Winter Park Institute

08/21/2026

The Winter Park Institute in partnership with Orlando Health , welcomes internationally recognized chef, restaurateur and humanitarian José Andrés to Central Florida on October 20, 2026, for a signature Institute Event at Warden Arena at Rollins College

A celebrated chef, restaurateur, and humanitarian, Andrés has built a remarkable career around a powerful idea: food has the ability to bring people together and each of us has the ability to make a difference.

In 2010, Andrés founded World Central Kitchen, which provides meals to communities affected by disasters and humanitarian crises.

In a dynamic and deeply personal conversation, he will share stories from his journey and reflect on leadership, service and what it means to act when others need us most.

A Conversation with José Andrés
Tuesday, October 20, 2026 | 6:30 p.m.
Warden Arena at Rollins College

Tickets start at $25.

Purchase tickets on Eventbrite

*** If link does not take you directly to José Andrés tickets then please search WINTER PARK INSTITUTE on Eventbrite ***

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Join the Winter Park Institute and Orlando Health for an extraordinary evening with José Andrés, Chef, Restaurateur, and Humanitarian.

07/15/2026

We are thrilled to welcome Lindsay Kist as our new Executive Director.

Most recently serving as Vice President of the Winter Park Health Foundation, Lindsay brings more than 15 years of experience in philanthropy, communications, strategic partnerships, and community engagement.

Throughout her career, she has built meaningful collaborations, connected people around important ideas, and helped organizations create lasting impact.

As we look ahead, Lindsay’s leadership will help advance the Winter Park Institute’s mission to engage global thought leaders in meaningful conversations that impact our world. Together, we will continue creating opportunities for our community to explore new ideas that improve our lives and strengthen our communities.

We also extend our deepest gratitude to Mark Freid, our former Executive Director, for his vision, leadership, and commitment to building the Winter Park Institute. As Mark transitions to focus full-time on leading Think Integrated, the award-winning marketing firm he founded, we are grateful he will continue serving on the Winter Park Institute Board of Trustees. His continued guidance, combined with Lindsay’s leadership, positions the Institute for an exciting new chapter of growth and impact.

Please join us in welcoming Lindsay to the Winter Park Institute family. We look forward to continuing to bring global thought leaders and meaningful conversations to Central Florida for years to come.

NonprofitLeadership

07/13/2026

Who is a current or past mentor who has made an impact on your life? Please comment below and tag them. We love celebrating people who are helping guide others.

One of the most powerful takeaways from Secretary Condoleezza Rice speaking at Winter Park Institute was the importance of mentorship. During her conversation on April 13, she shared that some of the most influential mentors in her life saw gifts and potential in her before she fully saw them in herself. Many of those mentors did not look like her or come from the same background, but they believed in her, challenged her, and encouraged her to reach her fullest potential.

That reminder stayed with us. Mentorship has the power to change the trajectory of a life and strengthen an entire community.

We encourage you to find a mentor, become a mentor, and to help build a stronger Central Florida together. 💙

07/12/2026

This is ideas into impact. Together with our presenting sponsor, , Winter Park Institute is proud to present this contribution to Support Our Scholars and invest in the next generation of leaders.

What you are seeing in this reel is the culmination of our three part speaker series centered around inspiration, reflection, and impact.

We began by welcoming Secretary Condoleezza Rice to the Central Florida stage. Her conversation challenged us to think deeply about education, women’s leadership, breaking glass ceilings, democracy, and the importance of stepping forward to do what has never been done before. One message especially stayed with us: “Democracy is not a spectator sport.”
The conversation continued at our second event at the Rice Family Pavilion at Rollins College, where our community gathered to reflect on the themes shared throughout the evening. We spoke about the life changing power of mentorship, the people who see potential in us before we fully see it in ourselves, and the importance of opening doors for the next generation.

We concluded the series at Jewett Orthopedic Institute with the final stage: impact. Together, we explored how each of us can create meaningful change within our own community through leadership, mentorship, and sponsorship.

To close the series, and Winter Park Institute proudly presented a $10,000 check to from ticket sales and the support of . We chose SOS because of their incredible mentorship program and their commitment to helping young women, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college, gain the tools, support, and opportunities to change not only their own future, but often the future of their entire families.

That is the power of conversations leading to impact. 💙

winterparkflorida

07/11/2026

On April 21, the Winter Park Institute community gathered at the Rice Family Pavilion at Rollins College College for an evening of reflection, dialogue, and connection following our April 13 conversation with Secretary Condoleezza Rice.

Together, we explored what it truly means to flourish as a community through leadership, mentorship, citizenship, and meaningful conversation. Thank you to Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Mark Hertling( Mark Hertling ), Professor Mike Gunter ( Mike Gunter ), John Rife (John Rife ), Jo Newell ( Monday Strategies ) , and Eltavious Johnson ( Eltavious Johnson )for sharing their wisdom and inspiring us to turn ideas into action.

