Executive Leadership

Pamela Nabors

Pamela Nabors is an integral force for introducing positive change and employment solutions at regional, state and federal levels in workforce development.

As president and CEO of CareerSource Central Florida, she currently leads the official workforce development board for the Central Florida region, overseeing a budget of more than $40 million and 250 employees to serve the 2.8 million residents that live in five counties (Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake and Sumter).

Pamela’s passion for this industry spans decades of experience. Her accomplishments span pivotal moments of change in the industry and include:

• Creating innovative programs to identify new sources for talent in high-growth sectors and addressing gaps including in advanced manufacturing and STEM initiatives;
• Boosting youth employment;
• Retraining and upskilling adult workers affected by the Great Recession;
• Scaling workforce support to unprecedented levels to support those impacted by mass layoffs during the COVID-19 pandemic;
• Most recently, helping employers to recruit and retain talent in the most challenging time in history due as they battle record low unemployment rates, the impact of the Great Resignation, and a new post-pandemic employee mindset.

Through progressive and transparent leadership, Pamela has developed the team at CareerSource Central Florida into a high-performance workforce board with a reputation as a respected economic development leader and valued community partner.

Her leadership has helped modernize the region’s programs, increase value to regional business partners, and expand investments that address high-volume employment needs for professions such as healthcare, advanced manufacturing and construction.

The National Association of Workforce Development Board has recognized her with their top honor as a visionary leader who is making exceptional contributions to the industry. In 2022, she is incoming president of the United Sates Conference of Mayors’ Workforce Development Council, the national advisory board that represents workforce development issues to U.S. mayors, congressional leaders, and members of the Administration.

In the regional community, she was named “CEO of The Year” by Orlando Business Journal, received both the “Spirit of Progress” and “Spirit of Collaboration” awards from I-4 Business magazine, and the “Women of Distinction” Award for role model leadership from Girl Scouts of Citrus. She is active on numerous civic boards of directors including the Orlando Economic Partnership and Junior Achievement.

Mimi Coenen

Mimi Coenen has been a distinguished leader in workforce development for nearly 20 years and has worked in two workforce development boards before joining CareerSource Central Florida as Chief Operating Officer. Mimi spearheads all operational aspects of the organization for both businesses and career-seeking customers. She delivers strategic oversight on administration and service delivery for all federal, state, and local workforce development programs and grants. Mimi has led strategic operational changes focused on enhancing the customer’s journey, including transitioning from a face-to-face business model to a virtual model during the COVID-19 pandemic. A critical component to Mimi’s success in her current role is her commitment to understanding the community she serves – this is achieved through her active participation in Central Florida organizations.

Mimi serves as a Board Member at Seminole County’s Early Coalition, and she is a member of the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP). She is a graduate of Leadership Orlando and a member of the first class of Leadership Orlando 2.0, where she worked on a project assessing the impact of social mobility. Mimi holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Northwood University.

Leo Alvarez

Leo Alvarez serves as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer at CareerSource Central Florida (CSCF). He is responsible for setting financial policy and leads all financial administration, business planning, budgeting, facilities and property, risk management for the organization. He brings a wealth of experience in private and public accounting, auditing, compliance, and internal controls. Prior to working for CareerSource Central Florida, he served as the accounting manager for Lutheran Services of Florida. Leo has also previously worked as an audit associate and accountant for Cross, Fernandez, and Riley, a Central Florida accounting firm.

He is a graduated Leadership Orlando Class 90 and was named one of Orlando’s top C-Suite Executives of 2015 by the Orlando Business Journal for his fiscal competencies and his work to serve the community.  In 2016 he was selected as a finalist in Coors Light Lideres of the Year Award, which recognizes Latino leaders from across the country for their commitment to empowering the Latino community.

Leo obtained his Bachelor of Science degree with a focus on accounting and finance from the University
of Central Florida. He earned his Masters of Business Administration Degree from Rollins’ College
Crummer Graduate School of Business. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife
and two children.

Steven Nguyen

Steven Nguyen leads CareerSource Central Florida’s technology strategy and IT operations, overseeing 1000+ network devices across six offices. For over 15 years he has been a recognized leader innovating technology strategies and workforce development solutions. Initiatives include transformative digital service delivery, introducing modern business models, developing organizational design thinking, and driving data driven decisions.

