Panama City, FL (May 13, 2026) – Innovations Financial Credit Union is proud to announce that Kristie McLane, Director of Community Business Development, graduated from Leadership Northwest Florida Class IV on May 8, 2026.
McLane was one of just 25 leaders selected by the Florida’s Great Northwest (FGNW) Foundation to participate in this prestigious program, which focuses on strengthening regional collaboration through community, content, and connection.
Over the course of seven months, Class IV participants engaged in an immersive educational experience alongside leaders from across Northwest Florida, representing a wide range of industries and backgrounds. The program provided a comprehensive look at the region’s shared opportunities and challenges, with a focus on Business Vitality, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Infrastructure, Talent, and Quality of Place.
“We are incredibly proud of Kristie for this accomplishment,” said Scott Gladden, President and CEO of Innovations Financial Credit Union. “Her passion for building meaningful relationships and strengthening our communities reflects the very purpose of this program. Kristie brings that same energy and insight back to our organization and the members we serve every day.”
Leadership Northwest Florida is designed to cultivate informed, connected leaders who are equipped to support long-term economic growth and regional success.
“Kristie’s dedication to community engagement and her ability to connect people and opportunities make her an outstanding representative of our organization,” said David Powell, SVP / Chief Operating Officer of Innovations Financial Credit Union. “We’re excited to see how this experience continues to shape her leadership and further enhance the impact she makes across our region.”
“The mission of Leadership Northwest Florida aligns closely with my passion for serving our communities,” said McLane. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn alongside such an inspiring group of leaders and to bring those insights back to Innovations and the communities we serve.”
The FGNW Foundation Board selects participants who demonstrate strong leadership potential and a commitment to the long-term success of Northwest Florida. Applications for Leadership Northwest Florida Class V will open on June 16, 2026. For more information, visit Florida’s Great Northwest or contact Kasey Killebrew at 334-790-4557 or kkillebrew@fgnw.org.
About Innovations Financial Credit Union
Innovations Financial Credit Union has served its members since 1952 by helping them to build a sound financial future. Presently, Innovations has over 27,500 members and manages assets of more than $674 million. Innovations Financial Credit Union serves the financial needs of people who live, work, attend school, or worship in Bay, Holmes, Washington, Jackson, Calhoun, Gulf, Walton, Okaloosa, Franklin, and Liberty Counties. For more information about Innovations Financial Credit Union, please contact us at 850.233.4400 or visit www.InnovationsFCU.org.
About Leadership Northwest Florida
For Northwest Florida to continue to compete, diversify, and thrive, it will take informed, dedicated leaders who understand the complex and competitive environment of economic transformation. Leadership Northwest Florida is designed to be an educational program offered for professionals in all industry sectors desiring to grow their knowledgebase, network, and skillset in the 13-county region of Florida’s Great Northwest footprint. This experience will ultimately result in long-term influence of the leadership graduates for the betterment of Northwest Florida.
About Florida’s Great Northwest
Florida’s Great Northwest is the regional economic development organization for the Florida Panhandle. The organization was created to promote Northwest Florida for economic growth and diversification, advocate for economic development issues that affect the region, and collaborate to improve regional competitiveness. The organization accomplishes this in partnership with the state and local economic development organizations, rural regional economic development organizations, utility partners, private sector businesses, local government, higher education institutions, workforce boards, and community leaders.
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