This year’s Talent Strong Florida Summit – Higher Education, Higher Rewards – convened in Orlando, FL with a community of over 350 passionate education stakeholders and community leaders from multiple sectors who share a common goal: to build a Florida where every student and resident can thrive in education beyond high school toward a rewarding career.
Their presence represents the power of our network and the continuous desire to strengthen partnerships through an aligned strategic vision and data-informed best practices. Our attendees, speakers, and sponsors helped make this annual convening a success. Take a look at photos from the summit to download and share on social channels while using #TalentStrongFL and #FCAN2025.
Exploring the Summit Theme
This year’s theme, “Higher Education, Higher Rewards”, reminded us that when students earn high-value degrees and workforce-aligned credentials, the impact of achievement goes far beyond the individual—it fuels opportunity, prosperity, and growth for entire communities. It truly takes workforce, education, and economic development working together to make that vision a reality.
General Session Speakers
The kickoff luncheon set the tone for the summit by expanding on Florida’s Future Billions. Speakers from Helios Education Foundation, CareerSource Florida, Lumina Foundation, The Florida Council of 100 and Florida Board of Governors shared messages on the value of higher education, the impact on communities, and how we can all keep the conversation going.
Thanks to our presenting sponsor, Florida Prepaid College Foundation.
Pictured: Paul Luna, Steven Birnholz, Adrienne Johnston, Dr. Christopher Mullin, and Troy Miller
It was a privilege to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with the incredible Mariachi Tequila Orlando. Florida’s rich cultural diversity reminds us why community-centered work matters.
Big thanks to our reception sponsor, Helios Education Foundation.
Pictured: Mariachi Tequila Orlando
The 2nd day luncheon speakers, Anna Lebesch and Julie Hindall from JAXUSA Partnership and Noemi Perez from The Immokalee Foundation, highlighted how their community-driven initiatives are expanding and strengthening labor market-informed pathways for students.
Their efforts underscore the importance of showing students a wide range of high-demand career options early in their educational journey, helping them make informed choices about their futures and connect learning to real-world opportunities.
Pictured: Kimberly Krupa, Julie Hindall, Anna Lebesch, and Noemi Perez.
The reception featured a special live performance from the Oak Ridge High School Pioneer Concert Choir and their director, Brittany Hawthorne. Their talent and passion truly inspired everyone in attendance.
Sponsored by: Community Foundation Tampa Bay
Pictured: Oak Ridge High School Pioneer Concert Choir
The final plenary at the Talent Strong Florida Summit left us motivated and reenergized.
Poet Shawn Welcome opened the session with moving words about empowerment, perspective, and storytelling, reminding us why this work matters. His message called us to reflect on the importance of lifting every voice through learning.
Our keynote speaker, Ashley Butler, shared her remarkable education journey while emphasizing the life-changing opportunities that education can provide. Her story embodied the very essence of why access to quality education is critical for all students.
Pictured: Ashley Butler and Shawn Welcome
Talent Strong Florida Summit Awards
Pictured: Sandalwood High School staff, Aminah Harris, Tiffany Ramsey, Dorremi Canelo, Renee Hough, and Hagerty High School staff
FCAN was excited to celebrate outstanding leaders from across the state who are making real change. These awardees have utilized innovative strategies to boost college and career readiness, strengthen workforce education, and encourage FAFSA completion.
College Ready Florida Innovators:
- Dorremi Canelo, Vice Principal, Academy for Innovative Education (Miami-Dade County)
- Elevation Scholars
Workforce Education Innovators:
- Tiffany Ramsey, Vocation and Career Advisor, Dave Thomas Education Center (Broward County)
- Renee Hough, Director of CTE, Putnam County School District
FAFSA Trailblazers:
- Sandalwood High School (Duval County)
- Hagerty High School (Seminole County)
Presentation slides for each breakout session can be found on the summit website – click on the Agenda tab, select a session, and scroll down to Attachments to view resources from that session.
Thank you all for joining us. We hope to see you next year.
Read more about a few breakout sessions: