50 Most Powerful People of 2025 In Orlando: Entertainment, Sports & The Arts
Meet the most powerful people in the Entertainment, Sports, and Arts category.
- Kathy Ramsberger | President & CEO, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
- Jason Siegel | President & CEO, Greater Orlando Sports Commission
- Jennifer Evins | President & CEO, Goodwill Industries of Central Florida
- Mark Wilf | Owner & Chairman, Orlando City SC and Orlando Pride
- Steve Hogan | CEO, Florida Citrus Sports
Kathy Ramsberger is managing a master plan for Dr. Phillips Center’s expansion.
1. Kathy Ramsberger | President & CEO, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Sometimes the biggest risk is not taking one, says Kathy Ramsberger.
The most complex challenge Ramsberger tackled this year is creating a master plan for expansion while operating at near full capacity.
“After more than a decade of delivering Arts For Every Life®, we’re at a pivotal point,” says Ramsberger. “All our venues and spaces are booked at exceptionally high levels. Building activity runs 97 to 99 percent of the year, and our venues are filled 82 to 97 percent on our most in-demand days, Wednesday through Sunday.”
“We could continue operating at capacity and turning people away, but our board of directors and colleagues have the vision to expand what’s working in order to better serve,” she adds.
Dr. Phillips Center recently celebrated a major milestone: its 10-year anniversary. Since opening, the arts center has hosted 6,500-plus events, welcomed over 5.3 million guests and invested more than $24.4 million into purpose-driven programming.
Another game-changer was the launch of Judson’s Live, a music room that hosted 434 performances in its first year across 34 different musical genres, which has become a hub for emerging local talent.
“These achievements reflect growth and the deepening impact and demand from our community that inspires our expansion,” says Ramsberger. “This year, we’ve taken a hard look at what’s next: how to enhance our offerings, expand our campus and meet the needs of our growing community. We’ve been listening closely to students, educators, performers, regional arts groups, donors, healthcare and wellness organizations, businesses and residents, and it’s clear there’s an opportunity to do even more for Central Florida.”
Ramsberger’s most meaningful partnership right now is with the Performing Arts Center Consortium, where she serves as chair.
“It’s a powerful group of about 35 arts leaders across North America who are united by a shared mission to shape the future of our industry,” says Ramsberger. “Together, we’re establishing a new partnership with the Aspen Institute to reimagine the civic role of performing arts centers in American life. This work has the potential to shift national conversations about how the arts strengthens communities, inspires belonging and supports human flourishing.”
“Combined with our community giving (supporting more than 300 local groups and contributing over $24.4 million since opening) we’re proving that collective impact is possible when purpose drives partnership,” Ramsberger adds. “Together, we’re using the arts to foster inclusion, healing and shared experiences that strengthen our region.”
Among the many things to come is a renewed focus on wellness.
The future of sports in Orlando is bright, says Jason Siegel.
2. Jason Siegel | President & CEO, Greater Orlando Sports Commission
Jason Siegel has spent the past decade ensuring Orlando is more than just a vacation destination—it’s a global sports capital. Under his leadership, the Greater Orlando Sports Commission has secured marquee events, from Olympic qualifiers to FIFA tournaments, all while keeping community impact at the forefront.
“Orlando must continue investing in our world-class facilities, prioritizing event diversification and deepening its public-private partnerships,” Siegel says. “Remaining competitive means we must be agile in embracing innovation—whether it’s integrating new technologies, welcoming emerging sports or leveraging AI to enhance visitor experiences.”
The numbers tell the story. In 2025, the AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships reached record participation, solidifying Orlando as the epicenter of youth volleyball. That achievement stemmed from a longstanding partnership among the AAU, the Orange County Convention Center, Visit Orlando and Siegel’s team.
“This collaboration not only generated significant economic impact but also created local job opportunities and increased visibility for our region’s hospitality industry,” Siegel explains.
But with success comes complexity. Coordinating the U.S. Olympic Marathon Team Trials required five years of planning and interagency cooperation. “The scale and visibility of the event demanded meticulous planning, from athlete accommodations to public safety,” Siegel recalls. “It reinforced the value of inclusive leadership—ensuring every voice at the table feels heard and empowered—and reminded me that trust, flexibility and humility are essential when navigating high-stakes environments.”
Siegel acknowledges that balancing the interests of stakeholders across four counties is an ongoing challenge. His solution: transparency and relentless communication. “Our ability to deliver regional wins—such as hosting the U.S. Olympic Team Trials and the FIFA Club World Cup—proves that collaboration, not competition, leads to long-term success,” he says.
Looking ahead, Siegel is focused on event retention, new bid acquisition and equitable access to sports tourism benefits. He emphasizes the importance of transportation infrastructure upgrades and the need to strengthen Orlando’s workforce pipeline through internships and career pathways in sports, tourism and events.
His leadership style is mission-driven and collaborative. “I believe in empowering and celebrating others, fostering a culture of gratitude and being relentless in the pursuit of excellence,” he says. “Shared success is the most sustainable kind.”
From hosting WrestleMania to vying for the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Siegel believes Orlando’s sports future is bright. “With the right alignment and investment, Orlando can raise the bar for major marquee domestic and global events,” he says.
Jennifer Evins hopes to see Orlando’s Cultural Plan realized.
3. Jennifer Evins | President & CEO, United Arts of Central Florida
“Creative entrepreneurs and artists are innovative and think outside the box,” says Jennifer Evins. “The more we invite them to the table to help us think differently about solving our social, economic and structural issues, the more we will be better suited to build a more lasting and successful place for people to live together.”
