Women in Leadership Panel: Influence & Reinvention

Leadership isn’t a straight line. It evolves — and so do we.

Join FPRA Orlando for a candid conversation with accomplished women leaders who have built influence, navigated career plateaus and pivots, and redefined what executive presence looks like at every stage of growth.

This panel will explore how women sustain momentum in high-stakes environments, expand their leadership impact without burnout, and reinvent themselves without losing authenticity. From career reinvention to navigating pressure-filled moments, our speakers will share real stories, hard-earned lessons and practical strategies you can apply immediately.

Expect honest insights, actionable guidance and meaningful perspective on advancing your influence while staying grounded in who you are.

Come ready to reflect, connect and leave with renewed clarity about your next chapter in leadership.

Chauniqua "Major" Major - Whatever’s Good PR + Marketing

Chauniqua "Major" Major is a values-driven communications strategist who helps good brands thrive. She is the founder of Whatever’s Good PR + Marketing, a woman-led agency specializing in nonprofits, retail and restaurants, and corporations on a mission to do good. Her team works with organizations across the country to craft authentic, ethical messaging through their proprietary framework, Communicating with Dignity. With nearly 20 years of experience in media relations, strategy, influencer marketing, community engagement, and crisis management, Major has partnered with startups, nonprofits, and global brands including Carnival Corporation and Amazon. She is also the founder of Major’s Project Pop, a nationally recognized popcorn company featured in Forbes and Business Insider, with partnerships including Netflix and more. Major lives in Orlando and is training to become a pilates instructor.

Trish Wingerson – Orlando Magic

Entering her 30th year with the Magic, Trish Wingerson was promoted to vice president of public relations in 2024. Prior to that, she was the senior director of communications after spending six years as the director of public relations. Her primary responsibilities include all off-the-court publicity efforts for the Magic and serving as the public relations liaison for the Osceola Magic and the Solar Bears. She also oversees the team’s copy editing; supervises the communications stats crew and game night staff; assists with player appearances/requests, interviews, press conferences, photo requests, written team communication; and supports all areas of the communications department including the creation of communications strategy and PR initiatives Wingerson began her tenure during the Magic’s run to the 1995 NBA Finals as an intern in the communications department. Prior to joining the Magic, she worked as a reporter for WUFT-TV and WUFT-FM in Gainesville, Fla. Wingerson volunteers her time in the community with the Magic’s various community initiatives. She currently serves as co-chair on the Magic’s Gamechang(HER)s Employee Resource Group. She has also served on the Magic's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force; the committee for the Orlando Wine Festival and Auction benefiting the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation (OMYF); the OMYF Grant VIP Committee and Scholarship Committee. She also volunteered her time as the membership recruitment and marketing co-chair for the Edgewater High School crew team and served as treasurer of the Edgewater High School girls’ soccer team. Previously, she served on boards for the Children’s Home Society, assisting with the communications committee, and the Orlando Ballet; and has worked with the Orlando/Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau Public Relations Committee, and the Lighthouse Central Florida Marketing Advisory Council. She is a 2006 graduate of the WOMEN Unlimited TEAM program and a 2017 graduate of the Accendo LEADForward program and serves as a mentor for Women in Sports and Events (WISE) Greater Orlando organization. Wingerson, a member of the Florida Public Relations Association and the Association for Women in Sports Media, graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in telecommunication, broadcast news. She and her husband, Kirk, reside in Orlando, Fla. with their daughters, Kaya and Keaton.

Dr. Doragnes Rivera Bradshaw -Rollins College

Dr. Doragnes Rivera Bradshaw is an award-winning servant-leader with over 25 years of experience in organizational communication and leadership. Her career spans strategic roles in business planning, marketing, human resources, and operations, beginning in the not-for-profit motor club industry and she later found her passion for higher education and its community impact. Currently, Doragnes is serving as the Assistant Dean and an Adjunct Faculty member at the Rollins College Hamilton Holt School of Professional Advancement and Graduate Studies.

Doragnes is a triple Rollins College alumna with a Doctorate in Business Administration focused on leadership and gender studies, an executive MBA, and a BA in Communication Studies with a concentration in organizational leadership and communication. She holds an industry credential as a Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) by the Society for Human Resource Management.

Doragnes is a passionate connector, caregiver, and lifelong learner, deeply committed to the belief that “life is for service”. She currently serves on four boards: PRSA Orlando, Senior Resource Alliance, Women’s Executive Council, and the Winter Park Library. She aims to lead with integrity, nurture with intention, and inspire through action—always seeking to make a lasting positive impact in the lives of others.

When she's not on campus or serving in the community, Doragnes is likely adventuring around the world with her family. They love to travel to experience diverse cultures and creating forever memories together.

Heather Fagan – City of Orlando

Heather Fagan serves as the Chief of Staff for Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, where she plays a pivotal role in shaping and executing the Mayor’s strategic vision for the city. Acting as a key liaison between the Mayor’s Office, City Commissioners, and a diverse network of community partners, Heather identifies emerging issues that impact Orlando’s residents and advises on innovative solutions to address them. In her role, Heather leads the City’s Executive Offices staff in the seamless execution of high-priority policy initiatives, including reducing homelessness, expanding Orlando's global entertainment footprint through arts, sports, and entertainment opportunities, and creating avenues for neighborhoods to stay engaged in the city government process. Throughout, she ensures that the City’s goals align with the needs and aspirations of its residents and stakeholders. Her ability to synthesize complex issues, build consensus, and drive meaningful action makes her an invaluable asset and leader in advancing the Mayor’s agenda while fostering a collaborative, forward-thinking environment for Orlando’s growth and success. Before assuming the role of Chief of Staff, Heather began her service with the City of Orlando in 2006, holding various communication roles, including Public Information Officer, Press Secretary, and Deputy Chief of Staff, eventually leading to her current position. Throughout her service to the City Beautiful, Heather has played a pivotal role in driving city-wide projects, advocating for legislative priorities, and fostering collaboration across local government and community organizations. Her leadership has been integral in advancing key initiatives, such as the approval and construction of the Kia Center, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, the Camping World Stadium renovation, securing a Major League Soccer team, and the installation of See Art Orlando—the largest permanent sculpture collection of artwork under construction at one time. Following the tragic Pulse Nightclub shooting in 2016, Heather led the City of Orlando’s crisis communication response, which has been recognized across the country as a model for other local governments to follow. The United States Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services conducted a comprehensive after-action assessment that highlighted the communication efforts, stating, “One of the hallmarks of Orlando’s response to the Pulse nightclub attack was the citywide structured, coordinated, and disciplined handling of media and public relations.”

As a passionate strategic communicator, Heather conducts crisis communication training across the country through the Center for Homeland Defense and Security, providing guidance to government agencies on responding to emergencies. Heather has been recognized as the 2019 Public Relations Professional of the Year, named to Orlando Business Journal’s 40 Under 40, and honored as a Woman of the Year by Orange Appeal. She is also a proud University of Central Florida alumna where she was recognized as the 2025 Nicholson School of Communications Hall of Fame inductee.

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