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2023 Women of the Year Vibrant Visionaries
2023 WOMEN OF THE YEAR:
Vibrant Visionaries
Casandra Matej, Shannon Fitzgerald and Dr. Laine Powell
Casandra Matej, Shannon Fitzgerald and Dr. Laine Powell photographed by TAMARA KNIGHT; Kathy Ramsberger and Sibille Hart Pritchard photographed by NORMA MOLINA in the STEINMETZ HALL LOBBY at the
DR. PHILLIPS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Kathy Ramsberger and Sibille Pritchard
SHANNON FITZGERALD, executive director of Mennello Museum of American Art, is overseeing a $25 million capital campaign to expand the museum; CASANDRA MATEJ, president & CEO of Visit Orlando, leads the branding, marketing and selling of the Orlando destination on a global scale; DR. LAINE POWELL, founder and executive director of Tech Sassy Girlz, is growing the nonprofit dedicated to engaging underrepresented girls in STEM; SIBILLE HART PRITCHARD, accomplished businesswoman and I-Drive Business Improvement District chairperson, Florida International Affairs Foundation board member and Dr. Phillips Center executive board vice-chair, continues her legacy of community service; and KATHY RAMSBERGER, president and CEO of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, successfully executed capital and annual campaigns in private gifts exceeding $209 million, culminating with the opening of Steinmetz Hall..
For more than 20 years, she has served the public in art museums, creating and sustaining exhibitions and programs that challenge, enrich, educate, support creatives, and impart meaning. Advancing art and art history as fluid and relevant to contemporary society — from the past to the present — drives her ambition to reach more in our community, as she regularly witnesses the impact art has on people. Since coming to the Mennello Museum, owned and operated by the City of Orlando, in 2015, she set forth a path to advance the visibility and value of the museum, its collection, and programs to reach more people who live and visit Orlando and Central Florida.
In addition to strengthening the Museum’s outreach, programming, exhibits and collections, she is overseeing a $25 million capital campaign that will result in a 40,000-squarefoot museum facility, integrated around the current 12,000-square-foot museum building on Lake Formosa, designed to preserve and reimagine its green space, the intimacy of the Dr. Phillips Home, walking and bike paths, and sculpture garden.
Shannon Fitzgerald
I am proud to be part of a team helping to define what a world-class art museum is and can be in the 21st century. The museum has enriched the public through exhibitions, education, publications and events celebrating the diversity of American art for 23 years. We are now poised to embark on a mission-driven expansion that will advance our service to excellence in the community with a state-of-the-art facility and sculptural garden that beautifully merges architecture and nature to create an inclusive experience for all. I am fortunate to be part of a dynamic group of community leaders in a public-private partnership that believes in our goals of achieving a bright and maintainable future together.
What or who motivates you?
A visionary plan to make the museum more cohesive and increase public access motivates me. I am motivated to share with more people how the diversity of culture informs innovative art, impacts society and improves communities. Our vibrant plan has the potential to merge art, education, nature, respite and sustainability in a well-mapped way that contributes to the cultural and economic prosperity of our community.
Who or what inspires you?
My direct engagement with artists, writers and thinkers inspires me. Those whose work creates new meaning across cultures and time inspire me to want to share it and make it accessible and appreciated.
A mentor once told me to hold on to a big ‘new’ idea/project I was working on; he told me to put it in my back pocket, if only for the moment. That project and others I have ‘momentarily’ put in my back pocket have since been realized. I am grateful for that advice, as it has helped me refine my determination.
I am not sure, but I try to empower and support the many young artists and women I have worked with; to encourage voice, expand knowledge, and share opportunities as they work to distinguish themselves in the field.
Favorite quote or mantra?
“In art and dream may you proceed with abandon. In life may you proceed with balance and stealth.” – Patti Smith
Any personal info you would like to add?
I have a beautiful, sweet, and very funny dog that brings me joy every day!
Casandra Matej
PRESIDENT & CEO, VISIT ORLANDO
For the last two years, I set four key priorities: discovery, recovery, partnerships and DEI initiatives. Discovery was critical as someone new to the area, so that I could listen and identify new areas of opportunity, forge new connections, and personally experience the destination. Part of discovery is looking at new opportunities to drive toward our vision.
For recovery, working toward the full economic recovery of our destination is at the heart of everything we do at Visit Orlando. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion must be intentional and we are determined to continue to drive positive change. We have the platform to tell the diverse story of Orlando.
At the beginning of 2022, we introduced a three-year strategic plan to outline Visit Orlando’s new vision (to be the most visited, welcoming, and inclusive destination in the world) and mission (inspire, promote and grow global travel to Orlando for economic and community benefit), to elevate Orlando’s brand positioning and plan to welcome 80 million visitors by the end of 2024.
We created a first-of-its-kind partnership with Orlando Economic Partnership to launch one joint brand for our region, “Unbelievably Real,” elevating Orlando’s culinary community through the launch of the MICHELIN Guide; and re-establishing partnerships with organizations like Brand USA and VISIT FLORIDA.
