Photography by Roberto Gonzalez at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
From left: LaTonya R. Stark, Wednesday Hugus
LaTonya R. Stark: Vice president of engagement, Orlando Regional Realtors Association
Stark’s journey began with a deep love for writing. She once dreamed of becoming a poet or a novelist, but reality led Stark to explore journalism. She later discovered marketing, public relations and communications, the perfect intersection of her love for storytelling, service and human behavior.
“I’ve always been fascinated by what motivates people and how communication shapes decisions, and this field allows me to craft compelling narratives, solve business challenges and build meaningful connections,” she says.
In her role as vice president of engagement, Stark leads marketing, communications, special events, business development and non-dues revenue initiatives that drive growth and engagement, along with building multi-channel marketing strategies.
Among the organizations Stark supports is the Pink Pearl Foundation (which empowers underserved populations), the Wounded Warrior Project, NASCAR Foundation and the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
“For me, service is a calling, and I am dedicated to using my platform to drive meaningful change and build stronger communities,” she says.
Wednesday Hugus: President, Wednesday’s Community Cats & Kittens
Take the case of a cat named Phoenix.
“He came to us with an open neck wound caused by ear mites,” says Hugus. “It was all self-inflicted—these poor cats basically scratch themselves to death and then get secondary infections. He was completely wild. No other rescue was able to take him because of the cost and the length of time it was going to take to rehabilitate him.”
Through her partnership with Pet Alliance, Hugus adds, Phoenix was cleaned up and treated weekly. He is now living his best life in a private catio with other cats.
She also partners with Orange County Animal Services; Hugus estimates that Wednesday’s Community Cats & Kittens has saved 380 cats from OCAS’ euthanasia list since March 2024 [at the time this was written in March 2025].
“We tell everyone that you can’t save 90,000 cats, but you can make a difference to the one cat that you do save,” she says. “You can change a life, even if it’s just one.”
In addition to running Wednesday’s Community Cats & Kittens, Hugus continues to work as a successful pharmaceutical sales professional—she’s worked 28 years with the same company and is a four-time national all-star sales rep.
From left: Dana Nichols, Tiffany Hughes
Dana Nichols: Executive director, Cannonball Kids’ Cancer Foundation
“As a naive college student, I wanted to save the world, and while that might have felt idealistic at the time, I quickly realized that what I was most passionate about was finding creative, adaptable ways to address the needs of organizations working to solve real-world problems,” she says.
The primary spokesperson for Cannonball Kids’ cancer Foundation, Nichols advocates for that cause, engages stakeholders and drives long-term impact. She’s galvanized to fight for children who deserve better than the treatment options currently available to them.
“It means standing up against the broken systems that don’t allocate enough resources to pediatric cancer research and creating the kind of future where kids have more chances, more options and more hope,” says Nichols. “I’m passionate about the power of vulnerability and truth—about showing up fully, allowing space for grief and joy and inspiring others to join in the work with love, empathy and urgency.”
“The cause isn’t just about research,” she adds, “it’s about supporting those who are fighting the hardest battles and ensuring no one feels alone in the fight.”
To those entering the workforce today, Nichols says individuals need to embrace vulnerability, authenticity and empathy.
“Adaptability is key, because the world is constantly changing, and so is the work we’re doing,” she says.
Nichols was honored as one of Orlando Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business 2025.
Tiffany Hughes: Chief of operations, UCF College of Business
Building partnerships and fostering growth is crucial to Hughes, not only in her role in building relationships between the college and business community, but in supporting others as they grow their careers.
“I love shaping programs that foster leadership, innovation and community engagement, knowing they create lasting opportunities,” says Hughes. “Seeing students and professionals grow because of these initiatives makes every effort worthwhile and reminds me why I love what I do.”
At UCF, Hughes has secured sponsorships, organized more than 150 events annually and supported the College of Business in surpassing its $20 million fundraising goal.
A chance networking event led her to higher education; Hughes started her career in corporate sales and marketing, later venturing into entrepreneurship in the recycling and manufacturing industry, where she eventually became vice president of a national manufacturing company.
“Working at UCF has been a wonderful experience that allows me to apply my corporate background in a way that connects students with industry leaders, fosters professional growth and creates lasting opportunities,” she says.
A willingness to take risks, along with resilience and adaptability, is what it takes for today’s workforce to be successful, she says.
“Embracing new technology, like ChatGPT and OpenAI isn’t just an advantage; it’s a necessity. Employers want professionals who can analyze data, think critically and confidently navigate change. Building relationships, staying curious and being open to learning will set you apart. The more you embrace growth and innovation, the more opportunities you’ll create.”
↩ Back to Orlando Magazine’s 2025 Women of the Year Honorees