The 2026 BDB Summer Intern Program, operated by the Business Development Board of the Palm Beaches, is collaborating with top college talent from across the country inside more than 22 companies based right here in Palm Beach County. But what sets the program apart is what happens beyond the office.
More Than a Placement: A Full Introduction to Palm Beach County
The BDB Summer Intern Program is structured as a multi-week, multi-event experience that connects interns not just to their host companies but to the broader business community, executive leadership, and the region itself. It’s designed to bring them here, connect them to the economy, and give them a reason to come back.
Each session is designed to deepen the cohort’s connection to Palm Beach County. Interns leave the summer with more than a line on a resume. They leave with a professional network that spans industries, a firsthand understanding of the local economy, and a reason to consider the Palm Beaches when it is time to choose where to start a career.
Rising Professionals Who Chose to Stay
One of the most effective parts of the program puts interns in a room with people who were recently in their position — and made the decision to stay. On June 24, 2026, an Emerging Leaders and Young Professionals panel featured four rising professionals who shared what drew them to full-time careers in the Palm Beaches and what has kept them here.
Panelists:
- Kaela Drake — USPA Global / U.S. Polo Assn.
- Sarah Brache — American Sugar Refining
- C’Jon Armstead — CBRE
- Chai Banthia — Hedrick Brothers Construction
Moderated by Kristen Bardin of the Business Development Board of the Palm Beaches, the conversation gave interns a candid look at what early career growth actually looks like in Palm Beach County — from navigating competitive industries to finding mentorship and opportunity in a market that is expanding faster than most young professionals realize.
When emerging talent hears from peers who chose this region and are thriving, it carries more weight than any recruitment pitch.
Why This Matters for Palm Beach County
Workforce development is what turns a wave of corporate growth into sustained, long-term economic growth. Every intern who returns to Palm Beach County after graduation is one less role a local company has to fill from out of state — and one more professional contributing to the tax base, the local economy, and the community.
The Companies Behind the Cohort
The strength of the program is the companies participating. This year’s roster spans the same industries driving Palm Beach County’s growth:
- Aerospace and Defense: Pratt and Whitney
- Finance and Investment: DSM Capital Partners, Northwestern Mutual, Palm Beach Capital, SROA Capital
- Law: Greenberg Traurig, Holland and Knight
- Construction and Real Estate: AvalonBay Communities, Forest Development, Hedrick Brothers Construction, NDT Development, Ranger Construction Industries, Related Ross, Verdex Construction, The Weitz Company
- Architecture and Design: Spina O’Rourke + Partners
- Education and Public Sector: Education Foundation of Palm Beach County, Keiser University, Palm Beach State College, Palm Beach County Commission
- Nonprofit and Industry: Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, Spirit of Giving
The BDB Summer Intern Program is free for companies members of the BDB. The Business Development Board provides interns with a Workforce Relocation Guide, access to an exclusive jobs platform, and curated insights on cost of living, culture, and career pathways across the region.
The interns sitting in those rooms this summer are the workforce Palm Beach County’s companies will be hiring for years to come. Investing in them now is how the region stays competitive.
Explore the www.bdb.org to learn more about the Business Development Board of the Palm Beaches.
