St. James Cathedral Catholic Church, Orlando

Elisha González is an influential strategic and trusted executive, collaborative problem solver, connector and relationship builder, with the proven ability to develop lucrative partnerships and form valuable alliances.  She has been recognized for her leadership, business acumen and her commitment to community. She has been active in the community throughout her career, committed to making it a great place to live, work and play.

Elisha is an Educator and Public Affairs Executive and represents FAIRWINDS Credit Union nationally as the vice president of Government Affairs and Community Relations and executive director of the FAIRWINDS Foundation. González has been instrumental in the new, unified vision for the FAIRWINDS Foundation, where she leads the philanthropic effort to bolster organizations that advocate financial literacy, education and volunteerism by working with FAIRWINDS crew members in the community. She oversees government affairs, community relations, philanthropy and corporate giving. Most recently she was the lead consultant for the Central Florida collective impact initiative, Project Opioid in association with Change Everything Inc. González led the government and community relations efforts for Duke Energy Florida, a Fortune 150 company. Elisha’s focus was the company’s east coast operating area encompassing Seminole, Volusia, Flagler and Brevard counties. González served as Duke Energy’s leader in this region for local governments, civic partnerships and was responsible for government relations, philanthropy, community engagement strategy and social responsibility.

González served as director of community affairs for Valencia College and executive director of Valencia Promise/Orange County Take Stock in Children. González successfully re-launched the program in Orange County providing college scholarships, mentors and hope to economically disadvantaged youth locally, and was responsible for financial management, educational partnerships, community relations, marketing, branding, corporate partnerships, fundraising, and business operations. She previously served in the Orange County public school system where she held roles as principal, assistant principal, dean, and high school teacher. She served as the instructional leader, led faculty development, curriculum delivery, student achievement and led its financial and facilities operations.

In addition to her experience in education, González worked as the Central Florida regional director for the United States Senate.

Elisha serves in leadership roles for numerous organizations, including her gubernatorial appointment to Career Source Florida State Board and is the Vice
Chair of the Finance committee, Florida Policy Institute, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando, United Arts of Central Florida, Junior Achievement of Central Florida, Heart of Florida United Way Board Member and 2021 Women United Chair and 2019 Campaign Chair. Board Chair of the Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund of Metro Orlando and the Orlando Economic Partnership – Policy & Advocacy and Investor Relations committees.

She recently concluded her second term as board member of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and also served on the Seminole State College Foundation, Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida, Past Board President of Art & History Museum – Maitland, 2019, Seminole Regional Chamber of Commerce Board, Leadership Seminole Board, Seminole County Homelessness Action Board, Kids House of Seminole Inc., Florida Executive Women Board and Investor Relations Team Volusia Economic Development Commission.

She has also served on the boards of the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, City Year Orlando, Orange County Government Minority/Women Enterprise Advisory Committee, Orange County Government Children and Families Board, Women’s Resource Center of Central Florida, and Orange County Government Arts and Cultural Affairs Board.

González is also member of Leadership Florida. González also served on the gubernatorial appointed state board, Equity in Educational Opportunity Task Force and the senate appointed Florida’s Partnership for School Safety and Security Task Force. Elisha has been recognized for her community work and leadership with numerous honors, including 2021 Women of Influence, Orange Appeal Magazine, 2020 Women Who Move the City, Orlando Magazine, 2019 Women of the Year, Orange Appeal, 2019 i4 Business Magazine UP CLOSE feature, 2018 Orlando Business Journal’s, (OBJ), Women Who Mean Business Executive of the Year Honoree, 2018 Orlando Magazine Women of the Year Honoree, 2015 Mexican Consulate Women of Distinction Award, 2014 Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando 25 Most Influential Hispanics in Central Florida, 2014 Association of Fundraising Professionals, (AFP), – Embraced By Grace Champions for Children Award, 2014 La Prensa Women of Distinction Award, and Orlando Business Journal 40 Under 40 Award. In 2014, she received the prestigious Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando/ Hispanic Business Initiative Fund Don Quijote Professional of the Year Award.

González earned a Master of Science degree in Business Administration in Education from Nova Southeastern University. A native of Mexico City, Mexico, González earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of Central Florida.