Prioritizing trust and transparency with Nicci Bucher

January 29, 2026

Nicci Bucher was named CEO of the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg in late 2025. Prior to this role, Nicci spent 20 years in the YMCA network, most recently as COO of the YMCA of Central Florida, where she oversaw a $51.6 million operational budget. On this episode, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Nicci talked about her leadership styles and principles and how she creates a strong workplace culture through trust and transparency. They also talked about how she has overcome feelings of impostor syndrome, especially in the current stage of her career.

3 Takeaways

(08:45) Be authentic as a leader
(12:00) Buy into your team, you are not above doing something in the business
(17:30) Good workplace culture is trust and transparency

Timestamps

(00:00) Introducing Nicci Bucher, President and CEO, YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg
(05:45) What is the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg?
(06:20) Starting her career at Department of Children and Families, and what did you learn from that time?
(08:30) Leadership style
(09:30) Leadership characteristic every leader should have
(10:15) Leadership influences
(12:50) Giving others autonomy
(13:50) Leadership lessons Nicci wishes she knew early
(15:40) Nicci’s transition to CEO role
(17:20) What is good workplace culture?
(18:30) Great leadership advice
(19:34) Dealing with imposter syndrome
(22:00) Growing in the role of CEO
(23:40) Looking forward to 2026

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