Winter Park, FL — Dr. Robert “Navy Bob” Roncska, founder and CEO of Navy Bob LLC and creator of the Leading with Love leadership model, was honored to take the stage at the international 2025 Edison Awards, held at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center in Fort Myers. He joined a panel featuring Clarence Wooten, Senior Executive and Entrepreneur in Residence at Google [X] and Chris Vazzana, President of Holland LP. The conversation was moderated by Andrea Kates, global innovation strategist and MIT Entrepreneur-in-Residence for 2025.
Held in honor of Thomas Alva Edison, whose legacy of invention and enterprise continues to inspire, the Edison Awards convene global leaders and innovators advancing meaningful change across sectors. The event continues to be a global beacon for innovation, recognizing excellence across technology, healthcare, energy, and beyond. The conversation, guided by Kates, author of From Stuck to Scale, tackled how leaders can overcome barriers to growth, unlock human potential and scale initiatives for greater impact.
The panel featured high-impact leaders shaping industries through technology, purpose-driven leadership and transformative strategies. Drawing upon more than five decades of research and his own distinguished military and executive experience, Roncska shared insights from Leading with Love model, which prioritizes trust, authentic connection and accountability as catalysts for organizational excellence. His remarks illustrated how relational leadership, grounded in integrity and operational precision, delivers sustainable results across sectors. Roncska shares:
As someone who once carried the nuclear codes, I understand better than most the threats we face as a nation and the critical need to stay ahead. Our greatest defense has always been, and continues to be, innovation. But today, the pace of change is faster than ever, and with the rise of AI, it’s about to become exponential. The heart of innovation isn’t technology — it’s people. If we want people to innovate, we must start by valuing them.
This generation, more than any before, needs to feel seen, heard, appreciated and loved. They need to know they matter. Why? Because authentic relationships, the kind that foster trust, are the foundation for everything that drives innovation: psychological safety, open communication, real collaboration and bold creativity.
There’s a gap. The iPhone generation is incredibly connected digitally, but often lacks the relationship-building skills that previous generations developed more naturally. That’s why cultivating a loving, caring culture isn’t just nice to have, it is essential.
Culture is the invisible force that empowers people to take risks, share ideas and create together. Without it, innovation withers. With it, we unlock the full potential of the people who will lead our future.”
Wooten of Google [X] shared his experience scaling groundbreaking ventures, highlighting his track record as the only African American entrepreneur to lead two internet companies to successful acquisition by publicly traded firms. His contributions emphasized the entrepreneurial spirit and innovative mindset necessary to transform industries.
Vazzana, President of Holland LP, brought forward his extensive expertise in leading industrial and engineering organizations across 36 countries. With a background spanning AI, IoT, aerospace and complex manufacturing, he provided valuable insights into operationalizing innovation at scale.
About Robert “Navy Bob” Roncska
Roncska is the founder of Leading with Love, a leadership model and movement designed to help organizations build cultures of trust, accountability and human connection. Drawing from more than 50 years of leadership research and his own distinguished career in the U.S. Navy, where he commanded nuclear submarines and served as Naval Aide to President George W. Bush, he equips leaders with practical tools to foster meaningful change. Roncska’s approach is deeply personal, shaped by family experience with mental health challenges and a belief that authentic leadership can drive lasting impact across every industry. In addition to Leading with Love, he serves as Senior Vice President of the Florida Chamber Health Council, spearheading a statewide business-led mental health initiative. Roncska holds an Executive Doctorate of Business Administration from Rollins College.