West Palm Beach announces final 2026 session of The Next Level PANEL focused on leadership and lasting community impact

West Palm Beach, Florida – The City of West Palm Beach is preparing for the final installment of The Next Level PANEL’s 2026 series, bringing local entrepreneurs, business owners, nonprofit leaders and professionals together for an evening focused on leadership, growth and long-term impact.

The third and final session will take place Monday, September 21, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Flagler Gallery inside West Palm Beach City Hall. The event is being presented by the city in partnership with The Leadership Haven Resource Center, LLC and Keen Ideas Consulting.

This session, titled Beyond the Bottom Line: Leadership, Legacy, and Long-Term Impact, will look beyond the immediate financial side of running a business or organization. Participants will hear from three experienced leaders about the choices, relationships and resources that can help build organizations with a lasting effect on their communities.

The featured speakers are Thais Sullivan, vice president of Valley Bank – Florida; Patrick Franklin, president of the Urban League of Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast, Inc.; and Frank Hayden, director of the Small Business Development Department for the City of West Palm Beach.

Organizers say the discussion is designed to give attendees practical ideas they can use as they work toward their next stage of professional or business development. Rather than focusing only on short-term results, the final session will explore how leaders can think about sustainable growth and the broader legacy they want to create.

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The Next Level PANEL stands for Professionals Aligning to Network, Empower, and Lead. The series was created by The Leadership Haven Resource Center and Keen Ideas Consulting in partnership with the City of West Palm Beach.

Throughout the 2026 series, the program has provided an opportunity for members of the local business and nonprofit communities to connect with experienced leaders. The format combines facilitated panel discussions, questions from the audience and intentional networking, giving participants the chance to engage directly with speakers.

The organizers describe the series as an environment where conversations can move beyond introductions and general networking. Participants can discuss some of the real opportunities and challenges that come with growing a business, developing as a leader or expanding an organization’s impact.

The final session will be held at West Palm Beach City Hall, located at 401 Clematis Street. Admission is free, but space is limited, and advance registration is required.

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The event comes as the city continues to support programs aimed at strengthening its small business community and providing local professionals with access to useful resources and connections. Bringing business leaders and community organizations together is a central part of The Next Level PANEL’s approach.

Those interested in attending the September 21 event can register in advance through the event registration page. The session is open to entrepreneurs, business owners, nonprofit leaders and professionals who want to learn from the featured speakers while connecting with others in the community.

For additional information about the City of West Palm Beach Office of Small Business Programs, residents can visit the city’s website or contact Sandra Hammerstein at [email protected].

With its third session, The Next Level PANEL will close out its 2026 series by putting the focus on what comes after short-term success — how leaders can build sustainable organizations, create meaningful relationships and leave a lasting mark on the communities they serve.