Executive Leadership

Pamela Nabors

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

As president and CEO of CareerSource Central Florida, she leads Florida’s second-largest local workforce development board, overseeing a budget of $38.5 million and 250 employees to serve the 2.8 million residents of CareerSource Central Florida’s five-county region, including Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, and Sumter.

Pamela’s passion for the workforce industry spans decades of experience, and her strategic leadership in workforce development has been instrumental in connecting talent with sustainable jobs and supporting economic growth. She believes fostering partnerships in the community is essential to pave the way for career training, technical skills development, and innovative opportunities that open doors to higher-wage jobs.

The National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) has recognized her with their top honor as a visionary leader making exceptional contributions to the industry. She is currently a trustee and past president of the United States Conference of Mayors’ Workforce Development Council, the national advisory board that represents workforce development issues to U.S. mayors and congressional leaders.

In the local community, Orlando Business Journal has recognized her as “CEO of the Year” and recently named her one of the “2023 Power Players” in Central Florida. In addition, she has been named one of Orlando Magazine’s 50 Most Powerful People for two consecutive years. She is active on numerous civic boards of directors, including the Osceola Council on Aging and Junior Achievement of Central Florida.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the State University of New York College in Buffalo and a master’s degree in Personnel Psychology from the Florida Institute of Technology.

Tadar Muhammad

As Chief Operating Officer and First Vice President of CareerSource Central Florida (CSCF), Tadar Muhammad delivers strategic oversight on administration and workforce operations for all federal, state, and local workforce development programs and grants. He spearheads all operational aspects of the organization for the second largest workforce development board in Florida with a budget of approximately $38.5 million and 250 employees serving in five counties (Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, and Sumter.)

Prior to joining CSCF, Tadar was the Chief Development Officer with the Heart of Florida United Way (HFUW) where he was responsible for driving and growing revenue for the organization and creating new partnerships. He also raised more than $2M to support the Central Florida community after Hurricane Ian and established the TECHquity initiative designed to bridge the digital divide by fostering greater digital equity and inclusion throughout the Central Florida community.  

Muhammad is an Adjunct Professor at Valencia College teaching life skill courses to advise and prepare new students to all aspects of college and career opportunities. Tadar’s success comes from his commitment to understanding the community he serves through his Board service and active participation in many Central Florida organizations.  
 
Tadar is a member of Route 7 Orlando and Evans High School Giving Back programs and currently serves as the Chairman of the Board for the Orange County Citizens Commission for Children, Vice Chairman of the Board for the Florida Juvenile Justice Foundation; Secretary for the Prison Rehabilitative Industries and Diversified Enterprises, Inc. (PRIDE) Board of Directors; Immediate Past Chairman of Sunshine Charter High Schools in Orange County;  Board Member for the Poinsette Foundation and also Alumni Board Member for the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College. 

A native Chicagoan, Muhammad moved to Orlando in 1983. After receiving a scholarship to Valencia College and a B.A. in Organizational Management from Warner University in 2001, he earned his Executive MBA from Rollins College’s Crummer Graduate School of Business in 2017.  

Muhammad lives in Orlando with wife Gina of 17 years along with four children Elijah, Ciera, Mariyah and Malik.

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.

Dyana Burke

As Chief of Staff at CareerSource Central Florida (CSCF), Dyana Burke serves as a strategic partner to the President & Chief Executive Officer and the entire executive leadership team. She works to drive initiatives to ensure operational excellence and as a liaison to facilitate cross-department collaboration to drive strategy, energy, and success across CSCF. She also oversees CSCF’s Board of Directors and Sub-Committees. Dyana has been a part of CSCF for five years, previously serving as Senior Vice President of Human Resources where she developed strategies and initiatives to drive company culture, goals, and objectives.

Previously, Dyana served at Tribune Publishing Company, a parent company of the Orlando Sentinel and dozens of other media across the country 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.  Prior to that, she led Public Relations and Communications efforts for CIBC World Markets, and spent seven years at Orlando Health, first as Communications Manager, and then as Assistant Director of Internal Communications and Recognition.

Dyana has extensive experience in creating strategic alliances with leaders to effectively support key business initiatives while creating an empowering culture where employees can reach their full potential. Dyana has been a “Top 100 Companies for Working Families in Central Florida” judge for 16 years and is a previous Board Member for the Adult Literacy League for Central Florida.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in public relations from the University of Florida.

Nilda Blanco

Nilda Blanco has a deep understanding of workforce development and public policy, working with a variety of community and business partners during her 24-year workforce career. As Sr. Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, she oversees developing and implementing strategic initiatives to drive growth and prosperity in targeted counties and municipalities, while also supporting talent development through partnerships with industries and educational institutions.

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 the City of New Britain focused on workforce development, housing, education, and health policy.

Blanco currently holds a master’s degree in public administration from Capella University and Bachelor of Arts degrees in journalism, mass media, and communications from Rutgers University. Blanco is a Florida Sterling Council Advanced Examiner and a Six Sigma Black Belt.

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.

Marcela DeFaria

Marcela DeFaria serves as Vice President of Development at CareerSource Central Florida, where she is responsible for business development, managing strategic community partnerships and building consensus to advance targeted workforce development initiatives to further the organization’s mission. Most recently, she served as Director of Advancement at UCF, overseeing philanthropic fundraising, community partnerships, and alumni engagement efforts at the top-ranked UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management and UCF Global.

