Darla has more than 20 years of experience in everything from corporate sales and operations to leadership development. She currently runs Darla Bonk Consulting, and, with her husband, Architectural Metal Flashings. Two more biographical nuggets: She’s a Fort Myers city councilwoman and she hosts a weekly podcast, “On Your Way.” On this episode, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Darla talked about her diverse and winding career, what she learned from her parents about leadership — who have been married for 70 years — and how the power of being intentional in all her communications has helped be a better leader.

3 Takeaways:

1. (08:15) Listen for cues to get consensus
2. (14:00) Leaders need the ability to pivot
3. (15:30) Communication is everything

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Darla Bonk, CEO and founder, Darla Bonk Consulting

(07:45) What did you learn about leadership being on the City Council?

(10:15) Learning from leaders in Darla Bonk Consulting

(11:30) Growing up as Darla Bonk

(13:50) What do you look for in leaders?

(15:25) Leadership advice

(16:00) Storytelling in leadership

(17:00) Balance short term wins and long term planning

(18:10) Imposter syndrome

(19:00) Lessons from her parents

(20:45) Darla’s leadership legacy

(21:30) Darla Bonk in 2026

Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more.

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Jennifer Grondahl has been with the Baltimore Orioles since 2018, splitting her time between Maryland and the team’s spring training home in Sarasota. Prior to the Orioles, she was president of the YMCA Foundation of Sarasota; founded and ran a marketing and events company in Sarasota; and was the executive director of the American Cancer Society. On this episode, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Jennifer talked about her passion for cooking, mistakes she’s learned the most from, overcoming Imposter Syndrome leading with love, her mentors — and notably, her passion for cooking.

3 Takeaways:

1. (13:45) Every leader needs humility
2. (14:45) Take feedback
3. (17:40) Communication is the key to everything

Timestamps:

(00:00) Jennifer Grondahl, Senior Vice President of Communications, Baltimore Orioles

(06:00) What have you learned from David Rubenstein?

(08:35) Jennifer growing up

(09:50) Jennifer’s career trajectory

(11:05) Learning from mistakes

(13:30) What does every leader need?

(17:40) How do you handle conflict?

(18:50) Handling imposter syndrome

(21:50) Leadership advice

(23:00) What is coming in 2026?

Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more.

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Andrew Wright is the founder of three companies: Franklin Street, a full-service commercial real estate firm with more than $7 billion in transaction volume over 20 years; private equity firm Ally Capital Group; and Next Level Brands, a hospitality/dining company. On this episode, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Andrew talked about his humble and blue-collar origin story, which led him to put a premium on work ethic and hustle. They also talked about what he looks for in leaders and his biggest investment regrets.

3 Takeaways

1. (10:44) Anchor in your vision, but not at the expense of personal integrity
2. (13:04) Leaders need to be the guarantor of culture
3. (17:04) Profit and growth are often on opposite ends of the spectrum

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Andrew Wright, founder and chairman, Franklin Street

(06:44) What are you primarily working on right now?

(08:44) What does leadership mean to you?

(10:44) Holding people accountable

(13:19) Leadership advice

(16:44) Decisions that shaped Franklin Street

(18:24) Being patient

(22:14) Storytelling in leadership

(23:19) Anything you would want a mulligan on?

(25:49) What are you looking forward to in 2026?

Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more.

Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.