1. Derrick Chubbs | President & CEO, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
“The fight against hunger and poverty in Central Florida is a shared challenge,” says Chubbs, “and by working together, we can make a more significant impact in tackling food insecurity.”
Chubbs worked in the for-profit technology industry before following his heart and shifting to the non-profit sector, joining the food bank network. He held leadership positions with IBM, Pervasive Software and Dell during that time.
Chubbs spent nearly 10 years with the American Red Cross, where he served as national vice president for disaster workforce readiness, division vice president for the Southwest and Rocky Mountain Division (he was responsible for operations across nine states in this role) and regional CEO of the American Red Cross of Central Texas.
Chubbs has served on numerous boards and was celebrated as an honoree at Onyx Magazine’s “Men of Honor” event. He has received honors from the “Integrity Award” from Austin 1st Tee, “Legend of the Year Award” from the 4ATX Foundation (Austin Soccer Team), “Executive of the Year” from The DivInc Foundation, and a host of others.
2. Ed Durkee | President & CEO, Goodwill Industries of Central Florida
In January, Durkee announced a significant renovation of its flagship retail store and administrative building located at 7531 S. Orange Blossom Trail, to be carried out in phases over 24 months to minimize disruptions for shoppers, donors and employees. The project includes expanding the sales floor to 19,000 square feet, redesigning the donation drive-through lanes to protect against weather and restructuring the processing area to improve workflow efficiency.
Additionally, the renovation will feature a new exterior façade and a dedicated classroom space for Project Compass, an alternative high school program in collaboration with Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) aimed at supporting at-risk teens. Durkee says this project is more than just a physical upgrade; it’s a long-term investment in the employees and the community that GICF has served for 25 years.
Durkee’s leadership has also focused on sustainability and social impact. In 2023, GICF diverted nearly 24 million pounds of clothing and household items from landfills, a clear demonstration of its commitment to environmental responsibility.
3. Catherine Steck McManus | President & CEO, Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County
“When people are unhoused, or precariously housed, they aren’t able to focus on other things that make them better,” says McManus. “If we can assure that people are housed affordably, they are able then to get the best out of their lives.”
The median sale price for an entry level home has more than doubled in the past 10 years. Nine out of 10 single wage-earners making the median wage in healthcare, hospitality or education, she says, can’t afford the median price of an entry-level home in Central Florida.
How can we fix a problem so daunting? Start with public awareness.
“Our public awareness campaign [Face the Housing Crisis] was to help the community understand who needs housing affordability. It’s not always who you think it is,” says McManus.
Another key is education. Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County has opened its curriculum to the public.
Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County is also revitalizing neighborhoods with programs such its roof replacement program.
“We’re looking at the housing system in a holistic way,” says McManus.
4. Jeff Hayward | President & CEO, Heart of Florida United Way
Hayward has also been instrumental in addressing the challenges facing Central Florida families, particularly in education. Recognizing the threat of the “summer slide,” where students lose progress during the summer months, he’s spearheaded initiatives to ensure that children continue to thrive academically even when school is out.
5. Pamela Landwirth | President & CEO, Give Kids The World
This year, Landwirth’s dedication has continued to shine through significant accomplishments and contributions. Notably, Give Kids The World Village recently marked an incredible milestone of 5 million volunteer hours, a testament to the community of dedicated staff, volunteers and donors that Landwirth has inspired. It underscores the Village’s mission and the collective effort to bring joy and hope to families in need.
Additionally, the Village opened the new STEAM WonderLab, a state-of-the-art educational facility where children can explore science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics through interactive exhibits and activities.
Photo Courtesy of Give Kids The World
6. Brendan O’Connor | Editor in Chief, Bungalower
Brendan O’Connor went from an unfulfilling job as a calendar editor to being the voice of Orlando. As top dog at Bungalower, he introduces you to all the news he sees fit to broadcast, and the places you must explore. He took over the gig from its founder, who focused on hyper-local headlines in the downtown area.
“But I just kept adding things to the palette,” says O’Connor. The community responded. “People just took what I said to heart,” he says.
Bungalower focuses on the historic downtown core. Every week, O’Connor walks a different neighborhood, talking to residents and getting juicy scoops other media outlets don’t.
O’Connor has an impressive 51% open rate for his weekly newsletter and has almost 50,000 followers on Instagram. He is also the Emmy-nominated host of “Restaurants on the Radar.”
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