The Central Florida Partnership is a collaborative of business and civic leaders committed to procuring a better tomorrow for our region. We are thoughtful leaders united by a single, guiding principle - that we have both the power and the responsibility to make change happen - moving "Ideas to Results."

Orlando, Inc. is a line of business of the Central Florida Partnership focused on Regional Entrepreneurship.
A "Five-Star Chamber" - the highest level of achievement awarded by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce - we are aligned with the Central Florida Partnership in moving "Ideas to Results."

myregion.org, focused on "Regional Research and Resolves," is helping to shape Central Florida's future.
As a line of business of the Central Florida Partnership, myregion.org moves "Ideas to Results" by identifying and examining changing demographics and powerful trends that define our region.

Developing regional leaders is important to the future success of the Central Florida Region. That is why Leadership Orlando is a line of business for the Central Florida Partnership. Focused on cultivating and recruiting emerging leaders, Leadership Orlando, America's largest "Community Leadership Program," is moving "Ideas to Results."

Affecting positive change in Central Florida requires strong "Regional Public Policy Advocacy."
BusinessForce, a line of business of the Central Florida Partnership, is moving "Ideas to Results" by encouraging and supporting candidates for public office, and training civic, political and business leaders for public service.

September 9, 2010 - 9:23am
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Today: Partly cloudy with a high of 90

Meet the President

Leslie Hielema

Leslie Hielema
President
Orlando, Inc., (Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce)
75 South Ivanhoe Boulevard
Orlando, FL 32804
Phone: 407.835.2451
E-Mail: leslie.hielema@orlando.org

A top expert in entrepreneurship and business development, Leslie Hielema is President of the Region's "Five Star" Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce. In this role since November 2007, she was the top choice to launch the Chamber into its next level of service for the Region.

"In my short time here," said Leslie Hielema, "I've been impressed with the way that Central Florida's leaders have responded to the conditions and concerns of the Region with immediacy and action, and I am thrilled to lead this top-tier Chamber, now focused on entrepreneurship."

New Chamber programs that Hielema has introduced to Chamber Members include the Innovators Café, Survive to Thrive, Grow Your Busine$, and The B.I.G. Summit focused on Business Innovation and Growth.

Hielema holds a Masters of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan; a Masters of Science in Management with an International Focus from Boston University; and a Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Florida Institute of Technology. She is recognized for her development of curricula in entrepreneurship and e-commerce for Valparaiso University, where she has served as a visiting professor. With a unique combination of technical knowledge and business expertise, she has continually pushed the boundaries on challenges ranging from product development to classified government contracting objectives both stateside and in global markets.

(l to r) Jacob V. Stuart, President & CEO of the Central Florida Partnership and Leslie Hielema, President of the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce announcing the Chamber's second consecutive Five-Star Accreditation from the
U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The Orlando Regional Chamber's 2010 Chair Martin Rubin, President and CEO of Smart City Telecom, says, "Leslie's amazing portfolio of work, depth of knowledge, and enthusiasm about tackling the complex challenges facing our Region is impressive." Rubin continued, "As she leads this Chamber into the next phase of action, she is paving the way for new scales of entrepreneurship and critical partnerships throughout Central Florida, while maintaining our exemplary "Five Star" Accreditation."

The Orlando Regional Chamber is one of four lines of business of the Central Florida Partnership. A "Five-Star Chamber" - the highest level of achievement awarded by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce - it is positioned to serve the growing needs of businesses and entrepreneurs throughout the Central Florida Region. Working together with BusinessForce (Public Policy Advocacy), myregion.org (Regional Research & Resolves) and Leadership Orlando (Regional Leadership), the Central Florida Partnership is moving "Ideas to Results."

(l to r) Former Orlando Magic player Bo Outlaw, Leslie Hielema, President of the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce and former Magic player Nick Anderson at the 2009 Orlando Magic "Thank You" Luncheon.

"Leslie has integrated fully into the Chamber and the Community with ease and enthusiasm," said Jacob V. Stuart, President and CEO of the Central Florida Partnership. "She is the right leader who understands what it takes to interpret our changing market and represent the complex interests of businesses from across the Central Florida Region."

Click here for the official Press Release.

Events Calendar

Orlando, Inc. (Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce) is one of four lines of business of the Central Florida Partnership and is specifically focused on Regional Entrepreneurship. A"Five-Star Chamber" - the highest level of achievement awarded by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce – we are positioned to serve the growing needs of businesses and entrepreneurs throughout the Central Florida Region. Working together with BusinessForce (Public Policy Advocacy), myregion.org (Regional Research & Resolves) and Leadership Orlando (Regional Leadership), the Central Florida Partnership is moving "Ideas to Results."