These leaders each make their indelible mark on the Central Florida community in their unique way. From education, philanthropy, arts, entertainment, business, politics, and sports. These up-and-coming movers and shakers make Orlando a fabulous place to work and live.
Lee Constantine
DISTRICT 3 COMMISSIONER, SEMINOLE COUNTY GOVERNMENT – BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Commissioner Constantine is serving his fourth term as Chairman of the Wekiva River Basin Commission, honoring his commitment to protect the Wekiva River while building the beltway around Central Florida. He is also currently the Vice-Chairman of the Florida Conservation Coalition (FCC) and on the Executive Board of 1,000 Friends of Florida.
Angie Gardner
MAYOR OF EATONVILLE, EDUCATOR
Gardner spends her days teaching second grade and the rest of her time as the new mayor of Eatonville. Most recently, Gardner backed the push for the Hungerford land trust to be returned to the town of Eatonville and was instrumental in the new affordable housing apartments being constructed currently.
Tanisha Gary
PRESIDENT & CEO, AFRICAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CENTRAL FLORIDA
A consummate business professional and accomplished attorney, Tanisha Nunn Gary is the President and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida(AACCCF). She is a leading advocate for business development and economic empowerment. As head of the established nonprofit, she is responsible for cultivating strong relationships with key community leaders and corporate entities in an effort to enhance opportunities for members and engage partners on initiatives. Tanisha oversees all outreach efforts for the Chamber, which encompasses six counties, and she executes strategic planning to ensure the Chamber’s voice is included in economic, education, and community conversations that impact the region.
Olga Gonzalez
MAYOR OF KISSIMMEE
Olga Gonzalez has been serving as the Mayor of the City of Kissimmee since November 2020 as the first female Hispanic Mayor in Central Florida. She previously served as a City Commissioner for four years from 2016 – 2020.
Pam Gould
ORANGE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD – DISTRICT 4
Pam Gould’s purpose is to serve, whether leading an organization like Shepherd’s Hope that provides those most in need access to healthcare, or as an elected School Board Member and Vice Chair for Orange County Public Schools.
Tiffany Homler Hawkins
CEO, CENTRAL FLORIDA REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (LYNX)
In January 2023, Hawkins was named the new chief executive officer. Hawkins has worked with or for the agency for more than 20 years most recently as chief administrative officer overseeing the planning, marketing, grants and government affairs teams.
Belinda Kirkegard
PRESIDENT, NATIONAL ENTREPERENUER CENTER
In January of 2023, Kirkegard, the City of Kissimmee’s first director for Economic Development, was selected as the new president of the National Entrepreneur Center in Orlando.
Ricky Ly
PRESIDENT & OWNER OF TASTYCHOMPS
A board member of the Asian American Federation of Florida, Ly is the founder of the Orlando food blog, TastyChomps.com and author of “The Food Lovers’ Guide to Orlando,” chronicling the stories of Orlando’s growing food scene. Ly also spearheaded Orlando’s 407Day initiatives.
Michelle Maikisch
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CENTRAL FLORIDA EXPRESSWAY AUTHORITY
Maikisch is the Executive Director of the Central Florida Expressway Authority serving nearly 80 million residents and visitors on its 125-mile expressway network that connects Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties.
Brendan O’Connor
AUTHOR & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AT THE BUNGALOWER
The ubiquitous radio, podcast host and Editor in Chief of Bungalower has become a top online news resource for Orlando.
Karla Radka
CEO, SENIOR RESOURCE ALLIANCE
With more than two decades of public service, Radka has been a tireless advocate, leader, and agent for positive change in Central Florida. Since taking the helm in 2019, she has also been instrumental in expanding access to services that support dignity, wellness, and independence throughout life.
Victoria Siplin
FORMER DISTRICT 6 COMMISSIONER, ORANGE COUNTY GOVERNMENT, BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Siplin was elected to the Board of County Commissioners in 2014 and overwhelmingly reelected in 2018. She lost the 2022 election, but joined Wendover Housing Partners in January of 2023 as their Born in Nassau, Bahamas, Siplin is Haitian-American.
Carlos Guillermo Smith
SENIOR POLICY ADVISOR, EQUALITY FLORIDA
With his election to the Florida House in 2016, Carlos made history as Florida’s first openly-LGBTQ Latino lawmaker. He now serves as Equality Florida’s Senior Policy Advisor.
David Smith
DISTRICT 38 REPRESENTATIVE, FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A resident of Winter Springs, Smith, a graduate of Texas A&M University and Florida Institute of Technology, was in 52 combat missions in Iraq.
Ed Timberlake & Sibille Pritchard
CHAIRMAN & VICE CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, DR. PHILLIPS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Timberlake and Pritchard were appointed Chair and Vice Chair of the Dr. Phillip’s Center for the Performing Arts.
Mayra Uribe
DISTRICT 3 COMMISSIONER, ORANGE COUNTY GOVERNMENT – BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Uribe is a dedicated wife, mother business owner and a first-generation American born and raised in District 3.
Michael Waltz
CONGRESSMAN, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Waltz is a Colonel in the National Guard, a combat-decorated Green Beret, former White House and Pentagon policy advisor, a small business owner, an author, and a proud father. He is the first Green Beret to be elected to Congress.
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