Orlando Women of the Year 2025 Honorees – Stephanie Garris, Dr. Ilene E. Wilkins, Angela Garcia and Jennifer Rice-Palmer

Photography by Roberto Gonzalez at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

From left: Stephanie Garris, Dr. Ilene E. Wilkins

Stephanie Garris: CEO, Grace Medical Home 

Stephanie Garris has dedicated her career to expanding access to healthcare. She began in health policy, working for a congressman before joining the American Medical Association and the American Hospital Association while attending law school at night. When she discovered Grace’s mission—to reflect the heart of Christ by offering the highest level of health care to those in our community who need it most—she knew she wanted to be involved. 

She joined in 2009, and the facility opened for patients in 2010. 

“I have the privilege of leading a dedicated team of 43 staff and 500 volunteers to provide comprehensive, holistic care to more than 5,000 low-income, uninsured individuals in Orange County,” says Garris. “Our team’s compassion and hard work ensure that those most in need receive integrated medical services delivered with joy and purpose.”

In addition to supporting Grace, Garris is passionate about policies that improve the lives of the ALICE population (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed) and the nonprofits that serve their basic needs. She sits on the Board of Directors for the Heart of Florida United Way.

She’s also proud of the recognition Grace has received for its role in the community. 

“As the only privately funded medical home providing continuous, high-quality care and support to low-income, uninsured individuals in Orange County, we have successfully managed grants at the local, state and national levels and participated in six national clinical trials, demonstrating excellence in caring for one of the sickest, most vulnerable patient populations,” says Garris. “Last year, we were honored as a recipient of the Dr. Phillips Charities Leadership Awards for health, celebrating the 150th birthday of Dr. Philip Phillips and his wife, Della.”

Garris is also a founding board member of the Florida Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, established 12 years ago to create a network for clinic leaders. 

Dr. Ilene E. Wilkins: CEO/superintendent, United Cerebral Palsy of Central Florida

“I love the quote ‘it’s always fun to do the impossible,’” says Dr. Ilene E. Wilkins.  “Every day I see what many folks say was ‘impossible’—from watching a child whose parents were told they would never walk take their first steps to watching a team member who started as a summer teen counselor ‘grow up’ with us and walk across the stage to accept her Masters diploma.”

At United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Central Florida, Dr. Wilkins and her staff help children with and without disabilities to achieve their potential. She’s been involved in children’s issues since she accepted her first post-college job, working for the Girl Scouts of Greater New York as a troop service director.

“I believe that every child has the right to an education and a life without limits,” says Dr. Wilkins. “I am also passionate about creating a community where all children are accepted and valued.”

Dr. Wilkins made an impact on the lives of more than 150 children in her role as a foster parent for 10 years. She was also a youth girl scout leader, softball and basketball coach and a member of the Avalon Park Rotary. She currently serves on the board of the Early Learning Coalition.

With UCP, she developed and implemented eight inclusive charter schools, increased revenue from $500,000 to $40 million, increased the number of children served from 120 to 3,500 and added seven new facilities, secured more than $16.5 million in recent U.S. Department of Education grants and created UCP Institute, a professional development and consulting arm to assist other charter schools and providers.

From left: Angela Garcia, Jennifer Rice-Palmer

Angela Garcia: Vice president of development and marketing, A Gift for Teaching

As a business major in college, Angela Garcia was certain she’d run her own company one day. But she struggled to find a meaningful “why” in business that inspired her. Everything changed when she took a class focused on the study of people—and realized nonprofits are businesses with people at their core. She shifted her career toward service and the nonprofit sector and never looked back. 

“It was a decision that aligned perfectly with my passion and purpose, allowing me to make a meaningful impact every day through work that truly fulfills me,” says Garcia. 

Today, in her role at A Gift for Teaching, Garcia connect generous donors and community partners with opportunities to support students and teachers in need. She also develops strategies to secure funding, build corporate partnerships and engage supporters through storytelling and campaigns.

“Knowing that our efforts help equip classrooms, ease financial burdens and create opportunities for students to succeed is incredibly fulfilling,” she says. “Seeing the community come together to support education and knowing I played a role in making that happen is what makes this work so meaningful.”

Since joining A Gift for Teaching in 2015, Garcia has advanced through six roles, steadily increasing her impact and leadership. In thinking about making a difference over time, she recalls the most memorable piece of advice she ever received—to always wear sunscreen. 

“It’s simple advice, but it’s really about thinking long-term—even when you don’t see the results right away. In my career, I’ve learned that the little things we do consistently can make a big difference over time. Whether it’s building relationships, growing professionally or setting the stage for future success, the effort you put in now always pays off later. Just like sunscreen, a little prep and care today can save you from bigger issues down the road and help keep everything on the right track.”

Jennifer Rice-Palmer: Vice president of guest contact at Rosen Hotels & Resorts

Jennifer Rice-Palmer describes her personality as “nurturing and caring by nature, which helps me connect with others and create an environment of support and trust.”

It’s vital to her role at Rosen Hotels & Resorts, where she manages the reservations and guest relations teams, among others, ensuring that guests receive exceptional service from their first point of contact to the moment they check out.

She also loves to guide and mentor the team that works with her. “There’s something incredibly rewarding about helping others grow and watching them flourish in their roles,” says Rice-Palmer. “In my work, I am most passionate about providing others with the same opportunities I’ve been fortunate enough to receive.”

Rice-Palmer has worked with Rosen Hotels & Resorts for 34 years, starting as a desk clerk at Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando. Throughout the years, she’s held several key roles in the company, such as director of sales at Rosen Inn Universal, director of reservations and front office operations at Rosen Plaza and general manager at the Rosen Inn Lake Buena Vista. She’s also a member of Rosen’s Advisory Board.

Rice-Palmer got involved in the hospitality industry at a very young age, starting when she was 14, working in the housekeeping department at a Holiday Inn just down the street from her parents’ house in New Hampshire. 

“I spent five years at that property, learning as much as I could about the industry,” she says. “From housekeeping to food and beverage, banquets and moving into the front desk and audit areas, I tried to gain a well-rounded understanding of how the hotel operated.”

“When I moved to Florida,” she adds, “I joined Rosen Hotels & Resorts, where I was fortunate enough to receive opportunities along the way. I continue to learn and grow in this field every day.”

Rice-Palmer also serves on the board of directors and the executive board for Runway to Hope and is the vice chair of the service advisory for Thacker Avenue Elementary.

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