2024

WOMEN’S ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

2024 Woman of the Year

Dr. Monica M. Gordon

Principal, Orange County Public Schools

Dr. Monica M. Gordon has spent 24 years leading efforts to improve schools, particularly in Lake and Orange Counties. Known for her ability to turn around underperforming schools, she focuses on creating better learning environments and helping teachers and administrators succeed.

Her work has made a lasting impact on the communities she serves. In addition to her role as Principal of Lockhart Elementary School, Dr. Gordon is a Board Member of the Florida Association of School Administrators (FASA), where she helps guide strategic decisions that affect schools across the state. As Chair of FASA’s Diversity Committee, she promotes fairness and inclusion in education. Dr. Gordon also serves as the State Representative for the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), where she supports school leaders at a national level.

Locally, Dr. Gordon is a key member of the Executive Board for the Orange County Association of School Administrators (OCASA), working with lawmakers to ensure policies benefit school leaders. As Vice President of the Lincoln Park South Lake Alliance, she helps lead community programs that support students and families. Additionally, she runs her own consulting firm, EduAdvocacy Solutions, LLC, providing expert advice and support to community members and organizations.

Dr. Gordon holds a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Barry University, and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Florida A&M University. She is a proud wife to James D. Gordon III and a mother of four.

2024 Health / Wellness Honoree

Dr. Francelis Gonzalez

CEO & Pediatrician, Kidsville Pediatrics P.A.

Dr. Francelis Gonzalez, known as Dr. G, is a Board-Certified Pediatrician and Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She has been caring for children in Central Florida since 1999. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, she earned her medical degree from the National University of Pedro H. Ureña in the Dominican Republic, graduated Cum Laude, and completed her Pediatric Residency in Ponce, Puerto Rico. She further trained in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant before settling in Orlando, Florida, in 1998.

She established her first Kidsville Pediatrics in 1999, expanding to five pediatric and three family practice clinics (Family Tree Medical Group) across Central Florida.

A community activist and philanthropist, Dr. Gonzalez supports local charities and arts organizations, being the First Hispanic Founding Donor of the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center. She is deeply involved with Kids Beating Cancer, a local charity for which she is the President of the Rose Society of Kids Beating Cancer.

Her dedication has been recognized with numerous awards, including Latina Style Magazine’s “Entrepreneur of the Year,” Woman of the Year by Orlando Magazine, Patient’s Choice Award, Don Quijote Awards, and American Top Physician. Dr. Gonzalez’s commitment to improving children’s healthcare has significantly impacted the Central Florida community.

2024 Emerging Leader Honoree

Dr. Cyndia Morales Muñiz

Senior Director, Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Initiatives UCF

Dr. Cyndia Morales Muñiz serves as Senior Director for Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Initiatives at the University of Central Florida (UCF). She led efforts that resulted in UCF becoming federally recognized as a Hispanic-serving institution by the U.S. Department of Education. She now works across the university to develop a centralized vision for maximizing this designation in a way that meaningfully serves students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members from all backgrounds.

Her leadership has also resulted in UCF achieving Seal of Excelencia certification, recognizing institutions that demonstrate positive impact and success in serving Latino students through intentional alignment in data, practice, and leadership. She also serves as Project Director for UCF’s first awarded Title V HSI grants, totaling $5.7 Million, in support of Project POTENCIAL (Promoting Opportunities that Enhance Navigation, Completion, Inclusion, and Learning) and ENFERMERIA (Educating Nurses for Engagement, Research, Mentoring Excellence & Reinforcing Interpretation Access).

Dr. Muñiz is a first-generation college graduate, having earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Binghamton University, a master’s degree in Sociology from St. John’s University and a Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership–higher Education from UCF. A proud Puerto Rican, she resides in Orlando with her loving husband, Antonio.

2024 Entrepreneur Honoree

Patricia Burlaud, Ph.D.

Founder & CEO, P. Burlaud Consulting, LLC

Dr. Patricia Burlaud, founder of P. Burlaud Consulting LLC, is an executive coach with over 40 years of leadership experience. Patricia is known for her unique ability to guide entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and senior leaders in developing visions and practical solutions that drive impactful change. Her expertise helps her clients navigate strategic transformations for their organizations and themselves.

Her career began as a nuclear physicist, where she contributed to groundbreaking research at CERN alongside Nobel Prize-winning teams. This scientific foundation shaped Patricia’s analytical mindset and problem-solving skills, which she now applies in her leadership coaching.

Patricia’s global experience includes pivotal roles in managing multiple campuses in West Africa, the Middle East, China, and Canada. She led educational reforms and organizational transformations in these culturally diverse regions, demonstrating adaptability and resilience.

Patricia is also a board member of 100 Women Strong, an initiative of the Central Florida Foundation, where she chairs the Research & Grants Committee. Driven by a passion for improving the lives of women and children in Central Florida, she leads initiatives that make a tangible difference in the community. Today, Patricia continues to empower leaders with her unique blend of scientific rigor and human-centered leadership.

Women’s Achievement Awards

Celebrating the women who have shaped our community, year after year.

The Women’s Achievement Awards honor leaders, innovators, and change-makers whose impact extends far beyond their industries. Each year, we recognize a group of remarkable women whose dedication, vision, and leadership continue to move our community forward. Explore past honorees and celebrations to the right.