Business leaders chart Jacksonville’s path to prosperity at Invest: leadership summit
Writer:Pablo Marquez
March 2025 — As Greater Jacksonville cements its reputation as one of Florida’s fastest-growing markets, regional business leaders came together at the latest Invest: leadership and networking conference to shape the city’s future and explore new opportunities for growth.
Three panels of industry experts were held at the Invest: Jacksonville 4th Edition Launch Conference on Tuesday, March 11, at the Adam W. Herbert University Center, located in the campus premises of the University of North Florida. Discussions focused on smart investment strategies to meet the needs of a growing Jacksonville, unlocking the untapped potential of the city’s neighborhoods, and actions needed to strengthen the region’s financial landscape.
This business conference brought together over 250 industry executives, elected officials, and business leaders for an early morning of networking and engaging conversations on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the region.
In her opening statement, Abby Lindenberg, founder and CEO of caa, reflected on the company’s decade-long commitment to promoting economic growth and investment in Jacksonville, across Florida, and throughout the United States. “I’m very proud to be presenting the 4th edition of the Invest: Jacksonville report. Our company’s mission is to highlight economic investment in the region, as well as the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead,” she said.
Lindenberg also stressed some of the main strengths and virtues that make Jacksonville thrive. “Thank you for letting us tell Jacksonville’s story through your eyes and vision. The city presents a robust business environment, a highly engaged authority, and a diversified economy,” she said.
The opening keynote was delivered by Dr. Moez Limayem, president of the University of North Florida. “The key word today is invest. At UNF, we have great talent from our students. We will make sure to provide them with the right skills and education so that they can answer the call to eventually become the professional and hard-working labor force that Jacksonville needs,” he said.
The first panel, “New Neighbors, New Opportunities: Smart investment strategies to meet the needs of a growing Jacksonville,” focused on the steady influx of people into the Jacksonville metro area, and how this continuous increase in population opens new investment opportunities. Moderated by Sara Holladay, office managing partner for Jacksonville at McGuireWoods, the panel featured Jessica Shepler, SVP of public affairs at the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, Robert Peek, chief commercial officer of the Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT), and Diana Donovan, executive director of the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville.
Panelists discussed how regional growth continues to be a recurring topic of conversation when it comes to transportation, logistics, and culture. Shepler highlighted the importance of improving transportation in order to meet the needs of a growing Jacksonville. “We’ve stayed on top of road maintenance and repairs, we aim to provide better transportation options by connecting the city via the Emerald Trail. Mobility, autonomous vehicles, housing initiatives, affordability, and public-private partnerships will be key aspects of our work moving forward,” she said.
The second panel, “Unlocking Value: Exploring the untapped potential of Jacksonville’s neighborhoods,” delved deeper into activating the potential of underserved and underdeveloped communities in downtown Jacksonville. Moderated by Paul Thompson, Florida managing partner at Forvis Mazars, the panel featured Nasreen Ali, past president of the Jacksonville Real Estate Investors Association, Brittany Culbreth, president and co-owner of Emerald C’s Development Inc., and Matthew Marshall, senior vice president of development at RISE.
The discussion centered around promoting affordable housing, preserving historic buildings, empowering residents, and enriching local communities. Ali focused on many aspects that are pushing Jacksonville’s revitalization efforts forward. “We must promote business and development in all of Jacksonville’s neighborhoods by making them more accessible. Affordable housing and mixed-use has been successfully brought to the Eastside neighborhood, a shining example of revitalization in Jacksonville,” she said.
The final panel, “Financial Evolution: Lessons learned from market uncertainty, and action needed to strengthen Jacksonville’s financial landscape,” covered uncertainty surrounding financial markets in recent years and strategies moving forward to strengthen the city’s financial stability and solidify its economic future. Moderated by caa’s Lindenberg, the panel included Jeyssa Fernandez, senior vice president of First Citizens Bank & Trust Company, D. Samuel Inman, president and CEO of the Community First Credit Union of Florida, and Martha Rabbitt, partner at Shutts & Bowen LLP.
“We make sure that both our employees and clients are wary of potential cyber and fraud scams. We have internal measures and programs to work against this rising threat,” said Inman, as other speakers highlighted the need for fostering better relationships with clients and key stakeholders during these uncertain times.
To access the Invest: Jacksonville 4th Edition report, click here. (Subscription required.)
For conference panel discussions, please subscribe and stay tuned to our YouTube Channel as those videos are released in the coming week.
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About caa & Invest: Jacksonville
caa is an integrated media platform that produces in-depth business intelligence through its annual print and digital economic reviews, high-impact conferences and events and top-level interviews via its video platform, Invest: Insights.
Invest: Jacksonville is an in-depth economic review of the key issues facing the region’s economy, featuring the exclusive insights of prominent regional leaders. Invest: Jacksonville is produced with two goals in mind: 1) to provide comprehensive investment knowledge on Jacksonville and the greater region for local, national and international investors, and 2) to promote Jacksonville and Northeast Florida as a place to invest and do business.
The report conducts a deep dive into the top economic sectors in the region, including real estate, construction, infrastructure, banking and finance, legal, healthcare, education and tourism. The publication is compiled from insights collected from more than 200 economic leaders, sector insiders, political leaders and heads of important institutions. It analyzes the leading challenges facing the market and uncovers emerging opportunities for investors, entrepreneurs and innovators.
For more information, contact:
Jerrica DuBois
Senior Editor
305-523-9708 Ext 261
