50 Most Powerful People of 2023: Entertainment, Sports & The Arts

The arts hold a profound significance in Central Florida, enriching our community in countless ways. They inspire creativity, self-expression, and cultural diversity, fostering a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere. Beyond their aesthetic value, the arts contribute to the region’s economic vitality by attracting tourism and supporting local businesses. 

Moreover, they offer a unique platform for storytelling and dialogue, promoting understanding and unity among diverse populations. Central Florida’s commitment to the arts not only enhances our cultural identity but also elevates our quality of life, making it a place where creativity flourishes, and the community thrives. Meet the Most Powerful People in local Entertainment, Sports, and The Arts.

1. KATHY RAMSBERGER | President & CEO, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts 

Kathy Ramsberger has been president and CEO of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts for the past 20 years, handpicked for the position by Mayor Buddy Dyer to help develop and oversee the transformational, $600 million civic and entertainment center in the heart of downtown Orlando.

Working alongside Dyer and Chairman Jim Pugh as the hands-on presence of that plainspoken Dr. Phillips power troika, Ramsberger had to develop and master skillsets ranging from hard sell to hard hat. 

As the grounded, understated, common-sense president and CEO of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, she’s survived and thrived through two decades of keeping donors, board members and arts organizations aligned while sweating out multiple delays triggered by everything from funding-shortfall debacles to construction issues to the Covid virus crisis.

It wasn’t until early last year that the center’s most impressive venue, the state-of-the-art Steinmetz Hall, finally opened and was celebrated as one of the 11 most beautiful venues by Architectural Digest magazine, though its real beauty is its pristine, award-winning, state-of-the-art acoustics.

Barton Myers, its legendary architect, has called the Dr. Phillips Center “the best thing I’ve ever done.” But over the years Ramsberger has made it clear that it’s what happens inside the building that counts. 

One of her favorite memories so far is an inclusive effort made possible by an alliance of private donors who teamed up with corporate sponsors and governmental agencies to make it possible for 1,200 teachers, social service groups, first responders, veterans, and underprivileged students and families to see “Hamilton” free of charge at the Dr. Phillips Center.

She knows that the venue’s slogan, “Arts for every life,” is a pretty one. She’s even more aware that if that’s all it is – just a slogan – why bother?

Photo by Roberto Gonzalez

2. ALEX MARTINS | Chief Executive Officer / Alternate Governor, Orlando Magic 

Alex Martins, a seasoned professional in sports management with a 34-year track record, rejoined the Magic in June 2005 and was later promoted to chief executive officer in December of 2011. Having previously held positions such as president and chief operating officer from 2006 to 2010, Martins also serves as the CEO of SED Development, LLC, an affiliate of the Magic, overseeing an entertainment mixed-use development project adjacent to the Amway Center.

Martins is deeply involved in the Magic’s operations and broader affiliations. He acts as the team’s alternate governor to the NBA Board of Governors, manages the Lakeland Magic (Orlando’s NBA G League affiliate), and participates in various NBA committees focused on media, labor relations, and business matters.

Over the past 15 years, Martins led significant transformations within the Magic organization. Under his leadership, the Magic achieved remarkable milestones including their largest-ever season ticket base, successful corporate partnership sales, and robust group ticket sales.

Martins played a crucial role in securing the cutting-edge Amway Center in Orlando, which opened in 2010. He oversaw the construction of the center and contributed to the establishment of community recreation centers in Orange County. Additionally, Martins facilitated the development of the AdventHealth Training Center which opened in 2022.

Photo by Roberto Gonzalez

3. MARK WILF | Owner & Chairman, Orlando City SC and Orlando Pride 

Mark Wilf holds the roles of Owner and Chairman within the esteemed realm of sports, presiding over both the Orlando City Soccer Club and the Orlando Pride. This influential position was solidified on July 21, 2021, when Mark Wilf and his family emerged as majority owners of these entities, a venture that encompassed not only the clubs but also the notable Exploria Stadium. Moreover, the acquisition included a comprehensive array of soccer assets such as the Orlando City Academy and Youth Soccer Network, in addition to the official training facilities: the Orlando Health Training Ground at Osceola Heritage Park and the Orlando Health Training Ground at Sylvan Lake Park.

