Emerge Broward Leadership Launch 2025

Join us for our annual professional development event: Emerge Broward Leadership Launch 2025!

Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025

Time: 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. / Optional social following the event

Lunch will be provided during the event

Location: The Main Las Olas – 10^th Floor

201 E Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Cost: $15 for Emerge Broward members (includes lunch)

Parking: Metered street parking is available in the area within walking distance. You are welcome to park in The Main's garage but please note that parking will not be validated.

Not a member but would like to attend? You can easily join Emerge Broward on our website and then register for this event!

Event Highlights: 

• Keynote Presentation from the Mark Zarthar, Chief Strategy Officer, Florida Panthers on the topic, Building a Winning Team
• Engagement Panel with Community Leaders
• Learn About Leadership Opportunities with EB
• Great Networking!

Presented by: 

Community Engagement Panel on the topic: Leveraging Networking Opportunities to Advance Your Career

PANELISTS:

Ellice Martinez

Division Assistant Vice President, Community Engagement

HCA East Florida Division

Ana Rodriguez

Community Relations Specialist & EA Emergency Preparedness

Florida Power and Light Company

Kelly Alvarez Vitale
President
Strategic Philanthropy Inc.

MODERATOR:

Heather Geronemus

Senior Director, Social Equity, Opportunity, and Impact

UKG

Keynote Speaker: Mark Zarthar - Chief Strategy Officer, Florida Panthers

Mark Zarthar was named chief strategy officer of the Florida Panthers in January 2023. As a member of the executive staff, Zarthar became a Stanley Cup champion with Florida in 2024.

Zarthar leads all Panthers’ brand strategy, communications, business intelligence, ticket operations, and broadcasting with an emphasis on long-term growth and innovation for the Florida Panthers, Amerant Bank Arena, Baptist Health IcePlex and Ft. Lauderdale War Memorial.

In advance of the 2024-25 season, Zarthar spearheaded the organization’s broadcast partnership with Scripps Sports, resulting in unprecedented accessibility for fans as Panthers games became available for free over-the-air for the first time in franchise history.

Prior to joining the Panthers, Zarthar held the role of senior vice president of marketing for the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers where he led brand strategy, creative, digital media, advertising, in-game entertainment, merchandise, community relations and broadcasting for the Flyers and Wells Fargo Center. While with the Flyers, he launched On the Fly Productions, an in-house creative agency and 1,100-square-foot content studio, propelling an aggressive expansion of the organization’s internal marketing capabilities.

Prior to his time in Philadelphia, Zarthar served as president of the Houston Astros’ MiLB affiliate, the Fayetteville Woodpeckers. With the Woodpeckers, Zarthar oversaw the design, construction, and naming rights sale of Segra Stadium, a $40.8 million sports and entertainment venue in Fayetteville’s Historic Downtown. He led all operations of the Fayetteville Woodpeckers’ inaugural season, including ballpark operations, marketing, tickets, corporate

partnerships, and more. For his work in launching the Woodpeckers, Business North Carolina recognized Zarthar as one of the state’s 20 Most Influential Sports Executives. Segra Stadium was named “Ballpark of the Decade” by Ballpark Digest. Prior to his time with the Astros, Zarthar held various positions in sports marketing and brand management for AnheuserBusch InBev.

A Massachusetts native and graduate of the University of Richmond where he received a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Zarthar holds an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.

Zarthar lives in Fort Lauderdale with his wife, Kathleen.