Diane Meiller and Associates Presents
™
An opportunity for young women to collaborate with Central Florida’s most influential female executives and create solutions for Central Florida’s biggest problems.
DM&A hosted the third annual, Me and My Community event on June 19, 2010. This initiative is to teach high school women the importance of leadership, teamwork, collaboration, professional communication, compromise, and passion in building first class solutions which have the greatest benefit for the holistic success of the community. DM&A is working in tandem with the local Junior Achievement organization on hosting this all day event for high school women that have been selected by their school administrators based upon academic and leadership potential. The project based format provides participants the opportunity to work with their peers throughout Orange County, while being “mentored” by outstanding female community leaders in Orange County. This year’s mentors included: Dr. Deborah German, Dean of the College of Medicine at University of Central Florida; Mary Mahoney, Principal at J. Robinson Group; Laura Pooser, Director of Development for the College of Health & Public Affairs at University of Central Florida Foundation; Linda Beach, Senior Publisher at Apartment Finders; Florrie Yee, Senior Consultant at Diane Meiller & Associates, Inc.; Anne Chinoda, Partner at Strategic Healthcare Solutions; Judy Holcomb, Professor at the Rosen School of Hospitality at University of Central Florida; Leslie O’Meara-Malfitano, Director of Human Resources at Diane Meiller & Associates, Inc; and Maria Camacho, Vice President of Program Management at Wyndham Vacation Ownership. With the help of these professionals, the young women tackled important community issues ranging from unemployment to health care reform to higher education. A panel of judges comprised of professional executive women evaluated each team on scorecard criteria such as demonstrated leadership, knowledge and delivery of content, creativity, and collaboration skills to select the winning team. The winning team, a group that focused on the issue of affordable high education was then given reward money to distribute as they saw fit between the member of the team and/or a local charitable cause.
Special “thank you” to Jason’s Deli in SO-DO for providing lunch for this year’s event.
In 2009, community mentors included Lydia Gardner, Orange County Clerk of Courts; Carmenza Gonzalez, Vice President of International Economic Development with Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission; Dr. Toni Moody, Founder/Executive Director of Health Masters Club; Tina Rourk, Senior Vice President, Wyndham Vacation Ownership; Susan Forbes, Senior Executive, Director of Marketing and Communications with Florida’s Blood Centers; and returning mentor, Carolyn Fennell, Director of Public Affairs for Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. The winning team “Health and Fitness” was invited to deliver their presentation to Orange County Mayor Crotty and the Orange County Board of County’s Commissioners on June 30, 2009. To view video please visit this website link: http://www.orangecountyfl.net/cms/ORANGEMEDIA/otv/meetingsondemand/BCC+Meeting_6_30_09.htm
2009 Me and My CommUnity Photo Gallery (click link to view)
2010 Me and My CommUnity Photo Gallery (click link to view)