Also owners of the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings, the Wilf Family’s  imprint on Minnesota is further manifested through the creation of the Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center. This innovative hub, inaugurated in Eagan, Minnesota in March 2018, serves as the team’s day-to-day and training camp base. Situated within the sprawling Viking Lakes, a 200-acre mixed-use development, it also houses esports teams, the USA Curling national headquarters, and the northern office of the United States Tennis Association, among other entities.

The Wilfs’ commitment to philanthropy is deeply ingrained, resonating across generations. Their support spans geographies, encompassing causes in the U.S. and abroad. This altruistic drive is particularly evident in their prioritization of social justice initiatives and children’s health in their leadership roles.

Photo courtesy of Orlando City Soccer

4. JASON SIEGEL | President & Chief Executive Officer, Greater Orlando Sports Commission 

Jason Siegel boasts over three decades of triumphs in sports tourism, professional and collegiate athletics. As the President and CEO of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission (GO Sports), he has led the charge for eight years. During his tenure, the Commission, now dubbed GO Sports, has orchestrated 350 events, with a projected economic impact exceeding $1 billion between 2016 and 2022. Operating in one of the nation’s prime sports tourism hubs, GO Sports bolsters Orlando and surrounding counties economically.

Siegel has facilitated substantial growth in the organization. The Commission’s Board of Directors has quadrupled, as partners from both public and private sectors assumed leadership roles. Corporate partnerships surged from four to over 140 under his guidance.

His achievements include procuring substantial grant funding, securing marquee events such as the 2019 MLS All-Star Game, NCAA championships, international tournaments, and prominent qualifiers. Orlando scored a remarkable 17 NCAA National Championship events between 2022 and 2026, a feat unequaled nationally.

Renowned as an innovative relationship builder and business developer, he earned CEO of the Year honors, garnered multiple awards from diverse sources including magazines, radio, and business journals, and spearheaded GO26 World Cup Pursuit efforts. He pioneered “Celebrating Women in Sports” luncheons and facilitated community collaboration during the COVID-19 pandemic. His extensive involvement in community boards underscores Siegel’s continued commitment to service.

Photo by Roberto Gonzalez

TERRY OLSON | Director, Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs

The first press release Terry Olson ever generated involved sending out pairs of whitey-tighties with little strips of fringe attached to various Orlando news organizations.

Such is the bottom line of how residents of the city got word three decades ago that he and two other promoters were bringing the International Fringe Festival to town. Olson, once a grassroots street performer and producer as one of the founders of an Orlando comedy-improv group called Sak Theatre, has been a cheeky local presence ever since. 

As director of Orange County’s Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs since its founding over 20 years ago, Olson, who recently turned 70, was then and still remains the least establishment-type member among establishment types.

If you didn’t know that already you’d deduce it soon enough upon hearing that he eschews that stuffy-sounding title above in favor of referring to himself as “Chief Artistic Instigator.”

Olson still delights in coming up with offbeat artistic events, such as a recent series of popular underground events at a donated downtown office space.

Photo by Roberto Gonzalez

6. JENNIFER EVINS | President & CEO, United Arts of Central Florida 

Life as a couch potato was never an option for Jennifer Evins. Growing up in Indianapolis, Indiana in the 1970s, she and her siblings had to abide by a daily time limit on television watching: 30 minutes a day. After that they had to lay off the boob tube in favor of using their imaginations for entertainment.

“We didn’t miss television one bit,” says Evins. ‘We were too busy having fun we made up on our own.”

That should give you a sense of how far back the president and CEO of United Arts of Central Florida can track back her passion for the arts. Now it represents even more than entertainment to her.

“It’s about changing lives,” she says.

Shortly after taking over the reins at United Arts she oversaw an intensive and ultimately successful effort to a $500,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, one that qualifies the organization for future funding.  

The money went directly to arts organizations in Orange, Seminole, Lake and Osceola counties whose budgets had been devastated by the impact of the pandemic.

Photo by  Carey Sheffield

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