Opinion: Building tomorrow’s business leaders

Dr. Grenita Lathan

Workforce education isn’t just my professional passion; it forms the academic foundation upon which I built my career. Having earned my Ph.D. in workforce education and development, I understand and value the dedication and commitment required to become a successful business leader. That is why it is my privilege to congratulate the 2026 SBJ Business Leaders of the Year.

My years in the classroom reinforced a fundamental truth: Great leaders aren’t born; they are shaped over time through experience, mentorship and lifelong learning. These exceptional executives being honored exemplify this journey with three distinct attributes:

• Innovation & entrepreneurship: Seeing possibilities and solutions where others see barriers

• Visionary leadership: Inspiring teams, building positive workplace cultures and giving back generously

• Resilience: Navigating complex challenges and adapting to meet constantly changing market forces

At Springfield Public Schools, our 3,500 employees encourage these qualities in our classrooms and across the district every day. By integrating critical thinking, adaptability and collaboration across our curriculum, we ensure our graduates are prepared to follow in these honorees’ footsteps as entrepreneurs, executives and innovators.

However, we cannot do this work alone. We rely on local business leaders to partner with us to provide hands-on internships and mentorships to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application. Both our students and the business community learn and grow from these experiences.

Every investment in our schools pays immediate dividends by delivering a skilled talent pipeline that will staff, lead and launch tomorrow’s top businesses. Without a strong public education system, our community cannot support a thriving economy.

To our 2026 Business Leaders of the Year: Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our community and for setting an extraordinary bar for our 24,000 students. You demonstrate what is possible with vision, hard work and integrity. We are proud to celebrate your achievements as we prepare the next generation to carry your legacy forward.

Dr. Grenita Lathan is superintendent of Springfield Public Schools, Missouri’s largest public school district. She can be reached at
superintendent@spsmail.org.