Who or what inspires you?
So many inspire me! However, one that you cannot Google or that you would know is my grandmother, Albina. She inspired me and was an example of strong work ethic and had an overall grit to get things done.
Dress for the position you want, not the one you have. It may sound frivolous, but it goes beyond just selecting clothes in the morning. It’s a mindset that you as an individual take on to believe you can grow into a role, and it is about the personal brand story that you are telling others. If you dress the part, it helps others see you in that next role, and it helps you envision yourself in that role.
Walk through opportunity’s door! Sometimes people need a nudge to do some self-reflection. That’s part of being a leader. It isn’t telling people what to do, it is asking the questions to lead to success for all.
Favorite quote or mantra?
Better Together… greater success comes when working collaboratively. You cannot do it alone.
Any personal info you would like to add?
One of the most frequent questions I get asked as a female leader with a family (schoolaged children) is, how do you manage the work-life balance? I honestly don’t think there really is work-life balance. To me, it’s not balance, it is setting priorities. In a course of a day, you have 24 hours to set priorities against, so you need to be thoughtful about where you focus your time and be present no matter which priority you choose. Casandra is the first female CEO in the non-profit organization’s 37-year history. She has been named one of the 50 Most Powerful People by Orlando magazine, a Game Changer by the Orlando Business Journal, listed among the 500 Most Influential Event Professionals list by BizBash, and recognized as one of the Top 25 Women in the Meetings Industry by Meetings & Conventions magazine.
With three decades of service in the travel industry, she is an active leader engaged in driving tourism on the national, state and local levels. Her current board involvement includes the U.S. Travel Association, VISIT FLORIDA, Orlando Economic Partnership, Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association, Downtown Orlando Partnership, Florida Citrus Sports, and Air Team Orlando, which helps recruit and maintain air travel to the region. Prior to joining Visit Orlando, Casandra spent 10 years as president and CEO of Visit San Antonio.
Laine is vice president of human resources and training/project manager for AceApplications, LLC, a technology solutions and staffing provider that works with businesses, schools and government agencies, delivering custom software, mobile and web development, cloud applications, IT staffing, IT consulting, and technology sales.
She is also founder and executive director of Tech Sassy Girlz, a non-profit organization dedicated to changing the lives of underrepresented girls in middle and high school to engage in STEM-related topics and inspire their career interests. Tech Sassy Girlz develops the next generation of STEMsavvy, college-bound girls through college preparation, career readiness and mentoring. She created the organization to address the critical shortage of women and minorities being represented in high-tech STEM careers.
Laine is a strong advocate of education and hard work and recently completed a doctoral degree in instructional technology and distance education from Nova Southeastern University. Among her awards and accolades, she has been recognized by the Heart of Florida United Way as a 2022 Change Maker, one of Onyx Magazine’s 2022 Women on the Move, Orlando Business Journal’s 2021 Women Who Mean Business, and received the 2021 WTS International Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership award.
Dr. Laine Powell
FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, TECH SASSY GIRLZ
We are thrilled to celebrate the 10th anniversary of our annual Tech Sassy Girlz Day Conference. Our goal a decade ago was to increase awareness of STEM career opportunities and services for middle and high school girls by increasing participation, retention and advancement of girls and women in STEM. Since that time, we have made exciting progress, but there is still work to do. We are excited about ensuring that the pipeline we’re creating fosters a path the girls can take, as they progress through our program. As the future generation, these girls are the leaders that are continuing to change the face of STEM and are doing amazing things.
What or who motivates you?
Women currently represent only 27% of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields in the United States. Black and Hispanic women combined only make up 5% of women in computing. These statistics are alarming and the reason why I founded Tech Sassy Girlz to introduce middle and high school girls to STEM. The girls in our program motivate me. Their curiosity and drive for learning are infectious!
Who or what inspires you?
My parents inspire me. They both immigrated from Haiti to the United States. Although my mother died when I was young, I learned that she migrated to the U.S. first. She put herself through school and became a nurse to provide a path for my dad and two older brothers to migrate to the U.S. years later. My parents came to this country with little to nothing and I’m inspired by their sacrifices, tenacity and grit in providing a better life for our family.
The best piece of advice I’ve received is, “Your voice matters and never stop using it to help others.” The first time one of my mentors said this to me, I stopped what I was doing immediately! It was at that moment that I recognized the importance of advocating for others, especially our youth. And on the toughest days, I’m reminded of Congresswoman Val Demings’ mantra, “Never tire.”
Whatever it is that you want to do, like Nike, just do it, and pursue it relentlessly!
Favorite quote or mantra?
“There is no limit to what we as women can accomplish.” – First Lady Michelle Obama
Sibille Hart Pritchard
ARTS & CULTURE ADVOCATE
I am most proud of the completion of Steinmetz Hall [at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts] and Harriett’s Orlando Ballet Centre. My involvement with Harriett made it happen — she was such a wonderful person, always giving to the community. I just worked on the United Nations 77th Anniversary Ball where they honored Peter [her husband] posthumously with the Global Conservation Award. I have a long personal involvement with the UN.