Steven completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Central Florida and earned a Master of Science in Management Information Systems from Nova Southeastern University. He is also a Six Sigma Black Belt, Society of Information Management Regional Leadership Forum graduate, Leadership Orlando graduate, and recipient of Orlando Business Journal’s Technology IQ Outstanding Innovator Award.

Steven is married and enjoys watching his two children grow.

Dyana Burke

Dyana Burke serves as Vice President of Human Resources at CareerSource Central Florida (CSCF). Overseeing the daily operations of the entire Human Resources Department, she has taken the lead on creating innovative HR strategies that support CSCF’s goals and objectives as well as creating a strategic talent acquisition process that includes onboarding and professional development.

Prior to joining CSCF, Burke was with Tribune Publishing Company, a parent company of the Orlando Sentinel where she spent 18 years growing into the role that ultimately had her leading east and west coast talent acquisition and development efforts, strategic planning, and talent engagement.

She holds a bachelor of science in public relations from the University of Florida.

Becca Bides

Becca Bides serves as Vice President of Strategic Communications and leads the strategic direction of CareerSource Central Florida’s (CSCF) marketing initiatives, branding, communications and media relations, with a focus on expanding awareness of, and engagement in, the region’s workforce programs.

Prior to her role at CSCF, Becca served as Vice President of Communications for the Visit Orlando marketing association and its 1,200 member businesses, leading global communications for the Orlando destination through publicity, brand content, government relations and crisis management. She also served more than 20 years in senior communications leader roles for SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment’s portfolio of 12 U.S. theme parks, consumer products and broadcast initiatives, where she directed global publicity planning and issue management, launched company expansions and led enterprise-wide reputation programs.

With a passion for community involvement, Becca served as a member of Orange County’s Emergency Response Team and co-chaired the award-winning Safer, Stronger, Together Campaign Committee to encourage COVID-19 safety compliance in Central Florida. In addition, she has served on Advisory Committees with the U.S. Travel Association and the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. Becca is also a member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

She holds dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Public Relations and Business Psychology from Florida State University.

Lorri Shaban

Lorri Shaban, APR, serves as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at CareerSource Central Florida (CSCF). In this role, she manages community partnerships to advance targeted workforce efforts, engages critical regional partners, and drives business development for Florida’s second largest regional workforce board.

Prior to CSCF, Lorri served as President of True North Marketing + Public Relations in Orlando for 12 years, where she created and activated the statewide CareerSource Florida brand, planned and executed marketing, communications, and partnerships for PGA’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, and led the launch of LEGOLAND® Florida, managing all communications strategy, planning, messaging and opening events, among other initiatives. She has also held roles at CNL Financial Group and Enterprise Florida.   

Lorri is accredited by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) as well as a member of PRSA’s Counselor’s Academy. Her vast community and professional involvement include serving on the Orlando Economic Partnership’s Regional Branding Team, the South Lake Chamber of Commerce’s Public Policy/Economic Development Committee, Heart of Florida United Way Marketing Committee, and Board of Directors for Freedom Ride, Inc.

Lorri holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Florida State University. 

Nilda Blanco

Nilda Blanco has a keen understanding of workforce development and public policy working with a variety of community and business partners during her 20-year workforce career. As Senior Director of Business Intelligence, she supports the implementation of an organizational excellence framework, analysis of business operations and services, and strategic planning and program development.

Prior to joining CareerSource Central Florida in 2012, she was a regional manager for a for-profit training program and was responsible for the youth services program for several different Florida workforce areas. During her eight years with the company, Blanco also served as an area manager and compliance manager. Prior to moving to Florida, she also managed the youth program at Capital Workforce Partners in Hartford, Conn. She served as the Youth Opportunity Grant coordinator for Hartford Public Schools and was an aide for the Mayor’s Offices of both the City of Hartford and City of New Britain.

Blanco earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in journalism, mass media and communications from Rutgers University.  She is a Florida Sterling Council Advanced Examiner and a Six Sigma Black Belt.