RON CHRISTALDI

PRESIDENT & CEO, SHUMAKER ADVISORS FLORIDA, TAMPA

Shumaker is a business law firm with more than 300 attorneys and public affairs professionals that has served clients nationwide for over 100 years. Christaldi has been with the firm for nearly two decades, but he says he's most proud of his deep involvement in the Tampa Bay community. He's served in leadership roles with the Tampa Bay Chamber, the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council and Moffitt Cancer Center's Hope Innovation District, part of the Speros medical campus in Pasco County. “Titles are nice,” Christaldi says, “but making a difference in the place I call home is what really matters.”

EDUCATION: New College of Florida (BA), Florida State University (MA, JD)

NEXT BIG FOCUS: As the current chairman of the Tampa Museum of Art's board of trustees, I am focused on its historic 100-year expansion project, which will enable the museum to grow its art collection and strengthen its world-class educational programs. Its potential to infuse creativity into future leaders is transformative.

NOTABLE TREND: I see artificial intelligence transforming how we process information, identify issues and keep pace with quickening public policy and decision-making. I see AI as a tool, not a replacement for legal judgment. At Shumaker, with 100 years of history, we continue to embrace and adapt to technology to thrive amid change.

PERSONAL RESET: My outlook is that every day brings both successes and setbacks. I try to focus on the positive and avoid labeling things as simply good or bad. Instead, I see each experience as an opportunity to learn, grow and improve, and to turn challenges into something constructive moving forward.