BIOGRAPHY

Emily Bonilla is an Orange County Florida County Commissioner of District 5, elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2020.

Born in New York to a Puerto Rican mother and half Dominican/Puerto Rican black father, raised in Massachusetts by her maternal grandparents, Emily Bonilla is a proud Floridian of 22 years. She obtained an Associates Degree in Film from Valencia, a Bachelor’s in English from UCF, and Masters in Internet Marketing from Full Sail University.

She has extensive private sector experience in film, photography, marketing, and creative writing. Brought up in an impoverished family of origin, Bonilla is a visionary who carved out a successful niche in the highly competitive industry. A strong advocate for women, she developed comprehensive marketing tools and strategies that give work-at-home moms (WAHM) a boost up the business ladder.

Following years of entrepreneurial accomplishments, she worked as a Career Advisor at Full Sail University. Duties included assisting new grads with finding employment and/or creating their own business as well as working with businesses that were looking at locating to Orange County.

A long-time supporter of our planet, Bonilla is all about promoting the conservation of Orange County’s natural and economic resources. She currently serves as a dedicated advocate, in fervent opposition to urban sprawl.

Seeing a need for the organization of residents to protect their rural environment, she created Save East Orlando in 2013, which later she transformed the assets into East of the Econ (™), LLC. She also served as a co-founder and acting Chairperson of Save Orange County until 2015.

Bonilla takes on the Commissioner’s responsibility to oppose developments that harm the environment and economy is of great importance. She provides flexible but firm leadership to bring sound judgment to Orange County government. She is an active listener to other viewpoints, an assertive communicator, and an effective team builder.

EDUCATION

• Full Sail University, Master’s Degree, Internet Marketing, 2010
• University of Central Florida, Bachelor’s Degree, Creative Writing, 2003
• Valencia Community College, Associate in Science, Film Technology, 2001

PUBLIC SERVICE AND AFFILIATIONS

• Member, League of Women Voters of Orange County
• Member, Sierra Club
• Member, Woman in Transportation (WTS)
• Orange County Vice Mayor, 2020
• Appointed, Orange County Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Board, Current
• Appointed, Orange County Value Adjustment Board, Former
• Appointed, Orange County Procurement Committee, Current
• Appointed, Orange County Research and Development Advisory Board, Current
• Appointed, Orange County Library Board, Current
• Appointed, Metro Plan Orlando Board, Current
• Appointed, East Central Florida Regional Planning Council Committee, Current
• Appointed, East Central Florida Regional Planning Council Executive Committee, Current
• Appointed, East Central Florida Regional Planning Council Resiliency Committee, Current
• Appointed, East Central Florida Regional Planning Council How did we grow? Leadership Committee, Current
• Appointed, Florida Association of Counties Growth, Agriculture, Transportation and Environment Policy Committee, Former
• Appointed, Florida Association of Counties Water Policy Committee, Former
• Appointed, Florida Association of Counties Urban Caucus, Former
• Appointed, Florida Association of Counties Agriculture and Rural Affairs Policy Committee, Current
• Appointed, Florida Association of Counties Community and Urban Affairs Policy Committee, Current
• Appointed, Florida Association of Counties Water and Environment Sustainability Policy Committee, Current
• Appointed, Florida Association of Counties Board of Directors, Current
• Appointed, National Association of Counties Community, Economic, and Workforce Development Steering Committee, Current
• Appointed, National Association of Counties Agriculture and Rural Affairs Steering Committee, Former
• Appointed, National Association of Counties Large Urban County Caucus, Current
• Appointed, National Association of Counties Resiliency Counties Advisory Board, Current
• Appointed, National Association of Counties Arts and Culture Commission, Current
• Appointed, National Association of Counties Health and Housing Education Cohort, Current
• National Association of Latino Elected Officials Census Day in DC Advocacy Group, 2019/2020
• Former Board Member of Corner Lake Estates HOA, 2012-2016
• Former Legislative Chair at Corner Lake Middle School PTSA, 2011-2013
• Runway to Hope’s Celebrity Escort
• Honorary Host, Equality Florida Greater Orlando Gala
• Honorary Host, UCP Gala
• Proclamation Presenter, Autism Society of Greater Orlando’s Autism Walk & Family Fun Day
• Proclamation Presenter, Dragon Parade
• Proclamation Presenter, Girls on the Run Central Florida 5K
• Organized, Puerto Rican Evacuees Task Force
• Hosted, Puerto Rican Evacuee Assistance Summit
• Hosted, District 5 Farm Tour

PROFESSIONAL

• Digital Media Marketing Specialist and Business Consultant, 2010-Present
• Internet Marketing Alumni and Career Advisor at Full Sail University, 2013-2016
• Founder, East of the Econ, 2015-2016
• Co-Founder and Vice Chair of Save Orange County, Inc, 2014-2015
• Marketing Consultant for WAHM (Work at Home Moms), 2007-2013

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

• Professional Development Academy, High Performance Leadership Master Certificate, 2023
• Alianza, Celebrating Woman Leaders, 2020
• Sierra Club, Certificate of Appreciation, 2020
• JV’s Foundation, Certificate of Appreciation, 2019
• African Leaders Council of Florida, Diversity and Collaboration Award, 2019
• East River FFA Chapter, Certificate of Appreciation, 2018
• University FFA Chapter, Certificate of Appreciation, 2018
• Sierra Club, CFL Annual Award, 2017
• Community Leadership Award by the Project Management Institute of Central Florida, 2016
• FAC County Commissioners Certification, 2018
• FAC Advanced County Commissioners Certification, 2019
• FAC Advanced County Commissioners – Leadership Academy Certification, 2020
• NALEO Biennial National Institute for Newly Elected Officials Certificate of Completion, 2018
• Taiwan Young Elected Officials Delegation, 2017
• FAC Presidential Advocate Award, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
• Latino Leadership Institute & The United Faculty of Florida at UCF, Electoral Activism & Leadership Academy Certificate, 2016
• Full Sail University, “You Rock” Peer Recognition Award for Excellence, 2015
• The Pros Entertainment, Videographer of the Year, 2003