Rise & Thrive Event Honors Central Florida’s Workforce Champions

Rise & Thrive Event Honors Central Florida’s Workforce Champions

Celebrating workforce success, partnerships, and community impact across Central Florida

ORLANDO, Fla. (Sept. 22, 2025) – More than 200 guests gathered at the Winter Park Events Center for the inaugural Rise & Thrive, CareerSource Central Florida’s (CSCF) signature event to celebrate the impact of workforce development.

CSCF, the regional leader in workforce development, hosted the celebration along with presenting sponsor Addition Financial Credit Union to bring together business leaders and community partners. The event honored workforce successes, partnerships, and the community support that drives economic growth across the region.

“Rise & Thrive highlights the incredible impact of collaboration and the people who make workforce development possible” said Pamela Nabors, President and CEO of CareerSource Central Florida. “From employers creating opportunities to career seekers achieving their goals, we are proud to work alongside organizations with a shared commitment to building a stronger workforce in Central Florida.”

The event featured a keynote address from Brad Turner-Little, President and CEO of the National Association of Workforce Boards, a nationally recognized leader in workforce development whose work has empowered individuals, strengthened communities, and advanced economic opportunity through employment and skills development.

Awards were also presented to honor excellence in workforce development, including:

• Community Impact Award (presented by Duke Energy): Mayor Jerry L. Demings, Orange County Government
• Career Seeker of the Year (presented by AppleOne): Dionne Campbell
• Business Workforce Champions
  • Addition Financial Credit Union
  • Advent Health
  • Duke Energy
  • Fairwinds Credit Union
  • JPMorganChase
• Excellence in strategic partnership: Valencia College and University of Central Florida
• Aspire award: Jayden Graham, and Marvin Mondesir
• Employer of the year: Walt Disney World Resort
• Spirit of CareerSource Central Florida award – Nidra McCall

“Addition Financial is honored to be part of the inaugural Rise & Thrive event and to celebrate the partnerships that are fueling workforce success in Central Florida,” said Richard Barbari, Director, Community Engagement at Addition Financial Credit Union. “We recognize the importance of workforce development in driving economic growth, and we are proud to stand alongside CareerSource Central Florida in helping businesses and career seekers thrive”

The inaugural Rise & Thrive event showcased the collective impact of workforce development, honoring the individuals and organizations whose commitment is shaping Central Florida’s future.

 

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About CareerSource Central Florida

CareerSource Central Florida is the region’s leader in workforce solutions and innovation, state and federally funded with an annual operating budget of about $30 million. CSCF delivers personalized career support and skill development to bridge success between people and business across the Central Florida region. In the fiscal year 2024-2025, CSCF served more than 36,000 career seekers and 4,934 businesses. CSCF placed more than 3,600 individuals in jobs and helped advance skills for more than 3,300 career seekers across Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Sumter Counties. For more information, visit www.CareerSourceCentralFlorida.com