Among those issues important to address in the next 12 months is to find transportation for creative workers, artists and audience members to safely and efficiently move about the region to work and participate in the vast arts experiences.
It’s also important, says Evins, to strengthen the arts and cultural sector in a sustainable way to meet the explosion of the region’s population and demands for more arts and cultural experiences, as well as find innovative ways to help professional artists and creative entrepreneurs secure affordable workspace and places to showcase their work in galleries and on stages.
“Our region has established a shared vision to be a Global Creative Capital by 2045. We have a significant creative industry sector in both for-profit and nonprofit fields that puts us in a position to compete with other global creative cities and regions,” she says. “We need to utilize this as a catalyst for economic prosperity and leverage our creative talent to address some of our communities’ greatest challenges.”
United Arts’ new cultural tourism partnership with Visit Orlando has created a much-needed focus on marketing and product development strategy to leverage local arts and cultural assets to promote Central Florida’s vibrant art scene and to help local arts destinations and organizations capitalize on the 75 million people visiting Orlando every year.
“Our region now has a dedicated staff who get up every day to help us compete globally for cultural tourists and extend the stay of tourists who are coming here for other great reasons,” says Evins.
United Arts also raised more than $10 million in the annual Collaborative Campaign for the Arts, surpassing a $6.5 million goal to support 40 arts, science and history organizations through private contributions.
“This remarkable achievement marks the largest campaign to date and highlights the value of 32 years of collaboration and collective giving by donors through the annual campaign,” says Evins.
She looks forward to seeing the Cultural Plan for the City of Orlando and Orange County come to fruition.
“Great cities like Philadelphia and New York City have just completed their cultural plans, and if we take the recommendations made in our plan, we will not only leverage our unique and authentic cultural assets to serve our residents and visitors at a whole new level, but we will be able to compete globally with other creative economies,” Evins says.
Mark Wilf has transformed the soccer experience in Orlando.
4. Mark Wilf | Owner & Chairman, Orlando City SC and Orlando Pride
When Mark Wilf and his family assumed ownership of Orlando City Soccer Club and the Orlando Pride in July 2021, Orlando’s professional soccer future shifted gears. In just four years, Wilf has transformed the matchday experience, solidified the city’s standing as a soccer destination and positioned both clubs for long-term success.
Wilf also serves as chairman and co-owner of the Minnesota Vikings.
Orlando City SC, competing in Major League Soccer, reported $475 million in revenue in 2024, a jump from $420 million in 2023. While the club’s overall league ranking dipped slightly, the increase underscores Orlando’s position as a rising market in American soccer. The Orlando Pride, meanwhile, have made their own mark in the National Women’s Soccer League. In 2025, the Pride generated $8 million in revenue—a figure bolstered by a robust sponsorship portfolio. Their largest partnership, with Orlando Health, is estimated at $5 million annually, and the Pride now lead the league with $12 million in total sponsorship revenue. Ticket sales have surged as well, rising 112% over the last two seasons.
“Soccer is more than just a sport—it’s an experience that brings our community together,” Wilf has said.
Perhaps the most visible change under Wilf’s stewardship is the transformation of the club’s downtown venue. In 2024, Exploria Stadium was renamed INTER&Co Stadium as part of a landmark partnership with the Brazilian financial services company. The deal not only symbolizes Orlando’s global reach but also injects investment into fan amenities and infrastructure.
Wilf’s commitment extends equally to the Orlando Pride, now celebrating their 10th season with a year-long initiative called “10 Years of Pride.” The campaign underscores the club’s pioneering role in advancing women’s soccer while setting the stage for the next decade of growth.
“The Pride are a vital part of our soccer family,” Wilf has emphasized. “We are dedicated to giving these world-class athletes the platform and support they deserve.”
Steve Hogan is known as the man who convinced the Pro Bowl to move to Orlando from Honolulu. Photo courtesy Florida Citrus Sports
5. Steve Hogan | CEO, Florida Citrus Sports
Steve Hogan has been instrumental in bringing sports to Orlando in the past two decades. His nonprofit event agency, Florida Citrus Sports (FCS) is responsible for producing the Citrus Bowl, Camping World Bowl, Camping World Kickoff, Florida Blue Florida Classic, Florida Citrus Parade and many other Central Florida-based events that have not only generated economic impact, but have benefited at-risk children and furthered educational initiatives.
Most recently, he’s known as the man who convinced the Pro Bowl to move from Honolulu to Orlando and brought greater visibility to soccer in the region.
“Over the past 12 months, we’ve significantly expanded our investments and global capabilities in the international soccer space,” says Hogan. “That progress yielded the highest-profile FC Series we’ve ever hosted—Manchester City vs. Barcelona last summer—as well as four matches in January featuring Brazilian powers.”
“Plus,” says Hogan, “our organization played a major role in adding Camping World Stadium to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup lineup, with four matches at the venue this past summer.”
He and FCS also recently built a partnership with the College Football Playoff Foundation, which is focused on investing in education.
“That partnership has allowed us to support more than 1,000 classroom projects in Central Florida’s public school system,” says Hogan. “We’ve also been able to elevate our appreciation for teachers by honoring many of them on the field during major games at the stadium.”
Continuing to invest in Orlando’s future is his main focus in the coming year.
“The City of Orlando owns Camping World Stadium, and our partners at Orlando Venues operate the facility. The County has made a major $400 million investment to complete the original 65,000-seat vision for the facility. For FCS—as both a tenant of the facility and the organization that took the lead on requesting those investments—we need to work extremely hard with the venues team to ensure the community gets the most out of that investment,” says Hogan.
