Each week on “On a Mission” we talk to community leaders who are out to make a positive impact in the area. Today, our host Wendy Norfleet talks to Belkys Stallings from Northeast Florida ATD.

ATD NEFL is Northeast Florida’s premier professional organization for workplace learning and performance improvement professionals.

To learn more, visit https://atdnefl.org

Short company description: ATD NEFL is Northeast Florida’s premier professional organization for workplace learning and performance improvement professionals. ATD NEFL provides members with the knowledge, skills, tools, and resources necessary to ensure ongoing professional development and the ability to deliver exceptional value to their organizations in workplace learning and performance.

Security First Insurance is one of the largest homeowner’s insurance companies in Florida. We serve hundreds of thousands of Floridians, placing customers at the core of what we do. Our promise to you is that we will stand by our values and remain devoted to Florida storm after storm, year after year. ®

What makes your company unique?: ATD NEFL is the hub for any talent development professional interested in developing themselves and others. Our board is made up of 100% volunteers that love what we do. Bringing our members together and connecting what we do to organizations and the community is heart’s lives. Building the community connection is so important to us that we added a VP of community engagement to our board roster this year.

Security First is unique because when all the big insurance companies left Floridians stranded without insurance, SFI stepped in. Storm after storm, year after year.®

How do you define success?: I gauge my success through the success of others. Whether small wins or large, success does not happen overnight and being part of someone else’s achievements inspires me to do more.

Who in the industry inspires you and why?: This is a huge question. How do you choose? We have so many inspiring people in Jacksonville and Florida making a difference every day. At the beginning of my career, I discovered John C. Maxwell. Working for UPS as a part-time supervisor, and wanted to make a more significant impact on my team. As the only female (at the time), I felt like I had something to prove. The 17 Essential Qualities of a Team Player became my bible. “Completing one another is more important than competing with one another” is one of my favorite quotes and has brought me to where I am today.

What is a tip for success that you would provide someone in your same industry?: Never stop learning. How can you help develop others if you are not developing yourself? Join an association like ATD NEFL, get a certification or license, read, read, read, whatever suits you, and network, of course.

What excites you most about your industry?: At ATD NEFL, I have watched how quickly talent development professionals adapted to the new world during covid. More than ever, professionals in other areas are looking to transition into talent development, many the teachers. We are welcoming them with open arms. We are also innovating new ways to reach our learners for our organizations. Lastly, I am finding that there are many I/O psychologists in the Talent Development world, and that is exciting to me.

What is the biggest challenge you think you or your organization is going to face in the upcoming year?: Change. Change is hard. Everyone is redefining what work means to them, and organizations are redefining who they are and what they stand for. I know it’s not sexy or new, but true.