Orlando Economic Partnership Vice President of Innovation and Orlando Film Commissioner Sheena Fowler, who spearheaded many technology initiatives, has left the Central Florida economic development organization.
Fowler’s last day at the Orlando Economic Partnership (OEP) was July 2, according to an email from OEP President Tim Giuliani to members of the Orlando Tech Council. Fowler, the OEP staff member who oversaw the tech council, accepted a position at an unnamed company.
Fowler told Orlando Business Journal she cannot discuss her new position at this time. “While I cannot comment on where specifically my next adventure will take me, I will remain part of the tech community and will always remain a fierce advocate for the incredible companies and support organizations that make up this region’s tech ecosystem.”
Fowler worked at the OEP for nearly 12 years, serving as film commissioner since 2011 and vice president of innovation since 2019. Fowler played a role in bringing the Rise of the Rest traveling pitch competition and innovation summit Synapse to Orlando in 2019. She also led the strategy behind the creation of the Orlando Tech Council, a collection of businesses and resource groups focused on growing the region’s tech and innovation ecosystems.
“She has been instrumental in many high-profile projects and has boosted our efforts to accelerate our progress towards an innovation-based economy,” Giuliani wrote in his email to the Orlando Tech Council.
Fowler was instrumental in the launch of the Orlando Tech Council and helped it build a “strong foundation,” said Rajiv Menon, chair of the council and CEO of Orlando-based software firm Informulate. “She’s been a major force in the community.”
Likewise, Lilian Myers, executive director of Orlando startup accelerator Starter Studio and chair-elect of the Orlando Tech Council, called Fowler a “stalwart supporter” of the region’s tech sector. "I'm not sure that any single individual has done more to unify and align the Central Florida tech ecosystem than Sheena.”
The OEP will seek another person to fill the vice president of innovation position, Giuliani said. In the meantime, Lindsey Sandrin, director of innovation and the Orlando Film Commission, will take over Fowler’s role as the OEP’s point person at the Orlando Tech Council.
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