Orlando Magazine’s 2024 Women of the Year Honorees
We asked you, our readers, for nominees and you responded with a wealth of recommendations, along with details on how these women make a huge difference in the lives of countless people daily.
ORLANDO MAGAZINE IS PROUD TO HONOR THE FOLLOWING 23 CENTRAL FLORIDIANS AS OUR 2024 WOMEN OF THE YEAR.
Thank you to our readers for your insightful nominations; thank you to our women for your service.
LIST OF HONOREES
*You can read their biographies by clicking on their names.
Dr. Lauren Josephs
CEO, Visionary Vanguard Group, Inc.
Judith Smelser
President & General Manager, Central Florida Public Media (previously known
as WMFE)
Brenda Lounsberry
Marketing Director, The Mall at Millenia
Tekoa Pouerie
Vice President of Resource Development, Pace Center for Girls— national office
Karen Keene
Founder and Chief Strategic Advisor, ATHENA Orlando Women’s Leadership, Inc./ATHENA NextGen
Chianna Collins (Ray)
CEO, BLK Room Projec
Traci Smith
Co-founder and Strategic Advisor, ATHENA NextGen
Director of Treasury Sales and Strategic Partnerships, Cogent Bank
Jennifer Johnson
Co-founder and Strategic Advisor, ATHENA NextGen
Senior Curriculum Manager, Florida Institute of CPAs
Joyce Riggins-Baker
Summer Youth Consultant, CareerSource Central Florida
Alexis Jackson
Vice President of Development, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Haley Crain Carter
Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager, Orlando Pride
Sherry Wheelock
President & CEO, Special Olympics Florida
Jessica Hallgren Haines
Founder, KLG Orlando
Founder, Hope for More Foundation
Debbie Rodriguez
Owner, Founder And CEO of Competitive Edge Partners And Consulting
Creator of The Nonprofit, ibuild USA
Monique Waldrop
Chief Marketing Officer, 4Rivers Restaurant Group and 4Roots
Dr. Kideste Mariam Yusef
Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Director of the Center for Law and Social Justice, Bethune-Cookman University
Samantha Haar
Media Executive Producer at T&D Media LLC.
Host of the podcast Samantics
Lorraine Sovern
Local Filmmaker and Film Festival Curator/Enzian Theater
Deborah Wiggins
First Lady of The Hope Church and Director of Hope Cares
Mary Lou Sole, PhD, RN
Dean of Nursing at the University of Central Florida (UCF)
Barbara Walters-Phillips
President, Orlando Youth Aviation Center
Math and Science Coach, Little River Elementary
Tricia Hage
Owner and operator, Charlie’s Bakery & Creamery
Sierra Rainge-Jones
Founder and CEO, Live Limitless
Media Group
