Emerging Leaders: From Vision to Action
The NWFA Emerging Leaders Council empowers young professionals in the wood flooring industry through leadership development, mentorship, and peer connections. As NWFA ambassadors, council members shape the industry’s future by actively participating in NWFA initiatives, building relationships, and sharing their story to inspire the next generation—ensuring continued growth and success.
This mission works like a two-sided coin. On one side, NWFA invests in the next generation: mentorship from leaders, access to decision-makers, and opportunities that accelerate growth. On the other side, Emerging Leaders aren’t content to just receive—we want to have a meaningful impact. That is why our focus is simple: help grow and support NWFA membership.
When more pros plug into NWFA training, guidelines, and certifications, installs improve, callbacks drop, and consumer trust rises. NWFA membership is a powerful lever for raising industry standards and strengthening the businesses that participate.
From Vision to Action: Our Three Pillars
To turn that opportunity into progress, the Emerging Leaders Council is executing a clear, practical strategy built on three pillars. Each pillar is designed to make NWFA membership more accessible, more tangible, and more visible.
Pillar 1: Building Community
Relationships built at Expo should not begin and end there. We have launched LinkedIn and Facebook groups to connect young professionals and allies year-round. These are spaces to ask real questions, share what’s working, compare notes on challenges, and build the kind of peer network that makes everyone more successful. If you have ever wished you had “a few trusted people to call,” this is a place those relationships formed.
Pillar 2: Develop Tools
Value must be obvious and usable. We are creating simple frameworks along with plug-and-play resources that help professionals explain—clearly and quickly—how membership pays off, such as installation guidelines that prevent problems, certifications that differentiate your business, education that grows capability, and a network that opens doors. These are everyday tools your team can put to work in sales conversations, onboarding, and jobsite planning.
Pillar 3: Amplify the Message
Great tools are useless if no one uses them. Our social media team packages and shares consistent, high-quality content—highlighting Certified Professionals, demonstrating the practical impact of NWFA guidelines, and pointing to training opportunities that move the needle. The aim is simple: to meet people where they already spend their time and make it easy to take the next step.
A Clear Path to Get Involved: The Emerging Leaders Network
Interest has outpaced the 18 seats on the Council—which is a good problem. To keep the door wide open, we created the Emerging Leaders Network. Any young professional in the wood flooring industry can participate by collaborating on community efforts, contributing to tool development, and helping drive our social campaigns. This is a meaningful contribution with real impact, and is also a great way to demonstrate your initiative and consistency that will make you a strong candidate when Council seats become available.
If you are a young professional, you are not just the future—you are the force that shapes what comes next. You don’t need a title to lead. You need a clear mission, a supportive community, and a place to contribute.
Get Involved
Here is how to get started today:
- Join the conversation. Find the Emerging Leaders groups on LinkedIn and Facebook and introduce yourself. Ask a question. Share a win. Offer a lesson learned.
- Use the tools. When you see frameworks and resources from Emerging Leaders, try them. Share them with your team. Give feedback so everyone can improve together.
- Be an amplifier. When you see content that elevates the craft—guidelines, certifications, training—share it. Your voice extends the reach of the message.
- Lean into events. Show up, even if you do not know someone yet. Bring a humble and curious mindset. You’ll find a community that’s eager to welcome you in.
The Emerging Leaders Council exists to serve the mission—growing and supporting NWFA membership—by building community, creating usable tools, and amplifying the message that lifts our whole industry. Vision matters. Action is what changes outcomes.
We are not waiting on the future of wood flooring, but building it together. Come add your voice, your energy, and your leadership.
Reid Lambright is chair of the NWFA Emerging Leaders Council and president of Lambright Flooring in Charlotte, Michigan. He can be reached at reid@lambrightflooring.com.