Last week our Young Professionals recognized eight new Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Award recipients for the year 2023. Each year the YPs honor a new group of outstanding individuals age 40 and under. Candidates are nominated by their coworkers or peers before completing a detailed application. The only requirement is that they live or work in Osceola County. A selection committee comprised of past winners and community leaders then scores the applications to determine a class of 5 to 10 winners.
This year, eight remarkable individuals were chosen. This diverse group included Steps Foundation founder Abigail Ellis, Elev8 Mortgage’s Ulysses Escobar, City of Kissimmee Redevelopment Planner Benjamin Burnett, El Osceola Star owner & editor Yanin Hansen, Ufuoma, Incorporated founder Nicole Abodo, JP Morgan Chase Bank’s Edgardo Salgado, Dorsainvil Creative Group owner and Haitians Who Blog founder Shirley Dor, and Vision Osceola founder and Hello Website Design owner Alyssa Noel. You can read more about them and their accomplishments at the Young Professionals Facebook page.
These eight professionals and their accomplishments were celebrated at an awards reception at The Heritage Club at Osceola Heritage Park surrounded by family, friends, and colleagues, as well as members of the Young Professionals Board of Directors. Attendees enjoyed light bites, a full bar, and time for networking between awards.
Be on the lookout in 2024 to nominate next year’s batch of Tomorrow’s Leaders Today!
Congratulations to this year’s winners!
Want to get involved with the Young Professionals? Look for invitations to the Young Professionals Coalition meetings beginning in 2024!
Gallery of Award Winners & Event Gallery
Every October we see a sudden onslaught of pink. Pink ribbons, pink logos on some of our favorite brands, and pink-themed events and fundraisers are all common sights throughout the month of October.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and all that pink is there to make sure we don't forget it!
As for all healthcare providers, October is an important outreach month for our friends at AdventHealth. For years now, they have used Breast Cancer Awareness Month to hold their Pink on Parade 5K in Celebration and raise money for Breast Cancer awareness and research. This year the Chamber had a team and we were able to raise over $250 dollars, which was then matched by proceeds from the event for a total of $565. Pink on Parade was a fun and healthy start to a pleasantly chilly morning, and a great opportunity for fresh air and exercise while supporting an important cause.
Just over a week later, the Chamber and Advent Health teamed up again - this time to host a Pink Tea Party at the gorgeous Ette hotel just off Highway 192 on Sherberth Road. Attendees showed up in their finest hats and fascinators, and many wore pink.
Attendees chose from the hotel's selection of black, white, green, herbal, and blue teas, and each enjoyed their own pot along with finger sandwiches, scones with cream, and a dessert selection. Dr. Jeremy John, a Breast Oncology Surgeon with Advent Health, spoke about the importance of breast health, and Samantha Muhlbach, Advent Health Breast Care Coordinator - Breast Health Education, spoke of the importance of regular mammograms, age-appropriate breast examination, the role or genetics, and more. Finally, Erika Donoso, a breast cancer survivor, shared her own personal experience with cancer and with Advent Health's team. The morning capped off with a Chamber Trivia contest and a Fancy Hat contest. Winners received prizes including Walt Disney World tickets and a stay at the Ette hotel.
Gallery of Attendees, Tea Time, Speakers & Contest Winners
The Osceola Chamber is hiring! We are in search of a part-time bookkeeper. This position is part-time, 29 hours per week or less, and is responsible for all financial activity of the Chamber, including recording and maintaining all records of the Chamber and its associated Area Councils and entities, such as The Chamber Foundation, the Osceola Legislative Effort, and the Small Business Development Center.
You can read the full job description HERE. Interested parties should send a resume to Cindy Lewis at cdlewis@theosceolachamber.com.
