This month, Executive Council Officers Angel Pina and Alexa Chavez are proud to highlight Brandy Whitford, a dedicated BPA alum whose journey exemplifies the organization’s enduring influence on leadership, service, and professional growth. From competing at the 2003 National Leadership Conference in Dallas, Texas, to now serving as a university professor at Lynn University, founding a collegiate BPA chapter, and leading nationally as membership chair for the BPA Alumni Division, Brandy’s story reflects the full-circle impact of BPA. Her career as a consultant, educator, and doctoral candidate at Florida International University demonstrates how early experiences in competition, communication, and service can evolve into lifelong leadership. Learn more about how Brandy continues to give back to BPA and how saying yes to opportunity can shape a future rooted in confidence, adaptability, and purpose.

1. During which years were you an active member of BPA?
   I was an active student member of Business Professionals of America from 2000 to 2004.
   
   
2. What was your most memorable moment or achievement during your time in BPA, and why does it stand out to you?
   One of my most memorable moments as a student was competing at the 2003 National Leadership Conference in Dallas, Texas. Coming from a small town in Indiana, BPA gave me opportunities I might not have otherwise had, including the chance to travel and experience parts of the country I had never seen before. Attending NLC exposed me to the scale, professionalism, and possibilities BPA offers beyond the classroom and helped build my confidence as a leader on a national stage.
   
   Equally meaningful was helping to found my university’s Business Professionals of America chapter in 2025, this time as a professor. Returning to BPA in a mentorship role and helping create the same opportunities for today’s students felt like a full-circle moment and reinforced the organization's lasting impact.

3. Can you share your current profession and how your experience with BPA helped shape your career path?
   I am currently a university professor at Lynn University, a business and leadership consultant through my own practice, 123 Consult With Me, and I am pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration with a concentration in hospitality and management at Florida International University. My work focuses on leadership development, organizational psychology, and the intersection of employees, customers, and technology, particularly the use of AI and emerging tools in service-based industries.
   
   BPA helped shape this path by introducing me early to professionalism, communication, leadership, and applied learning. Through competing, presenting, and collaborating, I learned how classroom knowledge translates into real-world business challenges and began to see myself as a professional in progress, a mindset that continues to guide my work today

4. In what ways did your involvement in BPA prepare you for the future? Are there specific skills or experiences that have proven especially valuable?
   BPA helped me develop confidence, adaptability, and a strong foundation in professional leadership. The organization also sparked my passion for building and leading professional communities, which later led to roles such as founding a new BPA chapter as a faculty advisor, serving as membership director for the Women’s Council of Realtors Broward Network, holding leadership positions as president and secretary of Lynn University’s Psi Chi, and most recently, serving as national membership chair for the BPA Alumni Division.
   
   More than anything, BPA taught me that leadership is about service, creating opportunities, supporting others, and helping people grow. That mindset continues to guide my work as an educator, consultant, and mentor.

5. How do you continue to stay connected with BPA, and how has your involvement evolved since graduating?
   I continue to stay connected with BPA by remaining actively involved at both the university and national levels. Since graduating, my role has evolved from student member to educator, mentor, and leader within the organization. I helped found a new BPA chapter at my university, where I now serve as faculty advisor, supporting students as they develop professional, leadership, and career-ready skills.
   
   I have also had the opportunity to serve as a National Leadership Conference speaker and as a judge at both state and national competitions, supporting BPA members and contributing to student growth at multiple levels.
   
   At the national level, my involvement has further expanded through my role as national membership chair for the Business Professionals of America Alumni Division, where I focus on strengthening alumni engagement, supporting lifelong professional development, and helping alumni stay connected to BPA beyond their student years.
   
   Being able to give back to the organization that played such a formative role in my own development has been incredibly meaningful. Today, I see my involvement with BPA as a way to create access, mentorship, and opportunity, ensuring that students and alumni alike can continue to grow, lead, and succeed long after graduation.

6. What advice or words of wisdom would you offer to current BPA members looking to make the most of their experience and plan for their futures?
   My advice is to say yes to opportunities, even when they feel uncomfortable. Compete, lead, travel, and get involved beyond what feels familiar; growth often happens outside your comfort zone.
   
   Use BPA as a place to practice being a professional, build confidence, and form relationships that will last long after graduation. Your path doesn’t have to be linear. Stay curious, adaptable, and open to where BPA may lead you. The investment you make now will pay off in ways you may not fully see for years.