A leadership journey fueled with purpose yields optimal outcomes in terms of business growth and success. Gilbert Broco’s professional journey exemplifies this purpose-driven leadership that has helped CI Group emerge as one of the most trusted and empowered workspace solutions providers. Leveraging his extensive knowledge of interior design, he is helping clients transform their workspaces by understanding their needs and objectives. With an expertise in the field of interior design, Gilbert Broco proves himself to be a true thought leader, winning the “Thought Leadership Award 2025” by The CEO Views.
An Academia of Architecture
Born and brought up in Puerto Rico, Gilbert pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Design Architecture from the University of Puerto Rico in 2002. With a curiosity for exploration, he relocated to Florida in 2006, obtained his NCIDQ certification, and became a Florida-registered Interior Designer. This was the beginning of a rewarding career for Gilbert in interior design and workplace consulting.
Career at CI Group
Gilbert started his professional career with CI Group fourteen years ago. CI Group is a contract furniture dealership serving the Southeastern United States, initially in a design capacity. Over the years, his role evolved significantly, ultimately leading to his current position as the President of the company. During this time, he has overseen the evolution of the company’s culture, operational strategies, and design capabilities. This evolution drove growth, innovation, and a value-driven workplace in the organization. In Gilbert’s words, “Our footprint now extends across eight locations, underscored by consistent annual revenue growth averaging 14%.”
A Leadership Driven by the Growth of Others
Growth for Gilbert extends beyond financial metrics. It is deeply intertwined with how we nurture our people and our culture.“True leadership is measured by the growth of others. Take care of your people, and they will take care of your business.” This statement truly reflects his leadership philosophy, which remains at the heart of everything he does. It’s grounded in servant leadership principles, guiding his approaches to business strategy, organizational culture, and team development.
As a true thought leader, he ensures that his employees have every required tool and opportunity to thrive, both personally and professionally. One of his proudest accomplishments is the remarkable cultural transformation of the company. CI Group’s employee engagement levels soared from 64% in 2016 to a sustainable 90% through structured employee engagement surveys, the creation of Culture Champions, and a commitment to transparency and collaboration. According to Gallop’s metrics, CI Group is placed among the nation’s top workplaces.
A Passion-Orineted Leadership Journey
Gilbert has an equally deep passion for industry advancement. His association with the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) has enabled him to proactively shape the future of the interior design profession. Gilbert previously served as President of the IIDA Florida Central Chapter and the Vice President of the International Board in 2025. These leadership roles allowed him to advocate for legislative initiatives, industry standards, and professional development opportunities on a global scale.
His commitment is also deeply rooted in the local community. As the current Vice Chair and incoming Chair (2026) for the Leadership Tampa Bay Executive Board, Gilbert works alongside regional leaders to address critical local issues and cultivates the next generation of promising leaders. He also actively engages in dialogues and initiatives through membership in the USF Leadership and Innovation Forum of Tampa and the CEO Council of Tampa Bay. This aims at strengthening the regional economy and community networks.
Embodying Thought Leadership
To Gilbert, thought leadership reflects the responsibility to challenge the status quo, innovate boldly, and generously share knowledge. It’s a validation of CI Group’s efforts to lead by example, inspire others, and drive meaningful change both within and beyond the organization. He has championed initiatives that integrate strategic foresight and innovation deeply into our operations, embodying this leadership in the business. The completion of the IIDA Certified Design Futurist (CDF) program, developed by renowned futurist Amy Webb from the Future Today Strategy Group, has profoundly shaped his strategic approach. It embedded foresight into the strategic planning processes, embracing emerging technologies and new market opportunities, always through a lens of sustainability and social responsibility.
Pursuit of Better Solutions
CI Group drives innovation within the organization by fostering an open culture that encourages curiosity, experimentation, and collaborative problem-solving. The company remains committed to continuous improvement, regularly exploring emerging trends and technologies to maintain its competitive advantage and ensure the solutions remain relevant, thoughtful, and impactful.
Gaps to Fulfill
While reviewing industry trends, Gilbert identified a frequent disconnection between operational efficiency and organizational culture. His team actively addresses the gap through integrated software systems, workflow automation, and comprehensive project management tools. This enhances transparency, minimizes errors, and enables stronger project outcomes. The company has developed internal mechanisms that seamlessly align with team efforts, resulting in higher employee satisfaction and consistently superior client experience.
A Future of Growth & Expansion
Gilbert envisioned continued growth, strategic expansion into new markets, and further diversification of services to meet the changing customer demands. Gilbert aims to position CI Group at the forefront of innovation, sustainability, and thought leadership in workplace design and strategy. On a personal level, he would manifest himself as a leader whose legacy transcends traditional metrics, defined by making a lasting impact on the lives of others.
Sharing Wise Words
As a thought leader himself, Gilbert advises emerging thought leaders to approach a path of humility, generosity, and courage. He also encourages them to be authentic in interactions, curious in learning, and bold in their vision. With a story standing as a testament to the power of purpose, passion, and people, he strives to leave a legacy underscored by meaningful contributions to his industry, community, and team.
I continually champion the integration of key aspects of thought leadership, innovation, strategic foresight, cultural excellence, and continuous learning.
