At NextPath Workforce Solutions, our people are at the heart of everything we do. This year, we’re proud to celebrate two members of our leadership team whose vision, dedication, and impact have earned recognition across the Tampa Bay business community.
Stephanie Markese, Chief Strategy Officer, has been named a 2026 Tampa Bay TITAN 100 honoree, while Rebecca Garger, Chief Financial Officer, has been named a finalist for the 2026 Apogee Awards.
These honors recognize more than individual accomplishments. They reflect the strong leadership, collaborative culture, and commitment to creating opportunities that continue to drive NextPath Workforce Solutions forward.
Stephanie Markese Recognized as a 2026 Tampa Bay TITAN 100
Congratulations to Stephanie Markese, Chief Strategy Officer at NextPath Workforce Solutions, on being named one of the 2026 Tampa Bay TITAN 100.
The TITAN 100 program recognizes the region’s top CEOs and executives who demonstrate exceptional leadership, vision, and passion within their industries. Stephanie’s recognition reflects her strategic leadership, commitment to innovation, and ability to build meaningful, lasting relationships with clients, colleagues, and partners.
From leading strategic initiatives and mentoring team members to helping clients navigate complex workforce challenges, Stephanie has played an instrumental role in NextPath’s continued growth. Her approach to leadership is rooted in purpose, integrity, and a genuine commitment to helping others succeed.
Stephanie Reflects on Her TITAN 100 Recognition
“Being recognized as a Titan 100 is especially meaningful to me because it’s not something I view as an individual achievement, it’s really a reflection of all the people I’ve had the privilege to build alongside. From my business partners and our team at NextPath to our clients, consultants, and partners, every success has been the result of collaboration and a shared commitment to making a difference. What makes this moment especially rewarding is looking back and realizing how much we’ve grown since we started the company.”
Rebecca Garger Named a Finalist for the 2026 Apogee Awards
We’re also proud to recognize Rebecca Garger, Chief Financial Officer at NextPath Workforce Solutions, for being named a finalist for the 2026 Apogee Awards.
The Apogee Awards honor outstanding C-suite executives whose leadership has made a meaningful impact on their organizations and the Tampa Bay business community.
As CFO, Rebecca has played a pivotal role in NextPath’s growth and strategic evolution. Most notably, she led the company’s first acquisition from the buyer’s side, overseeing the process from due diligence and negotiations through closing and integration. The acquisition expanded NextPath’s capabilities and helped accelerate the company’s evolution into a broader workforce solutions provider.
Rebecca’s financial expertise, strategic vision, and collaborative leadership continue to strengthen NextPath while supporting both our employees and the clients we serve.
Rebecca Reflects on Her Apogee Awards Recognition
“This recognition means so much because my career and the relationships I’ve built along the way are the biggest things I’ve ever invested in. To have that work recognized feels like a culmination of years of learning, growing, and showing up for the people around me. It’s incredibly humbling because no one achieves something like this alone. I’m grateful for the mentors, colleagues, clients, friends, and especially my family, who have supported and believed in me throughout the journey.”
Leadership Lessons That Shape NextPath
While Stephanie and Rebecca bring different areas of expertise to NextPath, they share a commitment to collaboration, integrity, and creating opportunities for others to succeed.
We asked both leaders to reflect on the lessons that have shaped their careers and their approach to leadership.
For Stephanie, great leadership starts with people:
“One of the biggest lessons that I’ve learned is that leadership isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about surrounding yourself with great people, listening well, and creating an environment where others can succeed. I’ve also learned that relationships are everything. Business is built on trust, and trust is earned through consistency, integrity, and genuinely caring about the success of others. Whether I’m working with a client or serving in the community, I try to lead with authenticity and focus on creating value first. When you invest in people, the results naturally follow.”
Rebecca shared two pieces of advice that have helped her maintain perspective throughout her career:
“Two pieces of advice have stayed with me throughout my career: ‘Don’t let perfect get in the way of done’ and ‘If you have a bad day at work, it’s just one bad day at work.’ So many times we let work weigh us down or bring it home and those are two key reminders to keep everything in perspective.”
Celebrating Leadership at NextPath Workforce Solutions
Stephanie and Rebecca exemplify the leadership, integrity, and commitment to excellence that define NextPath Workforce Solutions. Their recognition among Tampa Bay business leaders is a celebration of their individual achievements as well as the collaborative culture they help create at NextPath every day.
Please join us in congratulating Stephanie Markese on being named a 2026 Tampa Bay TITAN 100 honoree and Rebecca Garger on being named a finalist for the 2026 Apogee Awards.
We’re proud to celebrate their accomplishments and grateful for the leadership, perspective, and dedication they bring to NextPath and the people we serve.
