining Identity and Citizenship; Published by Springer
Traveled more than 10 countries around the world, 30 states in the USA
Danni Jorgenson, PE, AICP
Senior Transportation Planner, H. W. Lochner
Over 15 years of experience
Was the commencement speaker at my UF graduation. Tim Tebow was there!
My husband and I took off over a month and traveled to Turkey, Greece, and Israel
Steven Cover, AICP
Director of Planning, City of Sarasota
Over 43 years of experience
Was a professional joke writer for comedians
Played trombone in a symphony orchestra that performed throughout Europe, including playing in Notre Dame Cathedral
Heather Urwiller, AICP, CFM
Senior Planner, LPG Urban and Regional
Planners
Over 22 years of experience
Published author. The only Planner featured in the book Beyond the Fracking Wars, published by the American Bar Association.
Finished the San Francisco Marathon in 2019
Planner to Leader
Clarence Sirmons, AICP
Director of Development Services, City of Riviera Beach
Over 15 years of experience
Have visited 6 of 7 continents!
Performed during the Super Bowl halftime with Prince in 2004
Mapping Your Career Trajectory
Section 1
Tips
● Personal journey from planning to leadership
○ What were some key milestones?
○ Did you experience any challenges for being different?
○ What was a pivotal decision you made that led you to a leadership role?
○ What skills did you develop that has been useful in your leadership role?
Building Collaborative Networks
Section 2
Tips
● Fostering collaboration within the planning sphere
○ What is a successful networking strategy you have used?
○ How can emerging planners be encouraged to actively participate in networking?
○ How do you foster a culture of openness and mutual respect in peer-to-peer interactions, especially when dealing with diverse viewpoints?
○ What challenges have you faced when trying to expand your professional network?
■ How have you overcome them?
Overcoming Adversity in Leadership
Section 3
Tips
● Facing and overcoming challenges in leadership roles
○ Any problem-solving tips you would like to share that has helped you throughout your career.
○ How do you stay positive and resilient in a demanding leadership role?
○ What steps do you take to promote diversity in your team?
Questions for the Panelists
Closing Remarks
