CEO Speaks 5.17.25

Happy Saturday and welcome to CEO Speaks for Saturday, May 17, 2025—sponsored exclusively by Second Wind Consultants—specializing in Article 9, out-of-court transactional restructurings.

TMA Love is in the air—and last week in Nashville, it was palpable.

For the 120 participants who joined the Network of Women Summit, the energy was powerful, the purpose unshakable, and the connection undeniable. If you were in the room where it happened, you know exactly what I mean.

As an ardent supporter of diversity and inclusion—and a proud ally to the women of TMA—being part of that experience was something I will carry with me. The strength. The joy. The clarity of purpose. It was an affirmation of who we are and why we do what we do.

The summit kicked off with a TMA Boot Camp led by the incomparable James Horgan, CTP, a fellow champion and devoted NOW ally. Jim’s generosity of spirit and leadership are the kind of inspiration that moves us forward. Thank you, Jim, for investing in the future of this profession and pouring into the remarkable women who are shaping it.

A huge shoutout to TMA NOW Co-Chairs Michelle Salazar-Rosenbloom and Monique DiSabatino, and the incredible committee of TMA leaders who made this vision a reality. You are breaking barriers. You are opening doors. You are making equity real—now. This is what leadership looks like. This is how TMA lights the way.

From the eclectic programming—like the powerful panel and live concert experience spotlighting indie female country artists (thank you, Jill Kirshenbaum and Linda Budz!)—to the joy of line dancing, to the educational sessions and authentic connection in between, this summit had it all. It was thoughtful. It was experiential. It was a celebration of love, empowerment, and elevation.

And in times like these, it was a needed reminder that we are better together—that lifting each other up is how we rise, and that the TMA light shines brightest when we pass it forward to those making their way into this profession today.

Now—from inspiration to competition.

The 2nd Annual TMA Tourney is shaping up to be a showcase of fierce talent. With participation from across the globe—UK, Italy, India, Australia, and more—this tournament isn’t just competitive, it’s a celebration of global connectivity and rising NextGen excellence. Stay tuned—this year’s showdown is going to be next level.

And speaking of cross-border connection—shoutout to TMA South Africa and TMA Germany, who came together this week for a dynamic Power Hour webinar featuring, among others, our Global International VP Eva Ringelspacher. Eva continues to lead with passion and purpose, uniting our TMA world in meaningful, lasting ways.

All of this leads us to the next big global moment—just two weeks away—the 3rd Annual TMA Global International Symposium and European Annual, this year in beautiful Paris, France.

This year’s programming will be among our most eclectic and engaging yet—geopolitical relevance meets hands-on learning, with roundtables and interactive sessions designed for all corners of our global community, from seasoned professionals to our vibrant NextGen and NOW networks.

With participants from more than 18 countries, this is TMA at its best—a beacon of international collaboration and thought leadership.

One of the most anticipated highlights? The signing ceremony for TMA Poland, officially making it our 59th chapter. A milestone moment, and a symbol of our growing presence in Eastern Europe—an economic force that continues to shape the future.

But the celebration doesn’t stop there.

This extraordinary gathering sets the stage for our next big international leap—the first-ever TMA Asia Pacific Conference, coming this August in Singapore. Years in the making, led by an unstoppable coalition from Australia, Hong Kong, India, and Southeast Asia—this is just the beginning. South America is on deck. The future is wide open.

These visionary efforts are what make TMA shine. We are more than a network—we are a global force for opportunity, wherever our members live, work, or travel. Optionality isn’t a concept—it’s our way of being.

Our global reach is not just a milestone—it’s a message: TMA lights the way forward in a world that’s more connected than ever, where the power of one becomes the strength of many.

Keep an eye out over the next few weeks for:

Registration news for the NextGen Leadership Conference in New York City, July 24–25

Nominations for the 2026 Global Executive Board and Board of Trustees

Chapter and individual awards, and more

And while you’re thinking about all of that, don’t miss your next opportunity for meaningful education with our free-for-members webinar on May 22. Bruce Grohsgal, of Widener University Delaware Law School, will moderate a powerful Turnaround Square on the evolving impact of sweeping executive orders from the current administration. Real-time insights, real-world context—this is what TMA does best. Be there.

And finally, in this week’s Member Moment, we recognize Sunny Han-Jeon, of TMA NorCal—a newer member already making a profound impact.

Born in Seoul, raised in California’s San Gabriel Valley, Sunny brings a thoughtful, heart-centered approach to everything she touches. As she puts it:

“My heritage has taught me to lead with humility, listen carefully, and bring people together to find a way forward—qualities I believe are essential to creating better outcomes, both in business and community.”

Sunny doesn’t just show up—she lifts up. She champions inclusion. She radiates positivity and purpose. And she brings the spirit of “better together” to life in every corner of our big tent. Sunny, thank you for all you do. You make us TMA proud.

As always, thanks for taking the time to listen today, and thank you to Second Wind Consultants for your unwavering support of this podcast and of TMA.

As #TMALightsTheWay, your input is critical, your contributions paramount, and your engagement the foundation that will create a better TMA for all of our members.

Until next time, I’m Scott Stuart. Be safe, resilient, and TMA proud.