MEET THE 2024 LEADERSHIP TRAILBLAZER FINALIST Felicia Donnelly

Today’s Trailblazer: Felicia Donnelly

The League caught up with Trailblazer Finalist, Felicia Donnelly, City Manager, Oldsmar, Florida to talk about being named a Leadership Trailblazer and having a career in public service:

Q: Congratulations on being named a finalist for the Leadership Trailblazer Award. What does it mean to you to be nominated? 

Being named a finalist for the Leadership Trailblazer Award is truly an incredible privilege. I am both honored and grateful to be considered along with such accomplished peers. This is important work we get to do, and I look forward to continuing serving in local government and to inspiring the next generation of leaders.

Q: What led you to a career in public service?

There was no other path for me. This career chose me, not the other way around. I’ve always wanted to improve communities and the lives of those who live in them. Having a career where my efforts can directly impact people’s lives is something I consider a precious gift.  There is a unique accountability in the public sector to those you serve. You are responsible not just for one project, but for the outcomes of many efforts, hopefully for years to come. There is nothing better than seeing a successful project or program many years later.

Q: Who were your mentor(s) or advocate(s) in your career?

During my 30-year career, I’ve been fortunate to have numerous mentors and advocates.  My parents were my first advocates telling me I could achieve anything if I studied and worked hard.  During graduate school, my professors encouraged me to explore various career paths through different types of internships. My first boss allowed me to work on a variety of projects and programs outside my department, broadening my experience and skills. Being involved in a professional organization introduced me to mentors from other communities, who encouraged me to teach statewide classes, assume leadership roles and chair a leadership academy. Today, current and retired industry executives continue to serve as both mentors and advocates, offering advice and encouraging my participation in professional activities. My husband Jim has been a constant source of encouragement, always motivating me to reach new heights in my career.

Q: What is the most important lesson you learned while coming up in your career?

Early in my career, I realized that success isn’t just about what you know or what you can do; it’s also about the relationships you build and keep along the way. Strong relationships have led to wonderful opportunities, and they have provided me with important support.

It takes effort to sustain long-term relationships, but those relationships have been instrumental in my professional growth, helping me learn from others, share ideas, and collaborate on projects that have had a lasting impact.

Relationships should extend both within and outside of your organization.  My involvement in outside volunteer, leadership, and professional organizations has broadened my perspective and helped me practice leadership skills early in my career. These relationships have helped me personally and have also benefitted my organization.

Q: What advice do you have for women just beginning their careers who would like to be an executive in local government some day?

I didn’t have an executive career goal in mind when I started. I really just wanted to add value and shape communities.  That said, I have found that being an executive is not a destination, but a journey. It was a journey to get here, and now a journey to make meaningful impact.  After 30+ years, I have several pieces of advice:

Show up every day: Take care of yourself so you are at your best every day. Some days we simply don’t feel like doing anything but still show up anyway. Your attitude is contagious. So, be positive, dependable and diligent.  People count on you — your family, your coworkers and your community. So, get up, get ready and show up at your best.

Continue to Learn: Whether through formal education, participating in new projects or new teams, or just reading, continuous learning is fundamental to stay relevant and generate new ideas.

Lead with Integrity and Ethics: Leading with integrity and ethics is absolutely essential and non-negotiable.  This approach ensures adherence to legal standards, models behavior and builds trust. On a personal level, it also keeps you grounded and protects your reputation.  Hopefully, you will not be asked to compromise these, but if you are, stay on the right path.

Encourage and teach others: Encouraging and teaching others benefits them, you, the entire organization, and hopefully the profession. I have been fortunate to teach many people, and found immense personal joy in watching people learn and grow.

Take initiative:  Don’t be afraid to bring new ideas and new opportunities forward. New opportunities in your current position showcase your skills, help you gain experiences outside your normal job duties and build confidence. They won’t just come to you though, so don’t be afraid to ask.

Q: What do you hope to leave as your legacy in local government when your career comes to an end?

I hope to leave communities better than when I first arrived, and to inspire the next generation to embrace a career in public service. I deeply believe in the positive impact that local government can have, and I want to encourage others to see it as a meaningful profession. It’s not an easy path, but it’s one that’s worth it. Serving the public is truly a privilege.