FOLLOW THE LEADERS 2024:
PUBLIC SERVICE LEADERSHIP
Meet the Panelists
Follow the Leaders brings together leaders from Lakeland and the surrounding areas in a panel discussion, where speakers share advice and wisdom with EMERGE members and the community. Ranging from EMERGE alumni to C-Suite executives, from entrepreneurs to non-profit directors, speakers for this event serve as inspiration to the next generation of young professionals in Lakeland. This event provides a rare opportunity to interact one-on-one with community pacesetters and get to know them personally. Meet this year's esteemed panelists!
SENATOR COLLEEN BURTON
Member of the Florida Senate from the 12th District
Senator Colleen Burton was born in Heidelberg, Germany. Her father’s military career took her to many countries and states. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Administration from California State University, Sacramento, and has called Florida her home for the past 36 years. Senator Burton and her husband of 43 years, Brad, have 3 children and 3 grandchildren that keep her busy and grounded.
Senator Burton was elected to the Florida Senate in November of 2022 after serving eight years in the Florida House of Representatives. Senator Burton serves as the Chair of Health Policy and Vice Chair of Judiciary. She also sits on several other committees: Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, Banking and Insurance, Fiscal Policy, Rules and Joint Administrative Procedures Committee. Additionally, Senator Burton was appointed to the Cancer Control & Research Advisory Council by Senate President Kathleen Passidomo. She serves on the Board of Directors for Volunteers in Service to the Elderly (VISTE) and is a State Director of Florida for Women in Government.
JOE G. TEDDER, TAX COLLECTOR
CFC, Tax Collector for Polk County
Joe G. Tedder was first elected to the position of Tax Collector in 1996 and was subsequently re-elected to the position of Tax Collector in 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020. Joe served as a Member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1992 to 1996. He currently serves as a Board Member for the Florida Tax Collector’s Service Corporation and is the Chairman for Polk County Kids Tag Art.
Joe’s past service includes: President of the Florida Tax Collector’s Association, Board Member and Treasurer of the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, Chair and Treasurer of the United Way of Central Florida Board of Directors, President of the Leadership Lakeland Alumni Association, Chair of the American Heart Association Heart Walk, Lighthouse Ministries Board Member, Friend of the Tri-County Human Services Inc., Chairman of the Florida State Alumni Band, and Board Member of the National Florida State Alumni Association.
COMMISSIONER STEPHANIE MADDEN
Commissioner (2018-2025) District: At-Large (Seat 1)
Stephanie Madden is a small business owner and City Commissioner. She and her husband, Steve, started a marketing business in 1995, where she is currently VP of People and Culture. She serves on a variety of boards including: Promotional Products Association of Florida, Polk Vision’s SMART Communities LEAD team, the Polk Career Academies Advisory Board, and is the current Chairman of the Catapult Lakeland board, a local entrepreneur incubator.
As a commissioner she has served on the Community Redevelopment Area advisory board, is the current chair for the Municipal Boards & Committees and the Broadband Task Force. She also sits on the Polk County Tourism Development Council and is the Liaison to Lakeland Electric. She represents the Atlantic Region on the American Public Power Association’s Policy Maker Committee.
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THE HONORABLE BRENDA P. RAMIREZ
Judge, 10th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida
Brenda was born and raised in Polk County. Brenda is a proud product of Polk County Public Schools. Brenda received her law degree, Cum Laude, from Florida State University College of Law in 2010.
After law school, Brenda worked as a Prosecutor in the 10th Judicial Circuit. During her time at the State Attorney’s Office, Brenda successfully prosecuted thousands of cases ranging from criminal traffic cases to capital cases in the crimes against children division. Brenda then practiced law at the Kaylor Law Group. Brenda’s practice was dedicated to representing both the accused and victims in criminal courts. Brenda also represented individuals in injunction matters and risk protection proceedings and was a hearing officer for the Polk County School Board.
Brenda is an active volunteer and leader; she has served on various boards in our community and has dedicated countless volunteer hours to local organizations. In 2020, Brenda received two awards that recognized her service and leadership. Brenda was awarded the Oliver Green Spirit of Giving Award by the Lakeland Bar Association and the Young Professional Athena Award by the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce.
DENNIS A. ROSS
Former Congressman & Director of the ACPL at SEU
Dennis Alan Ross is an American businessman and politician who served in the United States House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019. A Republican from Florida, his district was numbered as Florida's 12th congressional district during his first two years in Congress, and it was numbered as the 15th district during his last six years in Congress.
In April 2018, Ross announced that he would retire from Congress, and not run for re-election in 2018.
Starting in 2018, Ross became a distinguished professor of political science at Southeastern University and launched the American Center for Political Leadership (ACPL) in the Jannetides College of Business and Entrepreneurial Leadership.
SARA BETH WYATT
Polk County School Board, District 4' President & CEO Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce
Sara Beth Wyatt is a native of Winter Haven and has had a history of engagement and involvement in the Polk County community. She has most notably served as a member of the Polk County School Board representing District 4 since 2016, serving as board chairman from 2021-2023. She is currently the President & CEO of the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce. She has previously served as the Development Director for Theatre Winter Haven, Program Director for the Randy Roberts Foundation and as customer service staff for Publix Super Markets. Wyatt’s community work is extensive; she currently serves on the boards of directors for Polk Vision, Winter Haven Public Education Partnership (PEP), Theatre Winter Haven, and Main Street Winter Haven. She also participates as an Advisory Board Member for Polk Academies and participates at the state level as a member of the Florida School Board Association. She is a member of Leadership Winter Haven Class 38, Leadership Polk Class 15 and Leadership Florida Education Class 4.
Wyatt has a Bachelor of Science in Telecommunication - Media and Society from University of Florida, and two masters degrees from University of Central Florida in Nonprofit Management and Public Administration.
Honorable Judge Brenda P. Ramirez
10th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida