Central Florida professionals share their experiences and advice for future generations.

Central Florida is known for its variety of successful industries: health care, entertainment, education, connectivity and more. That success is rooted in the diverse experiences that amalgamate in The Sunshine State to form communities that thrive with innumerable vocations.

Orlando Family Magazine asked local leaders to reflect on their experiences, obstacles, impact and all of the components that have paved the way to where they are today.

Abel Biri
CEO, AdventHealth Orlando
On maneuvering career challenges…
Learning to lead through uncertainty. Health care changes fast: Whether it’s a hyper-competitive environment, a shift in payment models or a pandemic, I’ve had to get comfortable making tough calls while staying grounded in purpose and values.

His advice for future leaders…
Don’t chase titles, seek impact. Leadership is about serving others and creating an environment where your team can do their best work.

On his career journey…
I didn’t set out with a grand plan. I took the opportunities that came my way and focused on giving more than I had. It was the work I did a decade ago at AdventHealth Orlando that ultimately opened the door to the role I’m in today.

Jerry Demings
Mayor, Orange County
On his career journey…
I was born and raised in Orlando, and grew up in the Washington Shores neighborhood. We were an eclectic community of people from all walks of life. …I grew up around many people who went on to achieve great things [like] Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy, who became the first Black person elected to the Orlando City Council and the first Black elected official anywhere in Orange County… Belvin Perry Sr., the first Black officer in the Orlando Police Department, and Mable Butler, the first Black woman elected to the Orlando City Council [and] to the Orange County Commission. We grew up with a village. … I watched [my parents] working a lot. We were expected to volunteer, go to church and be a part of the community. All of those experiences gave me perspective and shaped how I understand community. That foundation has shown me how Orlando and Orange County have evolved into what they are today. I’ve had the opportunity to help lead and shape the legacy of our community—what a privilege it’s been.

Dennis Freeman
Owner, In-Home Tutors
On his career journey…
The key to business success, I think, is staying focused on your core mission but also being willing to take advantage of unexpected opportunities when they arise. That’s what brought In-Home Tutors to Orlando in 2007, after our first five years in Atlanta. One of my best tutors announced she was moving to Orlando to be closer to her aging parents. I asked her if she’d like to start an Orlando office. She agreed, and I promptly registered In-Home Tutors Orlando as a business in The Sunshine State. It took a while to get established, but once we formed a relationship with the Foundation for Foster Children to tutor kids in foster care, our business established critical mass with some great tutors—and we’ve never looked back.

Tanisha Nunn Gary
CEO/President, African American Chamber of Commerce Central Florida
Her advice for future leaders…
Stay grounded in your values, lead with purpose and build authentic relationships. Your integrity and how you treat people will always outlast titles or positions. Seek mentors and sponsors who will challenge you, guide you and advocate for you. And when you reach your goals, do not forget to hold the door open for those coming behind you.

On work/life balance…
I have learned to give myself permission to prioritize what matters most in each season of my life. Balance does not always mean equal time; it means being fully present where you are. Whether I am leading a major event, spending time with my son or taking a quiet moment for myself, I try to bring the same intentionality and grace to each role.

Kelly Hyne
Senior Vice President of Brand Alliances, Orlando Pride
On her career journey…
Throughout my career in sports, I was always open to opportunity, and it took me to nine different states and let me travel the world. When I had an opportunity 16 years ago to move to Orlando, my retired parents soon followed, and that solidified this was the place I wanted to put down roots. Central Florida has such a vibrant and welcoming business community, and we already know the best sports city, so I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else!

On work/life balance…
Always put family first and take time for yourself each week—even if you have to schedule it! By being centered about what is most important in life, it allows you to keep perspective and let go of the work to recharge with friends and family.

Steve Powell
Library Director/Chief Executive Officer, Orange County Library System
On maneuvering career challenges…
Patience. I’ve worked in several different industries in management roles, overseeing employees and vendors. Those environments brought a lot of pressure and stress due to deadlines and the risk of negative financial consequences, such as lower employee pay and decreased company revenue. I reached a point in my career where getting things done, whether in my lane or outside of it, was holding back my upward mobility. It took professional coaching and discipline to rework my approach, but I succeeded and have been promoted twice, including into my current role.

His advice for future leaders…
Be a lifelong learner. Use professional opportunities as a chance to learn and develop into the most valuable employee you can be. You never know when a chance for promotion will come up, someone might tap you for a special role or project, or when you’ll see an opportunity in a related field that you want to pursue.

Gabriel Preisser
General Director & CEO, Opera Orlando
His advice for future leaders…
I learned early on to hire people and surround myself with people that know more than me and have expertise that I do not have. You never want to be the smartest person in the room when running a business.

On his career journey…
I grew up in Apopka, so I am a native Central Floridian and while performing has taken me all over the U.S., my wife and I always wanted to raise our family here in Orlando to be close to our families and have that ever-important support network, not to mention all the theme parks, the beach, the natural beauty of Florida. It is a great place to live, and we consider ourselves fortunate to both be in jobs that we love, doing what we love, where we love to live.

Patty Sheehan
Commissioner, District 4, City of Orlando
On maneuvering career challenges…
The biggest challenge I have had to overcome was the aftermath of the Pulse massacre. It has been especially challenging to raise money for the completion of the Pulse memorial. … Just [recently], we got the final agreement for financial support from Orange County to complete the memorial. It will be built to honor our 49 angels.

On her career journey…
As an art major, I never thought I would end up as a politician. I always say “Bloom where you are planted.” I got laid off from a job in marketing, and had to take a state job at the Department of Agriculture. I thought I would be there a few months: I fell in love with government, with being able to help people with their problems. I especially love our tight-knit Orlando community. And I am proud to have represented District 4 for 25 years as the longest-serving elected official in Orlando.

Dr. Maria F. Vazquez
Superintendent, Orange County Public Schools
Her advice for future leaders…
What I have learned is that leadership is not about having all the answers—it’s about having the courage to listen, to learn and to lift others up along the way. I stand here as someone who learned English as my second language, and I want you to know this: Your challenges are not barriers. The very things you think hold you back will become the source of your strength as a leader. The world doesn’t need perfect leaders. It needs leaders who are resilient, compassionate and unafraid to turn obstacles into opportunities.

Advice for her younger self…
Playing it safe may protect today, but it rarely builds tomorrow. Every breakthrough has come from someone willing to step into the unknown. If we want the next generation to lead boldly, we must show them that failing forward is not weakness—it’s the foundation of progress.