Previously, Marcela held various advancement roles at The University of Texas at Austin, including Director of Development for Major Gifts in the College of Fine Arts, Associate Director of Development for Corporate and Foundation Relations at the Jackson School of Geosciences, and overseeing annual giving and stewardship for the Cockrell School of Engineering.

Marcela is currently pursuing an MBA at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and is a recent graduate of Leadership Orlando (Class 103). She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music performance and history from the University of Florida and The Ohio State University.

She is an avid flutist and a staunch advocate for higher education, workforce development, social justice, underrepresented communities, the arts, civic engagement, and she is passionate about her new hometown of Orlando, FL. When not working to further CareerSource Central Florida’s workforce development initiatives, Marcela can be found enjoying outdoor activities and going to theme parks, beaches, and cultural arts events with her family and two cocker spaniels. It is also one of her goals in life to get everyone hooked on Brazilian food and soccer.

Emily Kruszewski

Emily Kruszewski is the Vice President of Strategic Communications at CareerSource Central Florida (CSCF) and oversees the strategic direction for the company’s marketing and communications initiatives. With a knack and passion for storytelling, Emily is leading the communication division at CSCF forward with new and elevated concepts and purpose-driven campaigns to boost brand awareness and increase engagement across the board. Emily is responsible for the company’s internal and external communication teams, its marketing division, and ongoing communication with the CSCF Board of Directors.

Emily comes to CSCF with more than 15 years of experience working with some of the region’s most iconic and beloved brands with a global presence. Emily has served as Account Director for one of Central Florida’s popular Public Relations firm where she led strategic direction for brands such as Planet Fitness, Special Olympics USA Games, Special Olympics Florida, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, Hyperice and much more. She led the company’s crisis communications division and oversaw the agency’s restaurant and lifestyle practice through internal, external, and social media communications. Prior to that, Emily led campaigns for some of the world’s most distinguished brands, including SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, General Motors, and The Space Coast Office of Tourism. Emily has also helped open some of Orlando’s most famous attractions including Aquatica, Legoland Florida, and Mako at SeaWorld Orlando.

With a passion for community and impactful storytelling, Emily has shared her expertise to others through local chapter meetings of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) as well as speaking engagements for higher education students, including at Rollins College where she has spoken on creating compelling media relations campaigns. She also facilitated a giving campaign for Special Olympics Florida and led the media relations campaign announcing Orlando as the host city for the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, which received media coverage internationally and on Good Morning America. Emily’s passion and expertise for pursuing relationships helps businesses in Central Florida amplify the region’s strong sense of community.

Emily is an Orlando Business Journal 40 Under 40 recipient and today serves on committees for Special Olympics Florida to further their mission of inclusion across Florida. Emily holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications, Advertising & Public Relations from Florida State University. She currently resides in Orlando with her husband and two children.

Gina Ronokarijo

As Vice President of Workforce Operations at CareerSource Central Florida (CSCF), Gina oversees services to career seekers and businesses, supports the implementation of an organizational excellence framework, and strategic planning and program development.

Gina has a keen understanding of workforce development and public policy, working with a variety of community and business partners during her decade long workforce career. She supports the implementation of an organizational excellence framework, analysis of business operations and services, strategic planning and program development including Welfare Transition, Wagner Peyser, Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA), Adult, Displaced Workers, and Youth programs.

Gina joined the CareerSource Florida network in 2016 as a program manager, working her way through several management roles up to her most recent role as Senior Director of Planning and Policy. Prior to joining CareerSource, Gina was with Rescare Workforce Services for six years in roles of increasing responsibility. Gina is a connector, a leader, and a teacher – both in her former career as an educator and in her current role. She is passionate about teaching and training to create opportunities for all individuals. Her motto is “I am successful when the people that I work with are reaching their full potential.”

Gina holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Lee University. In addition, she was named 2021 Workforce Champion by the National Association for Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP), she is a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt, holds a Florida Teacher Certification, and obtained Tier 1, 2, and 3 Workforce Professional Certifications.

Kristi Vilardi

Kristi Vilardi has served as the Controller at CareerSource Central Florida for the past 4 years. Kristi manages and oversees the Finance Team and drives the current accounting system conversion.

Rachael Donaldson

Rachael Donaldson is CareerSource Central Florida’s (CSCF) Director of Human Resources where she helps develop strategies and initiatives to drive company culture, goals, and objectives that align with the organization’s mission to support economic and workforce development.

She brings over two decades of expertise in human resources, with a deep commitment to employee relations, strategic development, and compliance. She is a versatile and dedicated HR professional with extensive experience in policy development, conflict resolution, employment law, developing employee recognition programs and employee handbooks, administering Code of Conduct compliance, and talent management across several industries. She also has a keen understanding of HR regulations including EEOC, HIPAA, FLSA, and ADA.

Prior to joining CSCF in 2021, Rachael held HR roles with Diamond Resorts International and Pinnacle Financial Corporation. She has been recognized for her strengths in progressive discipline, performance management, and her strategic approach to talent acquisition.

Rachael holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration majoring in business management and human resources management from the University of Central Florida. She’s also a long-time member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) with numerous SHRM professional certifications.

Evan Williams

Evan Williams is the Director of Workforce Operations and has 12 years of experience in workforce development. Evan oversees the CareerSource Central Florida Career Centers, business engagement, Veterans’ team, and virtual services, as well as supports the overall operations.

Janeé Olds

Janeé Olds is the Director of Workforce Special Projects and has been in workforce development at CareerSource Central Florida for 11 years. Janeé oversees various projects across the region targeting specific populations.

Candace Burns