This evening reminded us that the most impactful conversations do not end when the stage lights go down. They continue in our communities, our relationships, and the way we choose to lead and serve others every day.
Thank you to everyone who joined us as part of our 2026 Human Flourishing series. This is how we live well together.

Thank you to our sponsors , Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation, and Rollins College .

07/10/2026

What an unforgettable evening for Central Florida!

On April 13, Winter Park Institute welcomed Secretary Condoleezza Rice, 66th United States Secretary of State, to Steinmetz Hall for an inspiring conversation about leadership, democracy, mentorship, education, and the responsibility we all share in shaping a better future.

This reel captures just a small glimpse of the energy, ideas, and meaningful connections that filled the room that evening. This evening reminded us why Winter Park Institute exists:
To engage global thought leaders in meaningful conversations that impact our world.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, supported us, and believed in the power of ideas, dialogue, and community.

We extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsors and partners whose support made our April 13 conversation with Secretary Condoleezza Rice possible. Thank you to our sponsors Orlando Health, the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Rollins College, Lokal Harvest USA, Northern Jet, The Pledge Central Florida, Dr. Phillips Charities, the David & Stephanie Carmany Foundation, the City of Winter Park, Florida Blue, VyStar Credit Union, Grand Bohemian Orlando, Andalusian Private Capital & Advisory, Allan and Linda Keen and Family, Jeffrey and Caroline Blydenburgh, and the Zimmerman Family Foundation. Your generosity helps the Winter Park Institute bring inspiring voices, meaningful dialogue, and transformative experiences to our community.

06/23/2026

Stepping into a Winter Park Institute event feels exciting and special from the moment you walk through the doors. The lobby is filled with familiar faces from across the Central Florida community, and there is always this feeling of energy and anticipation before another extraordinary speaker takes the stage. As guests gather in the lobby, conversations begin that often turn into new friendships and spark meaningful connections. Then the lights dim, everyone takes their seats, and it is time for learning, growing and reflecting.

And often, the most meaningful part happens after the global thought leader has left the stage. On the drive home, during conversations with friends, or in quiet moments throughout the following days and weeks… The ideas stay with you - they challenge you to be more present, think differently, live more fully, and ask yourself how you can create a greater impact in your own community.

That is the power of meaningful conversations.​​ That is the power of the Winter Park Institute.
For more information please visit our website www.WinterParkInstitute.org

06/17/2026

Why does Winter Park Institute matter?
Winter Park Institute is more than a speaker series. It is a place where big ideas come to Central Florida and challenge us to think differently, grow personally, and stay curious about the world around us.
The most powerful part? The conversation does not end when the lights go down. That inspiration and impact is carried into our homes, classrooms, businesses, friendships, and community. That ripple effect matters.
If you believe learning and growth should never stop, we would love for you to join us ✨
For more information please visit our website www.WinterParkInstitute.org

06/03/2026

Today, we are honored to welcome five remarkable new members to our Board of Trustees, alongside the announcement of our 2026–2027 leadership team.

Please join us in welcoming:
• Michelle Alban
• Aleksandra Cuprys
• Dr. E. Ann McGee
• Daniel F. McIntosh
• Megan Rose

We are also pleased to introduce our new Board officers:
• Lawrence Lyman, Board Chair
• Linda Warren, Vice Chair
• Megan Rose, Treasurer
• Stephanie Carmany, Secretary

We also pause to express our profound gratitude to outgoing Board Chair Tony Jenkins, whose leadership guided the Winter Park Institute through one of the most transformative chapters in its history.

Under Tony’s leadership, the Institute expanded both its reach and impact across Central Florida, including landmark conversations with Arthur Brooks and 66th U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at Steinmetz Hall. His vision helped position the organization for long term growth, deeper community engagement, and an exciting future ahead.

As we look to the future, our commitment remains clear: to engage global thought leaders in meaningful conversations that spark ideas, strengthen our community, and help shape a more connected and hopeful future for Central Florida and beyond.

The future is bright. Thank you to everyone who continues to believe in and support the mission of the Winter Park Institute.

05/02/2026

One of the most meaningful parts of April 13 was looking around the room and seeing so many generations learning together.

Students, young professionals, parents, grandparents, and longtime community leaders all came to hear Secretary Condoleezza Rice and to be part of something bigger than themselves. That is the kind of community the Winter Park Institute is building. We believe some of the most important conversations happen when people of different ages and experiences come together, listen closely, and reflect with one another. Cross-generational learning makes all of us stronger, wiser, and more connected.

Learn more at www.winterparkinstitute.org