On Wednesday, August 13 our Leadership Osceola Class of 2025 officially graduated! The 39-person class, their friends, family, colleagues, Leadership Alumni, and members of the Osceola community gathered at Presenting Sponsor Walt Disney World's Yacht Club Resort for a celebratory luncheon.
After the graduates paraded in accompanied by Mickey Mouse himself, Chamber Foundation Chairman Dale Miller greeted the crowd and offered some history of Leadership Osceola, which is a program that has thrived in the Osceola community for 36 years. The Chamber Foundation has been the home of Leadership Osceola for the last 5 of those years, and through the program, the Foundation supports the Chamber's mission to be "champions for business and the Osceola community' by bringing people and resources together throughout the program. The goal of Leadership Osceola is to develop leaders who, in turn, build our community.
In addition to Disney, Miller thanked Title Sponsor Kissimmee Utility Authority, and Keynote Speaker sponsor AdventHealth. Elizabeth Watkins, Senior Manager of Government Relations at Walt Disney World welcomed the crowd to the Yacht Club and Walt Disney World Resort, the site of Leadership Osceola graduation for over 30 years.
Sue Ring, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at The Osceola Chamber and Chamber Foundation, introduced a video recapping 2025's 11 program days. Following a chicken lunch with a tasty "Mickey Mousse" dessert, she introduced Leadership Osceola Planning Committee Interim Chair Eddie Munoz. Munoz bragged about the hours of detailed and organized planning the committee puts in each year to make Leadership Osceola one of the most respected leadership programs in Osceola County. He also mentioned that Planning Committee Chair Jody Staley of Staley Development could not be present due a serious health setback. Attendees were encouraged to help support Jody and his family during his recovery on the other side of country.
Leadership Osceola graduation plaques were presented by Sue Ring, Dale Miller, Chamber President/CEO John Newstreet, and Kissimmee Utility Authority President and General Manager Brian Horton. Following the formal graduation, Eva Maria Pabon, Residential Horticulture Agent UF/IFAS Osceola County Extension Services, who was elected as class represented by her peers, shared her reflections on her time with the Leadership Class of 2025. Finally, the Keynote Speaker, Dr. Omayra Mansfield of AdventHealth Celebration spoke about the power of human connection.
The Class of 2025 also collected school supplies for the Education Foundation of Osceola as part of their class project, and representatives from the foundation were excited to accept their generous donations at the event. Great job!
Congrats Leadership Osceola Class of 2025!
If you would like to be a part of the Leadership Osceola Class of 2026, be sure to catch the application when it goes live on September 1: www.theosceolachamber.com/leadership-osceola
Check out the gallery below for some great images from RTW Photography from Leadership Osceola Graduation 2025 or see them all HERE!
Christina was raised in St. Cloud and holds degrees from the University of South Florida and the University of Central Florida. She joined the Chamber in April 2015. As Director of Administration, she manages the Area Council’s events, sub-committee meetings, projects, and board engagements.
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