TMA Nation—ARE YOU FIRED UP?!
Happy Saturday, and welcome to CEO Speaks on Saturday, March 8, 2025. This event is proudly sponsored by Second Wind Consultants, which specializes in Article 9, out-of-court transactional restructurings.
March is here, and that means one thing—Women’s History Month. And let me tell you, BIG things are happening at TMA!
This week, TMA Global President Rachael Smiley and I had the absolute thrill of joining the TMA Florida Chapter in Orlando for the spectacular launch of the chapter’s Network of Women (NOW), spearheaded by the amazing former chapter president Lilies Lanway.
Kicking off this electrifying event was a powerful fireside chat, Beyond the Annual Check-up: Understanding Drivers of Mental and Financial Health. This session dug deep into the crucial connection between mental and financial well-being and how both play a huge role in long-term success.
Moderated by Lilies Lanway, the panel featured Dr. Roma Palcan, a psychologist with over 30 years of experience, and Simone Vinocour, a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley. These two powerhouse women delivered invaluable insights and real-world strategies to help women confidently take charge of their financial futures.
But wait—there was more. After the panel, the energy ramped up even higher as the red carpet rolled out for a dazzling fashion show, showcasing designs by local women-owned fashion icon Jackie Zumba. And guess what? Among the 18 fabulous TMA ‘models hitting the runway were none other than Rachael Smiley and me! Talk about a launch to remember!
And speaking of NOW, get ready because registration is officially OPEN for the 2025 TMA Global Network of Women Summit. And this year—we’re taking over NASHVILLE, TN.
That’s right, the women of TMA Nation are headed to Music City, where they’ll rock, roll, and reunite in the most dynamic and empowering way possible. As co-chair, Michelle Salazar-Rosenbloom so perfectly put it, ‘A guaranteed grand time in Nashville—a city that will never be the same once the women of TMA leave!’ Trust me, knowing the incredible women of TMA is a FACT.
This two-day, high-energy experience is set to be off the charts, featuring an unforgettable opening reception at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, line dancing on Broadway, and of course, dynamic panel discussions and high-impact networking. It’s yet another shining example of why membership in TMA is THE key to lifelong success—because the relationships built here last forever.
As Sheryl Sandberg once said, ‘We need women at all levels, including the top, to change the dynamic, reshape the conversation, and make sure women’s voices are heard and heeded.’And at TMA, we live by that. Women’s leadership is not just important—it’s MISSION-CRITICAL to fostering inclusivity and innovation in our industry.
But beyond the TMA networking and business—we are about the triumph of the human spirit. This week, the TMA Florida Chapter had the honor of hearing the incredible story of retired Army Sergeant Rick Cicero. After losing an arm and a leg in an explosion while on patrol in Afghanistan, Rick turned adversity into an opportunity, becoming a passionate advocate for veterans. His resilience, determination, and unbreakable positivity serve as a shining inspiration to us all—proving that innovation and strength can rebuild lives in ways we never imagined.
A huge shoutout to TMA Florida Chapter President Rob Foland and the entire board for bringing this phenomenal story to their conference. As TMA member Paul Fioravanti, CTP, put it best, ‘TMA is as much about transformation as it is about turning challenges into opportunities, and Rick embodies that spirit every single day.’
And lastly, today on this segment of Member Moments—a special shoutout to longtime TMA Philadelphia-Wilmington member and global leaders Rob Katz, CTP, and his wife, Stacey.
In a truly incredible act of generosity, Rob and Stacey personally sponsored a young woman at the FL NOW launch, covering her participation AND ensuring she had a stunning outfit from designer Jackie Zumba to walk the runway in style. As Rob said so perfectly, ‘What could be better than paying it forward for the next generation?’ Rob and Stacey, your kindness and commitment to TMA’s community is truly inspiring—thank you for showing what the TMA spirit is all about.
As always, THANKS for tuning in today. And a huge thanks to our exclusive TMA CEO Speaks sponsor Second Wind Consultants, for your continued support of TMA and this podcast.
TMA Nation—this is YOUR community. As #TMALightsTheWay, your input is critical to us, your contributions are paramount, and your engagement is the foundation that will create a better TMA for all of our members.
Until next time, I’m Scott Stuart. Be safe, resilient, and, most of all TMA PROUD!