One of the things I am very excited about — and it is UN related — is the first international film festival to be held in Bhutan, a historic, royal country. The king and queen were at the UN Ball and under their patronage, I will be chairing with a friend of mine. It will be in 2024 and we will start working on it immediately through a company we started call Hart & Harmony. That’s my future: working on things that are related to peace and harmony.
Locally, I am very excited about the opening of the jazz club, Judson’s, at the Dr. Phillips Center and bringing in more diversity programs. I am very happy to be vice-chair of the board.
What or who motivates you?
It’s hard to say something specific because I am more of a seat of the pants person and not really a planner. I am just motivated by life itself. I think of every day as a new opportunity — and not an opportunity for success but for happiness.
Who or what inspires you?
What really inspires me is good energy. That’s because I am Buddhist in philosophy. It’s all about balance and living in harmony, creating your own world and not being boxed in by expectations.
When I was about 6 my father told me don’t ever let anyone put you in your place because your place is wherever you want it to be. I live by that.
Be yourself. Be authentic because that’s what’s important. It’s nice to be inspired by others but you don’t want to be them.
Favorite quote or mantra?
“We know what we are, but we know not what we may be.” – William Shakespeare
Any personal info you would like to add?
I have become an absolute devotee of Formula 1 racing. I am obsessive and drive people nuts talking about it. I got into it from the engineering point of view — I can tell you everything about how the cars are made, the aerodynamics, tire pressure for different speeds, etc. Sibille is an accomplished businesswoman with a professional background in journalism, public and government relations, commercial and tourism development, and international business development for the state of Florida with worldwide destinations such as Japan, China and South Korea.
Her leadership in commercial and tourism development has been an integral component of major Central Florida projects, including tourism corridors Bonnet Creek and South I-Drive/Plaza International, as well as the Waldorf Astoria Orlando Hotel, the first Waldorf property opened outside of New York.
A native of Guyana, South America, Sibille received her education in Europe and in several parts of the Caribbean. Her career began in journalism, where she spent 15 years as an award-winning women’s editor for the Guyana Graphic newspaper in Guyana.
Her current board positions include: vice chair of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts; board member, Florida International Affairs Foundation; board member, Citizens for Florida Arts; member, UCF College of Arts and Humanities Dean’s Executive Council; member, UCF Center for Innovation in Arts and Entertainment advisory council; board member, UCF Opera; board member, Orlando Science Center; and chair of the I-Drive District since its inception, an appointment by the mayor of Orange County.
Kathy has been leading the creation of one of the nation’s most innovative, charitable and inclusive performing arts centers since 2003. Under her leadership, the $613 million project in the heart of downtown Orlando has grown to produce $50 million annually, welcomed more than 2.5 million guests, and hosted more than 2,300 performances since opening in 2014.
She is very involved in all aspects of the development, operation and culture of the Dr. Phillips Center as both a leader and a colleague. She focuses on developing programming content with regional, national and international artistic and educational organizations, enhancing corporate partnerships and philanthropy to advance the vision and mission of the arts center, and ensuring a level of excellence for every guest experience.
Kathy has led the development of the arts center’s business structure and corporate strategic plan, including the building’s design, construction and operation, as well as programming and creative initiatives. With her guidance, the arts center has successfully executed capital and annual campaigns in private gifts exceeding $209 million and negotiated nearly $420 million in public funding for the construction of the venue.
Kathy Ramsberger
The most important and rewarding accomplishments has been building an amazing team to design, construct and operate the arts center. It continues to be a great journey with great people. Since 2014, we have successfully operated multiple theaters, the Frontyard Festival, and dynamic event spaces, sometimes all active at the same time, welcoming hundreds of thousands of guests, students, artists and professionals each year. It’s amazing to watch guests from every walk of life come together to experience something special.
Specific to this year, we opened our third theater, the incredible Steinmetz Hall, which fulfilled the original vision of the arts center as designed almost two decades ago in 2003. I am especially thankful to work for our remarkable, entrepreneurial board of directors. They have continually led and supported our project, vision and mission. It’s rewarding to work alongside them every day.
Looking ahead, we will complete our fourth theater, Judson’s, which is our 150-seat cabaret theater. We are also focused on completing the development of our 9-acre campus, curating and producing our own content, expanding our arts and wellness initiatives, and continuing to enhance our vision of Arts For Every Life® throughout the region.
What or who motivates you?
Happy and fulfilled guests, partners, artists, clients and team members. Personally, family and friends.
Who or what inspires you?
Our incredible board of directors and fantastic team. Personally, family.
Commit to excellence.
Choose optimism.
Favorite quote or mantra?
“Tuck and roll.”
2023 WOMEN OF THE YEAR SPECIAL RECEPTION
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1 5:30 – 7:30PM DR. PHILLIPS CENTER for the PERFORMING ARTS For registration information please see page 4.
