Standing In The Gap, EP7: Melissa Seixas

In this episode, Tampa Bay Times reporter Stephanie Hayes, becomes our host as she sits down with two remarkable leaders: SPC President Dr.Tonjua Williams and Melissa Seixas, the President of Duke Energy Florida.

They delve into the intricacies of their career paths, shedding light on the unique challenges and triumphs they have encountered as women in predominantly male-dominated fields. Melissa Seixas shares with us her childhood dreams and how her aspirations evolved, reflecting on her journey to becoming a prominent figure at Duke Energy. Dr. Tonjua Williams recounts the pivotal moments in her life that shaped her professional trajectory. Both women discuss the struggles they faced, from gender biases to the challenge of recognition and respect in their respective industries.

Their conversation also highlights the critical importance of connecting with customers and the community. Melissa Seixas and Dr. Tonjua Williams emphasize the value of embracing your uniqueness and finding support systems to foster personal and professional growth. They believe in the significance of mentorship — underscoring how their guidance can help navigate your career and enhance personal development.

Tune in as they encapsulate the essence of their success and resilience in the face of adversity in this enlightening episode.


KEY POINTS:
What does Melissa want to be when she grows up?
The trajectory of Dr. Tonjua Williams’ life
Common challenges faced by Melissa and Dr. Williams as women in their careers
The importance of connecting with customers and the community
On embracing uniqueness and finding support from others
The value of mentorship for personal growth
Leadership, communication, and balance in a crisis management role
Community growth: Collaboration & investing in people's economic mobility
The pivotal role of people and relationships towards success
On choosing courage over comfort as a leader

QUOTABLES:
“It just is more of a kind of natural dialogue. Every single day, it has nothing to do with the title. It has more to do with the relationship you build — and whether you're learning in [the] actual process from them or [a] certain area of knowledge. A lot of times it’s just watching how people treat other people.” – Melissa Seixas

“Getting the job is not the job. It's being able to keep the job, and to be mentored through that — there's always someone at your jobs. And let me show you. Let me help you. You better take that help. You better listen, because they're going to help you be successful. I believe in mentoring because I wouldn't be here without it.”- Dr. Tonjua Williams


RESOURCES

Melissa Seixas
LinkedIn |   / melissa-seixas  
X | https://x.com/DE_FLPresident

Stephanie Hayes
X | https://x.com/stephhayes

St. Petersburg College
Website | www.spcollege.edu
Facebook | facebook.com/stpetecollege
IG | instagram.com/stpetersburgcollege
YouTube |    / @spc  
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/company/st--petersburg-college
X | x.com/spcnews


Standing In The Gap is produced by EPYC Media Network | Visit at https://www.epyc.co/



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St. Petersburg College was founded in 1927 as St. Petersburg Junior College, Florida's first two-year college. Our alumni rank first in the state for earning the highest entry wages among state community college graduates. Access, excellence, and student support are the hallmarks of SPC. Regionally accredited and nationally recognized, SPC was the first state college in Florida to offer bachelor’s degrees. We offer 200+ degree, certificate and transfer programs, as well as many high-demand, high-skill, industry-recognized workforce certifications. Our career-focused curriculum is created in conjunction with industry experts to ensure that SPC students are able to meet the needs of today’s employers.

To learn more about SPC, visit https://spcollege.edu.